Gov. Murphy joins multi-state public health alliance to strengthen coordination and protect residents
Governor Phil Murphy has joined 14 other governors from across the country in launching the Governors Public Health Alliance, a new nonpartisan coalition aimed at improving coordination and communication among states to better protect public health.
The initiative, announced Friday, includes governors from California, Connecticut, Delaware, Guam, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, and Colorado, alongside New Jersey. The coalition will serve as a hub for data sharing, policy coordination, and emergency response across states and territories.
“New Jersey’s approach to public health will always be grounded in collaboration and science. I am proud to formalize these partnerships as we navigate uncertain times and build trust in evidence-based practices,” Murphy said. “Through this collaboration, we look forward to working closely with governors across our nation to combat serious public health threats.”
According to the announcement, the Governors Public Health Alliance will facilitate information exchange among public health leaders to strengthen preparedness, response, and long-term planning for health crises. It will also coordinate on vaccine policy, emergency guidance, and communication strategies to ensure consistency across state lines.
The alliance complements existing regional collaborations such as the Northeast Public Health Collaborative and the West Coast Health Alliance, expanding efforts to create a unified state-led framework for public health readiness.
Washington Governor Bob Ferguson said the alliance reflects the growing need for state-level cooperation: “We can no longer rely on the information coming out of Washington, D.C., but our states are coming together to unequivocally state that science still matters. Diseases don’t stop at state borders — and preparedness shouldn’t either. By joining forces, we will act faster and communicate better to ensure our communities stay healthy.”
Hawaii Governor Josh Green, the nation’s only sitting governor who is also a physician, said the coalition will help provide “clear, consistent, science-based guidance to the public at a time when we are facing unprecedented public health challenges.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul added that the alliance will “allow our states to share resources, coordinate with global partners, and deploy the tools and information needed to meet public health threats and protect the American people.”
The alliance is supported by GovAct, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that assists governors in addressing major policy challenges. It is guided by a bipartisan team of advisors including Dr. Mandy Cohen, former CDC director; Dr. Anne Zink, former Alaska Chief Medical Officer; and Dr. Raj Panjabi, former White House Senior Director for Global Health Security and Biodefense.
“With many health threats at our doorstep, collaboration and communication between Governors is essential to protect the health of families and save lives,” Cohen said. “This alliance creates the framework to support the national coordination needed to safeguard communities.”
Participating states have already begun sharing best practices and coordinating on policies to preserve access to vaccines and improve health preparedness.
