What Kamala Harris’ Presidency Could Mean for Academic Public Health

July 31, 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris, endorsed by President Joe Biden, is now the presumptive Democratic nominee. Known for her progressive stance, Harris has been a vocal advocate for health equity, gun violence prevention, and accessible higher education throughout her political career. Learn more about what her presidency would mean for academic public health.

Championing Areas Aligned with ASPPH Initiatives

• Gun Violence Prevention: Harris oversees the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention(OGVP), which was established in 2023, to coordinate federal efforts against gun violence. She continues to advocate for universal background checks, red flag laws, and an assault weapons ban.

ASPPH has engaged with OGVP since its establishment, in parallel with our Gun Violence Prevention initiativeand as part of our implementation of the ASPPH Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce(GVPTF) report.

• Student Debt Relief: Harris advocates for significant student loan forgiveness and expanding income-driven repayment plans. She also proposes increased funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) to promote educational equity.

ASPPH continues to prioritize the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program through our FY 2025 advocacy efforts.

• Health Equity: As a senator, Harris introduced the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act to reduce Black maternal deaths and extend postpartum Medicaid coverage. She has also proposed grants for healthcare providers to address racial disparities, especially highlighted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read ASPPH's Framework for Dismantling Racism and Structural Racism in Academic Public Healthand learn more about our commitment to inclusive excellence on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.