Virginia to Join Public Health Alliance

RICHMOND, VA — Governor Abigail Spanberger announced the Commonwealth of Virginia is joining the Governors Public Health Alliance (PHA), a nonpartisan coalition of 16 governors representing more than 40% of the U.S. population, working across state lines to protect their residents and strengthen public health.

“As Governor, I am focused on doing all that we can to protect the health and safety of every person who calls Virginia home,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger. “We know that health threats do not stop at state borders, and neither should our approach to preparing for and responding to these threats. As Washington throws our nation’s public health system into chaos, I’m proud to join governors across the country as we work together to provide stability and protect the people we serve.”

The Governors Public Health Alliance helps governors and their state health leaders work together to strengthen states’ ability to protect public health, preserve access to high-quality care, and coordinate responses to health threats across state lines. The Alliance shares best practices for states and provides a venue for governors to coordinate actions on health threat detection, emergency preparedness and response, public health guidance and policy, and other emerging public health challenges.

“This Alliance gives us another way to protect Virginians,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin B. Figueroa. “We can share information sooner, learn from other states, and work together when a health threat requires a coordinated response. Just like every year, we’ll rely on the public health experts that have helped protect us and our loved ones. But that kind of protection doesn’t simply exist. It requires coordination, commitment and the cross-state cooperation this Alliance represents.”

Virginia joins California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington as members of the Alliance.

“Virginia’s participation strengthens the Alliance at a time when states are facing public health challenges that demand quick, coordinated responses that they are not getting from the federal government,” said Managing Director of the Governors Public Health Alliance Angela Botticella. “Whether states are responding to an infectious disease outbreak, preparing for the next health threat, or navigating changes in federal guidance, governors benefit from being able to turn to their peers and trusted public health experts. We know that diseases don’t stop at state borders and are thrilled to welcome Governor Spanberger and Virginia to this work.”

The Alliance fosters coordination that has become increasingly important in a rapidly changing public health landscape. For example, from May to August of this year, Virginia responded to a measles outbreak in Central Virginia resulting in more than 150 confirmed cases. Through the dedicated work of local health districts, regional and state epidemiologists, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and in partnership with other states such as Alliance member North Carolina, the outbreak was contained. The partnership of so many public health professionals supported robust local community engagement and strong field epidemiology work, ensuring families had accurate information, patients were connected to care quickly, and that those that needed it had access to vaccine.

In recent months, PHA has helped governors and their teams navigate infectious disease threats, changes to federal vaccine recommendations, and challenges affecting disease surveillance and access to reliable public health information. Joining the Alliance allows the Commonwealth to expand on these types of cross-state collaborative efforts to protect Virginians.

“When federal guidance shifts, families still need clear answers from people they trust,” said State Health Commissioner Dr. Cameron Webb. “The Virginia Department of Health answers those questions every day in clinics, schools and local health districts across the Commonwealth. The Governors Public Health Alliance connects that work to public health experts across the country, so the guidance we give Virginians stays clear, consistent and grounded in evidence.”

The Governors Public Health Alliance is supported by Governors Action Alliance (GovAct), a nonprofit, nonpartisan initiative that supports governors in protecting fundamental freedoms, including public health. The Alliance has also connected state leaders with public health experts to share timely information and help states prepare for threats that can quickly cross state lines, guided by a bipartisan set of public health advisors: Dr. Mandy Cohen, former CDC Director and North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services; Dr. Anne Zink, former Alaska Chief Medical Officer; and Raj Panjabi, former White House Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense.