Project 2025 is Coming. Here’s what to prepare for.

by Jon Scaccia November 7, 2024

Well, here we are.

In recent years, the intersection of policy and public health has been turbulent, to say the least. However, a seismic shift may be looming on the horizon that could reshape the very fabric of public health practice as we know it. A policy agenda outlined in the 2025 Mandate for Leadership – a comprehensive conservative policy blueprint by the Heritage Foundation and allied organizations – brings forward a set of proposals that, if enacted, would profoundly impact public health, education, and social welfare.

For public health practitioners and researchers, these policy proposals are not just distant political machinations; they are potential realities that could redefine the work they do daily and the communities they serve. This is not the time to stand on the sidelines. The implications of these proposed policies are vast, touching every corner of public health, from reproductive rights to education.

The Conservative Vision: A Return to “Traditional Values”

The document clearly emphasizes a return to what it terms “traditional values.” It proposes dismantling existing policies that support gender inclusivity, reproductive health rights, and the modern scope of public education. It outlines the need to:

• Remove references to sexual orientation and gender identity from all federal rules and regulations.
• Strip federal funding from educational institutions that teach critical race theory or gender ideology.
• Erase mentions of reproductive health rights in all federal legislation.

These changes are presented as protecting American family values, but their practical effects could reverse decades of progress in public health and education.

Impact on Public Health Programs

What does this mean for public health? The proposals could drastically alter programs designed to support marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ youth and those in need of reproductive health services.

For example, the 988 Lifeline has a separate network specifically dedicated to LGBTQ+ needs. An email came out JUST THIS MORNING noted a surge of 2-3x the normal expected numbers.

Public health has long emphasized the importance of inclusive care that considers all aspects of identity to improve outcomes. The potential removal of gender identity and sexual orientation from policies may hinder research, data collection, and targeted interventions critical for addressing health disparities.

For example, organizations involved in community health initiatives often rely on government grants and contracts. If policies shift to exclude institutions that do not align with this new vision, many of these organizations could face funding cuts. Imagine clinics that provide inclusive reproductive health services being shuttered or public health campaigns on mental health that target LGBTQ+ youth suddenly ending due to lack of support. The consequences could be dire.

Education and Public Health’s Intertwined Fate

The 2025 Mandate also targets the education system, with proposals to ban funding for schools that implement curricula involving critical race theory or comprehensive sex education. For public health practitioners, education is an upstream determinant of health. Comprehensive sex education, for example, has been linked to lower rates of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). If such programs are defunded, public health experts could see significant increases in these issues, setting back years of progress.

Here at PubTrawlr, we are starting a separate vertical on sexual health , so if you think you can help us with that, let me know.

Moreover, the mandate’s push to align public education with traditional “family-first” narratives poses a broader question: what happens when public education no longer equips students with the tools they need to understand health-related risks? When children are taught to fear diversity or ignore critical discussions on sexual health, public health systems will bear the burden.

The “War on Public Health” Framed as Freedom

The 2025 Mandate’s language frames these changes as measures to restore personal freedom and dismantle what it views as an overreaching administrative state. While public health has always navigated the fine line between personal freedom and collective well-being, these proposed policies tip the scales heavily. The vision champions individual rights in a way that may compromise public health safety nets.

Take, for instance, the proposal to weaken reproductive health rights under the banner of “family preservation.” This isn’t just about limiting access to services but also about stifling the very data that guides interventions. The eradication of reproductive health terminology from federal language could make it harder for public health researchers to secure funding for essential projects. This ripple effect would hamper studies, limit evidence-based policy, and mute public health advocacy efforts.

A Broader Context: The “Great Awokening” and Cultural Shift

The policy document positions itself as a pushback against what it calls the “Great Awokening”—a sweeping term that lumps together progressive cultural movements and deems them harmful to American society. But public health practitioners know that inclusivity is not a trend; it’s a foundation for healthier communities. Policies that strip language acknowledging gender and sexual orientation signal a broader effort to deny the lived experiences of many Americans.

These shifts are not just political chess moves—they are signals that the landscape of public health could shift from one of inclusion and evidence-based practice to a battleground over what is permissible to discuss, study, and implement. This culture war could erode trust in public health institutions, turning back progress in ways that extend far beyond the immediate policy changes.

Join the Conversation

How do you think these proposed changes would affect your work in public health? Have you experienced similar shifts in policy, and what lessons did you learn? Share your thoughts, insights, or experiences in the comments or join the discussion on social media using #PublicHealthUnderThreat.

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