April 6 to April 12 marked National Public Health Week, and it was a reminder that the policies we debate in Concord have real and immediate consequences for people’s health.
As a state representative and a public health researcher, I see that connection every day. Public health is not an abstract concept — it shows up in crowded emergency departments, in families searching for mental health care and in communities working to keep their drinking water safe. It also shows up in the quieter, often bipartisan work of strengthening the systems that prevent crises in the first place.
New Hampshire continues to face a severe mental health crisis. Constituents regularly share stories of long waits for care, especially for children in need of inpatient services. Psychiatric boarding in emergency departments remains a persistent challenge, placing strain on patients, families and providers alike. In response, lawmakers from both parties have come together in recent years to expand community-based services, invest in the behavioral health workforce, and improve care coordination. There is more to do, but these efforts are beginning to make a difference.
The opioid epidemic offers another example of both urgency and progress. Fentanyl continues to drive overdose deaths, affecting communities across the state. At the same time, bipartisan investments in harm reduction, recovery supports and treatment access are helping to stabilize and, in some areas, reduce fatalities.
We are also working to address emerging risks. In parts of New Hampshire, declining childhood vaccination rates have raised concern about the potential for outbreaks of preventable diseases. Strengthening immunization programs and rebuilding public confidence are priorities that cut across political lines. Similarly, efforts to address PFAS contamination in drinking water have brought together state leaders, scientists and local communities to confront a complex and long-term environmental health challenge.
Although these issues are different, they point to a shared reality: Public health depends on sustained investment and effective governance. In a state with a highly decentralized public health system, that means supporting local health departments, modernizing data systems, and ensuring we have a workforce equipped to respond to evolving threats. We also need to recognize that New Hampshire does not operate in isolation. Our economy, health care systems, and communities are closely tied to the broader New England region and the nation.
Whether the issue is infectious disease, substance use or environmental exposure, coordination across state lines strengthens our collective response. Public health also works best when communities feel informed and respected. That requires clear communication, transparency about what we know and what we don’t, and a willingness to engage across differences. In my experience, this is another area where bipartisan collaboration matters. Durable solutions depend on broad public confidence.
At a time when political division often dominates the headlines, public health is an area where cooperation is both essential and possible. In Concord, I have seen colleagues from both parties come together to tackle some of the state’s most pressing health challenges with seriousness and pragmatism. National Public Health Week was an opportunity to recognize that progress and to recommit to the work ahead. Strengthening public health in New Hampshire is not about a single policy or moment, but rather a steady, collaborative effort to ensure that the systems we rely on are there when we need them.
Jennifer Mandelbaum is a public health scientist and represents Portsmouth and Newington in the New Hampshire State House.