Building a resistance to US assaults on public health

The administration of US President Donald Trump has launched a full-fledged assault on science and public health; its “flood the zone” strategy created chaos and initially overwhelmed potential opposition. Yet drawing on the leadership of long-time health activists in areas such as HIV/AIDS, women's and LGBTQIA+ health, and disability, racial, and climate justice, as well as the creativity of youth leaders, organisations, labour unions, and grass-roots movements are re-enlivening existing networks and creating new ones to bridge agendas, pressure institutions, and build advocacy power in support of public health. Defend Public Health, for example, was established shortly after Trump's re-election and now organises more than 3000 volunteers from across the country to share information and strategies and to take concrete actions, such as blocking the nomination of Dave Weldon to head the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and opposing proposed Medicaid and other cuts.