Each year, on the Monday before Thanksgiving, we celebrate Public Health Thank You Day to honor the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to protect and improve the health of our communities. These individuals prevent disease and injury, promote health and wellness, respond to public health emergencies, care for the environment and strive to ensure access to quality health care for all.

Back in 2020, I wrote my first op-ed in The Aegis titled, “The year 2020 has shown public health work is more important than ever, but it’s more than COVID-19 response.” Five years later, that statement holds true. Public health remains as critical as ever, yet today, we are facing some of the greatest challenges to our field.

Across the nation, public health professionals are addressing increasingly complex issues with limited resources. Public health work touches every part of daily life, from chronic disease prevention and mental health support to combating substance use, infectious disease threats and environmental health risks. Unfortunately, recent policy changes have weakened the protective systems designed to keep communities safe and healthy. These setbacks threaten our ability to ensure that everyone, especially children and families, can live free from violence, access nutritious foods, afford health care and achieve their fullest health potential.

The health and longevity of our communities depend on the sustained investment in public health and the workers who make it possible. Our community can continue to advocate for public health by contacting local leaders, supporting funding for essential programs and standing behind the workers (local, state and federal) who dedicate their lives to protecting yours.

At the Harford County Health Department, we remain committed to serving our community and advancing health for all.

To my colleagues across every corner of public health, you are true heroes. Thank you for your passion, resilience and unwavering service.

Ronya Nassar is the director of population health for the Harford County Health Department.