Public health in Louisiana is deeply shaped by community resilience, cultural strength, and the ongoing fight for equitable access to care and resources. Across the state, many communities face barriers related to poverty, housing instability, environmental health risks, chronic illness, overdose, and limited access to healthcare — particularly in rural and historically underserved areas. Public health work in Louisiana goes beyond clinical care by addressing the social conditions that impact people’s health and well-being every day. At Below Sea Level Aid, our public health programs focus on meeting immediate community needs while building long-term health equity through harm reduction, outreach, HIV/STI prevention, education, mutual aid, and direct support services rooted in compassion, dignity, and community care.