Very nice essay, and very relevant in this time of DOGE-like deep cuts across all government sectors in many places.
I worked in a public health laboratory in a high immigration region for 5 years in the 1990s.
At that time, the focus was almost exclusively on microbiology, like testing and monitoring immigrants and at-risk populations for communicable diseases.
But since then, the scope has widened, as your essay suggests. For example, the staggering numbers of fentanyl and other opiates, which have claimed around 500,000 (according to some) US lives! Deaths of despair (disproportionately affecting men) have also become a glaring issue, which often overlap with drug and alcohol abuse.
Communication clearly is important as you suggest. But is it a matter for federal, for example, the US CDC or equivalent, or state or local agencies. You raise some good questions.
Who should prioritize which issues get tackled first? Funding is required. In the US that means the president and Congress have to show concern and willingness to act and fund; likewise in any country.
I worked in a public health laboratory in a high immigration region for 5 years in the 1990s.
At that time, the focus was almost exclusively on microbiology, like testing and monitoring immigrants and at-risk populations for communicable diseases.
But since then, the scope has widened, as your essay suggests. For example, the staggering numbers of fentanyl and other opiates, which have claimed around 500,000 (according to some) US lives! Deaths of despair (disproportionately affecting men) have also become a glaring issue, which often overlap with drug and alcohol abuse.
Communication clearly is important as you suggest. But is it a matter for federal, for example, the US CDC or equivalent, or state or local agencies. You raise some good questions.
Who should prioritize which issues get tackled first? Funding is required. In the US that means the president and Congress have to show concern and willingness to act and fund; likewise in any country.
I hope you are successful in your outreach.