The Fund supports networks of state health policy decision makers to help identify, inspire, and inform policy leaders.
A bipartisan group of state health policymakers from both the executive and legislative branches who are focused on improving population health.
Supporting networks of state officials, advocates, and others aiming to invest in and transform primary care.
Advancing state-based efforts to make health care more affordable for residents, employers, and states.
The Milbank Memorial Fund supports two state leadership programs for legislative and executive branch state government officials committed to improving population health.
A leadership development program for early and mid-career state government officials who are committed to improving the health of all people in their communities.
A leadership program for senior state government officials who are committed to improving population health.
The Fund focuses on creating an affordable health care system built on strong primary care and partnerships that improve health outcomes for all.
Improving state leaders ability to enact and implement evidence-based health policies.
Advancing policies that create a more prevention- and primary care-oriented health system.
Improving population health through policies that contain health care cost growth.
Our state health policy resources provide relevant data analysis and best practices.
The Fund publishes reports, issues briefs, and case studies on state health policy issues.
Short takes on health policy issues from Milbank staff and guest authors.
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Reported articles and Q&As on timely health policy issues, as well as foundation updates.
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Updates and expert contact information for reporters.
The Milbank Memorial Fund is a private foundation that works to improve population health and health equity.
The Future of Population Health (Volume 101)
Quarterly Article
Georges C. Benjamin
Aug 12, 2026
Jul 28, 2026
December 2025
Back to The Milbank Quarterly
Policy Points:
The public health infrastructure in the United States is in disrepair. In fact, it has never truly been adequate to meet the needs of the nation and our nation’s role in global affairs. In 1988 the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Sciences published the results of a consensus study entitled “The Future of Public Health.”1 This report found the nation’s public health system to be in disarray and that the nation had lost sight of its public health needs. Since that time the nation has struggled to address this finding and to build a system that can adequately address the ever-growing needs of the population. Infrastructure is defined as “the resources (such as personnel, buildings, or equipment) required for an activity.”2 In fact, there is growing evidence that the basic infrastructure of the public health system in the nation has continued to erode to the point that its capacity and capabilities to adequately protect the nation are in doubt.1