Dear Alumni, Faculty, and Staff,
It seems like with each passing day the role of the public health professional becomes more vital. The World Health Organization recently estimated that by 2050 the burden of cancer will increase by 77%. As alarming as this is, it comes as no surprise to us in public health.
This article went on to address the inequities in cancer treatment access, including the economic role of lower-income countries. But in a field where prevention is our anthem, this issue seems broader and inevitable. We have seen the way inflation has made healthy eating a challenge, weakened the term “housing security,” and made seeking any type of medical care a nightmare for everyone, especially those already most vulnerable.
As disheartening as this may all sound at first, it is an exciting time to be in public health. We’re realizing that there isn’t one answer. The only solution here is to break down our silos, work together and recognize the significance of not only our roles in this fight but that of our fellow colleagues. Isn’t that the foundation of public health? We’ve all sat in a classroom and heard our professors (many of us have been the professors) tell us about building the bridge upstream to save the people drowning downstream. So, what does that bridge look like? Nutrition research has been identifying those foods that reduce inflammation and improve immunity. Still, we also need to work together to make those foods accessible and educate the public with cultural humility. We also need to help our patients change their health behaviors in a sustainable way. We’ve made great strides in screening and testing, but it’s up to us to make those available in equitable ways and work with local communities to build trust and efficacy in our efforts. We all have a responsibility to understand how policy affects these efforts and support those who have been called to make changes in those policies.
As much as this headline is alarming, I believe it is also a wake-up call. I know we are tired! The pandemic has left so many of us still recovering. But I believe it is time for us to reach across the table and find ways to work together collaboratively to create sustainable changes regardless of how small they may be. Many of us chose this field to help others, but we will “save the world” by ourselves. So, I challenge us to seek ways to build that bridge upstream together. Because as incredible as it would be to look back in 2050 and see a decrease in the burden of cancer, even reducing that 77% to 70% is a win.
In line with this vision of collaborative public health efforts, I'm pleased to share that Loma Linda University Health has launched the "Stronger Together" campaign to help fund important initiatives that will bolster our ability to tackle complex health issues through interdisciplinary solutions and community partnerships. By combining our expertise across disciplines and working hand-in-hand with local communities, we can develop comprehensive strategies to improve health outcomes and promote health equity.
Warm regards,
Dr. Adam L. Aréchiga, PsyD, DrPH
Dean, School of Public Health