LETTERS FROM LEADERSHIP

I am so excited and grateful to celebrate the first anniversary of CPHA’s RISE Magazine with you! In its inception, our Emerging Leaders Committee elevated specific topics, communities, and leaders paving the way towards public health through the collection of academic articles, human stories, and local artwork. RISE’s first Issue personally enhanced my knowledge around diabetes prevention in LGBTQIA+ populations, communityengagement science efforts in predominantly BIPOC* neighborhoods, and policy reform efforts in public health education The Public Health crossword puzzle was a bonus (pg 12)! To current ELC leaders Samantha Bertomen and Jeni Mitchell, I am grateful for your guidance and commitments to not only a healthier Colorado, but a more knowledgeable one

Since RISE Magazine’s launch in May 2022, a new generation of public health leaders and practitioners has joined efforts to advance health, justice, and equity in our communities and legislature. They have joined local and state public health entities to work against COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and disinformation campaigns, targeted racism, increased gun violence, and worsening health disparities experienced by BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant/refugee populations Their voices have added to the choir of environmental health champions and their hands elevated to the work that addressed climate change in a world of avid deniers Some of our emerging leaders have joined our public health friends in advocacy to engage policy in birthing rights, public safety, and behavioral health, even in the face of exacerbated political polarizations and sustained public health backlash. And they have supported communities forging new pathways towards collective health and wellness from within a landscape that continues to push them out We have seen and experienced so much by way of racism, misogyny, heterosexism, xenophobia, antisemitism, ableism, and science denial over the last year To my friends and colleagues new to public health, I am honored to rise above it alongside you.

When love and science prevail in the name of public health, intolerance and misinformation are likely to push back. And because of that, the Colorado public health workforce continues to draw new leaders every day and grow stronger than ever. The following articles honor some of the latest public health efforts and champions our wonderful Editors and Contributors had the privilege to engage Thank you, Emerging Leaders Committee, for showing us where action and science meets humanity And thank you, Colorado Public Health, for sharing this journey of love and science with us

Wivine Ngongo CPHA President