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IPHA Comments on Executive Order Banning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives in Federal Agencies

On January 22, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in federal agencies.  The order directs federal agencies to terminate diversity-related rules and programs and remove references to "DEI principles" from grants and contracts. The order also seeks to dissuade private companies from using DEI programs and hiring on the basis of race and sex - what the order called "illegal DEI discrimination and preferences." It directs all federal agencies to identify up to nine publicly traded companies or other entities that might be subject to civil investigation.

This order undermines efforts to increase the hiring and promotion of people who are women and/or underrepresented racial and ethnic minoritized individuals, particularly in sectors where they have historically experienced discrimination.  It also has a profound effect on public health.  the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion are considered essential for ensuring a robust and effective public health system and addressing health disparities by actively incorporating diverse perspective and experiences within public health organizations and practices.

In 2023, researchers from Public Agenda found that 91% of Americans believe everyone, regardless of race or ethnicity, deserves an equal opportunity to succeed.  According to the Pew Research Center, the majority of employed US adults support DEI policies and say that DEI trainings are helpful to them, and many believe that the country has not gone far enough to ensure gender equality.

Healthcare  must continue to embrace compassion and respect as a pillar.  Research shows that greater diversity among healthcare professionals improves health outcomes for people of color, persons with disabilities, LGBTQIA+ patients, and others who have been underrepresented.  Public health has long supported strategies to reduce racial disparities in healthcare – especially with regard to maternal and child health, immunizations, communicable and chronic disease and cancer care.

IPHA is committed to our work to ensure that the changing political and regulatory context does not negatively affect public health’s ability to provide the essential public health services to our communities with a focus on improving health outcomes for all people.  IPHA membership recently approved IPHA’s strategic plan for 2024 – 2029 which includes a goal to “advance health equity” through objectives that:

• Address structural and systemic oppression and discrimination barriers within the public health system through policy and system changes.
• Provide training on effective approaches to address health equity.
• Recognize and advance effective health equity programming.

IPHA will continue its efforts for ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion as a foundation for  improving health outcomes for all populations.  We will work with our members, local, state, and national public health organizations, advocacy groups and public health partners on how the public health community can best respond to political and policy attacks on health equity and the foundational principles of public health.