Recent reports highlight the severe impact of extensive funding cuts to the U.S. public health system, which have left local health departments struggling to maintain essential services. These cuts, initiated during the Trump administration, have undermined the foundational structures of public health, with experts warning that the consequences could be dire, including increased risks to community health and safety. In Michigan, public health labs and state-level health initiatives are particularly feeling the strain, leading to calls for urgent attention to the ongoing crisis. As the nation grapples with the effects of these cuts, mental health services are also under pressure, signaling a broad range of negative outcomes for communities across the U.S.