June 2010
F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2010
Adult obesity rates increased in 28 states in the past year, and declined only in the District of Columbia, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America's Future 2010, a report from the Trust for America's Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. More than two-thirds of states (38) have adult obesity rates above 25 percent. In 1991, no state had an obesity rate above 20 percent. The report also highlights troubling racial, ethnic, regional and income disparities in the nation's obesity epidemic.

March 2010
Shortchanging America's Health
A State-by-State Look at How Public Health Dollars Are Spent
A March 2010 report from the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) found federal spending for public health has been flat for nearly five years, while states around the country cut nearly $392 million for public health programs in the past year. These cuts leave communities around the country struggling to deliver basic disease prevention and emergency health preparedness services.

February 2010
Adult Immunization: Shots to Save Lives
A February 2010 report "Adult Immunization: Shots to Save Lives," by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) found that more than 30 percent of adults ages 65 and older had not been immunized against pneumonia in 36 states as of 2008. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other experts recommend that all seniors should be vaccinated against pneumonia, which is a one-time shot for most individuals, since seniors who get the seasonal flu are at risk for developing pneumonia as a complication.

December 2009
Ready or Not? 2009
Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
The report finds that the H1N1 flu outbreak has exposed serious underlying gaps in the nation's ability to respond to public health emergencies and that the economic crisis is straining an already fragile public health system. It contains state-by-state health preparedness scores based on 10 key indicators.

November 2009
Poll: American Public Supports Investment in Prevention As Part of Health Care Reform
Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) released a public opinion survey that finds that 71 percent of Americans favor an increased investment in disease prevention and that disease prevention is one of the most popular components of health reform. Forty-four percent of Americans strongly favor investing more in prevention.

October 2009
Health Problems Heat Up: Climate Change and the Public's Health
The report finds that only five states have published a strategic climate change plan that includes a public health response. This includes planning for health challenges and emergencies expected to develop from natural disasters, pollution, and infectious diseases as temperatures and sea levels rise. The report examines U.S. planning for changing health threats posed by climate change, such as heat-related sickness, respiratory infections, natural disasters, changes to the food supply, and infectious diseases carried by insects.

October 2009
H1N1 Challenges Ahead
The report finds 15 states could run out of available hospital beds during the peak of the outbreak if 35 percent of Americans get sick from the H1N1 flu virus. Twelve additional states could reach or exceed 75 percent of their hospital bed capacity, based on estimates from the FluSurge model developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

September 2009
The Compendium of Proven Community-Based Prevention Programs
The report features a range of evidence-based disease prevention programs that have shown results for improving health and reducing costs in communities. It includes a summary and examples from an extensive literature review that NYAM conducted of peer reviewed studies evaluating the effectiveness of community-based disease prevention programs designed to reduce tobacco use, increase physical activity, and/or improve eating habits.

September 2009
It's Not Flu as Usual: What Businesses Need to Know about H1N1 Influenza
This brochure explains what businesses can do to protect their workers and their bottom line from H1N1.

July 2009
F as in Fat 2009
How Obesity Policies are Failing in America
Adult obesity rates increased in 23 states and did not decrease in a single state in the past year, according to F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies Are Failing in America 2009, a report released today by the Trust for America's Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). In addition, the percentage of obese or overweight children is at or above 30 percent in 30 states.

June 2009
Pandemic Flu: Lessons From the Frontlines
Trust for America's Health (TFAH), the Center for Biosecurity, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) analyze the initial response to the H1N1 outbreak, Pandemic Flu: Lessons From the Frontlines, which found that U.S. officials executed strong coordination and communication and an ability to adapt to changing circumstances, but it also how quickly the nation's core public health capacity would be overwhelmed if an outbreak were more severe or widespread.

May 2009
Reducing Infectious Diseases in the U.S.
Focus on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis
An issue brief from Trust for America's Health, funded by a grant from the Irene Diamond Fund

March 2009
Keeping America's Food Safe
A Blueprint for Fixing the Food Safety System at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
TFAH and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) examine the fragmented and antiquated food safety system and propose ways to improve the food safety functions at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The report calls for the immediate consolidation of food safety leadership within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and ultimately the creation of a separate Food Safety Administration within HHS.

March 2009
Shortchanging America's Health 2009
A State-By-State Look at How Federal Public Health Dollars are Spent
TFAH and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) found that Midwestern and Southern states received less federal disease prevention funding than Northeastern and Western states did in fiscal year (FY) 2008. These differences can amount to millions of dollars. The economic downturn could lead to further state budget cuts to disease prevention and emergency preparedness programs.

December 2008
Ready or Not? 2008
Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
The sixth annual Ready or Not? report finds that finds that progress made to better protect the country from disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and bioterrorism is now at risk, due to budget cuts and the economic crisis. In addition, the report concludes that major gaps remain in many critical areas of preparedness, including surge capacity, rapid disease detection, and food safety. It contains state-by-state health preparedness scores based on 10 key indicators.

October 2008
Germs Go Global
Why Emerging Infectious Diseases Are a Threat to America
A report that finds at least 170,000 Americans die annually from newly emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, a number that could increase dramatically during a severe flu pandemic or yet-unknown disease outbreak. Factors including globalization, increased antimicrobial (drug) resistance, and climate and weather changes are contributing to the increased threat.

October 2008
Blueprint for a Healthier America
Modernizing the Federal Public Health System to Focus on Prevention and Preparedness
The Blueprint makes recommendations for the next Administration and Congress on ways to improve the health of Americans. More than 150 experts and organizations helped identify gaps and fixes for federal public health agencies and programs through a year-long consensus-building process.

August 2008
F as in Fat 2008
How Obesity Policies are Failing in America
In this report, TFAH and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) conclude that adult obesity rates increased in 37 states in the past year. The report calls for the creation of a National Strategy to Combat Obesity and includes state-by-state data.

July 2008
Prevention for a Healthier America
Investments in Disease Prevention Yield Significant Savings, Stronger Communities
In this study, TFAH finds that a small strategic investment in disease prevention could result in significant savings in U.S. health care costs. The report includes potential annual savings and return on investment figures for every state in America and Washington, D.C.

June 2008
Healthy Women, Healthy Babies
This TFAH report was released as part of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's KIDS COUNT DATABOOK 2008. The report explains why after 40 years of progress, infant mortality rates in the U.S. have stalled since 2000. TFAH finds that chronic diseases like obesity and diabetes play a part in the trend, and offers recommendations to lower infant mortality rates.

April 2008
Fixing Food Safety
Protecting America's Food Supply from Farm-to-Fork
Approximately 76 million Americans -- one in four -- are sickened by foodborne disease each year. TFAH's food safety report identifies major gaps in the nation's food safety system, including obsolete laws, misallocation of resources, and inconsistencies among major food safety agencies.

April 2008
Shortchanging America's Health 2008
A State-By-State Look at How Federal Public Health Dollars Are Spent
In this analysis, TFAH reviews key health statistics and federal funding for public health on a state-by-state level. The Trust finds that Midwestern states receive less funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) than other states.

March 2008
TFAH's "Critical Care" List of Funding Priorities for FY 2009
TFAH developed its annual "Critical Care" list to identify key programs, at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other federal agencies, that are vital to protecting America's health and preventing disease. TFAH emphasizes that increased support for these programs is needed to help improve the health of all Americans.

March 2008
Ten Top Priorities for Prevention
America spends more than $2 trillion annually on health care, more than any other nation. Yet, tens of millions of Americans still suffer every day from preventable illness and chronic disease. TFAH outlines ten top priorities, advocating a health strategy driven by prevention, including: Combating the Obesity Epidemic, Preventing Tobacco Use and Exposure, Preventing and Controlling Infectious Diseases, Preparing for Potential Health Emergencies and Bioterrorism Attacks, Recognizing the Relationship Between Health and U.S. Economic Competitiveness, Safeguarding the Nation's Food Supply, Planning for Changing Health Care Needs of Seniors, Improving the Health of Low-Income and Minority Communities, Reducing Environmental Threats and Promoting Disease Prevention. Also included are crosscutting recommendations for Holding Government Accountable for Protecting the Health of Americans.

February 2008
Fiscal Year 2009 Public Health Funding Priorities
A chart comparing spending priorities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2007, 2008 and 2009.

January 2008
Making Healthier Americans a Priority in 2008
This survey, commissioned by TFAH, finds that at a time when the rising cost of health care has become the central economic issue, Americans are eager to invest in prevention to help reduce long term health care costs.

December 2007
Ready or Not? 2007
Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
The fifth annual Ready or Not? report finds that while important progress has been made, the continuing trend of annual cuts in federal funding for state and local preparedness activities threatens the nation's safety. It contains state-by-state health preparedness scores based on 10 key indicators of emergency preparedness capability.

October 2007
Pandemic Influenza: Warning, Children At-Risk
In this 2007 report, TFAH and The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) find that children and teens between the ages of 0-19 account for nearly 46 percent of all H5N1 "bird" flu deaths. The report also identifies gaps in U.S. preparedness for treating and caring for children during a possible pandemic flu outbreak.

August 2007
F as in Fat 2007
How Obesity Policies are Failing in America
The fourth annual edition of the F as in Fat report explores current policy weaknesses in the fight against obesity and recommends changes that must be considered to address the obesity crisis nationwide. This installment has a special focus on the role of physical activity.

August 2007
A Vision for a Healthier America
A Call to Action from more than 100 Health Organizations
More than 140 organizations joined together to support this consensus document as the foundation of TFAH's Healthier America Project. The project advances the vision that America should strive to be the healthiest nation in the world.

March 2007
Pandemic Flu and the Potential for U.S. Economic Recession
A State-by-State Analysis
A pandemic influenza outbreak is inevitable, according to scientific experts. TFAH estimates the economic impact of a potential outbreak on the country and analyzes how it would impact each state.

February 2007
TFAH Response to President's FY08 Budget
A TFAH analysis of the Administration's fiscal year (FY) 2008 budget, including the President's Proposals for the CDC and Pandemic Flu Preparedness. The report also covers the proposed budget for HHS Secretary and Emergency Preparedness, along with other key disease prevention and public health preparedness programs.

February 2007
2007 Health Priorities
This survey, commissioned by TFAH, finds that Americans strongly favor increased federal funding to improve the nation's public health system.

December 2006
Ready or Not? 2006
Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
TFAH's fourth annual Ready or Not? Report finds that five years after the September 11th and anthrax tragedies, emergency health preparedness is still inadequate in America. The report includes an evaluation of all 50 states with 10 preparedness indicators, based on input and review from public health experts.

October 2006
Pandemic Influenza: The State of the Science
An Issue Brief from Trust for America's Health and the Infectious Diseases Society of America
In this 2006 report, TFAH and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) raise concerns that pandemic flu preparedness efforts are falling behind advances in science and technology. They issue a set of policy recommendations and outline actions to better prepare the nation for a pandemic flu outbreak.

August 2006
F as in Fat 2006
How Obesity Policies are Failing in America
The third annual edition of this report concludes that adult obesity rates continued to rise in 31 states, while government policy efforts have consistently failed to provide viable solutions. It offers a 20-step action plan for stakeholders to address the obesity epidemic's health burden and financial costs.

June 2006
Shortchanging America's Health 2006
A State-by-State Look at How Federal Public Health Dollars are Spent
This analysis reviews key health statistics and federal public health funding at a state-by-state level. The report finds that funding levels for health protection programs vary dramatically among states. It emphasizes that the country is falling short on achieving federally established goals for reducing disease and improving health, because there is not sufficient funding to result in wide-scale change.

May 2006
Media Attitudes and Coverage of Pandemic Flu
On behalf of TFAH and Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Inc. conducted 20 one-on-one telephone interviews from March 3rd-29th, 2006, among television, radio, and newspaper journalists who cover public health issues. This document summarizes the results of that survey.

February 2006
TFAH Response to President's FY07 Budget
TFAH's analysis of the President's fiscal year 2007 budget finds proposed cuts to core Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programs of more than four percent from FY 2006, or nearly eight percent when compared to the FY 2005 funding levels. Some programs that would receive cuts include obesity prevention, birth defects prevention, environmental health, and injury prevention and control.

December 2005
Ready or Not? 2005
Protecting the Public's Health from Disease, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
In this two-part report, the federal government receives a grade of D+ for post-9/11 public health emergency preparedness, and over half of states garnered a score of five or less out of 10 possible points. Key indicators of health emergency preparedness include capabilities to test for chemical and biological threats and hospital surge capacity to care for patients in a mass emergency.

August 2005
F as in Fat 2005
How Obesity Policies are Failing in America
The second annual edition of this report concludes that national and state policies are falling far short of obesity prevention and reduction goals. It finds that the U.S. does not have the aggressive, coordinated national and state strategies needed to address the crisis -- threatening to make the epidemic worse.

July 2005
Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
The Search for Causes and Cures
This report presents an overview of major birth defects and developmental disabilities, as well as an assessment of how these conditions are tracked.

June 2005
A Killer Flu?
'Inevitable' Epidemic Could Kill Millions
In this report, TFAH finds that over half a million Americans could die and over 2.3 million could be hospitalized if a moderately severe strain of a pandemic flu virus hits the U.S. TFAH offers detailed recommendations to help improve U.S. preparedness.

February 2005
Shortchanging America's Health 2005
A State-by-State Look at how Federal Public Health Dollars are Spent
This study examines key health statistics and public health funding levels in each state. States are ranked by per capita funds received from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A Public Opinion Strategies poll on America's Top Health Concerns is included. This survey examines national perceptions of a number of health-related issues, including: a ranking of top health concerns, impressions of the nation's readiness for natural emergencies or terrorist attacks, and the difference in men's versus women's opinions on disaster preparedness.

December 2004
Ready or Not? 2004
Protecting the Public's Health in the Age of Bioterrorism
TFAH's second annual study of preparedness finds that, despite incremental progress, the government still has a long way to go to protect the American people from a bioterror attack. The report examines 10 key indicators to gauge state preparedness and determine America's overall readiness in responding to bioterrorist attacks and other health emergencies.

October 2004
F as in Fat 2004
How Obesity Policies are Failing in America
The first edition of the F as in Fat report states that Nearly 119 million American adults, 65 percent of the population, were overweight or obese in 2004. TFAH breaks down the rate of obesity for each state, as well as the obesity-related costs per-person. Data is included on the rates of disease associated with obesity in all 50 states and Washington, DC.

October 2004
Nationwide Health Tracking: Investigating Life-Saving Discoveries
Chronic diseases, such as cancer, asthma, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's are responsible for seven out of every ten deaths, many of them preventable. This policy update advocates a nationwide health tracking network (NHTN) to identify and understand the factors causing or contributing to these diseases.

August 2004
Closing the Vaccination Gap
A Shot in the Arm for Childhood Immunization Programs
TFAH and Every Child by Two joined to examine childhood immunization policy in the U.S. and the persistent 20 percent shortfall of preschoolers who do not receive routine vaccines on time. The groups identify ways to close this gap.

July 2004
West Nile Virus: 2004 Expected to Be Most Severe Year Yet
West Nile virus (WNV) was first discovered in the U.S. in 1999, and is now considered part of America's public health landscape. TFAH's report finds that the spread of the virus raises serious public health concerns and demonstrates the need for a shift in America's approach to emerging infectious diseases.

April 2004
Analysis Finds Worrisome Gaps in U.S. Planning for an Avian Flu Outbreak
This review of U.S. pandemic flu plans finds that many planning topics remain under-addressed and additional actions could be taken to improve preparations and reduce the risks posed by an outbreak. Some key areas of concern include vaccine and treatment shortfalls, gaps in containment strategies, limited plans to keep the public informed, and an inadequate review of state plans for quality and feasibility.

February 2004
Facing The Flu: From the Bird Flu to a Possible Pandemic, Why Isn't America Ready?
In the midst of the bird flu outbreak of 2004 and the emergence of avian influenza in Asia, TFAH examines significant flu-related questions in this issue paper, and recommends actions public health officials should take to better prepare for the threat flu poses to the country every year.

February 2004
TFAH Releases Analysis of President's Budget
TFAH's analysis of the President's proposed budget for FY 2005 finds a $105 million dollar decrease in federal funding for state and local bioterrorism preparedness.

January 2004
Poll Report on America's Top Health Concerns
In this TFAH-commissioned poll, Americans rate the flu epidemic, cancer, and obesity as top health concerns. Nearly three in four Americans say the government needs to spend more on health priorities and emerging threats. Spending on public health is viewed as vital to improving homeland security.

December 2003
Ready or Not? 2003
Protecting the Public's Health in the Age of Bioterrorism
This 2003 report discovers that after two years and nearly $2 billion of federal bioterrorism preparedness funding, states are only modestly better prepared to respond to health emergencies than they were prior to September 11, 2001. The report examines 10 key indicators to assess areas of improvement and ongoing vulnerability.

September 2003
Improving Cancer Tracking Today Saves Lives Tomorrow: Do States Make the Grade?
More than 30 years after the launch of the national War on Cancer, the disease remains the top health concern of Americans. This report examines how well state health agencies are doing in their efforts to track, control and prevent cancer, and awards grades on a state-by-state basis.

August 2003
Animal-Borne Epidemics Out of Control
Threatening the Nation's Health
Episodes of animal-borne diseases, also referred to as zoonotic diseases, are increasing around the globe. This report examines the public health response to five of these emerging animalborne diseases: monkeypox, WNV, mad cow disease, Lyme disease, and CWD.

June 2003
Public Health Laboratories: Unprepared and Overwhelmed
This report addresses the role of public health laboratories, which are designed to respond to terrorism as well as more conventional threats -- from analyzing water contaminants to cancer screening. TFAH finds that these vital facilities have fallen into a state of disrepair. The report also makes a series of assessments on the ability of state public health labs to respond to specific chemical weapon events.

May 2003
SARS and Its Implications for U.S. Public Health Policy - "We've Been Lucky"
Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a serious public health threat. A SARS outbreak would provide a "real time" example of the complex challenges facing the U.S. public health system. This report provides a brief analysis of the key public health infrastructure components that would be engaged in a SARS epidemic and TFAH's recommendations for strengthening them.

April 2003
Analysis of the Administration's Fiscal Year 2004 Budget for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This analysis includes a table providing a comparison of the FY 2002 final appropriations levels; the FY 2003 enacted appropriations levels and the President's FY 2004 budget request. In several cases, these numbers show a pattern of budget cuts that puts the health of Americans at risk.

September 2002
Public Health Preparedness: Progress and Challenges Since September 11, 2001
This preparedness progress report, written one year after September 11th 2001 and subsequent anthrax attack, analyzes the government's response. TFAH finds that public health officials acted quickly to limit harm to people's health. However, these crises also revealed the limits of the public health system.

February 2002
Birth Defects Tracking and Prevention: Too Many States Are Not Making the Grade
This report concludes that most states are doing a poor job of tracking and preventing birth defects, which are the number one cause of infant mortality in the United States. Birth defects account for almost 20 percent of all infant deaths each year. The report gives each of the 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, a letter grade based on their efforts to monitor and research birth defects.

July 2001
Short of Breath
Our Lack of Response to the Growing Asthma Epidemic and the Need for Nationwide Tracking
Asthma is America's fastest growing chronic affliction, but experts don't know why. This 2001 report shows that although the condition affects more than 17 million Americans--nearly five million of whom are children - 27 states don't track the disease at all.

5 Easy Steps to Making Health Advocacy Hometown News
Advocating for Better Health in Your Community Through Media Attention
Media coverage is often one of the most effective ways to raise public awareness and understanding about a health problem or issue that is of concern to you. TFAH outlines five steps any individual or organization can take to communicate the importance of a particular health issue to decision makers and their community.

You, Too, Can Be An Effective Health Advocate
Make a Difference in 5 Easy Steps
An advocate is someone who defends a cause or petitions on another's behalf. Effective advocacy is a powerful prescription for improving your health, the health of your family and your community. Read these action items to learn how you can be a health advocate in your community.