Discouraged or Determined: How Politics Is Reshaping Public Health's Next Generation

IP LifeLine From Infection Control Today

The ground beneath their feet is undeniably unstable. For US college students with their sights set on a career in public health, the current administration's policies aren't just reshaping the job market; they are redefining the future of the field itself. What was once a hopeful path to making a difference has become a future filled with unknowns, shadowed by shifting federal priorities and the elimination of crucial funding. This isn't just a logistical challenge; it's a profound reevaluation of how public health is valued in the US. For those who have already dedicated their careers to helping others, this can feel gut-wrenching. So, how are today's students reacting to these seismic shifts?

This article dives into the reactions to these changes, concerns about the future, perspectives on the need to adjusts career plans, and the undeniable frustrations of these students. Our insights are drawn from personal interviews with 10 passionate college students across the US, all of whom plan to work in public health. The students selected for this article are from a range of colleges and backgrounds, from undergraduates to doctoral students from the West Coast to the East Coast. Their collective experiences and reactions paint a dynamic picture of the impact these changes are having on the next generation of hopeful public health professionals.

A Crisis of Care? Future Public Health Leaders React to US Policy Shifts

A palpable fear felt collectively by our interviewees, fueled by major headlines. These include the proposed US withdrawal from the World Health Organization in January 2025¹ and sharp funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health. ² More recently, broad reductions in force at agencies like the CDC have threatened key initiatives, such as sexually transmitted infection testing. ³ The students’ reactions revealed more than only disappointment; they showed a prevailing mood of shock, devastation, and even betrayal on behalf of the people who depend on these programs.

A striking theme was apprehension regarding America's global health leadership. As John Lei, an undergraduate of City College of San Francisco, lamented, “I am devastated because these fundings are important for emergency public health events like [COVID-19].” There's a strong, shared sense that such moves will not only harm international health initiatives but also severely impact the US’s ability to respond to future crises within its own borders.⁴

A common frustration bubbled up in the interviews: a sense that these decisions are being made without a full understanding of their consequences. “[The budget cuts] could risk reversing the progress we've already made in global health," Meleana Mendoza, an undergraduate of Los Medanos Community College, observed.

Public health graduate concerned, holding a diploma.

Charting a Course: Students Navigate Public Health's Political Landscape

Despite the challenging climate, a significant number of students express a deep commitment to the field. For many, the hostility they perceive has an energizing effect, strengthening their resolve. They see the current environment not as a reason to retreat, but as a call to action. As Darby Curran, an Undergraduate at Boston University, passionately stated, “I am not feeling discouraged. I am using this as a call to action. There is action that needs to happen. For me, I need to keep learning and act so I can help.”

However, this determination is not universal. Other students feel actively discouraged by the political shifts, expressing serious concerns about their future careers. The prospect of graduating into a landscape with fewer jobs and diminished funding stability has left some reconsidering their career paths. "Honestly, it might deter me,” shared Taylor Hsieh, an undergraduate at City College of San Francisco, admitting to voicing a common fear. "[The budget cuts [are] not really helpful for anybody who's trying to find a job or trying to enter the industry because it's just [a] hard time," explained Oma Nwafor, an undergraduate of the University of Pennsylvania

Ultimately, whether determined or discouraged, the students share a pragmatic understanding that these challenges are an inescapable part of the profession. They have come to the mature realization that politics is not just an external force but an inherent factor that shapes public health outcomes. As Dennis Nguyen, an undergraduate of City College of San Francisco, concluded, “You have to accept it. Politics is, unfortunately, everywhere, from business to public health.” This understanding demonstrates that the next generation of public health professionals knows they must be more than skilled practitioners; they must also be resilient and persistent advocates for the future of their field.

How the Climate Shapes Public Health Graduates' Futures

A significant concern voiced by students is that the current climate will discourage future generations from pursuing careers in public health. They believe this could lead to critical gaps in the field, as talented individuals may choose paths perceived to be more stable. For those already committed, the immediate future looks incredibly bumpy. They anticipate a hyper-competitive job market where new graduates will be competing not only with each other but also with experts who have been in the field for decades and are now facing layoffs.

As doctoral student Hannah Battey at the University of California, San Diego, expressed, “I think [fewer] students will pursue public health as a career because the options look to be more limited, at least for the short term and maybe even beyond that.” New graduates will not only be competing with but also against experts who have been in the field for decades. This leaves many students facing the daunting prospect of being left with nothing but a diploma and significant student debt to repay.⁵

Beyond the viability of their careers, students are immensely concerned about their ability to carry out the core mission of public health. One student feared that in a system with lower budgets, the cost of medication would skyrocket, eroding their ability to connect with patients, as Dennis Nguyen an undergraduate, City College of San Francisco, further explained, “Losing this connection with patients will not allow doctors to do a better job … but instead make them more disconnected and angry with us.” Furthermore, graduate students interviewed were terrified that the research funding they had worked so hard to achieve would be taken away, halting projects that have saved lives in the past.

Students are acutely aware that cuts to research aid and organizational funding will evolve into fewer jobs, reduced opportunities, and a diminished capacity for the entire sector to achieve its goals. They see this not as a possibility, but as a concrete threat.⁶ This combination of professional anxiety and passion for the mission creates a complex outlook, where the very threats that discourage some people are the same ones that galvanize others into becoming fierce advocates for the future of public health.

Conclusion: Forged by the Fight

While the immediate forecast for public health seems fraught with challenges, these interviews reveal a powerful counter-narrative. The same political shifts that provoke fear and discouragement are also forging a new kind of public health professional: One who is not only a skilled practitioner but also a determined and knowledgeable advocate from day 1. These students have replaced any idealism with a pragmatic resolve, accepting that navigating politics is now an inherent part of the job. The threats that cause some to reconsider their paths are the very same ones that galvanize others to fight harder for the communities they plan to serve. Therefore, the future of public health may not be defined by the crises it faces, but by the resilient and impassioned leaders these challenges are creating.

References

1. Gilbert C. How cuts and changes in Trump’s first 100 days have reshaped public health. The Washington Post. April 30, 2025. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2025/04/30/public-health-trump-100-days/
2. Stahl C. Withdrawing the United States from the World Health Organization. The White House. January 20, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/withdrawing-the-united-states-from-the-worldhealth-organization/
3. Stolberg SG. Trump cuts target the next generation of scientists and public health leaders. The New York Times. February 18, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/18/us/politics/fda-cdc-health-department-trump.html
4. Trump’s NIH budget cuts threaten 'entire fields of research,' stirring panic among scientists. NBC News. February 18, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/trumps-nih-budget-cuts-threaten-research-stirring-panic-rcna191744
5. Ungar L, Smith MR. Trump administration’s deep cuts to public health leave system reeling. PBS News. May 30, 2025. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/trump-administrations-deep-cuts-to-public-health-leave-system-reeling
6. Zadrozny B. CDC is pulling back $11B in Covid funding sent to health departments across the U.S. NBC News. March 25, 2025. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/cdc-pulling-back-11b-covid-funding-sent-health-departments-us-rcna198006