Building a Stronger, More Equitable Public Health System: Q&A with 40 Under 40 Honoree Joneigh Khaldun

As a nationally recognized leader in public health and health policy, Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, has spearheaded initiatives to address critical issues such as lead poisoning, teen pregnancy prevention, and outreach to people living in foreclosed homes. Now she’s leading the charge to strengthen and transform the nation’s public health infrastructure as the president and CEO of the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB).

de Beaumont caught up with Khaldun — a 2019 40 Under 40 in Public Health honoree — to learn more about her leadership at PHAB, her vision for public health accreditation, and what drives her commitment to healthier, more equitable communities.

Why is health department accreditation so important to effective public health practice?

One of the biggest challenges in public health is that much of the work done by health departments is invisible to the average person — until something goes wrong that directly affects them. Behind the scenes every day, health departments are monitoring and responding to infectious disease outbreaks, working to minimize the number of people who get sick, ensuring restaurants are safely storing and preparing food, assuring swimming pools are properly maintained, providing access to life-saving vaccines, implementing programs to prevent chronic diseases, and ensuring babies have proper nutrition and safe car seats.  

These are important services that should function well and be of high quality. Well-run organizations and systems include mechanisms for accountability and continuous quality improvement. Accreditation for health departments provides that.

What will success look like in your role?

I’ve always believed that success in public health must be measured by tangible improvements in health outcomes. Achieving this requires a public health system where health departments are well funded and efficient, well coordinated with partners in both the public and private sectors, and have access to reliable, actionable data that is shared across systems. Most importantly, their work must be grounded in the needs and voices of the communities they serve.  

This cannot be achieved in isolation. My vision is for a public health system where health departments are equipped with the support they need to deliver the highest quality services to their communities.

What are you most excited to accomplish leading PHAB?

The most memorable moments in my career have been when I led local and state public health efforts. Now, I’m excited to have the opportunity to support health departments in a new way, at a national level. I look forward to learning from health department staff and leaders across the country, collaborating with PHAB’s partners to reimagine a public health system that is strong, relevant, and adaptable, and building new partnerships across the public and private sectors. Accreditation plays a crucial role in advancing a public health system that can effectively address both current and future public health challenges. I’m excited about what lies ahead!

With all your educational and professional experiences, how did you decide to focus on public health?

When I was a child, I was appalled at the health challenges I saw in my community and family like heart disease and diabetes. I could see they were connected directly to things like access to grocery stores, or behaviors like smoking. In college I worked as an organ preservation technician, traveling around the country with transplant surgeons procuring organs for donation. I was appalled at how many people became organ donors because of preventable injuries.

During my medical training in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, New York, I was overwhelmed by the toll that firearm injury had in the communities I lived and worked in. The common thread is that while I love practicing emergency medicine and still do in a busy Detroit emergency department, I am passionate about preventing people from needing to visit the emergency department in the first place. That means going upstream, focusing on prevention, and advancing systems and policies that promote and protect the health of communities. That is public health!   

What’s something you’re especially passionate about in the public health field that we need to talk about more?

We don’t talk enough about children. Gun violence deaths have skyrocketed to be the leading cause of death for children ages 1-17. There are still children who don’t have sufficient food and nutrition, or who struggle to get access to appropriate physical or mental health services. That is a tragedy that should not happen, especially in one of the richest countries in the world. To quote Nelson Mandela, “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.” We can and must do better.

What moment in your career stands out to you?

One of the most memorable days of my career was when I was on site at the University of Michigan the day the first COVID vaccines arrived in the state. Being a part of the team leading Michigan’s COVID response was a true honor, and I am grateful that I could serve and help during such a challenging time.

What keeps you going, even on the toughest days?

I always think about my grandparents when things get really hard. I am a descendant of enslaved Africans, and my grandparents started their lives as sharecroppers and worked really hard to give their children, and me, a better life. They went through a lot, and I am always reminded of their strength and perseverance when things get tough for me.

What do you wish you could tell your early-professional self?

I would have told myself that careers are not linear, and you can’t plan exactly where you will be and what you will be doing. What is most important is that you align your career with something you are passionate about and where you think you can make a difference. 

What is your favorite public health podcast?

I love “Tradeoffs.” The podcast does a great job diving into the nuances of U.S. health policy and bringing in unique and relevant expert voices.

What do you like to do when you’re not working?

I love walking, whether that is walking around my neighborhood, in the park, or exploring a new city or park.

The de Beaumont Foundation’s 40 Under 40 in Public Health initiative recognizes and elevates leaders changing the face of public health in creative and innovative ways. Learn more about the program and its application process.