2020 ANNUAL REPORT

The COVID-19 pandemic defined the course of public health in 2020. On January 22, APHL established its Incident Command System to oversee organizational priorities, identify and respond to member needs, manage staffing and resources, and coordinate with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other federal agencies and external partners.

APHL also made a wholesale pivot from in-person trainings, professional development and conferences to new virtual platforms. Fortunately, APHL’s long-standing expertise with remote training opportunities and resources guided the transition of the remaining training programs—as well as six in-person conferences—to fully online platforms in just a few months.

But even as the pandemic continues, the critical day-to-day work of our members persists. Infectious disease samples continue to arrive in our laboratories. Babies continue to be born and screened. Natural and manmade disasters continue to occur with urgent implications for testing. Air, water and food quality continues to require monitoring. As we continue this critical work, we are profoundly grateful for the support of our members and federal partners—including (but not limited to) CDC, the US Food and Drug Administration, the Health Resources and Services Administration and the US Environmental Protection Agency—and all of our public and private collaborators.

We know that the days, weeks and months to come will be different from anything we have ever experienced as public health professionals. Our highest priority is still to do our jobs to the best of our ability, continue to educate our communities about what we do, and ensure a healthier world through quality laboratory systems.

FINANCIALS