Seven Northeastern U.S. states and New York City have announced the formal creation of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative, a regional coalition to improve coordination between the states’ public health departments and that of the city.
The collaborative, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York state, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and New York City, is a formal partnership growing out of joint efforts that began earlier this year. Its first in-person meeting was held in Rhode Island in August, and the group has already formed working groups to identify areas of collaboration within public health data collection and analysis, emergency preparedness and response, epidemiology, laboratory capacity and services, infectious disease, vaccine recommendations and purchasing.
To date, the collaborative has worked together on guidance for healthcare workers to protect themselves and their patients during respiratory virus season. The group has also discussed public health topics surrounding the FIFA World Cup events planned for several U.S. cities, including the New York City metropolitan area, in 2026.
“Everyone benefits when we work together. I am excited about this collaborative; we all share the same goal of achieving health and well-being for our people. New York is proud to be part of the Northeast Public Health Collaborative. By working together, we are creating a more adaptable, sustainable and resilient public health system for our state and the region,” said New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald, MD, MPH, in a press statement.
New Jersey acting Health Commissioner Jeff Brown agreed, stating: “The interconnectedness of our populations and shared health challenges across the Northeast make this Collaborative a natural synergy and extension of our longstanding partnerships with peer health agencies to support the health of the people of New Jersey. Public health requires regular sharing of information, ideas, and best practices across jurisdictions and state lines. Whether it’s responding to a pandemic or an outbreak or preparing for a large-scale event such as the upcoming FIFA World Cup, with three host cities in the Northeast, working together helps keep our residents safe and healthy. We look forward to continuing to do so with our colleagues in the Collaborative.”
Although the group’s goals are to collaborate, it also notes that each state and city is unique, with its own diverse populations and laws. “Members may choose to participate in or adapt those specific initiatives consistent with their particular needs, values, objectives, and statutory or regulatory requirements,” according to the group.
Based on a New York State Department of Health press release.