By Steven Levine and Stephen Massey, Co-Founders, Meteorite and Health Action Alliance

As we step into 2025, with a new presidential administration poised to reshape our national public health priorities, U.S. businesses face a critical question: What role should the private sector play in securing a healthier future for all Americans? 

In recent months, we’ve spoken with business leaders about how they’re preparing to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities ahead. Some plan to use their platforms to publicly advocate for solutions to our nation’s pressing public health issues. Others are opting for a quieter approach, working behind the scenes to make an impact without the glare of public scrutiny. These strategies may differ, but they reveal a deeper truth: Businesses aren’t just bystanders in shaping our nation’s well-being –– they’re architects of change, driving solutions in ways that government alone cannot. 

This is not hyperbole; it’s a reflection of our times. The public increasingly looks to corporations to lead on issues ranging from climate change to economic inequality. Trust in traditional institutions has eroded, and the private sector now carries the weight of expectation. Companies that embrace this responsibility will help shape the future — not just for their stakeholders, but for society at large.

At this critical juncture, employer leadership matters more than ever. The actions taken now will define the future of American businesses and their role in shaping a healthier society. For business leaders, the question is not whether to act, but how to make meaningful progress in this pivotal moment.

The Cost of Inaction

Leading on workplace health isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s a business imperative. Consider the risks of inaction:

• Financial impact: Rising healthcare costs, absenteeism, and reduced productivity directly impact the bottom line.
  
  
• Reputational harm: Companies that ignore societal health challenges risk being seen as out of touch or indifferent, especially by younger generations demanding purpose-driven workplaces.
  
  
• Operational disruption: Climate-related health risks — like extreme heat, hurricanes, and wildfires — are already disrupting workplaces and supply chains, and their impacts are set to grow.

Conversely, companies that prioritize employee and community health see measurable gains: happier, healthier employees, stronger community ties, and enhanced brand loyalty.

Businesses as Catalysts for Change

Businesses are uniquely positioned to be trusted voices in a time of rampant misinformation and declining trust in public institutions. They can cut through the noise with clarity and science-backed guidance, creating healthier, more informed workplaces and communities.

This leadership is crucial as we face ongoing challenges and emerging health threats. New disease threats like bird flu, other infectious disease outbreaks, and growing health impacts of extreme weather pose real risks that extend beyond workforce health to operational continuity and global supply chains. By preparing for these crises and leading with evidence-based action, businesses can safeguard their employees, build resilience, and foster trust.

At the Health Action Alliance, we’ve seen how business leadership can drive meaningful change, and we’re here to help leaders amplify their impact. Companies that lead with purpose strengthen their workforce, their communities, and their bottom line.

Principles for Health Leadership at Your Company

So how can your business take meaningful action in this new era? Start with a few guiding principles:

1. Build trust through truth. Counter misinformation with science-backed health guidance. In doing so, you can support your workers’ well-being and earn the trust of employees, customers, and communities.
   
   
2. Engage with empathy. Make health guidance relatable and accessible, meeting employees where they are.
   
   
3. Invest locally. Support community organizations to strengthen community health where your company operates.
   
   
4. Forge strong partnerships. Collaborate with state and local health agencies to sustain critical public health efforts amid shifting federal priorities.
   
   
5. Collaborate for collective impact. Join forces with other businesses to amplify efforts to build healthier, more resilient communities.

From Words to Action

The road ahead demands more than good intentions; it requires bold leadership and tangible action. At the Health Action Alliance, we’re here to help employers navigate these challenges with confidence. Through peer-to-peer networks, fact-based resources, and public-private partnerships, we empower businesses to lead with purpose. Together, we can transform workplaces, strengthen communities, and create a future where everyone has the chance to thrive.

To those on the fence, we say this: Health leadership isn’t just a moral imperative — it’s a business advantage. It’s an opportunity to strengthen trust, build resilience, and secure long-term success.

Because when businesses lead on health, everyone wins.

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Steven Levine and Stephen Massey are social impact entrepreneurs and corporate communications experts who co-founded Meteorite, the firm behind the Health Action Alliance.

Steven Levine previously served as White House Associate Director of Communications under President George W. Bush and led Univision’s transformation into a leading advocacy brand for the U.S. Hispanic community.

Stephen Massey has led global campaigns on public health, civic engagement, and climate change, and previously served as a White House National Security Fellow in the Clinton Administration.

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