MA, RI, CT Join Health Care Coalition

Rhode Island has joined several other northeastern states in establishing a regional public health collaborative.

The group of states will make their own recommendations and provide guidance on vaccines and other public health matters impacting the region.

Rhode Island Department of Health Director Jerry Larkin, M.D., said, "Collaboration is the core of public health. We look forward to continuing to work with the Northeast Public Health Collaborative to improve information sharing, coordinate on public health initiatives, and develop policy that is grounded in science and data. This partnership will advance our work to prevent disease and promote the health and safety of the people in every community in Rhode Island."

Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani, M.D., said, "In public health, we are always stronger together. Pathogens know no borders. Particularly in the northeast, people cross borders daily for work and school. In a time of significant change in public health, we have benefited from the enhanced collaborations between our jurisdictions. We are confident that we will preserve and protect core public health principles and services as we navigate current changes together."

Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health Robbie Goldstein, M.D., Ph.D., said, "When our states speak in concert, our voice carries farther, and our impact deepens. Those who work in public health are entrusted with a profound responsibility – a promise – to protect the health and safety of those in our states, to advance equity, and to ground every decision in data and evidence. Strong public health must stand high above ideology. Our region understands this, and we are moving forward, resolute, united, and guided by science."

The other states in the collaborative are Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Governor Ned Lamont says it's important that the region have a credible group making public comments about health and vaccinations.

(Photo by STEPHANE OUZOUNOFF/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)