7 Public Health Innovations We’re Thankful For

Public health innovations aim to improve health and save lives.  Here are seven innovations we’re especially thankful for this year. 

1. Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Laws 

Gun violence is a preventable public health crisis, and ERPO laws are one promising tool we can use to address it. These civil orders allow family members or law enforcement to temporarily remove firearms from individuals at risk of harming themselves or others. States implementing ERPO laws have seen reductions in firearm injuries and suicides, offering a pathway toward safer communities. 

2. Right-Sizing Travel Lanes 

Sometimes the most effective innovations are the simplest. Research led by Bloomberg Assistant Professor of American Health Shima Hamidi, found that road widths of 9 feet reduced fatal car accidents and improved quality of life for residents. These subtle design changes protect pedestrians, promote walkability, and help create communities where safe mobility is the norm. 

3. Harm-Reduction Vending Machines 

Whether distributing naloxone, fentanyl test strips, or personal hygiene products, harm-reduction vending machines provide 24/7 access to lifesaving tools. Early evidence shows that communities with these machines experience increased naloxone uptake and reduced overdose fatalities, especially in areas with limited service access. 

4. Reducing Chronic Absence Through Collaboration 

Chronic school absence is a powerful predictor of long-term health and academic outcomes. The CARE program is a collaboration between physicians, teachers, and community leaders to share data and work together to enhance school attendance. By bridging pediatric care and classrooms, CARE demonstrates how unconventional cross-sector partnerships can transform opportunities and experiences for children. 

5. Clean Drinking Water 

Access to clean water is foundational to community health. A community-led water-quality improvement effort in Native American communities led by a Bloomberg Fellow demonstrated how combining household water filtration, culturally informed outreach, and digital health tools can reduce exposure to contaminants like arsenic. These approaches highlight how community engagement and evidence-based interventions can support safer drinking water in underserved areas. 

6. Fiber! 

As colon cancer rates and gastrointestinal related issues continue to rise, the team at Balanced is working to bring more fiber into our diet. With funding from the Initiative, the team at Balanced developed their Focus on Fiber campaign which spread awareness about the importance of fiber on social media, worked to push the USDA to add a minimum fiber requirement to the meal pattern guidelines for reimbursable school meals under the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, and led to the development of a fiber focused cookbook. A fiber-rich diet supports digestion, reduces chronic disease risk, and is a key factor in lifelong gut health. 

7. Violence Reduction Councils 

Violence Reduction Councils, developed by researchers from the Initiative, bring together residents, local officials, public health experts, and community-based organizations to coordinate strategies that prevent violence before it happens. These councils use data, lived experience, and community priorities to guide interventions such as street outreach, trauma-informed services, and environmental improvements. In Toledo, Ohio, city leaders have seen meaningful reductions in violent crime and stronger trust between communities and institutions. 

Public health progress doesn’t happen overnight. It’s built through steady, thoughtful innovation, dedicated partnerships, and communities committed to each other’s well-being. These seven examples remind us just how much there is to be thankful for, and how much potential lies ahead.