On August 12th, 2025 the Doña Ana Board of County Commissioners officially proclaimed the month of August as Civic Health Month. “We at the New Mexico Public Health Association are so grateful to be part of community efforts to celebrate Civic Health Month! It’s a perfect opportunity to highlight the link between voting and health - and the many ways that we as public health advocates can promote civic engagement in our community,” says Kayla Blanchard, NMPHA co-president. “Your vote is your voice and your voice is powerful! Everyone deserves a voice in the issues & policies that affect their health and wellbeing across the lifespan, and making sure that we promote civic engagement and voter participation is a vital part of health promotion”.

More than 400 organizations nationwide celebrate Civic Health Month each August. Among the organizations at the forefront of this movement is Vot-ER, a leading advocate for nonpartisan civic participation and health equity. “Local public health professionals with NMPHA, NMSU, and area Health Councils first became involved with Vot-ER through the Civic Health Fellowship program several years ago,” shared Holly Mata, a public health specialist and NMPHA internship coordinator. “This year, NMPHA members Christine Dobbin, Jasper McCormick, & Leslie Konesheck are participating in the 2025 Vot-ER Civic Health Fellowship and the Health Democracy Campaign - they are amazing advocates for civic health!”

We at NMPHA are grateful to see so many people and organizations across New Mexico participating in civic engagement initiatives. Our families and our communities are healthier when we all have a voice in the issues that matter to us. Proclaiming August as Civic Health Month inspires us to promote voting and civic participation not only today, but all year long!

● Doña Ana County Commission proclaiming August as Civic Health Month: https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1170183441812189&set=a.779043077592896 (picture) and https://www.youtube.com/live/2gTBLjOTlEo?t=1944s (video of the proclamation)

● To learn more about Civic Health Month, visit https://vot-er.org/civic-health-month/

● To learn more about Vot-ER resources and programs, visit https://vot-er.org/about/