How Do We Move Ahead?

by mandymorgan January 22, 2025

Recent executive changes in federal policy have reshaped the landscape for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, prompting public health organizations to reconsider how best to uphold these principles within the bounds of new directives. Executive orders now emphasize ending “illegal discrimination” and promoting a “merit-based” framework.

For public health professionals, this raises the question: how can we continue advancing inclusion and addressing disparities in ways that align with these guidelines while resonating with broader audiences, including conservative stakeholders?

Here are six potential strategies to navigate this evolving terrain and ensure public health efforts remain equitable, effective, and compliant.

1. Reframe Efforts Around Shared Values

In public health, fostering equity is often about ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities. Instead of using the term “DEI,” consider framing efforts around universally shared values like “opportunity,” “fairness,” or “community health.” These terms align with traditional ideals of equal treatment and individual responsibility while maintaining a focus on addressing health disparities. For example, initiatives could emphasize expanding equal access to services for underserved populations or creating new opportunities for training and career advancement in public health.

2. Prioritize Skills Development and Capacity Building

To align with merit-based directives, public health organizations can focus on upskilling and mentorship programs that benefit all employees while paying particular attention to reducing barriers for underrepresented groups. Offering robust training opportunities—such as leadership development, grant-writing workshops, or community health worker certifications (something close to our heart)—can help cultivate excellence across the workforce. Position these efforts as investments in organizational success rather than demographic goals, highlighting their role in advancing public health capacity.

3. Ensure Transparency and Legal Compliance

New guidelines stress the importance of avoiding quotas and ensuring compliance with civil-rights laws. Public health organizations should implement transparent, objective metrics for decision-making processes, such as hiring, promotions, and funding allocations.

For example, using standardized rubrics for evaluating grant applications (and this is a whole different topic) or hiring candidates based on clearly defined skills ensures fairness and avoids any perception of bias. These steps not only support compliance but also reinforce public trust in the integrity of public health institutions.

4. Foster Collaboration and Community Engagement

While the term “inclusion” may be scrutinized under the new policies, the underlying goal of fostering collaboration and belonging remains critical. Public health efforts thrive when diverse voices are part of the conversation, whether in community health assessments, program design, or policy development. Frame these efforts around the idea of teamwork and unity, emphasizing how diverse perspectives lead to more effective public health solutions. Highlight successes, such as how community engagement has improved vaccination rates or addressed food insecurity, to demonstrate the tangible benefits of collaboration.

5. Put Outcomes First

A compelling way to continue advancing equity is to tie it directly to measurable public health outcomes. For example, cite evidence showing how addressing disparities improves health metrics, reduces costs, and strengthens communities. Whether it’s data on how diverse public health teams create more culturally responsive interventions or research showing improved outcomes in communities with equitable resource distribution, connecting inclusion to performance strengthens its case while aligning with results-oriented values.

The caveat for this one, though, is that evidence doesn’t not hold equal weight in all audiences, as the COVID-19 crystallized. In this case, it would be best to tie the evidence to goals that align broadly with a conservative agenda — local determination, reduced cost.

The caveat to that caveat is that it’s not clear what conservatism is on a local level apart from broad cultural flashpoints. We’ll have to experiment to find the messaging that works best without compromising our values.

6. Stay Adaptive in a Changing Environment

Policy landscapes are not static. As public health organizations respond to new directives, it’s important to maintain flexibility and vigilance. Stay informed about legislative changes, court rulings, and emerging guidance that may affect DEI-related programs. Work closely with legal counsel or compliance experts to ensure your efforts align with current regulations while preserving your organization’s mission to serve vulnerable populations. Adapting rhetoric and strategies to remain compliant while continuing to champion health equity will ensure sustainability in this new environment.

Moving Forward: A Balanced Approach to Inclusion in Public Health

Public health professionals are uniquely positioned to advance fairness and opportunity while navigating complex social and political landscapes. By emphasizing shared values, investing in skills development, and using data to demonstrate the impact of equity-focused initiatives, organizations can continue making meaningful progress in health equity. These strategies not only align with current directives but also resonate with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, ensuring that the public health mission remains both impactful and inclusive.

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