Congratulations to APHA, BCHC and NACCHO, 2022 Fries Prize for Improving Health Recipients

The last few years have been challenging for so many. Throughout this timeframe, I have been encouraged by the dedication of our public health workforce, who have worked diligently to guide us through the greatest challenge to health in more than a century. That is why I am so pleased to share that earlier today the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) were honored with the Fries Prize for Improving Health in a ceremony at the American Public Health Association’s annual conference in Boston.

ASTHO, BCHC and NACCHO were honored for saving and protecting millions of lives during the unprecedented challenges of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. These three organizations and their members truly embody what it means to serve the public. Every day APHA, BCHC and NACCHO and their members implement vital public health programs and respond to a wide array of public health emergencies.

The commitment of these three organizations and their members has been on full display during the COVID-19 pandemic. These public health officials have worked tirelessly to protect communities across the country, implementing a wide range of community mitigation and response strategies.

I am thankful for the leadership of ASTHO, BCHC and NACCHO. These courageous public health professionals embody what the Fries Prize honors, which is making major contributions to the improvement of public health. Our lives are better because of them.

The CDC Foundation is honored to partner with the James F. and Sarah T. Fries Foundation to present the Fries Prize for Improving Health, annually each fall. ASTHO, BCHC and NACCHO join a long and distinguished list of Fries Prize recipients.