Occupational and environmental medicine (OEM) focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of health conditions that arise from workplace hazards and environmental exposures. OEM is important because it ensures that employee health is prioritized and working environments remain safe. This, in turn, prevents illnesses and injuries, reduces health care costs, and protects public health.
Recent administrative changes and dismantling of important government agencies like the National Institute of Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH), are threatening the wellbeing of workers and the future of OEM. ACOEM is working hard to advocate for change, but we need your help to amplify the messages. Your voice matters – please use and share the resources below on your personal platforms and within your professional spheres of influence.
1.
Read our response to recent government actions.
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Take action to help protect OEM and workers.
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Share your story! How are the recent cuts to HHS/NIOSH impacting you and the workers you care for? Help ACOEM showcase the vital role occupational medicine plays in safeguarding worker health and enhancing workplace safety.
Share real-world examples that illustrate the human impact of your work – stories that we can use to elevate awareness of our members’ contributions and the importance of the OEM specialty.
Advocacy Efforts
Outside Witness Testimony Addressing FY26 HHS NIOSH Funding to Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (June 13, 2025)
Support of NORA (May 20, 2025)
Letter signed by NORA Council members and Friends of NIOSH to support the National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA), serving as a national framework for setting occupational safety and health research priorities.
FY26 Occupational Safety and Health Appropriations Coalition Letter (May 13, 2025)
This letter was signed by Intersociety Forum members and sent to Chairs Robert Aderholt and Shelley Moore Capito and Ranking Members Rosa DeLauro and Tammy Baldwin ofthe Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee to express support for the health and safety of America's workforce with recommended FY 2026 funding of OSHA at $655.5 million and restoration of critical NIOSH programs.
Letter urging transparency and oversight regarding potential Reduction-in-Force (RIF) and reorganization plans (May 8, 2025)
This letter was signed by scientific, research, public health, and academic associations urging greater transparency surrounding potential large-scale personnel reductions and reorganizations within federal agencies that are critical to scientific and public health infrastructure.
Budget request letter for CA State Respirator Certification Program (May 7, 2025)
This letter was sent to Governor Newsom, President Pro Tempore McGuire, Speaker Rivas, Senator Weiner, and Assemblymember Gabriel requesting them to allocate $15 to $20 million dollars in funding to Cal/OSHA to contract with the occupational health and safety program at the University of California, Los Angeles to establish a California state respirator certification program.
Coalition for Health Funding’s letter to House and Senate Appropriators (April 25, 2025)
This letter was signed by health and research coalitions and organizations expressing concern regarding the Administration’s draft Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Friends of NIEHS Letter (April 25, 2025)
This letter was signed by health and research coalitions and organizations and sent to Chairs Shelley Moore Capito and Robert Aderholt and Ranking Members Tammy Baldwin and Rosa DeLauro of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Subcommittee expressing concern regarding the Administration's Fiscal Year 2026 budget for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Intersociety Forum's Letter to Congress (April 11, 2025)
This letter was signed by 27 organizations and sent to Chairman Bill Cassidy, M.D., and Ranking Member Bernie Sanders of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and expresses concern for workplace safety research and business performance as a result of actions taken to restructure the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
ACOEM's Letter to Congress (April 9, 2025)
This letter to Chairman Robert Aderholt, Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro, and members of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies provides outside witness testimony addressing Health and Human Services (HHS) FY26 NIOSH funding.
Friends of NIOSH Letter to Congress (April 7, 2025)
This letter was addressed to the House and Senate Labor/HHS Appropriations Committee leaders, as well as four leaders of Congress. Senators with a NIOSH facility in their state also received this letter. The letter was signed by professional organizations and companies affected by the government changes.
Congressional Letter (April 4, 2025)
This letter was sent to the White House and Department of Health and Human Services from Congressman Greg Landsman and co-signed by various Members of Congress, and urges the administration to reverse the termination decisions at NIOSH.
Member Mobilization
ACOEM NIOSH/OSHA Backgrounder
General talking points and specific examples of direct services provided by NIOSH to the nation, the impact of NIOSH on research in occupational health and safety, the role of NIOSH-funded education and research centers, and more.
Media
Infographics
