Salem, Oregon – Governor Tina Kotek has said that Oregon is joining the Governors Public Health Alliance, which is a new group of governors from different states working together to improve how they respond to public health issues that reach beyond state lines.
The coalition, which is backed by the nonprofit group GovAct, brings together governors from both parties who want to defend their communities by improving communication, sharing data, and working together on plans. The goal is to make sure that all of the states concerned can better deal with both short-term and long-term health problems.
“Oregonians deserve a health system that’s ready to meet the moment — whether that’s a wildfire smoke event, a virus outbreak, or a long-term public health challenge,” Governor Kotek said. “This alliance is about staying one step ahead and making sure every Oregonian has access to the care, information, and protection they need. I’m proud that Oregon is working with other states to make that happen.”
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The Governors Public Health Alliance is made up of leaders from all around the country, including Bob Ferguson from Washington, Josh Green from Hawaii, Maura Healey from Massachusetts, Kathy Hochul from New York, Gavin Newsom from California, and more. Their work together lets member states communicate information in real time, get help from national experts, and plan uniform, science-based responses to public health threats.
“From infectious disease to the quieter epidemics eroding our health literacy and mental well-being, the threats to our collective health continue to multiply,” said Oregon Health Authority Director Sejal Hathi, MD, MBA. “Through the Governors Public Health Alliance, Oregon advances a shared effort to act faster, communicate clearer, and protect our people more effectively as public health risks arise.”
Oregon is already a leader in public health preparedness, and joining the alliance will help them continue to be one. They are already a member of the West Coast Health Alliance. This new move gives the state more access to integrated resources and best practices on a national level.
The agreement also shows that Oregon is committed to making decisions based on evidence and being proactive. Oregon wants to improve not only its own public health system but also the country’s overall resiliency by cooperating across state boundaries. Kotek said that working together is still important since health problems, whether they are environmental, biological, or social, don’t usually stop at state lines.
