Public Health Review Morning Edition: Recent Episodes
ASTHO
Your daily public health briefing with the latest news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).
As students head back to school, vaccination remains one of the most effective ways to keep children and communities healthy. In recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month, Michelle Fiscus, chief medical officer for the Association of Immunization Managers, joins us to discuss the current state of childhood immunization in the United States. She explains why most families continue to vaccinate their children, addresses the misconceptions fueling vaccine hesitancy, and shares strategies for building confidence through trusted messengers and community-based care. Fiscus also highlights the importance of planning ahead for required school vaccinations, making time for annual flu shots, and approaching conversations with parents through empathy and credible information.
Association of Immunization Managers
Voices From the Field: Public Health Success Stories | ASTHO
Lessons in Advancing Policy to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences | ASTHO
After five years, and nearly 1,200 episodes, many, many conversations that have documented the evolving landscape of public health. In this special anniversary edition of Public Health Review Morning Edition, we revisit some of the defining moments from the podcast's first five years, from the COVID-19 pandemic and the mpox response to the fentanyl crisis, rural health challenges, data modernization, workforce investments, and the growing importance of public health storytelling. Featuring voices from state and territorial health officials, federal leaders, journalists, and public health experts, this episode reflects on how the field has adapted, innovated, and continued to protect communities through unprecedented change.
Critical funding decisions are on hold, but the stakes for public health continue to grow. In this view from Washington D.C., ASTHO vice president for Government Affairs Jeffrey Ekoma provides a Federal Health Policy Update on recent movement in Washington. He discusses the Senate confirmation of Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director, the status of Sean Kaufman's nomination to lead ASPR, and the latest developments in FY2027 appropriations. Ekoma also explains the competing continuing resolution proposals, what Congress must accomplish after the August recess, and how negotiations over supplemental funding, reconciliation, and federal assistance could shape public health priorities in the months ahead.
U.S. Disease Tracker
Improving maternal health outcomes starts with ensuring every pregnant patient receives care at the facility best equipped for their needs. In this episode, Senior Analyst for Maternal and Infant Health at ASTHO Lexa Giragosian discusses ASTHO's latest research on implementing levels of maternal care across the country. Drawing on interviews with leaders in 13 states, Giragosian explains how risk-appropriate care can improve outcomes for mothers and infants while highlighting the barriers that remain, including rural hospital closures, workforce shortages, transportation challenges, and gaps in culturally competent care.
Implementing Levels of Maternal Care: Common... : Journal of Public Health Management & Practice
Partner Spotlight: Q&A with Kate Menard on Levels of Maternal Care State Implementation | ASTHO
As America's population ages, preventing falls is becoming one of public health's most urgent challenges. In this episode, Amy Ciarlo, senior analyst for Chronic Disease Risk Factors at ASTHO, talks about why fall prevention requires more than clinical care alone. She discusses how the CDC's STEADI framework helps healthcare providers identify and reduce fall risk, why tai chi and evidence-based community programs A Matter of Balance are essential partners in prevention, and how stronger connections between healthcare systems and community organizations can create lasting improvements. Ciarlo also shares lessons from Iowa and Oklahoma, where sustainable partnerships, referral networks, and coordinated planning are helping older adults stay healthy, independent, and safe.
Prioritizing Community-Clinical Linkages to Prevent Falls in Older Adults | ASTHO
Voices From the Field: Public Health Success Stories | ASTHO
Leveraging Partnerships to Shape Funding and Policy Across Public Health Issues | ASTHO
Strong public health systems depend on trusted communication, a skilled workforce, and deep community connections. In this PHIG Impact Report, Christina Floyd, deputy public health director for the Detroit Health Department, talks about how PHIG funding has helped Detroit strengthen grant management, bring communications in-house, and transform outreach into a public health intervention. Floyd also discusses the department's growing internship and youth engagement programs, which are creating pathways into public health careers while building trust with the next generation.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Bringing the Mission to Life: Detroit Health Department Strengthens its Services from the Inside Out - Public Health Infrastructure Grant
Timely, transparent communication can shape the course of a public health emergency long before every answer is known. In this episode, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, and ASTHO member, Natasha Bagdasarian, tells us about Michigan's response to one of the nation's largest cyclospora outbreaks. She explains how state officials used early surveillance data to warn the public before a product recall was issued, worked closely with health care systems to expand testing capacity, and tailored public messaging to Michigan's unique outbreak. Dr. Bagdasarian also reflects on the challenges of coordinating across state and federal partners, the importance of communicating uncertainty with honesty, and how proactive public health messaging helped reduce illness while strengthening trust during a rapidly evolving outbreak.
Tracking Cyclosporiasis: Understanding the Current Outbreak, Case Investigations, and Prevention Efforts | ASTHO
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The Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) program has become one of the nation's most important investments in infectious disease preparedness, strengthening the workforce, laboratory capacity, and data systems that health departments rely on every day. In this bonus, long form episode, ASTHO President and Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani explains how ELC funding helped build a disease-agnostic data platform that gives local health departments real-time surveillance data. Michigan's Deputy State Epidemiologist Joseph Coyle discusses how ELC supports the specialized workforce, laboratory testing, and IT infrastructure needed to detect outbreaks, track emerging threats, and respond more quickly. Finally, CDC's Alvin Shultz traces the evolution of the ELC program over three decades, highlighting how flexible funding, strong governance, and cross-sector collaboration have created a national infectious disease response system that is ready for whatever comes next.
INSPIRE: Readiness | ASTHO
Major international events put extraordinary pressure on public health systems, making preparation, real-time surveillance, and cross-agency coordination more important than ever. In this episode, Eric Whitworth, chief executive officer of InductiveHealth Informatics, a member of ASTHO's 2026 Innovation Advisory Council, talks about how public health agencies used syndromic surveillance, dashboards, and data integration to monitor health threats during the FIFA World Cup, and what those efforts reveal about preparing for future events like the Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics. He discusses the importance of early planning, modernizing public health technology, and how targeted AI applications can reduce manual workloads while preserving data privacy and security in an era of shrinking public health resources.
As wildfire smoke becomes a recurring threat across more of the United States, public health agencies are adapting their guidance to help communities prepare and respond. In this episode, Gabriela Goldfarb, Environmental Public Health section manager of the Oregon Health Authority and Kathy Raleigh, principal epidemiologist of the Minnesota Department of Health, explain the health risks associated with wildfire smoke, why the combination of smoke and extreme heat can be especially dangerous, and how states are using surveillance data, public education, and cross-state collaboration to protect residents. They also share practical advice on reducing exposure, improving indoor air quality, recognizing symptoms, and preparing for a future in which wildfire smoke is becoming an increasingly common public health challenge.
Partnership as the Foundation for Advancing Adolescent Health in American Samoa | ASTHO
Strengthening Long-Term Care Capacity in Island Jurisdictions Through Policy | ASTHO
Strong public health systems depend on collaboration like partnerships across agencies or coordinating responses to emerging health threats. In this episode, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, Beth Giambrone, discusses a recent ASTHO Health Policy Update that examines how states are approaching vector-borne disease policy through surveillance, reporting requirements, education, and cross-agency coordination. Then, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Medicaid and Health Systems Partnerships, Orobosa Idehen, introduces a new Medicaid Oversight Governance Map designed to help state health agencies better understand their governance structures, strengthen relationships with Medicaid partners, and identify opportunities to improve population health. Together, these conversations highlight how thoughtful governance, collaboration, and strategic policy making can help public health agencies make better use of limited resources while responding to evolving public health challenges.
Medicaid Oversight Governance Map | ASTHO
Improving Public Health Communication for Effective STI Programs | ASTHO
Public health's most complex challenges require stronger partnerships, deeper community engagement, and leaders willing to connect people across sectors. In this episode, Dr. Chelsea Moriarty Coffield, population health program manager for Community Health Choice, explains why collaboration is more than coordination, sharing practical strategies for building trust, aligning organizations around community needs, and embedding health equity into everyday decision-making. She also discusses the importance of one-on-one relationships, cross-sector partnerships, and leadership rooted in humility rather than expertise. Whether you're leading a coalition or looking to strengthen collaboration within your own organization, this conversation offers actionable lessons for creating lasting public health impact.
Leading Collaboratively for Lasting Public Health Impact | ASTHO
Workforce Trends in Public Health Preparedness | ASTHO
The Boundary Spanning Leadership Framework’s Impact on Public Health | ASTHO
With Congress approaching its August recess, several key public health priorities are entering a critical stretch. In this View from Washington D.C., ASTHO vice president for Government Affairs Jeffrey Ekoma breaks down the latest developments in FY 2027 appropriations, the status of Senate consideration of CDC Director and ASPR nominees, and the political factors shaping the legislative calendar. He also previews what public health leaders should watch in the coming weeks, including a potential reconciliation package, the administration's supplemental funding request, and how these federal decisions could affect state and territorial health agencies.
Utilizing Flexible Funding Strategies in Public Health | ASTHO
Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Overdose: Key Actions in a Multi-State Learning Collaborative | ASTHO
Lessons in Advancing Policy to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences | ASTHO
Improving maternal health outcomes requires coordinated systems that ensure every patient receives the right level of care at the right time. In this bonus, long-form episode, Daniel Edney, ASTHOpresident-elect and state health officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, explains how Mississippi is using Rural Health Transformation Program grant funding to build a statewide obstetrical system of care, establish new neonatal intensive care units, strengthen EMS coordination, and close critical gaps in care for rural communities. He also discusses how data, innovation, and broad partnerships are driving the state's effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Later, Ramya Flores, director of Maternal and Infant Health at ASTHO, puts Mississippi's work into a national context, highlighting how states are adopting levels of maternal care to improve access to risk-appropriate services. She outlines the partnerships, investments, and implementation strategies that support successful maternal care systems and previews ASTHO's latest resources to help states advance this work.
Successful data modernization depends on more than new technology, it requires people to understand, trust, and support the change. In this episode, Sarah Shaw, senior informatics analyst at the Public Health Informatics Institute, discusses a new Data Modernization Communications Toolkit designed to help public health professionals explain complex initiatives in ways that resonate with colleagues, leaders, and communities. Shaw explains how the toolkit is built around three core communication strategies: active listening, storytelling, and audience-centered messaging. She also shares practical examples from health departments across the country that demonstrate how effective communication can turn technical concepts into meaningful improvements for public health, helping agencies strengthen data systems and ultimately make better decisions for the communities they serve.
Data Modernization Communications Toolkit - PHII
Applications | ASTHO
Valley Health's Dr. Matthew Christiansen Elected To National Epic FQHC Advisory Board - Valley Health
A resilient public health system starts with investing in the people who make it work. In this PHIG Impact Report, director for the Office of Training and Development at the New Mexico Department of Health, Shadee Lauer, discusses how Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funding is helping the state recruit, retain, and develop its workforce through data-driven strategies and innovative professional development programs. Lauer shares how New Mexico used employee survey data to shape initiatives including paid internships, tuition reimbursement, leadership academies, recruitment and retention toolkits, and a train-the-trainer model that strengthens both the workforce and the communities it serves. She also explains how these investments are creating long-term organizational capacity while helping public health professionals build rewarding careers that benefit New Mexicans for years to come.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Reliable emergency medical services require sustained investments in equipment, workforce development, and preparedness. In this episode, ASTHO member and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen discusses how the state's latest $6.6 million investment in EMS is improving patient care, supporting first responders, and strengthening emergency response across Pennsylvania. Dr. Bogen explains how regional EMS agencies are using new funding to purchase advanced equipment like video laryngoscopes and lift-assist devices, expand training opportunities, and recruit and retain the next generation of EMTs and paramedics. She also highlights how Pennsylvania uses EMS performance data to measure outcomes, improve quality, and identify areas for additional support.
Leading Change October 2026
DELPH Power of Leadership Micro-Conference
Emerging contaminants such as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) present a difficult challenge for public health agencies: the science is evolving, exposure pathways are complex, and communities want clear answers even when uncertainty remains. Christen Linke Young, cabinet secretary for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, talks about Delaware’s cross-agency approach to addressing PFAS contamination and other environmental health concerns. By bringing together experts from public health, environmental protection, and agriculture, the state has built a collaborative model that relies on scientific expertise and long-standing relationships rather than top-down coordination. The conversation explores how uncertainty surrounding PFAS can complicate public communication while also creating opportunities to rebuild trust in public health institutions. Linke Young discusses Delaware’s efforts to communicate transparently about what is known, what remains uncertain, and how residents can participate in the decision-making process.
About Environmental Public Health | ASTHO
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Great public health professionals are often called upon to teach others, but expertise in a subject area does not always translate into effective instruction. Kaylin Clonch, workforce essential learning director at the South Carolina Department of Public Health, tells us about the agency’s approach to strengthening its training culture. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, Clonch explains how adult learning principles, instructional strategies, and learner engagement can transform workplace training from “death by PowerPoint” into meaningful educational experiences.
Home | Public Health Careers.org
PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center | ASTHO
12 Things Health Agencies Need to Know About Enterprise AI | ASTHO
Strong prevention efforts and supportive environments are making a measurable difference in the lives of Colorado's young people. Emily Fine, school and youth survey manager in the Prevention Services Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, discusses findings from the 2025 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, highlighting record-low rates of persistent sadness, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among youth. Fine also explains why protective factors such as trusted adults, family support, and a sense of belonging at school are critical to improving health outcomes, where challenges remain for LGBTQ+ youth, and how Colorado's youth-centered approach to data collection is helping communities make smarter, more responsive public health decisions.
Applications | ASTHO
Leveraging PHIG to Advance Policy Infrastructure at Austin Public Health | ASTHO
Millions of Americans receive preventive health services such as cancer screenings, diabetes tests, and other essential care without out-of-pocket costs. But recent federal actions involving the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have raised new questions about how those coverage decisions are made and whether they could change. ASTHO’s Andy Baker-White, senior director for state health policy, tells us about his recent Health Policy Update that focuses on the role the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force plays in shaping preventive care recommendations and why those recommendations have become foundational to insurance coverage across the country. The discussion explores the implications of recent legal and administrative developments, including changes to the task force’s leadership and new questions about federal authority over its recommendations.
Building Public Health Fellowships and Pathways to Employment in California | ASTHO
Policy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHO
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID Programs
In this Federal Health Policy Update, Senior Analyst for Government Affairs at ASTHO, Catherine Murphy, breaks down the latest leadership changes across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She explains the nominations for CDC director and surgeon general, recent transitions at the FDA, and other key appointments shaping the federal public health landscape. Murphy also discusses why stable leadership is essential for public health agencies, what these changes could mean for collaboration with state and local health departments, and what to watch as Senate confirmation hearings move forward.
(More) Recent Shifts in HHS Leadership: June 2026 | ASTHO
What happens when a public health agency decides to step out from behind the scenes and tell its own story? Jerome Larkin, ASTHO member and director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, talks about the department’s “Better State of Healthy” campaign, an effort to help residents better understand the role public health plays in their everyday lives. The campaign highlights the people behind public health and the services that support Rhode Islanders every day. Dr. Larkin discusses the audience research that revealed widespread uncertainty about what health departments actually do, despite generally high levels of trust in the agency. The conversation explores how personal storytelling, community connections, and a diverse workforce can help bridge knowledge gaps and strengthen relationships with residents.
Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Improvement | ASTHO
Policy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHO
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID Programs
Technical expertise can open doors in public health, but effective leadership requires a different set of skills: communication, self-awareness, adaptability, and the confidence to lead authentically. Gabby Hadly, emergency preparedness and response manager for the Snohomish County Health Department in Washington state, reflects on her experience in ASTHO's Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) program. She discusses how the program helped her develop a leadership style rooted in authenticity rather than imitation and why creating supportive spaces for emerging leaders is critical for the future of public health. Hadley shares how DELPH strengthened her public speaking and communication skills, connected her with peers and mentors from across the country, and provided practical tools for navigating change, conflict, and uncertainty. She also highlights the value of accountability partnerships, professional networks, and learning alongside colleagues facing many of the same challenges reshaping public health today.
Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health | ASTHO
Applications | ASTHO
Performance Management | ASTHO
For small and resource-constrained health jurisdictions, data modernization isn't just about adopting new technology, it's about building systems that strengthen people, improve workflows, and create lasting resilience. Tmong Udui, an epidemiologist with the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, shares how Palau is leveraging Public Health Infrastructure Grant funding to modernize its health data systems. She discusses the challenges of managing siloed information systems, limited workforce capacity, and growing demands for timely, reliable data in a small island nation. Udui explains how lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Palau's commitment to modernization, including the implementation of a national electronic health record system. She also explores the importance of stakeholder engagement, tailoring technology solutions to local needs, building institutional knowledge, and balancing ambitious goals with practical realities.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Strengthening Public Health Workforce Capacity in Island Jurisdictions | ASTHO
Strong public health preparedness depends on sustained investment long before an emergency occurs. In this Federal Health Policy Update, Catherine Jones, senior analyst of Government Affairs at ASTHO, explains what congressional preparedness hearings revealed about the nation's readiness for major events like the FIFA World Cup, while highlighting why recent disease threats underscore the need for continued vigilance. She also breaks down the key HHS preparedness programs that support state and territorial health agencies and discusses why consistent federal funding is essential to maintaining the workforce, laboratories, data systems, and partnerships that protect communities before, during, and after a crisis.
Shared Strategies that Promote Well-Being and Resilience
Policy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHO
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID Programs
Summer brings an increased risk of tick bites, and this year that risk may be arriving earlier than expected. Alison Hinckley, lead of Epidemiology and Surveillance in CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, explains what the latest surveillance data show, why emergency department visits for tick bites are rising sooner than usual, and the simple prevention steps health agencies can promote to help reduce tick-borne diseases. Then, Latoya Sahadeo, ASTHO’s director of the Developing Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) Program, discusses how leadership development goes beyond preparing for the next promotion. She shares how DELPH helps public health professionals strengthen their leadership identity, build resilience through coaching and peer networks, and gain the confidence to lead.
DELPH Open House
Applications | ASTHO
Wastewater surveillance has emerged as one of public health's most innovative tools, offering early warning signs of disease outbreaks and filling critical gaps left by traditional surveillance systems. Breanna McArdle, epidemiologist and program manager for Washington state's wastewater-based epidemiology program, explains how public health agencies decide which pathogens to monitor, why wastewater data must be interpreted alongside other surveillance sources, and how the field is evolving beyond its origins in the COVID-19 pandemic. McArdle also explores the ethical and privacy considerations of wastewater surveillance, the challenges of communicating findings to communities and policymakers, and the importance of partnerships with local health departments, treatment plant operators, laboratories, and academic researchers. She discusses how investments in data infrastructure, laboratory science, and cross-sector collaboration are helping transform wastewater surveillance into a versatile tool for tracking a wide range of public health threats.
Wastewater Testing for Arboviruses: Arizona’s Surveillance Approach | ASTHO
Strengthening Public Health Response to Infectious Diseases Through Wastewater Surveillance | ASTHO
Food and Water Safety | ASTHO
Shared Strategies that Promote Well-Being and Resilience
Artificial intelligence is already finding its way into public health agencies, from drafting communications and translating materials to analyzing data and identifying emerging health threats. The challenge for leaders is no longer whether to use AI, but how to implement it responsibly. In this PHIG Impact Report, we hear from Tatiana Lin and Shelby Rowell of the Kansas Health Institute. Tatiana is director of Business Strategy and Innovation; Shelby is director of the Region Seven Public Health Innovation Hub. They’ll discuss how health departments are using AI to improve efficiency, support community engagement, and expand workforce capacity while addressing concerns about privacy, bias, transparency, and governance.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Improving maternal and infant health outcomes requires more than quality clinical care, it takes strong partnerships, community engagement, and a commitment to addressing barriers that extend far beyond the exam room. Today, Denise Hanisch, chief medical officer for the South Dakota Department of Health, discusses the state's maternal and infant health priorities, including postpartum care, safe sleep initiatives, fatherhood engagement, and efforts to reduce disparities affecting American Indian families. She also explains how South Dakota is using data, workforce development, and rural health investments to strengthen care for mothers and babies across the state. Later, Sanaa Akbarali, senior director of maternal and child health at ASTHO, highlights lessons from the Region 7 Maternal Health ECHO Summit. She explores how public health agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and families are working together to address workforce shortages, expand access through telehealth, support community-based care models, and ensure that lived experience helps shape maternal health policies and programs.
Women, Infant, and Family Health | ASTHO
The Mutual Advantage: How Graduate Assistants Elevate Academic Health Department Partnerships
ASTHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter reflects on key themes emerging from the Executive Leadership Forum, where public health leaders from across the country are navigating funding uncertainty, workforce challenges, and an increasingly complex operating environment. He also shares a powerful example of disease detection and collaboration that prevented infant illness and demonstrated the everyday impact of public health work. Later, ASTHO Senior Director for State Health Policy, Andy Baker-White, discusses how U.S. Island jurisdictions are advancing public health through legislative action.
States Are Using Policy to Strengthen Preparedness and Supply Chain Resilience | ASTHO
Island Areas Pursue Policies That Advance Health Outcomes | ASTHO
Policy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHO
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID Programs
Shared Strategies that Promote Well-Being and Resilience
Strategic plans are only as effective as an organization’s ability to put them into action. In this episode, ASTHO's Sara Bell, a senior analyst for public health systems and planning, and Alice Schenall, a senior advisor for cross-sector leadership and change management, discuss two critical challenges facing public health agencies: turning plans into measurable progress and leading teams through uncertainty. Sara Bell explains why implementation often stalls after the planning process ends and shares practical strategies for operationalizing priorities, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and creating sustainable structures that help teams move from vision to action. And Alice Schenall explores how public health leaders can navigate organizational change, build trust during uncertain times, and address resistance while keeping teams focused on their mission.
From Plan to Action: Tools to Support Public Health Implementation | ASTHO
Leading Change Workshops | ASTHO
Exercise Excellence: Michigan Reflects on a National Level Exercise | ASTHO
Imelda Garcia Bio
A new employee’s first days can shape their entire experience with an organization. For public health agencies facing workforce challenges, effective onboarding is an important investment in long-term success. Mary Ramirez, interim director of onboarding and acclimation at the Bureau of Organizational Development in the South Carolina Department of Public Health, discusses the agency’s innovative onboarding program for new hires. Designed to create a consistent experience across the state, the program introduces employees to the agency’s mission, values, leadership structure, and programs while emphasizing real-world application and engagement.
Home | Public Health Careers.org
Public Health Workforce | ASTHO
DELPH Open House
Emergency preparedness is about far more than response plans and trained personnel. In this episode, Senior Analyst for Preparedness at ASTHO Maggie Nilz discusses how states are rethinking preparedness in the wake of COVID-19 and adapting to a changing emergency management landscape. Nilz explains how pandemic-era shortages exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains, resource distribution, and stockpile management, prompting states to take a more active role in assessing risks, securing critical supplies, and building long-term preparedness infrastructure. She also explores how new approaches to funding, procurement, and resource management are helping states respond more quickly while maintaining transparency and accountability.
Bridging Systems: How Kentucky is Improving Response to Emerging Health Threats | ASTHO
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Oregon’s latest State Health Improvement Plan is designed to do more than identify public health priorities, it aims to align partners, resources, and communities around measurable goals for a healthier future. ASTHO member Naomi Adeline-Biggs, director of the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division, talks about the development of Oregon’s five-year State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). She explains how extensive community engagement, including input from tribal nations, local health departments, and culturally specific organizations, helped shape the plan’s four core priorities: healthy environments, community well-being, disease prevention, and emergency preparedness.
Creating Successful Collaboration Structures in Public Health Initiatives | ASTHO
Leading Collaboratively for Lasting Public Health Impact | ASTHO
What public health issues are capturing the attention of state lawmakers in 2026? Beth Giambrone, ASTHO senior analyst for state health policy, returns to discuss ASTHO’s mid-session update, an annual review of the major public health trends emerging in state legislatures across the country. From expanding access to healthcare and strengthening rural health systems to addressing nutrition, mental health, and vaccine policy, Beth breaks down the legislative developments that are shaping public health at the state level.
2026 State Legislative Session Update | ASTHO
Applications | ASTHO
DELPH Open House
What happens when health departments and universities move beyond informal collaborations and build lasting partnerships? Mayela Arana, senior program manager of workforce development at the Public Health Foundation, joins us to discuss academic health department partnerships, formal collaborations between public health agencies and academic institutions designed to strengthen both the current workforce and the next generation of public health professionals. She explains how these partnerships create meaningful opportunities for students through internships, practicums, and mentorship while helping health departments build a pipeline of future talent.
Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships:Workforce Pathways in California
The Mutual Advantage: How Graduate Assistants Elevate Academic Health Department Partnerships
How Public Health Can Support Modern Administrative Readiness in a Dynamic World | ASTHO
From Plan to Action: Tools to Support Public Health Implementation | ASTHO
What happens when a health department invests directly in the education and professional growth of its workforce? Karla Buru, deputy director of health strategy and external affairs and chief of staff for the South Carolina Department of Public Health, discusses the agency’s Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP), an innovative workforce development initiative that helps employees pursue nursing and public health degrees while strengthening the department’s long-term capacity. Since launching as a small pilot in 2022, the program has grown into a major investment in employee development, retention, and leadership. Buru shares how tuition assistance, leadership training programs, and professional certifications are helping staff advance their careers while bringing new skills and expertise back to the agency.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Federal funding, workforce capacity, grant administration, and the future of public health programs are all under scrutiny in Washington. ASTHO senior analyst for government affairs, Catherine Jones, breaks down Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s FY27 budget hearings, where lawmakers examined proposed reductions to HHS funding and questioned how cuts to public health programs align with the administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda. Catherine discusses concerns surrounding maternal and child health, data collection, environmental health, workforce reductions, rural health needs, and the long-term implications for public health infrastructure. Then, ASTHO vice president of government affairs, Jeffrey Ekoma, reviews a recent Legislative Alert. He explains developments in congressional appropriations, pending public health leadership nominations, proposed changes to federal grant regulations, and the possibility of another reconciliation package before the end of the year. He also shares what state and territorial health officials should be watching as Congress navigates funding decisions and prepares for a post-midterm legislative landscape.
Congressional Hearings Feature Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., on FY27 Budget: April 2026 | ASTHO
Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships: Workforce Pathways in California
Safe States Annual Conference - Safe States Alliance
Syphilis cases are rising at alarming rates across the American South, especially congenital syphilis, which can be passed from pregnant mothers to their babies. Thomas Dobbs, dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi, traces the history of syphilis in the United States, from the dramatic declines made possible by antibiotics and public health interventions to the sharp resurgence seen over the last decade. He explains how gaps in prenatal care, rural healthcare deserts, insurance barriers, medication shortages, and the erosion of public health infrastructure have combined to fuel rising infections. particularly among pregnant women and newborns. Later, Joshua O’Neal, program director, Southeast STI/HIV Prevention Training Center, discusses how prevention training centers across the country are helping state health departments and local providers respond to the crisis. O’Neal describes the hands-on work being done to strengthen syphilis prevention and improve access to testing and treatment, like mobile testing programs, provider education, and statewide collaboration efforts. He also shares insights from the “Syphilis in the South” summit, where clinicians, public health leaders, and outreach workers came together to tackle one of the region’s most urgent public health challenges.Sustaining Services and Outbreak Response for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STIs, and TB | ASTHO
A tick bite that can trigger a lifelong allergy to red meat sounds almost unbelievable, but public health officials are taking the growing threat of alpha-gal syndrome seriously. Robert Goldstein, ASTHO member and commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, shares with us why Massachusetts recently made alpha-gal syndrome a reportable condition and what the state hopes to learn through expanded surveillance. Dr. Goldstein explains how the spread of the Lone Star tick into parts of Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, and Nantucket, has led to rising diagnoses of the condition. The conversation explores how public health agencies are adapting traditional infectious disease surveillance systems to monitor a non-infectious condition, what the reporting data could reveal about emerging tick-borne risks, and how public health and wildlife officials are working together to better understand the relationship between deer populations and tick exposure.
Leading Change Workshop - July 2026
Prepared Together: Public Health Collaboration in Response to a Botulism Outbreak
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping public health, but are today’s workforce and tomorrow’s graduates prepared to use it responsibly? Today, Ari Whiteman, a senior advisor for public health data and informatics workforce at ASTHO, talks about the growing importance of AI literacy across the public health field. He’ll explain why AI literacy goes beyond simply knowing how to use new tools and why public health professionals need practical, real-world training to safely integrate AI into their work.
2026 Annual Conference - Society for Public Health Education - SOPHE
Full Schedule
Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships: Workforce Pathways in California
The Mutual Advantage: How Graduate Assistants Elevate Academic Health Department Partnerships
Immunization Information Systems, or IISs, quietly power much of the nation’s vaccination infrastructure helping clinicians track patient immunizations, supporting outbreak response, and guiding public health decision-making. But policies governing these systems vary widely across states, shaping how complete and effective the data can be. ASTHO’s Senior Director of State Health Policy, Andy Baker-White, tells why IISs are essential to modern public health, how opt-in versus opt-out policies affect vaccine data completeness, and what lawmakers, providers, and the public should understand as policy debates continue.
Immunization Information Systems: Policy Trends and Opportunities | ASTHO
Bridging Systems: How Guam is Improving Infectious Disease Response Through Collaboration | ASTHO
Prepared Together: Public Health Collaboration in Response to a Botulism Outbreak
What happens when a deadly outbreak is stopped before most people ever hear about it? Dr. Paige Armstrong, director for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Global Health Center, explains how the CDC works with partners around the world to detect and contain emerging health threats before they reach U.S. communities. From Ebola in Uganda to Marburg in Tanzania, Dr. Armstrong shares real-world examples of how surveillance systems, laboratory networks, trained public health workers, and trusted international partnerships help stop outbreaks at their source. Also, Dr. Marcus Plescia, former ASTHO Chief Medical Officer and District Health Director for the Fulton Health District, District 3-2 in Atlanta, Georgia discusses the massive public health preparations underway for the FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. We’ll hear about the complex planning required to protect millions of visitors during one of the world’s largest sporting events.
Outbreaks You Never Heard About: Because CDC Was There | Global Health Protection | CDC
Developing a Policy Action Plan to Improve Access to STI Medications Webinar
Bridging Systems: How Kentucky is Improving Response to Emerging Health Threats | ASTHO
A rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is raising alarm among global health officials. Meredith Allen, ASTHO’s vice president of health security, returns to break down what makes this outbreak especially concerning, including the identification of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a type with no approved vaccine or treatment currently available. She explains why delayed detection, remote healthcare conditions, and limited medical countermeasures have contributed to the outbreak’s rapid growth.
Prepared Together: Public Health Collaboration in Response to a Botulism Outbreak
Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation | Ebola | CDC
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North Dakota’s statewide preparedness system grew out of lessons learned from disasters, public health emergencies, and the realities of serving rural and frontier communities. Tim Wiedrich, director of health response and licensure for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, tells us about how the state developed a unified public-private partnership that supports hospitals, public health agencies, EMS providers, and long-term care facilities across North Dakota. Tim explains how the events of September 11 and the anthrax attacks reshaped preparedness planning, leading to the creation of a centralized statewide medical cache stocked with critical medical equipment, supplies, pharmaceuticals, generators, and infrastructure support resources.
Bridging Systems: Health Care and Public Health Collaborate on Emergency Preparedness in North Dakota | ASTHO
Prioritizing Emerging Infectious Disease Cases and Contacts for Follow-Up | ASTHO
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Mentorship plays a critical role in supporting professionals at every stage of their careers, from early-career employees finding their footing to experienced leaders thinking about succession planning and long-term impact. Candice Simon, program manager of workforce development and capacity building for the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, tells us about the Maternal Health Innovation Leaders Mentorship Program and the value of meaningful professional guidance in public health. Candice explains how the program connects professionals in maternal and child health with experienced mentors, outlines what makes an effective mentoring relationship, and discusses how mentorship can help address burnout, isolation, and career uncertainty. She also highlights the importance of peer networks, honest feedback, and creating supportive spaces for professional growth.
Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships: Workforce Pathways in California
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
How can public health leaders make meaningful progress when priorities, funding pressures, and public expectations are constantly shifting? Lindsey Myers, ASTHO vice president for public health workforce and infrastructure, talks about a new installment of the Insight and Inspiration webinar series featuring New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath. Myers shares why Heath’s work, including his books Made to Stick, Upstream, and Reset, could resonate so strongly with public health professionals navigating today’s complex environment. The conversation explores ideas like “ruthless prioritization,” finding leverage points for change, and why building alignment may matter more than seeking “buy-in.”
Developing a Policy Action Plan to Improve Access to STI Medications Webinar
Leading Change Workshop - July 2026
What does it take to strengthen the public health workforce in geographically isolated island jurisdictions? Melissa Sever, a senior advisor for public health systems and services at the Public Health Accreditation Board, tells us about the Strengthening Public Health Workforce Capacity in Island Jurisdictions Project, a collaborative effort supporting Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Melissa discusses the unique workforce challenges facing island jurisdictions and explains how the project evolved from a structured planning initiative into a highly tailored coaching experience. She also highlights the role of Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data, the importance of relationship-building across jurisdictions, and how flexible funding through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant made this long-term engagement possible.
Strengthening Public Health Workforce Capacity in Island Jurisdictions | ASTHO
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Improving and Strengthening Prenatal Care Engagement
Applications | ASTHO
What happens when a massive sewage spill threatens one of the nation’s busiest waterways? ASTHO member Ayanna Bennett, director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, joins the show to discuss the massive Potomac River sewage spill that unfolded during a brutal winter storm, the public health risks it created, and the extraordinary coordination required between local, state, and federal agencies to protect drinking water, recreation, and food safety. She reflects on the lessons learned from managing a multi-jurisdictional emergency under intense public and media scrutiny. Later, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Population and Innovation, Jen Layden returns to talk about why partnerships are central to ASTHO’s 2026–2029 strategic plan.
About Us | ASTHO
Developing a Policy Action Plan to Improve Access to STI Medications Webinar
Funding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO
What does it take to lead effectively across agencies, jurisdictions, and communities in overdose prevention work? Today, ASTHO’s Alice Schenall, director of cross-sector leadership and facilitation, and Alyssa Merski, a senior analyst for social and behavioral health, talk about the role of boundary-spanning leadership in strengthening Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) efforts. They’ll unpack the five common types of organizational boundaries — vertical, horizontal, stakeholder, demographic, and geographic — and explain how recognizing these challenges can help leaders build stronger collaboration and improve outcomes.
Applying Boundary Spanning Leadership Principles to Overdose Data to Action Efforts | ASTHO
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Improving and Strengthening Prenatal Care Engagement
What does it take to rebuild the foundation of public health in the United States, and why did it take 30 years to get here? Director of the Division of Jurisdictional Support, CDC's Public Health Infrastructure Center, Stacey Mattison Jenkins breaks down the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), a $4.6 billion investment reaching more than 100 health departments nationwide. Designed to strengthen the core of the system, not just respond to crises, PHIG is funding workforce expansion, modern data systems, and the everyday capabilities that keep communities safe. Jenkins explains how a nationwide shortage of 80,000 public health workers pushed the system to the brink, and how targeted investments are already putting thousands of professionals back into the field. From improving food safety inspections in Texas to doubling clinic capacity in Oklahoma and modernizing disease tracking in Nebraska, the results are tangible, local, and often invisible when they’re working well.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
After nine years at ASTHO, Carolyn Mullen, senior vice president for government affairs and public relations, reflects on the defining moments, leadership lessons, and policy battles that shaped her tenure in public health advocacy. Mullen discusses navigating crises ranging from the opioid epidemic to the COVID-19 pandemic and major federal funding challenges and shares how advocacy strategies have evolved. She also offers blunt advice for the next generation of communicators and advocates: retire outdated talking points, embrace innovation, and meet communities where they are.
How States Can Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences Through Stability, Safety, and Support | ASTHO
Legislative Snapshot: Suicide Prevention Infrastructure and AI Chatbots | ASTHO
Addressing Overdose Through Collaboration and Opioid Settlement Funds | ASTHO
Public Health Approaches to Preventing Suicide and Promoting Mental Well-Being | ASTHO
This episode explores two rapidly developing global health situations and the critical role public health agencies play in keeping communities informed and protected. ASTHO Vice President of Health Security, Meredith Allen, tells us about the ongoing monitoring response tied to an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. Meredith explains why health officials say the risk to the public remains low, how quarantine and monitoring efforts are working, and why this situation is very different from the early days of COVID-19. Later, Emily Lapayowker, assistant director of web content at ASTHO talks about Global Accessibility Awareness Day and why digital accessibility is a core public health issue.
CHALLENGE: Accessibility know-how needs to go mainstream with developers. NOW. | MySQLTalk.comAdvanced Accessibility Training | ASTHO
Accessibility Pillars in Web and Design | ASTHO
Home - GAAD
Funding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO
Leveraging PHIG to Advance Policy Infrastructure at Austin Public Health | ASTHO
Today: building and keeping a strong public health workforce through innovative tools and strategies. Brianna Gorman, a senior analyst for workforce at ASTHO, discusses ASTHO’s new Workforce Employee Experience Implementation Tool, an interactive resource built to help agencies address workforce challenges across the employee lifecycle: from recruitment and onboarding to retention, succession planning, and offboarding. Later, LaShonda Freeman, workforce development director at the Bureau of Organizational Development, Workforce Development Section South Carolina Department of Public Health, shares how South Carolina’s Supplemental Tuition Assistance Policy Program (STAP) is helping employees pursue advanced education while strengthening the agency’s long-term workforce pipeline.
Home | Public Health Careers.org
ASTHO Learning Opportunity: ACEs Strategic Communications Training
Developing a Policy Action Plan to Improve Access to STI Medications Webinar
Today: the growing health and economic consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases. Ben Lopman, professor of epidemiology, global health, and environmental health at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, discusses the new Vaccine Impact Map, an interactive tool designed to help public health officials visualize how declining vaccination coverage could affect their states over time. Later, Bryan Patenaude, associate professor of economic evaluation and health economics at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, breaks down the financial realities of measles outbreaks and why even relatively small outbreaks can carry massive costs for public health systems, hospitals, insurers, and families.
The Cost of Measles and Public Health Implications | ASTHO
Thriving Under Pressure: Building Resilient Dialysis Systems and Teams
Funding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO
How do you strengthen public health for the future? Start with better communication. Amanda Kwong, director of Public Health Communications Collaborative at the de Beaumont Foundation, discusses why effective public health communications go far beyond social media posts and public awareness campaigns. She explains how communications should function as a core part of public health infrastructure rooted in community engagement, strategic leadership, and proactive planning rather than reactive messaging. Later, Ashley Nanthavongsa-Mosley, a senior analyst for workforce at ASTHO, highlights innovative efforts to introduce public health education into K-12 schools. From disease detective competitions in Connecticut to curriculum partnerships in Montana and professional development programs for teachers in Washington, states are creating new pathways for students to explore public health careers earlier than ever before.
Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening Infrastructure
Public Health Leadership Starts in the Classroom | ASTHO
ASTHO Learning Opportunity: ACEs Strategic Communications Training
Wastewater Testing for Arboviruses: Arizona’s Surveillance Approach | ASTHO
Strengthening Public Health Response to Infectious Diseases Through Wastewater Surveillance | ASTHO
What happens when artificial intelligence, clinical care, and public health finally start working together? Dr. Umair Shah, chief medical officer at Jaan Health and the AI-powered care management platform, PHAMILY, discusses the future of proactive healthcare and the role AI can play in connecting patients, providers, and public health systems. Drawing on decades of experience as a physician, former health commissioner of Harris County, Texas, and former Washington State health secretary, Dr. Shah explains why healthcare must move beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics to better understand what’s happening in patients’ everyday lives. He’ll also explain PHAMILY, Jaan Health’s AI-powered care management platform, and how real-time communication, pattern recognition, and predictive analytics can help providers identify health issues before they become crises. Dr. Shah also discusses the growing importance of public-private partnerships, the challenge of information overload in public health, and why health leaders must engage directly with AI technologies shaping the future of care.
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From leadership shakeups at the federal level to one of the largest investments in rural health in decades, public health is navigating a moment of uncertainty and opportunity. In this episode, ASTHO senior analyst for Government Affairs, Catherine Murphy, unpacks the ripple effects of ongoing changes at the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC. Workforce reductions, leadership turnover, and shifts in advisory bodies like ACIP are reshaping how guidance is developed, how states access expertise, and how much trust clinicians and communities place in public health recommendations. Later, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Susan Kansagra, zooms out to the state level, where leaders are racing to deploy Rural Health Transformation Program funds under tight timelines and complex compliance requirements. We’ll hear comments Dr. Kansagra made at a recent EY educational webinar titled, “Now, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program.”
Recent HHS Leadership Changes That Impact Public Health | ASTHO
Now, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program | EY - US
2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship | HAN | CDC
Thriving Under Pressure: Building Resilient Dialysis Systems and Teams
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this episode explores how Colorado is rethinking suicide prevention and shifting from crisis response to upstream intervention. Conlin Bass, Health Systems Suicide Prevention manager for the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention, explains Colorado’s comprehensive, data-driven strategy focused on reaching people before they hit a breaking point. He’ll explain how the state is investing in protective factors like social connection, economic stability, and access to trusted support systems while also strengthening crisis care when it’s needed. The conversation highlights the state’s wide-ranging partnerships across schools, health systems, community organizations, all aligned around a shared goal: reducing suicide through coordinated, community-based action.
Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening Infrastructure
Leveraging PHIG to Advance Policy Infrastructure at Austin Public Health | ASTHO
What happens when public health stops treating patients in isolation and starts addressing the realities of their daily lives? In this episode, leaders from the Tennessee Department of Health share how they’re using PHIG funding to transform care at both the clinical and community level. Sanjana Stamm, director of Regional and Local Health, Tennessee Department of Health, explains how the state is embedding social workers and care coordinators into primary care clinics across rural regions, helping patients navigate everything from medication access to food insecurity and employment. Then, Jen Trail, director of the Tennessee Department of Health’s Division of Strategic Initiatives, explains how Tennessee is empowering its counties to lead their own health improvement efforts through local health councils, data-driven planning, and targeted grants.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Tennessee Department of Health Division of Strategic Initiatives
What happens when more than half of rural hospitals stop delivering babies? Senior Advisor for Public Health at MaineHealth, former state health official, and ASTHO Alumni Society Representative Dr. Dora Anne Mills, tells us about the rapidly escalating rural maternity crisis and why it’s more than just hospital closures. Dr. Mills explains how Maine has lost nearly half of its maternity units, creating vast “maternity deserts” where pregnant patients face 45-minute or even multi-hour drives for care. Compounding the crisis is worsening maternal health driven by chronic disease, mental health challenges, and substance use, especially among rural and underserved populations.
ASTHO Learning Opportunity: ACEs Strategic Communications Training
Thriving Under Pressure: Building Resilient Dialysis Systems and Teams
Mississippi is facing a stark reality: its infant mortality rate has climbed to the highest level in more than a decade, according to the latest 2025 Mississippi public health report card. ASTHO member and State Health Officer Dr. Daniel Edney explains what’s driving the crisis and what it will take to improve infant outcomes, including focusing on the role of maternal health and obesity, as well as the rise in preterm births. He also shares how Mississippi is rethinking care delivery through a statewide obstetrical system modeled after trauma networks designed to ensure high-risk mothers and newborns get to the right level of care, no matter how rural the setting.
Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening Infrastructure
In a crowded funding environment, telling your story clearly isn’t extra work, it’s essential infrastructure. ASTHO Senior Analyst Elise Moore explores a growing trend in grant funding: community impact statements, and why they’re becoming essential. At their core, these statements are simple: a clear, concise way to explain not just what public health agencies are doing, but why it matters. But as Moore explains, that shift from describing activities to demonstrating real-world impact can make the difference between securing funding and being overlooked.
From Workplan to Why: Crafting Meaningful Community Impact Statements | ASTHO
Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening Infrastructure
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For U.S. territories and freely associated states in the Pacific, climate change is a daily reality. Today, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Environmental Health Shelbi Davis talks about how these island communities are navigating some of the most severe climate-related health risks in the world. From intensifying typhoons in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to devastating flooding from little-known Kona lows in Hawaii, Davis explains how increasingly frequent and extreme weather events are straining already limited infrastructure and public health systems. Geographic isolation, workforce shortages, and resource constraints only compound the challenge.
About Environmental Public Health | ASTHO
PH-HERO | ASTHO
Much of the data public health leaders need already exists, but it just isn’t accessible as it could be. Today, we’ll hear about a new platform aiming to unlock the full potential of population health data. Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO past president and a senior fellow at the Yale School of Public Health tells us about PopHIVE, or the Population Health Information Visualization Exchange. Born out of frontline frustration during COVID-19, PopHIVE brings together de-identified data from across healthcare, public health, and even nontraditional sources like Google search trends and home monitoring devices, into one open, interactive tool. The goal: to give state and local leaders real-time, actionable insights without the administrative burden of navigating fragmented systems. Later Dr. Jen Layden, Senior Vice President, Population Health & Innovation at ASTHO will talk about other data sharing, public-private partnerships, and tools like PopHIVE, that are improving early detection of threats, and empowering public health decision-makers before the next crisis begins.
PopHIVE Health Agency/Organization Engagement Sessions Registration
Recent HHS Leadership Changes That Impact Public Health | ASTHO
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Rural communities face some of the most complex and often overlooked public health challenges. Today, Melanie Ramsey, deputy director of CDC’s Office of Rural Health, discusses how a new national effort is working to close those gaps. The Rural Health Academy is a growing initiative designed to strengthen the capacity of state and local health leaders. Ramsey will share how the Academy is fostering peer-to-peer learning, connecting federal and state partners, and equipping leaders with practical tools to better serve rural populations. Some states are exploring creative solutions like housing incentives for health workers, while new federal coordination efforts aim to align strategy and funding across agencies. Ramsey also highlights CDC’s Rural Public Health Training Plan, a free, self-paced program built to deliver real-world, scenario-based training to anyone working in rural health.
National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network | Home
About the Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke | Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke | CDC
Project Firstline | Project Firstline | CDC
Rural Health Mapping ToolRural Health Science Tips | Rural Health | CDC
Rural Public Health Training Plan - CDC TRAIN - an affiliate of the TRAIN Learning Network powered by the Public Health Foundation
Rural Public Health | Rural Health | CDC
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Modernizing and Strengthening Data For STI Prevention
Funding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO
Cyberattacks aren’t just an IT problem, they’re a potential public health emergency. ASTHO Senior Analyst for Preparedness, Maggie Nilz, explains how cyber disruptions are reshaping the foundation of public health systems. She explains how increasingly interconnected digital infrastructure has made core health functions more vulnerable, which raises the risk of things like delayed outbreak detection and interrupted lab reporting. As cyber threats surge and federal policy shifts, states are beginning to treat cyber incidents like hurricanes or pandemics, building coordinated response frameworks and integrating cybersecurity into emergency planning.
State Policy Trends in Cybersecurity and Public Health Preparedness | ASTHO
Thriving Under Pressure: Building Resilient Dialysis Systems and Teams
When overdose cases suddenly spike, every second counts. In this episode, Jessica Pough, director of overdose preparedness and response at ASTHO, talks about a new tool designed to help communities prepare before crisis hits. The “Overdose Spike Preparedness Exercise: Tabletop in a Box” gives state and local agencies a structured, customizable way to simulate real-world overdose surge scenarios. From identifying spikes and coordinating across partners to making high-stakes decisions with limited information, the exercise helps teams practice what it takes to respond effectively.
Overdose Spike Preparedness Exercise Tabletop in a Box | ASTHO
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Modernizing and Strengthening Data For STI Prevention
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Strong leaders don’t just appear, they’re developed. In this episode, Joshua Allen, leadership training Director for the South Carolina Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Organizational Development, talks about how targeted supervisor training and mentorship programs are reshaping workforce culture in public health. Born out of a clear need to better prepare new supervisors, Allen’s team built a hands-on training program focused on real-world skills, like communication and conflict resolution, and strategic planning and burnout prevention. Paired with a structured mentorship initiative for new hires, the approach is already delivering results.
Home | Public Health Careers.org
Public Health Leadership Starts in the Classroom | ASTHO
Demonstrating the Impact of School-Based Health Centers | Key Measures That Highlight ROI | ASTHO
What does it take to build and sustain a strong public health workforce in uncertain times? In this episode Kirsten Aird, public health director for Oregon’s Multnomah County, explores how strategic investments are strengthening workforce capacity, stability, and community impact. Aird breaks down how PHIG funding is being used to support professional development, create staff-led communities of practice, and tackle long-standing hiring challenges, including restoring leadership continuity after years of vacancies. She also highlights the critical role of “behind-the-scenes” infrastructure like HR, finance, and operations, in enabling frontline public health work.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Public health data modernization isn’t a quick fix, it’s a multi-decade transformation. In this episode, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation, Jen Layden talks about the real progress happening across the country and the persistent challenges that remain. Drawing from insights at the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, or HIMSS, conference, Dr. Layden highlights key advancements like the expansion of electronic case reporting, improved syndromic surveillance, and ongoing efforts to modernize vital statistics systems. But she’s clear: sustaining this progress requires more than just technology. It demands stronger policy frameworks, a skilled workforce, and new ways of working across sectors.
Breaking Silos, Building Success: A New Era of Policy, Funding, and Partnerships
Driving Impact with Flexible Funding
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Modernizing and Strengthening Data For STI Prevention
How do public health officials detect emerging viruses before they spread widely across the U.S.? Heather Reese, Genomic Epidemiology and Preparedness Team Lead at CDC tells us about the Traveler-Based Genomic Surveillance (TGS) program: a cutting-edge effort that turns international travel into an early warning system for public health threats. By combining voluntary nasal swabs from incoming travelers with wastewater sampling from aircraft, the program monitors for pathogens like COVID-19, flu, and RSV. These data help identify new variants and emerging strains, often before they begin circulating domestically, giving public health leaders critical time to prepare and respond.
Driving Impact with Flexible Funding
How Public Health Can Support Modern Administrative Readiness in a Dynamic World | ASTHO
Public health challenges don’t exist in neat categories, so why does funding? In this episode, Corinne Gillenwater, ASTHO senior analyst for Chronic Disease and Health Improvement, unpacks the limitations of traditional, siloed funding models and explores a more adaptive approach: flexible funding. It’s the topic of the upcoming ASTHO webinar, “Driving Impact with Flexible Funding.” From “braiding,” “blending,” and “layering” funding streams to real-world examples in states like California and Colorado, Corinne explains how agencies are aligning resources to better reflect how health actually happens across overlapping conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and food insecurity.
Driving Impact with Flexible Funding
Leadership Power Hour: Session 5 – The Adaptive Leader
Workforce Conference - NACHC
Environmental Public Health | ASTHO
What does it take to build a stronger, more resilient food system? In this episode we speak with Nessa Richman, executive director of the Rhode Island Food Policy Council about how the Council is bringing diverse stakeholders together to tackle complex food challenges, from farmers and fishers to public health leaders and policymakers. Nessa will explain how the council creates space for collaboration across the food system, helping break down silos and align efforts around shared goals like food access, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability. Through convenings, education programs, and coordinated advocacy, the council is driving more equitable and community-informed food policy.
Food System Resilience: A Planning Guide for State Governments | ASTHO
Sustaining Accreditation: How Montana and Southern Nevada Are Building Resilient Public Health Infrastructure for the Long Term | ASTHO
A Guide for Sustainable Public Health Accreditation | ASTHO
How States Can Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences Through Stability, Safety, and Support | ASTHO
Utilizing Partnerships, Data, and Messaging to Prevent ACEs | ASTHO
Adverse Childhood Experiences | ASTHO
Grants management doesn’t always get the spotlight, but it’s critical to how public health departments operate and deliver services. In this episode, Colton Anderson, a senior analyst in Public Health Systems Improvement at ASTHO, explains how agencies across the country are rethinking and improving their grants management processes. From centralizing functions and modernizing systems to refining subrecipient monitoring, departments are finding practical ways to increase efficiency, strengthen compliance, and make better use of funding. Colton shares real-world examples, including innovations in Nebraska and Washington State, and explains how even small, operational changes like better documentation, clearer roles, and improved training, can drive meaningful results.
Four Ways Public Health Agencies Are Strengthening Grants Management | ASTHO
Leadership Power Hour: Session 5 – The Adaptive Leader
ASTHO Learning Opportunity: ACEs Policy & Partnerships Training
What does it take to turn a struggling performance management system into a national standout? Anna Bryant, Performance Manager at the Louisiana Department of Health, shares the story of how her team went from receiving an action plan after initial accreditation in 2019 to earning top recognition during their 2025 reaccreditation. Using a “telescope and microscope” analogy, Bryant breaks down the essential connection between performance management and quality improvement, showing how big-picture strategy and day-to-day problem solving must work hand in hand. She walks through the nuts and bolts of Louisiana’s transformation, from conducting system-wide assessments and tackling staff burnout to leveraging existing tools like Monday.com and Tableau to reduce friction and drive adoption.
Creating Meaning from Measures: A PDSA Approach to Performance Management
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
ASTHO Leadership Institute | ASTHO
At this year’s Spring Leadership Forum, momentum was unmistakable. With more than 40 health officials convening for a week of strategy, training, and direct engagement with federal leaders, a unified message emerged: the future of public health depends on sustained investment and smarter, more flexible funding. Catherine Jones, ASTHO Government Affairs Senior Analyst, returns to discuss the biggest takeaways: from the growing impact of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) to the urgent push for $1 billion in FY27 funding. She explains how states are using PHIG to strengthen workforce capacity, modernize data systems, and build resilient health infrastructure, and why predictable funding is critical to keep that progress going.
Hill Day Advocacy at ASTHO’s 2026 Spring Leadership Forum | ASTHO
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Leadership Power Hour: Session 5 – The Adaptive Leader
What if public health recruitment started with a summer camp? In this PHIG impact report, Veronika Hanna and Mondi Mason from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment share how creative workforce strategies powered by the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) are opening new pathways into the field. Veronika Hanna walks through Denver’s innovative three-day public health “summer camp,” where high school and college students step into real-world roles, from testing river water quality to inspecting food trucks and exploring the work of medical examiners. And Mondi Mason expands on how Denver is scaling that vision through deeper partnerships with universities, community colleges, and public schools. From paid internships and long-term placements to co-developing research and securing joint funding, these collaborations are transforming workforce development into a more structured, sustainable system.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Today: bringing oral health into the public health conversation with Flora Nathan, assistant secretary for the Bureau of Oral Health in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. At her first ASTHO Spring Leadership Forum, Flora shares a candid look at the challenges and opportunities of delivering oral healthcare across a U.S. remote island nation. From severe workforce shortages and long clinic wait times to the ripple effects on families, schools, and local economies, she highlights how oral health is deeply connected to broader public health outcomes. She also discusses the importance of integrating oral health into maternal and child health programs, school-based care, and community outreach, as well as the realities of operating without consistent funding.
ASTHO Leadership Institute | ASTHO
Storytelling in Public Health: Lessons from STI Prevention & Care
The FY27 federal budget proposal is officially out, and while it’s just the opening move, there’s already a lot to unpack. In this episode, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Government Affairs, Jeffrey Ekoma, breaks down what’s in the proposal, what’s changed from last year, and what it all signals for public health and federal agencies. He’ll dig into key highlights, including the proposed creation of the Administration for Healthy America (AHA), new structural changes within HHS, and fresh initiatives at the CDC and FDA, from data reporting requirements to food safety oversight. Jeffrey also explains how this year’s proposal compares to previous budgets, where cuts and consolidations stand, and why states may be asked to take on more responsibility.
President Trump Releases FY27 Budget Proposal: April 2026 | ASTHO
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RSV is still spreading, prompting states to extend the immunization period | CNN
RSV immunizations for infants available an additional month this year | Washington State Department of Health
Public health doesn’t stop at hospitals or health departments, it lives in barbershops, grocery stores, schools, and small businesses. In this episode for National Public Health Week, Megan DeNubila-Griffin, ASTHO Assistant Director of Chronic Disease and Health Improvement, explores how agencies are building meaningful partnerships with non-traditional community players to address the social and environmental factors that shape health. From collaborating with local business owners to rethinking transportation and food access, this conversation highlights how public health leaders act as conveners, bringing the right voices to the table and asking who’s missing. Megan shares real-world examples, including a multi-year collaboration in Walworth County, Wisconsin, that shows how cross-sector partnerships can drive measurable impact.National Public Health WeekLeveraging Healthy People 2030 to Build Non-Traditional Multisector Partnerships | ASTHOPima County Elevates Collaboration with IT to Advance Data Modernization | ASTHO
In this National Public Health Week conversation about community leadership and tobacco control, Josh Berry, Director, Chronic Disease Risk Factors at ASTHO, breaks down how state and territorial programs partner with trusted, on-the-ground community organizations to reach at-risk populations and drive real impact. These long-standing relationships aren’t just helpful, they’re essential to building credibility and delivering results where they matter most. But the landscape is shifting. With the elimination of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health and growing uncertainty around funding, programs across the country are being forced to adapt and do more with less while trying to maintain core services like quitlines, surveillance, and policy engagement.
Final_The-Future-of-Tobacco-Control-Relies-on-OSH-Funding-.pdf
Ready. Set. Action: You Partner with Public Health
Past, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness Professional
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Scientific advancement has always been at the heart of public health, but as new technologies emerge, the opportunities and challenges are evolving. In this National Public Health Week conversation, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Susan Kansagra explores how public health can better integrate innovation into everyday practice, from leveraging continuous improvement frameworks like Plan-Do-Study-Act to building stronger partnerships with academic and research institutions. It’s about turning questions from the field into actionable research and using that knowledge to improve real-world outcomes.
National Public Health Week
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Driving Impact with Flexible Funding
As National Public Health Week kicks off, this episode spotlights a theme that often goes unnoticed but is essential to keeping communities safe: government partners. ASTHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter reflects on the “invisible wins” of public health, from behind-the-scenes planning for massive events like Mardi Gras and the World Cup to the work that quietly prevents crises before they start. It’s a reminder that when public health works, most people never see it, but lives are improved and saved every day. And Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO senior vice president for government affairs and public relations, joins the conversation to explore how state and federal agencies collaborate in a complex and often polarized environment. She shares how public health leaders find common ground across political divides, build trust with policymakers, and tailor their messaging to drive real impact, from food safety to maternal health.
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National Public Health WeekStorytelling in Public Health:
Lessons from STI Prevention & Care
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As the federal budget process stalls, uncertainty continues to ripple through Washington. ASTHO’s senior director of Government Affairs, Jeffrey Ekoma joins us to break down the latest on the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown, which is the longest on record, and what it means for the broader FY26 budget timeline. He’ll unpack how congressional gridlock is delaying progress on FY27 appropriations, what to expect from the president’s upcoming budget request, and why growing talk of a reconciliation bill could have major implications for public health funding. While current delays may not directly hit public health programs, the indirect effects could shape funding priorities and advocacy efforts in the months ahead.
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What happens when an entire health system is pushed to the brink of a funding cliff? In this episode, Dr. Victor Ramos Otero, Secretary of Health for Puerto Rico, joins the show to discuss the urgent challenges facing the island’s health care system. At the center of the conversation is the looming expiration of enhanced Medicaid funding in 2027, a shift that could strip away a third of Puerto Rico’s health care resources and force difficult decisions about services, staffing, and access to care. Dr. Ramos Otero outlines the structural inequities that set Puerto Rico apart from U.S. states, including capped Medicaid funding, lower Medicare Advantage rates, and gaps in critical programs like long-term care and low-income subsidies. These disparities, he explains, are driving both health care professionals and patients to leave the island in search of more stable support.
Past, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness Professional
What does it take to communicate clearly when the stakes are high and the science is complex? In this episode, Jessica Wieder, President of Teal Skies Consulting and former leader in external affairs at FEMA and EPA, shares how a career that started with a satellite crash simulation turned into two decades at the forefront of radiological preparedness and risk communication. Jessica breaks down the evolution of crisis messaging in the digital age, from early “message mapping” techniques to today’s multi-channel, narrative-driven strategies. She explains why people can only absorb a few key messages under stress, how authenticity can make or break public trust, and why validating emotions is just as important as delivering facts.
Past, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness Professional
Storytelling in Public Health: Lessons from STI Prevention & Care
Driving Impact with Flexible Funding
What if public health could predict outbreaks the way we predict the weather? In this episode, Jason Asher, Director of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the CDC, joins us to explain how a new generation of data tools is transforming how we detect and respond to infectious diseases. For decades, public health has relied on lagging data telling us what already happened. Asher and his team are working to change that, building systems that turn real-time data streams into actionable forecasts, simulations, and decision-making tools for health departments across the country. We dive into how these tools are already being used, from measles outbreak modeling in South Carolina to national “nowcasting” systems that fill in data gaps in real time.
Behind the Model: How Scenario Modeling Can Inform Public Health Decision-Making | CFA: Behind the Model | CDC
Connect with CFA | CFA | CDC
Modeling Handbook | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDC
Learning Resources | CFA | CDC
epiENGAGE Measles Outbreak Simulator v-2.6.0
Current Epidemic Trends (Based on Rt) for States | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDC
Respiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) | RESP-NET | CDC
Measles Outbreak Simulator | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDC
Scenario assessment: 2025-2026 Measles Outbreak in South Carolina | CFA: Qualitative Assessments | CDC
2025-2026 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook - December Update | CFA: Qualitative Assessments | CDC
Past, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness Professional
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What does the future of public health look like and what does it cost to build it? In this episode, ASTHO member Dr. James McDonald, Commissioner of Health for New York State, returns to the show to unpack the state’s $1.7 billion investment in a new, state-of-the-art Wadsworth Center Laboratory. Set to consolidate five aging facilities into one 655,000-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified campus in Albany, the new lab is designed to transform how New York detects, tracks, and responds to public health threats—from infectious diseases and wastewater surveillance to antimicrobial resistance and emerging pathogens. Dr. McDonald explains why co-locating more than 800 scientists alongside academic partners will accelerate research and innovation, how lessons from COVID-19 are shaping flexible, future-proof lab design, and why investments like this are critical to national health security.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
Living With Long COVID: Stories, Science, and Public Health
Long COVID didn’t end with the pandemic and in some ways, the challenges are just beginning. In this episode, Heather Drummond, Deputy Director of the Center for Access to Whole Person Care for the Washington State Department of Health joins us to discuss the myths, realities, and urgent gaps surrounding Long COVID today. With an estimated 6.2% of Washington adults affected and over $1.5 billion in associated medical costs, Long COVID remains a complex and often misunderstood condition. Drummond explains why it’s so difficult to diagnose, how symptoms can vary widely across individuals, and why stigma and low awareness continue to prevent patients from getting the care they need. We also explore Washington State’s innovative response, from building a multi-source surveillance system to expanding provider training, launching public awareness campaigns, and developing clinical decision tools in partnership with the University of Washington.
Living With Long COVID: Stories, Science, and Public Health
Past, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness Professional
Now, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program | EY - US
At this year’s ASTHO Spring Leadership Forum, Gaafar Uherbelau, Advisor to the President of Palau and former Minister of Health and Human Services, shared the story behind a long-awaited solution to a quiet but growing challenge in public health. Palau’s new transition facility is designed for individuals who are medically cleared to leave the hospital but have nowhere to go, or no one to care for them. What sounds like a simple fix is actually the result of decades of cultural shifts, resource challenges, and evolving community needs. In this episode, Uherbelau unpacks how the facility works, why it took over 20 years to become a reality, and how it reflects broader global trends like aging populations and changing family structures. He also explores the delicate balance between honoring cultural expectations of family caregiving and building formal systems of support.
Weathering the Storm – Part 2: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response
Living With Long COVID: Stories, Science, and Public Health
Suicide remains one of the most urgent and complex public health challenges in the United States, with more than 49,000 lives lost in 2023 alone. In this episode, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, JoAnne Deehr, breaks down how states are responding with more targeted, data-driven strategies. From identifying high-risk populations like veterans, rural communities, and first responders, to investing in prevention infrastructure, Deehr explains how policymakers are moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. She also highlights key actions from the 2025 legislative session, including the creation of suicide prevention offices, advisory bodies, and fatality review processes designed to uncover patterns and improve interventions.
Legislative Snapshot: Suicide Prevention Infrastructure and AI Chatbots | ASTHO
Leadership Power Hour: Session 2 – Leading Through Conflict
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Leadership in public health has never been more complex, and navigating conflict is a critical skill for today’s leaders. In this episode, Dawn Morriston, Director of Faculty Advancement in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development at UNC School of Medicine, introduces her March 26 session in the new Power Hour webinar series from ASTHO, designed to help supervisors and managers strengthen their leadership skills through focused, one-hour professional development sessions. The five-part series highlights key competencies that help leaders improve decision-making, build trust, and guide teams through organizational change. Morriston will explore why leading through conflict is essential in today’s rapidly changing public health environment. From competing priorities within teams to differing definitions of community needs, leaders often find themselves navigating complex conversations that require negotiation, reflection, and strategic thinking.
Leadership Power Hour: Session 2 – Leading Through Conflict
Living With Long COVID: Stories, Science, and Public Health
Weathering the Storm – Part 2: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response
In this episode: what happens after Hill Day wraps, and what’s next for public health funding. We talk with ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, Jeffrey Ekoma, about the fast-moving FY27 appropriations process and what it means for state and territorial health agencies. From early signals in the House and Senate to the anticipated release of the president’s budget, Ekoma walks through the key milestones shaping the months ahead. He also unpacks recent oversight hearings, including insights from NIH and acting CDC leadership, and what they reveal about priorities like grants management and funding timelines.
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How do you deliver specialty health care across a 14-island chain spread across the Pacific? In this episode we talk with Eleanor Cabrera, Chief Strategy Officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. She’ll tell us how telehealth is helping transform care delivery in the Northern Mariana Islands and explains how virtual services from telepharmacy and teleradiology to remote specialty consultations are reducing costly off-island referrals and connecting patients on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota with the care they need. The conversation also explores the unique challenges territorial health systems face, including broadband gaps, workforce shortages, and capped Medicaid funding. Cabrera shares how strategic partnerships with mainland providers, potential collaborations with hospitals across the Asia-Pacific region, and new digital infrastructure investments could dramatically expand access to care.
ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Medicaid Policy & Implications for STI Prevention
Now, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program | EY - US
Public health nurses are on the front lines of community health but many are facing stress, burnout, and limited opportunities for advancement. In this episode Shirley Orr, executive director for the Association of Public Health Nurses, talks about the final session in the Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab series and what it reveals about retaining the public health nursing workforce. Drawing on insights from the Association of Public Health Nurses and the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), Orr discusses why about a quarter of public health nurses say they may leave the field, and what leaders can do about it. From fostering supportive workplace cultures and strong supervision to creating clear pathways for professional development and shared decision-making, the conversation highlights practical strategies agencies can use to improve satisfaction and keep nurses engaged.
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As Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funding moves into its later years, how can health departments maximize its impact? Ron Bialek, President and CEO, Public Health Foundation, talks about the biggest opportunities ahead for state and local agencies. Bialek highlights three key areas where PHIG investments can drive lasting improvement: responsibly integrating AI into public health operations, strengthening performance management systems to guide daily decision-making, and expanding partnerships between health departments and academic institutions.
AI in Public Health | PHF
Performance Improvement Consulting Services | PHF
Academic Health Department Learning Community | PHF
Performance Management Toolkit | PHF
Public health programs don’t operate in a vacuum; they’re shaped by policies that influence funding, access to care, reporting requirements, and more. In this episode, JoAnne Deehr, Director of State Health Policy at ASTHO, explains ASTHO’s Policy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention. She’ll discuss how the multi-part initiative helps state and territorial health department staff build practical policy skills, turning data and program challenges into actionable solutions. The Institute combines an on-demand Policy Academy, live Lunch and Learn webinars on timely topics like Medicaid and STI prevention, and hands-on office hours that allow participants to apply what they’ve learned to real-world challenges in their jurisdictions.
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Strength in numbers: Nonprofit launches consortium to improve public health data and outcomes - Route Fifty
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At the ASTHO Leadership Forum, Justa Encarnacion, ASTHO member and Commissioner of Health for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, shared how island jurisdictions are tackling some of the nation’s toughest health challenges with collaboration, data, and community-driven prevention. Encarnacion discusses the Fentanyl Free PR–USVI Initiative, a partnership with Puerto Rico and federal agencies that blends enforcement with public health strategies using targeted education, naloxone training, and even wastewater surveillance to detect opioid trends and respond quickly. She explains how real-time data helps the territory pinpoint where opioids are appearing and tailor prevention efforts to specific communities.
Talking Public Health with Jen Layden
States are embracing the MAHA food agenda
What does it really mean for a food system to be resilient, and why does it matter for public health? In this episode, we hear from Elsie Moore, Postdoctoral Associate in the Division of Nutritional Sciences at Cornell University, who breaks down the concept of food system resilience and why it goes far beyond simply maintaining food supply. True resilience, she explains, means ensuring that food remains sufficient, appropriate, and accessible to all communities. Moore explores the complexity of modern food systems, from farms and distributors to government agencies and public health programs, and explains how shocks like hurricanes, supply chain breakdowns, workforce shortages, or rising food costs, can ripple across the system and impact population health. She also discusses how state-level food system resilience councils can help coordinate across sectors, institutionalize lessons learned from crises like COVID-19, and plan proactively for future challenges.
Food System Resilience: A Planning Guide for State Governments | ASTHO
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A parasitic pest once eradicated from the United States is moving closer to the border and public health officials are paying close attention. In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Shuford an ASTHO member and Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services discusses the growing threat posed by the New World Screwworm as cases spread north through Central America and Mexico. Dr. Shuford explains how Texas is preparing for a potential return of the parasite, an organism that primarily affects livestock but can also cause severe infections in humans. From clinician alerts and lab guidance to enhanced environmental surveillance, Texas is taking a proactive approach to detection and containment.
At the ASTHO Spring Leadership Forum in Arlington, public health leaders met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to discuss the issues shaping health policy across the country. In this episode, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, an ASTHO member and Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, shares how bipartisan conversations with members of Congress revealed something often overlooked in today’s political climate: a shared commitment to healthier, safer communities. Plus, Carolyn Mullen, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Public Relations at ASTHO, provides a behind-the-scenes look at meetings with lawmakers during ASTHO’s annual Hill Day, where state and territorial health officials discussed public health infrastructure, vaccination rates, and the impact of federal funding decisions on communities.
Leadership Power Hour: Your Launchpad for Impact | ASTHO
Flu has been worse than covid this winter. Here’s why. - The Washington Post
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In this episode, ASTHO CEO, Dr. Joseph Kanter, shares key insights from this year’s Spring Leadership Forum, an in-person opportunity to exchange lessons learned, strengthen peer support, and tackle the complex realities facing public health leaders today. From a productive visit with leadership at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to renewed conversations about partnerships around healthy eating and chronic disease prevention, Dr. Kanter reflects on why strong federal–state collaboration is essential, how federal initiatives live or die at the state and territorial level, and how effective partnerships make all the difference.
Four Ways Public Health Agencies Are Strengthening Grants Management | ASTHO
Workforce Planning, Incorporating Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals
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What does it take to build a resilient public health system? Keshana Owens-Cody, Director of the Office of Public Health Infrastructure at the New York State Department of Health, talks about incorporating core competencies into public health agencies and why fostering a true culture of learning is essential in an era of constant change. Owens-Cody explains how competency-based frameworks can help agencies move beyond “survival mode” and toward a more intentional, organized approach to workforce development, performance evaluations, accreditation, and long-term infrastructure building. Later, Catherine Murphy, Senior Analyst of Government Affairs at ASTHO, discusses the status of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). Originally passed in 2006, the sweeping preparedness law underpins key programs supporting medical countermeasures, hospital readiness, and emergency response nationwide.
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ASTHO’s 14 Most Popular Resources of 2025 | ASTHO
The Future of PAHPA and National Public Health Preparedness | ASTHO
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Public health agencies across the country face a growing workforce shortage—but Missouri is tackling the challenge head-on. In this episode, we explore how Missouri internship programs are building a diverse, skilled pipeline of future public health professionals while strengthening partnerships between state and local agencies. Scott Allen, an Administrator and Health Officer of the Webster County Health Unit shares how hands-on internships are giving students real-world experience in areas like accreditation, emergency preparedness, food safety, and wastewater policy while delivering immediate value to rural communities. We’re also joined by Brenna Davidson, an Operational Excellence Leader with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, who explains how strategic investments through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funding helped launch and scale the program. She highlights the importance of removing barriers with paid internships, broadening recruitment beyond traditional public health fields, and strengthening leadership development through innovative initiatives like the Leadership Challenge.
What if public health agencies could access better, faster, and more complete data without giving up control? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jen Layden, senior vice president of population and innovation at ASTHO, to explore the new Public Health Data Consortium and what it means for the future of public health decision-making. Dr. Layden explains how this unique public–private partnership is designed to improve data access, quality, and analytics while keeping governance firmly in the hands of state and territorial health agencies. She discusses why mortality data is a critical starting point, how emerging technologies like APIs and advanced analytics can help close long-standing data gaps, and what new insights could come from linking public health data with sources like pharmacy, claims, and real-world data.
Leadership Power Hour: Your Launchpad for Impact | ASTHO
Today, two conversations highlight how policy shapes public health, both in communities and on Capitol Hill. First, Beth Giambrone, Senior Analyst for State Health Policy at ASTHO, explains how states are rethinking their approach to hypertension. From telehealth and remote blood pressure monitoring to expanded insurance coverage, policymakers are leveraging new technology to improve heart health across the lifespan. Later, Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, shares what’s top of mind in Washington in preparing for ASTHO’s upcoming Hill Day, from FY26 and FY27 appropriations to protecting public health infrastructure funding, navigating grant terminations. Jeffrey outlines key advocacy priorities, including sustained federal investment, workforce stability, and emerging issues such as vaccines, preparedness, and federal leadership transitions.
Preventing Hypertension Through State Policy Efforts | ASTHO
Leadership Power Hour: Your Launchpad for Impact | ASTHO
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Four Ways Public Health Agencies Are Strengthening Grants Management | ASTHO
A major measles outbreak is testing public health systems, community trust, and the power of vaccination. In this episode, Dr. Brannon Traxler, ASTHO member and Deputy Director of Health Promotion and Services & Chief Medical Officer, South Carolina Department of Public Health, shares the latest update on the state’s response, with nearly 1,000 confirmed cases since October 2025. She explains why vaccination remains the cornerstone of outbreak control, how rapid case identification and contact tracing are helping to slow transmission, and what health officials are learning about spread within large, close-knit households. Then, Heather Tomlinson, Senior Analyst of Environmental Health at the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, breaks down the growing presence of kratom in U.S. markets. She explains its traditional use in Southeast Asia, how modern products differ from natural leaf preparations, and why highly concentrated or synthetic compounds are raising new health concerns. With federal guidance still evolving, states are developing a patchwork of policies—offering lessons for how public health can respond to emerging psychoactive substances.
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Kratom 101: What You Need to Know | ASTHO
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Public health is everywhere, but too often, people don’t see it. In this episode, we explore how the field can build a stronger future by investing in the next generation of professionals and improving how it communicates its value to the public. Dr. Kimberly Wyche Etheridge, Senior Vice President of Health Initiatives at ASTHO discusses why workforce pathway programs, mentorship, and hands-on partnerships between universities and health departments are critical as experienced leaders retire and workforce gaps grow. She shares why more students are choosing public health, how practical experience helps bridge the gap between theory and real-world practice, and why retaining early-career professionals requires rethinking workplace culture. From creative funding strategies to proactive pipeline development, she makes the case that investing in people today is essential for protecting community health tomorrow. Then, Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation explains why, in a recent article, he argued public health must do a better job communicating its impact. He explores how partnerships across sectors, from business and education to faith communities, can strengthen support, and why consistency, speed, and alignment in messaging are more important than ever. We also discuss how digital creators and influencers are reshaping trust, why public health should meet audiences where they already are, and what it will take to build a clear, unified value proposition for the field.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
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How can public health detect invisible threats before they become crises? In this episode, we explore two powerful approaches shaping the future of preparedness: wastewater surveillance and radiological emergency response. First, Allison Wheeler, Manager, Wastewater Surveillance Unit Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment shares how her team detected measles in wastewater before clinical cases appeared, helping local partners identify an outbreak early and act quickly. She explains how wastewater surveillance is evolving beyond COVID-19 to monitor emerging and re-emerging diseases, track antimicrobial resistance, and strengthen early warning systems across communities. Then, Dr. Ziad Kazzi, Professor of Emergency Medicine at Emory University and President of the American College of Medical Toxicology breaks down what a radiological incident really looks like, from accidental exposures to nuclear incidents, and why these events may be more manageable than many people assume. He discusses how mass gatherings, like global sporting events, prepare for rare but high-impact scenarios, the importance of detection and decontamination, and how health systems and emergency responders work together to protect both patients and communities.
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What happens when health coverage becomes unaffordable, and who’s stepping up to lead in moments like this? This episode connects two powerful public health stories.
First, we break down the ACA enhanced premium tax credits: what they were, who they helped, and what’s at stake now that they’ve expired. Catherine Jones, Senior Analyst Government Affairs at ASTHO will explain how these pandemic-era subsidies dramatically expanded access to marketplace coverage, helping middle-income families, older adults not yet eligible for Medicare, rural residents, gig workers, and others without employer-based insurance. With premiums now rising sharply, millions may lose coverage, leading to delayed care, skipped medications, more emergency room use, rising uncompensated care costs, and even potential hospital closures, especially in rural communities. We explore how insurance coverage isn’t just a healthcare issue, but a population health issue tied to chronic disease management, maternal health, mental health services, vaccinations, and overall mortality. Then, we shift to leadership. James Bell III, Chief of Staff/Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and a Doctor of Social Work, reflects on his experience in the DELPH Leadership Program and how it reshaped how he shows up as a public health leader. From finding his voice in high-stakes rooms to practicing servant leadership, advocating for equity, and building authentic national networks, Bell describes how leadership development strengthens not just individuals, but the systems and communities they serve.
ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits: Legislative Developments in 2025 and 2026 | ASTHO
Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health | ASTHO
Reducing Hypertension Through Self-Measured Blood Pressure Monitoring Programs | ASTHO
Addressing Hypertension During Pregnancy Improves Maternal and Infant Health | ASTHO
Major federal investments and national guidance can shape the future of public health, but only if states can turn policy into practice. This episode looks at two sweeping developments and the on-the-groundwork required to make them matter. First, Chris Salyers, Director of Programs and Evaluation at the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health explains the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP), a $50 billion, five-year investment aimed at strengthening rural communities. With no clear blueprint for moving funds at this scale, states are in the early stages of building advisory groups, navigating procurement and contracting rules, and working to ensure dollars actually reach rural providers and organizations, not just large outside entities. Salyers highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, peer learning, and using this planning window to build systems that allow smaller, capacity-strapped rural groups to compete for funding. Then, Shannon Vance, Director, Family and Child Health at ASTHO, breaks down the newly released 2025–2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans and their wide-ranging implications. With chronic disease driving nearly 90% of U.S. healthcare spending, the updated guidance, including stronger limits on added sugars, greater emphasis on protein and full-fat dairy, and life-stage–specific recommendations, could reshape everything from individual eating habits to major federal nutrition programs. Vance explores the ripple effects for SNAP, WIC, and school meals, where agencies are already juggling recent rule changes, tight budgets, and supply challenges.
Leadership Power Hour: Your Launchpad for Impact | ASTHO
The 2025-2030 Dietary Guidelines: Understanding the New Pyramid | ASTHO
Funding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO
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What do infection prevention in dialysis clinics and hurricane response in the Caribbean have in common? More than you might think. This episode explores how culture, leadership, and coordination shape health outcomes, whether in a treatment chair or a disaster zone. First, Shalini Nair, a Senior Analyst of Infection Disease at ASTHO, breaks down the growing concern around dialysis-related infections and what the CDC’s Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition is doing to address it. She shares frontline-informed strategies that health departments and facilities can use right now: building a “see it, say it” culture of safety, using short, role-specific training and real-time coaching, and ensuring visible leadership support that reinforces infection prevention as everyone’s responsibility. Then, the focus shifts to disaster response with Maggie Nilz, Senior Analyst of preparedness at ASTHO and Team Rubicon, a veteran-led humanitarian organization. Nilz reflects on her decade of deployments, from chainsaw operations in U.S. disaster zones to coordinating international health response in Jamaica after a devastating hurricane. She explains how public health leadership, interagency coordination, and pre-disaster data systems are critical when hospitals are damaged, infrastructure is down, and communities still need everyday healthcare.
Key Insights to Improve Infection Prevention in Dialysis Settings | ASTHO
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Leading Humanitarian Aid Organization in the US | Team Rubicon
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What does public health modernization look like when you’re serving four islands, a geographically isolated population, and a community still shaped by the aftermath of major hurricanes? In this episode, Esther Ellis, Territorial Epidemiologist for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health shares how PHIG (Public Health Infrastructure Grant) funding is transforming the territory’s health data systems, and why that matters far beyond technology. From launching a cloud-based immunization information system that replaced records lost after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, to implementing an electronic case reporting portal for notifiable diseases, the Virgin Islands is building a more connected, real-time public health infrastructure. Ellis explains how these systems improve vaccine tracking, outbreak response, provider reporting, and access to care, especially in a region where travel between islands requires flights or ferries and 25% of residents are uninsured.
Behind every public health response are two make-or-break factors: the people doing the work and the systems that help them work together. First, Shirley Orr, Executive Director of the Association of Public Health Nurses discusses the Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab Series Session 5 with insights from PHWINS, the nation’s only survey of the state and local public health workforce, which reached nearly 50,000 professionals. The data paints a detailed picture of who makes up today’s workforce, including an influx of younger staff, persistent leadership diversity gaps, and ongoing concerns about burnout and morale. Later, Dr. Lisa Villarroel, Chief Medical Officer for Public Health of the Arizona Department of Health Services shows us what happens when that workforce is connected in real time. Arizona’s Statewide Healthcare Collaborative Forum, a simple monthly virtual call during respiratory season, brings EMS, hospitals, post-acute care, and public health leaders together to review virus trends, hospital capacity, ED diversion, and emerging challenges. Born from pandemic lessons, the forum has led to tangible results: resolving EMS transport delays, sparking regional hospital alliances, rethinking masking policies, and aligning state data with frontline reality.
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What do school meals, housing, paid leave, and pre-K have to do with public health? According to Trust for America’s Health: everything. In this episode, Breanca Merritt, Director of Policy at Trust for America’s Health, breaks down a new report titled Promoting Health and Cost Control in States (PHACS), which tracks how states are adopting 13 evidence-based policies that improve health, reduce long-term costs, and deliver a return on investment, many of them outside traditional healthcare. But this isn’t happening in easy conditions. With federal funding shifts, post–public health emergency rollbacks, workforce strain, and growing political pressure, states are being asked to do more with less. The report serves as both a reality check and a playbook, highlighting strategies that are working across very different political and fiscal environments. The takeaway: even in a tough moment, there are practical, evidence-based ways to move policies that improve health and strengthen communities, if sectors work together.
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If the United States brought home a report card on maternal and infant health, it would need a serious parent–teacher conference. In this episode, Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes breaks down the latest Report Card on birth outcomes and the headline is hard to ignore: the nation earns a D+ for preterm birth, with half of states receiving a D or F. But this isn’t just about grades. It’s about what’s driving poor outcomes and what public health leaders can actually do about it. Warren, a former state and federal public health leader, also shares how officials can use the report card as more than a headline, but as a tool to build urgency, strengthen partnerships across maternal health, chronic disease, and Medicaid, and push forward policy and funding priorities.
Long COVID Resources for Community Recovery | ASTHO
Funding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO
New technologies, from telehealth to wearables to AI, are transforming how health data is created, shared, and used. But for public health agencies, keeping pace isn’t just about adopting the latest tools, it’s about building systems that are flexible, trustworthy, and sustainable. In this episode, John Stinn, Deloitte Consulting Managing Director in Government and Public Services Digital Health Practices, joins us to unpack how public health agencies can navigate a rapidly evolving data landscape. He shares why starting with the problem you’re trying to solve, not the technology, is essential, how thoughtful data governance and workflow design can reduce risk and control costs, and why open-source platforms and shared solutions can help agencies avoid reinventing the wheel.
What does calm leadership actually look like when everything feels urgent, political, and on fire? In this episode, John Auerbach, Senior Vice President of Health at ICF, offers a preview of ASTHO’s upcoming Insight & Inspiration webinar, Steady Hands, Steady Teams: Leading with Confidence and Composure, on February 11th, and digs into the real-world skills behind steady leadership in volatile times. From pandemic burnout to nonstop crises, today’s public health leaders are navigating faster information cycles, rising mistrust, misinformation, and exhausted teams. So how do you keep people focused, grounded, and moving forward? We’ll also hear from Dr. Manisha Juthani, ASTHO president and Connecticut Commissioner of Public Health, who is co-hosting the webinar.
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Two very different challenges, and one shared public health reality: systems have to work when it matters most. In this episode, we speak with Dr. Erica Pan, director and state public health officer for the California Department of Public Health, and ASTHO member, about a rare and unprecedented infant botulism outbreak linked to contaminated infant formula. She explains how California’s unique Baby BIG® treatment program, home to the only infant botulism treatment in the world, helped detect a national pattern, how states coordinated with CDC and FDA, and the logistical strain of managing treatment supply, clinician hotlines, and public communication during a fast-moving emergency. Then, Alex Wheatley, senior director of island support at ASTHO, joins us to discuss a different kind of pressure point: helping U.S. Island jurisdictions navigate complex federal grant systems. She outlines a new resource designed to bridge gaps between federal funders and local health agencies, reduce misunderstandings, and build stronger, trust-based partnerships, especially when timelines, administrative processes, and time zones don’t align.
State Health Agencies’ Role in Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception | ASTHO
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Wildfire smoke is no longer a rare emergency, it’s a predictable, climate-driven public health threat. In this episode, Gabriella Goldfarb, Environmental Public Health Section Manager, for the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division tells us why health agencies must begin outreach and coordination long before wildfire season starts. Goldfarb walks through Oregon’s collaborative wildfire smoke response protocol, explaining how state, federal, tribal, and local partners translate complex data into timely public health advisories. The conversation explores the growing health risks of repeated smoke exposure, the added challenges of prescribed fires, and how transparent, empathetic communication builds trust. Listeners also learn how Oregon is investing in long-term resilience—through preparedness calls, harm reduction strategies like air filtration support, and broader climate adaptation efforts—to protect communities as smoke, heat, and other climate hazards accelerate.
Partnering to Address Health Risks and Expand Communication Before and During Prescribed Fires | ASTHO
Communicating the Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke | ASTHO
How do public health agencies expand access to mental health support while genuinely engaging the next generation? In this episode, we speak with Heidi Laird and Xavier Foster from the Southern Nevada Health District about two PHIG-funded initiatives designed to do exactly that. First, Heidi Laird shares how Clark County launched CredibleMind, a customizable, evidence-based mental health and wellbeing platform created in response to rising mental health needs and a shortage of providers. She explains how flexible PHIG funding made it possible to reach youth and community members with self-help resources, reduce stigma, track meaningful engagement data, and build trust through partnerships, targeted outreach, and creative promotion. Then, Xavier J. Foster discusses the SPARK Youth Advisory Council, a pilot program elevating youth voices in public health decision-making. He highlights how youth-led initiatives—from school town halls to smoke-free campus policy efforts—are already shaping real-world outcomes, and why treating young people as collaborators is essential for building healthier communities and a future public health workforce.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG
Fatal overdoses are rising among adults 45 and older and stigma often keeps this age group out of the conversation. In this episode, Dr. Philip Chan, Consultant Medical Director at the Rhode Island Department of Health and a practicing primary care physician, discusses Rhode Island’s No Matter Why You Use campaign. Dr. Chan explains why middle-aged and older adults face elevated overdose risk, how isolation, medical prescribing, and a contaminated drug supply intersect, and why personal storytelling is key to reducing stigma about accessing care. The conversation also highlights Rhode Island’s overdose prevention strategies—from widespread naloxone access to community partnerships—and shares lessons other states can apply to save lives and start conversations sooner.
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Overdose Prevention | ASTHO
What does it take for states to expand access to substance use disorder treatment and build stronger, more sustainable partnerships between Medicaid and public health? In Massachusetts, leaders changed policies around provider models to increase access to care for opioid use disorder: Frances McGaffey, Manager of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts, explains how pairing providers with dedicated nursing support has helped remove barriers to prescribing buprenorphine, expand the addiction workforce, and dramatically increase access to care. She also shares why the state’s decision to extend this model to alcohol and stimulant use disorders is a critical response to a changing overdose crisis, and what other states can do to replicate this success. Then, Corey Caldwell, Senior Policy Analyst at the National Association of Medicaid Directors discusses the new Medicaid Leaders Playbook for Building Public Health Partnerships, developed in collaboration with ASTHO. Corey outlines practical, real-world steps Medicaid and public health agencies can take to align priorities, address funding and workforce challenges, launch small but impactful pilot projects, and build trust across systems.Understanding Current U.S. Measles Outbreaks and Elimination Status | ASTHO
ASTHO is entering a pivotal moment for public health, and it has a new strategic plan to meet it. In this episode, ASTHO CEO, Dr. Joseph Kanter unpacks how ASTHO developed its 2026–2029 strategic plan and why now was the right time for a refresh. Dr. Kanter walks through the inclusive, year-long planning process, the rapidly shifting public health landscape that shaped the plan, and the four core pillars guiding ASTHO’s work, from strengthening public health leadership and modernizing data systems to expanding partnerships and strengthening ASTHO’s own sustainability. The conversation also explores the challenge of planning amid constant crises and why the unifying vision of “optimal health for all” sits at the heart of the organization’s future.
Overdose Prevention | ASTHO
What does the future of public health look like when cutting-edge technology collides with persistent, preventable disease threats? Senior Vice President of Health at ICF and ASTHO alum John Auerbach joins us to break down how artificial intelligence can be responsibly and realistically introduced into public health workflows. He outlines five practical, low-cost steps agencies of any size can take to start using AI today, explains the leadership mindset needed to build staff confidence, and explores how AI can both spread and counter misinformation when used thoughtfully. Later, Jessica Baggett, Senior Advisor for Public Health Strategy and Response at ASTHO, unpacks why measles elimination status is back in the spotlight after the worst year for measles cases in more than 30 years. She explains what “elimination” really means, why it doesn’t mean zero cases, what’s driving recent outbreaks, and why vaccination remains the most effective public health tool.
Leveraging Public Health Assets in Medicaid Managed Care | ASTHO
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New CDC surveillance data show encouraging declines in several sexually transmitted infections—but a troubling increase in syphilis among newborns. In this episode, the Director of the Division of STD Prevention at the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Dr. Bradley Stoner breaks down the key takeaways from the 2024 provisional STI surveillance report, including declines in chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary and secondary syphilis, alongside the continued rise in congenital syphilis. The conversation explores what’s driving progress, the prevention strategies showing impact, and where urgent action is still needed. Dr. Stoner also discusses how states and local health departments can use provisional data to guide interventions, expand screening and treatment, and prepare for improved data access through CDC’s new One CDC Data Platform.
Supporting Pharmacies as Contraception Access Hubs | ASTHO
Organizational Strategic Planning Guide | ASTHO
What does the public health workforce need to stay engaged, supported, and committed, and how can leaders act on those insights? Heather Krasna, Associate Dean of Career and Professional Development, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health joins us to break down new research on what younger public health workers value most at work. She explains why flexible schedules, remote or hybrid options, professional development, student loan repayment, and family-friendly benefits are increasingly important for retention, and how agencies can think creatively when salary increases aren’t always possible. Then, Omar Khalid, Director of Workforce at ASTHO, walks through key findings from the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), the only nationally representative survey of the governmental public health workforce. He discusses why high turnover, burnout, and loss of institutional knowledge remain urgent concerns, alongside encouraging signs of improved supervisor relationships and workforce commitment.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice
Strengthening Public Health Through Communication: Resources to Get Started - Public Health Infrastructure Grant
Climate and Health | ASTHO
How do states turn public health messaging into real behavior change and how do the places we live shape our health every day? In this episode, Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, discusses the Our Healthy Kentucky Home campaign and what it takes to move beyond awareness to action. Dr. Stack, an ASTHO member and former ASTHO president, shares how Kentucky is using simple, achievable goals—eat healthier, move more, and stay socially connected—along with clear calls to action, trusted partners, and data-driven refinements to engage residents and build long-term, sustainable health improvements. Then, Clint Grant, Director of Healthy Community Design, Chronic Disease and Health Improvement at ASTHO joins us to explore the growing role of Healthy Community Design in public health. From transportation and road safety to green space and mobility, Clint explains how decisions about streets, sidewalks, and transit are some of the most powerful, and often overlooked, public health choices states and communities make.
States Invest in Public Health and Safety Through Transportation Policy | ASTHO
Key Insights to Improve Infection Prevention in Dialysis Settings | ASTHO
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What does it take to strengthen public health systems nationwide and why does flexible funding matter? In this PHIG Impact Report, we’re joined by SzePui Hughes, Senior Director of Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure at ASTHO to unpack the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) and ASTHO’s role as a national partner. We’ll discuss how health departments are using PHIG funding to modernize data systems, expand community-based services, and build a more resilient workforce, while adapting to shifting priorities and pressures. SzePui shares key trends health leaders are raising, from peer learning and leadership development to long-term sustainability, and highlights real-world success stories from states and local agencies.
Diabetes remains one of the most serious and costly chronic diseases facing communities today. In this episode, ASTHO Vice President of Community Health and Prevention Christi Mackie breaks down the differences between type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes, common symptoms parents should watch for, and why routine screenings are essential. The conversation focuses on prevention and management of type 2 diabetes, highlighting how public health and healthcare systems intersect through nutrition, physical activity, and policy initiatives such as food-as-medicine programs and SNAP waivers. The episode also examines ongoing challenges with insulin affordability and shortages, as well as growing state efforts to limit ultra-processed foods—particularly in schools—as part of a broader, systems-based approach to improving long-term health outcomes.
Policy Trends Shaping Healthy Food and Chronic Disease in 2026 | ASTHO
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Organizational Strategic Planning Guide | ASTHO
Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in bridging the gap between health systems and the communities they serve, especially in rural and underserved areas. In this episode, ASTHO Senior Director of Population Health, Alex Kearly, explains who CHWs are, how they build trust and address both health and social needs, and why Medicaid reimbursement can help make these roles sustainable. The conversation also explores the unique access challenges facing rural communities, from provider shortages to hospital closures, and the policy tools states can use to respond, including telehealth, workforce initiatives, and systems-of-care models. Looking ahead to 2026, the episode highlights what states should watch as new federal rural health programs begin to take shape.
Policy Trends Shaping Access to Care in 2026 | ASTHO
Braiding and Layering Funding to Address the Social Determinants of Health | ASTHO
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CMS Announces $50 Billion in Awards to Strengthen Rural Health in All 50 States | CMS
As behavioral health and overdose crises continue to strain health systems, states are rethinking how and where care is delivered. In this episode, Dr. Jerry Larkin, the Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health and an ASTHO member, explains how youth-focused mobile response and stabilization services provide rapid, in-home crisis care and keep children out of emergency departments and reduce the need for hospitalization. The conversation explores why Rhode Island moved to require insurance coverage for these services and how states can sustain them amid funding uncertainty. Later, ASTHO Senior Director of Overdose Prevention, Richa Ranade, discusses the evolving policy landscape around naloxone, including efforts to expand access in schools, libraries, and other public spaces to prevent overdose deaths. Together, the guests highlight how prevention-focused, community-based approaches can save lives and strengthen public health systems.
Policy Trends Shaping Behavioral Health in 2026 |
ASTHOState of Rhode Island General AssemblyPolicy Trends Shaping Behavioral Health in 2026 | ASTHO
Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides |
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What happens when the federal government steps back and states are asked to lead? Continuing our Legislative Prospectus Series, which examines the public health policy trends set to shape 2026, ASTHO president and Connecticut commissioner of public health Dr. Manisha Juthani joins the show to discuss the creation of a new public health emergency funding safety net and the difficult decisions leaders face when planning amid constant uncertainty. Later, ASTHO’s senior director of public health infrastructure, Brian Lentes, breaks down key federal funding streams, governance models, and practical steps states can take to stabilize infrastructure, modernize data systems, and support the public health workforce. This episode highlights how strong relationships, thoughtful prioritization, and long-term planning can help states navigate today’s funding challenges.
Policy Trends Shaping Public Health Funding and Administration in 2026 | ASTHO
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In this episode, we continue our legislative prospectus series examining public health trends in policy going into 2026 with Meredith Allen, Vice President for Health Security at ASTHO. She’ll discuss the critical role immunizations play in preventing the spread of disease and protecting communities nationwide. The conversation explores the science behind vaccines, the importance of maintaining high vaccination rates, and how recent developments at the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) may affect providers, patients, and states, particularly around hepatitis B guidance. Meredith also breaks down why expanded syphilis screening laws are gaining momentum across states and how early detection, especially during pregnancy, can prevent severe outcomes like congenital syphilis.
2026 Legislative Prospectus Series |
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As flu cases climb across the country and pediatric deaths rise, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, ASTHO member and Michigan’s Chief Medical Executive, joins us to break down what this flu season means for families, health agencies, and health care systems. Dr. Bagdasarian discusses the troubling decline in flu vaccine uptake since 2020, the risks of overlapping surges of flu, COVID-19, and RSV, and why flu vaccination remains critical, even when it doesn’t prevent every infection. She explains how vaccines reduce severe illness and hospitalizations, helping protect already-strained health systems. The conversation also explores vaccine hesitancy during pregnancy, the importance of maternal vaccination, and how personal stories paired with data can help rebuild trust. Dr. Bagdasarian shares insight into the emerging H3N2 subclade K flu strain, what early data shows about vaccine effectiveness, and how public health officials are tracking flu trends using multiple surveillance tools.
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In this episode and as part of our PHIG Impact series, Amy Perkins of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services talks about how the state is rethinking public health infrastructure funding to make life easier for local and tribal health departments. Amy explains how Wisconsin is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) to reduce administrative burden, decentralize funding management, and prioritize flexibility over red tape. Amy discusses practical strategies like housing PHIG within a partnership-focused office, streamlining grant processes, supporting accreditation by directly covering PHAB fees, and quickly moving funds through regional service and resource-sharing grants. Amy also shares what she’s hearing from the field: how flexible funding is helping health departments sustain staff, invest in professional development, strengthen foundational capabilities, and better respond to community needs.
About the PHIG National Partners - Public Health Infrastructure Grant
As part of our State Health Policy portfolio, ASTHO releases an annual legislative prospectus: a series of policy briefs summarizing state and territorial legislation that impacts public health. Today, Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO’s CEO, will summarize the 2026 prospectus, identify trends in public health law for the next year, and provide a high-level overview for public health professionals and policymakers in time for upcoming legislative sessions.
Accredible Unveils Certified Impact Awards 2025 WinnersPH-HERO | ASTHO
PH-HERO | ASTHO
For the first time, all eight U.S. territories and freely associated states have been included in PHWINS, or the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey. Rachel Hare Bork joins the show to discuss how this landmark pilot effort came together, why it took extensive travel and collaboration to make it happen, and what the results reveal about the public health workforce across the islands. She explores key findings, like the islands’ notably younger workforce, gaps in public health education, and the powerful new data leaders can use to advocate for resources. She also digs into why counting these communities matters for both territorial planning and the national public health conversation, and what it will take to continue this work in future PHWINS cycles.Webinar Registration - ZoomSubscribe | ASTHO
As health departments modernize their data systems, an unexpected challenge has emerged: traditional public health job classifications no longer match the reality of today’s data landscape. In this episode, Ari Whiteman, ASTHO’s Senior Advisor for Public Health Data and Informatics Workforce, talks about why the field urgently needs new informatics-focused roles, and what it will take to build them. Whiteman explains how interoperability, electronic health records, and complex data pipelines have outpaced legacy classifications like epidemiologist or public health analyst. Leveraging the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), state, local, and territorial health agencies can build classification systems that enhance recruitment and retention of an informatics-savvy workforce. Updating job classifications can help clarify new roles, alleviate pressure on existing roles, and enable health agencies to sustain workforce infrastructure that is flexible and forward-looking. He discusses the hesitancy and bureaucracy that make change difficult, the opportunity cost of doing nothing, and why modernizing job classifications is essential for faster outbreak response, stronger surveillance, and smarter public health decision-making.Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides | ASTHOHow to Modernize Data Infrastructure: A Toolkit for Public Health Leaders | ASTHOASTHO Announces Sixth Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health Cohort | ASTHO
In today's PHIG Impact Report, Patricia Tilley, ASTHO member and associate commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, details the critical needs the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has helped with in her state. This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
New research out of New York shows that naloxone didn’t just save more than 6,500 lives in two years—it delivered one of the most dramatic returns on investment in public health. In this episode, Dr. James McDonald, ASTHO member and commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, breaks down the first statewide health-economic evaluation of naloxone administration. Dr. McDonald discusses how New York’s extensive overdose prevention programs provided the data needed to measure outcomes, why the study went beyond distribution counts to assess real-world effectiveness, and how the results—more than $3,200 saved for every $1 spent—can help other states make the case for investing in harm reduction. The conversation also explores lessons for policymakers, the essential role of training bystanders, and why naloxone remains the cornerstone of a comprehensive response to the opioid crisis. A clear, data-driven look at how one tool is saving lives—and why scaling it matters now more than ever.The Key Role of Cross-Sector Partnerships in Navigating Barriers | ASTHOWebinar Registration - Zoom
In this episode, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and ASTHO member Dr. Debra Bogen joins us to break down a major change in national vaccine guidance, and why it has sparked concern among pediatric and public health leaders. Dr. Bogen explains the recent ACIP vote that weakened the long-standing recommendation for all newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, a practice that has nearly eliminated the disease in young children since the early 1990s. She shares why this shift could create confusion for parents, what’s at stake for infant health, and how Pennsylvania is doubling down on clarity, access, and science-based information, including through a recent executive order from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Dr. Bogen also speaks to the broader moment facing public health, from rising misinformation to the importance of unified, evidence-driven messaging.
Cultivating a Culture of Community and Belonging in the Workplace | ASTHO
In this episode, ASTHO member and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian breaks down a major development in national vaccine policy: the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ decision to narrow its guidance on the hepatitis B birth dose. Dr. Bagdasarian, who serves as ASTHO’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, shares why the shift toward “individual decision-making” raises concerns for newborn safety, health equity, and public trust in vaccines. She discusses the vulnerabilities in our health system that could leave some infants unprotected, how localized transmission risks extend beyond maternal infection, and why softening long-standing guidance may unintentionally fuel doubt about other vaccines. Dr. Bagdasarian also explains why Michigan—and many other states—are choosing to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation to continue the universal birth dose.
Designing for Connection Webinar Series | ASTHOHome | Public Health Careers.org
As part of our spotlight series on artificial intelligence in public health, today’s episode explores the BEACON Portal—a groundbreaking collaboration between Google and the state of Illinois designed to streamline access to behavioral health services for children and families. Dr. Dana Weiner, Chief Officer for Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation in the Illinois Governor’s Office, and Julia Strehlow, Senior Advisor at the Illinois Department of Public Health discuss how BEACON centralizes information for families, enables secure cross-agency communication, and uses transparent AI-powered matching to connect young people to the services they’re eligible for—faster and more accurately than ever before. The conversation highlights Beacon’s unique development process rooted in family and provider feedback, the platform’s rigorous privacy and security protections, and how Illinois is partnering with clinicians statewide to boost adoption.
Kentucky is experiencing its largest spike in whooping cough cases since 2012, an alarming rise that has already claimed the lives of three infants in the past year. In this episode, Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, joins us to unpack what’s driving the surge, why waning vaccination rates matter, and how misinformation is complicating public health response efforts. Dr. Stack, ASTHO member and former ASTHO president, explains the cyclical nature of pertussis, how the pandemic disrupted typical disease patterns, and why the current spike is more severe than expected. He discusses the heartbreaking reality that none of the infants who died were vaccinated, and neither were their mothers, despite well-established evidence that maternal vaccination can provide newborns with lifesaving early protection.Creating Shared Vision and Governance for Data Modernization in Vermont | ASTHODon't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator | ASTHO
In this episode, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health, Data Modernization, and Informatics, Allen Rakotoniaina, breaks down how public health agencies can effectively make the case for investing in modern data systems. He explains why “business numbers,” like labor hours saved or dollars recouped, can be the tipping point for decision-makers, especially in an environment where funding is scarce. Allen also demonstrates how person-centered storytelling transforms technical work into relatable, mission-driven narratives, using real-world examples such as overdose prevention. He explores how tools like partner mapping and shared ownership can help agencies build stronger advocacy plans and create sustainable, collaborative data systems. Whether you're building a data modernization strategy or just beginning to rally your organization around the need for better systems, this conversation offers practical insights, clear examples, and a roadmap for getting started.
Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Access Legal Map | ASTHO
In this episode, ASTHO’s Catherine Jones, a senior analyst for government affairs, breaks down the 2025 federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, and what made it uniquely disruptive compared to the 2018–2019 closure. She explains how debates over ACA premium subsidies, and Medicaid cuts shaped the standoff and why critical programs like telehealth, at-home care, SNAP, and WIC felt the strain. Jones also walks through how the shutdown ultimately ended after multiple failed attempts in Congress, and what public health leaders should take away from the crisis. With another potential shutdown looming as the current continuing resolution approaches its expiration, she lays out the decisions and negotiations to watch in the weeks ahead.
Eight Extraordinary OU Alumni Honored with Regents’ Alumni Award
In this episode, we talk with Jenn Rico, Data Modernization and Surveillance & Informatics Supervisor at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Jenn shares how Montana has used PHIG funding to accelerate statewide data modernization, and invested in leadership, data governance, a new data lake, GIS capacity, and workforce development. She walks us through Montana’s collaborative approach with its 59 county and tribal public health partners, including a major upgrade and cloud migration of the state’s case surveillance system. Jenn also highlights Montana’s new public-facing query tools, efforts to support data sovereignty, and plans to securely provide direct access to record-level data. Reflecting on the state’s five-year modernization journey, Jennifer discusses what it takes to build systems and culture that last beyond any single grant cycle: prioritizing sustainability, internal capacity, collaboration, and thoughtful use of existing infrastructure.
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Kansagra joins us for a candid conversation about the state of public health today. She reflects on her unexpected path into the field, the urgent need to rebuild public trust, and why communicating the everyday value of public health is more critical than ever. Dr. Kansagra also explores how social media, new messengers, and emerging tools like AI can help reshape engagement, boost impact, and energize a workforce facing growing pressure. A motivating reminder that public health is a marathon, not a sprint, and that meaningful progress takes time, partnership, and persistence.
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In this episode: how telehealth has evolved from a pandemic-era necessity into a powerful tool for improving access to healthcare. Senior analyst Ashley Cram breaks down the different types of telehealth, from video visits and audio-only consultations to remote patient monitoring, and why each plays an essential role for patients facing challenges like provider shortages, transportation barriers, or limited broadband access. Also, State Epidemiologist Tracy Miller explains how a partnership with North Dakota State University created a student assistantship program that gives MPH students hands-on experience, builds leadership skills among early career staff, and strengthens public health capacity. She shares lessons learned, how the model evolved, and why it could be a blueprint for other states and health departments looking to grow the next generation of public health professionals.
ASTHO Telehealth Project Initiation and Scoping Assessment | astho prod
Funding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO
On today’s Best Of PHRME episode, Maria Courogen, executive director for the Center for Access to Whole Person Care at the Washington State Department of Health, explains how her state worked to enable the continued support of community health workers (CHWs) by developing a sustainable funding model; Dr. Heather Krasna, associate dean of career and professional development at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.
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On this Public Health Thank You Day,ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Susan Kansagra, joins us to share encouraging news from the front lines of public health. Thanks to increased partnerships with birthing hospitals and the rollout of monoclonal antibodies for infants and the maternal RSV vaccine, infant RSV hospitalizations dropped nearly 30–40% last season, one of the most significant improvements in years. Dr. Kansagra also discusses a major decline in overdose deaths, driven by expanded community partnerships, naloxone distribution, peer support specialists, and innovative response programs. Looking ahead, she explains what’s next with the new $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Grant, how states plan to use this funding to strengthen workforce, behavioral health, chronic disease prevention, and health technology, and reflects on the collective hard work of the nation’s public health workforce heading into the holiday season.
In this episode, health leaders from Iowa, Maine and Mississippi share their strategies for revitalizing rural healthcare. We hear excerpts from an ASTHO media briefing featuring ASTHO members as they address the urgent challenges facing millions of rural Americans, including healthcare provider shortages, transportation inadequacies, and significant health disparities. The discussion highlights collaborative, evidence-based initiatives designed to ensure the long-term sustainability and quality of rural care.
ASTHO Deskside Media Briefing on Rural HealthFrom Policy to Practice: Supporting Brain Health and Caregiving at the State Level WebinarFunding & Collaboration Opportunities
Utah’s Data Modernization Director, Nicole Yerkes, shares how the state is using PHIG funding to advance a unified, future-ready public health data system. She discusses innovations like AI-assisted analysis, real-time lab data exchange, and the power of cross-agency collaboration through Utah’s Data Modernization Council. Yerkes also highlights the importance of academic partnerships and sustainable funding to ensure modernization efforts endure and evolve.
Public health is at a crossroads. In this episode, Lillian Shirley and Itta Johnson from Public Consulting Group discuss how adaptive leadership can help rebuild trust, strengthen community partnerships, and drive meaningful change across systems. Drawing from real-world initiatives they share practical insights on leading with empathy, collaboration, and purpose in today’s complex public health landscape.
Dr. Susan Kansagra, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer at ASTHO, shares an update on rising RSV activity and how states are tracking trends during the federal shutdown. She highlights new tools that protect infants, including maternal vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, and explains how public health and birthing hospitals are partnering to expand access through the Vaccines for Children program. Early results show increased hospital enrollment and fewer RSV related hospitalizations among infants.
https://www.astho.org/topic/report/aligning-strategic-plans-across-health-aging-
dementia/
On today’s Best Of PHRME episode, ASTHO revisits an interview with Dr. Jennifer Layden, MD, PhD, Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation, who discusses how states are advancing data modernization and building creative partnerships to strengthen public health. The episode also highlights new research from the University of Michigan and Apple examining how noise pollution impacts hearing and cardiovascular health, along with a look at Colorado’s resilience framework that supports statewide preparedness and response.
In today's installment of the PHIG Impact Report, Jade Ramsdell, performance improvement director with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), shares how KDHE is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) to strengthen foundational public health capabilities across the state. This includes investing in its public health workforce and data modernization.
This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.
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On today's 'Best Of PHRME' episode, ASTHO revisits an interview with Dan Edney, ASTHO member and state health officer with the Mississippi Department of Health, who explains what the state is doing to meet the public health needs of rural communities across the state. This episode also features a segment with Shirley Orr, executive director of the Association of Public Health Nurses and lead speaker for ASTHO's Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab series, who discusses what motivates nurses to enter the public health field. The fifth and final webinar in the series is scheduled for Nov. 19 at 3 p.m. ET.
ASTHO Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab
Sustaining Accreditation Through Smart Documentation Systems
Jim Daniel, Public Health Leader for State and Local Government at Amazon Web Services, examines AI usage in public health.
HIMSS Web Page: Innovative Approaches to Public Health: Generative AI as a Transformative Tool
AWS Web Page: Transforming electronic case reports with generative AI: Unlocking faster public health responses
AWS Web Page: Scalable intelligent document processing using Amazon Bedrock
ASTHO Web Page: Innovation Advisory Council
Lisa Bari, Vice President of Policy and Partnerships at Innovaccer, shares how public health departments can become better prepared to use AI by addressing their underlying data infrastructure; Angela Davis, Project Coordinator with the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center at Montana State University, explains how they developed a statewide AmeriCorps program grounded in health to address the population health needs of the highly rural state; a new ASTHO State Health Policy Update describes the legislative changes taking place across the country as a result of recent changes to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP); and on Wednesday, November 19th, ASTHO will close out its Public Health Nursing Learning Lab Series with a session on Public Health Nursing Workforce Culture.
Innovaccer: How State and Local Public Health Leaders can Promote AI and Data Governance
Montana State University: Montana State helping launch statewide AmeriCorps program for community health
ASTHO Health Policy Update: States Seek Policy Guidance Beyond ACIP Vaccine Recommendations
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab - A Series
Jeffrey Eason, Director of the Office of Communicable Diseases at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, explains how his department is working to prevent transmission of measles during the state's largest outbreak in 30 years; Dr. C. William Keck, former Director of the Akron City Health Department and professor emeritus of community health sciences and family medicine at the Northeast Ohio Medical University, shares how academic health department partnerships can benefit jurisdictions across the country; tomorrow, October 30th at 4:00 p.m. ET ASTHO will host an Insight and Inspiration webinar on finding the clarity to lead with intent; and November 12th at 2:00 p.m. ET is the final webinar in ASTHO and PHF's joint webinar series on academic health department partnerships, providing participants with the opportunity to ask any questions they may have.
Utah DHHS: 2025 Measles Response
PHF Web Page: Academic Health Departments: Core Concepts
ASTHO Webinar: Insight & Inspiration: Finding the Clarity to Lead with Intent
ASTHO Webinar: Ask Me Anything: Academic Health Department Partnerships
Dr. Novneet Sahoo, Deputy Commissioner for Public Health at the New Jersey Department of Health, discusses his state's multi-pronged strategy to improve vaccine access and address vaccine confidence in response to a national rise in pediatric flu deaths; Thaddeus Pham, Viral Hepatitis Prevention Coordinator at the Hawaii Department of Health, explains what the state has accomplished through HEP FREE 2030, Hawaii's initiative to eliminate Hepatitis B and C by the year 2030; on Wednesday, October 29th at 3:00 p.m. ET, ASTHO will host part one of a two-part webinar series on the accomplishments of various jurisdictions in their preparedness and response tactics during extreme weather events; and a new ASTHO report can help jurisdictions reduce overdose-related harms and support the communities affected by it.
NJ.com: Pediatric flu deaths reach 15-year high. Get your shot now, officials urge.
HEP FREE 2030: The Hawai'i Hepatitis Elimination Strategy 2020-2030
ASTHO Webinar: Weathering the Storm: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response Part I
ASTHO Report: Overdose Data to Action: Utilizing Partnerships and Flexibility to Support Policy Change
Michelle Hale, Preparedness Program Director with the Office of Preparedness and Response at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, shares what her state learned about responding to critical public health challenges amid a surge of wildfires in the state; Catherine Murphy, Senior Analyst of Government Affairs at ASTHO, discusses the federal health policy update she authored on notable legislative priorities for the end of the year; ASTHO's PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center provides resources to address moral injury, burnout, resilience, and retention for public health agency leaders and team members; and ASTHO's Legislative Alerts will ensure you don't miss any legislative or policy movements that affect public health.
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Preparedness
ASTHO Health Policy Update: Health Legislative Priorities for the Remainder of 2025
ASTHO Web Page: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Web Page: Legislative Alerts
Alfarena McGinty, Marion County Coroner in Indianapolis, Indiana, explains how her department's investment in Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) has improved the efficiency and interoperability of timely mortality data; Amanda Jones, Data Modernization Director at the Vermont Department of Health, discusses why her department created a Data Modernization Advisory Committee to promote cultural change and foster excitement around new technologies; ASTHO is now accepting applications from state health agency staff and levels of maternal care leaders for a community of practice to address maternal care challenges; and today, October 24th, is the deadline to apply to participate in ASTHO's success story discussions on preventing adverse childhood experiences.
CDC Foundation: Resources for MDI Offices and IT Developers
ASTHO Report: Accelerating Data Exchange in Public Health: Insights from Public Health FHIR Pilots
ASTHO Blog: Creating Shared Vision and Governance for Data Modernization in Vermont
ASTHO Web Page: Bridging Barriers in Maternal Health Access Community of Practice
ASTHO Web Page: Success Stories: Advancing Health Agency Capacity to Address ACEs, Suicide, Overdose, and Mental Health-Related Harms Request for Information
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, joins the show for the first time as ASTHO's president to discuss her plans for the new term; Dr. Karen Hacker, health policy fellow at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, co-authored an article for the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice with Dr. Susan Kansagra, Chief Medical Officer at ASTHO, Chrissie Juliano with Big Cities Health Coalition, and Lori Freeman with the National Association of County and City Health Officials, about the way forward for state and local public health; on October 27th at 2:00 p.m. ET, ASTHO and the Public Health Foundation (PHF) will host a webinar about academic health department partnerships in Vermont; and on Wednesday, November 12th, ASTHO and PHF will hold an interactive Q&A session for their final webinar in the academic health department partnership series.
ASTHO Article: Manisha Juthani, MD, Commissioner of Connecticut Department of Public Health, Announced as Next ASTHO President
JPHMP Article: Where Do We Go From Here? The Way Forward for State and Local Public Health
ASTHO Webinar: Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships for Student Success in Vermont
ASTHO Webinar: Ask Me Anything: Academic Health Department Partnerships
ASTHO President Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health, reflects on his time as president as he closes out his term; Dr. Susan Kansagra, Chief Medical Officer at ASTHO, served as a panelist during a press briefing for Trust for America's Health (TFAH) on chronic disease prevention and obesity, alongside TFAH President and CEO Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, TFAH Director of Strategic Communications and Policy Research Rhea Farberman, and Megan Lott with the Duke University Global Health Institute; on Wednesday, October 29th at 3:00 p.m. ET, ASTHO will host a webinar on preparedness and response tactics to use during extreme weather events; and today, October 22nd at 3:00 p.m. ET, ASTHO will host session four of the Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab Series.
TFAH: State of Obesity Report 2025: Better Policies for a Healthier America
ASTHO Webinar: Weathering the Storm: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response Part I
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab - A Series
In today's installment of the PHIG Impact Report, Amy Ferris, Chief Financial Officer at the Washington State Department of Health, shares how her department is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant to centralize its grant management system.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Helen Linda, Public Health Workforce Development Coordinator at the Vermont Department of Health, explains the value of Academic Health Departments and shares how she worked with the Public Health Foundation to assess the current state of her agency's experiential learning environment; Emman Parian, Immunization Program Manager for the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation of the Northern Mariana Islands, discusses his recent ASTHO article about how relationships are at the heart of public health; on October 30th, ASTHO will host an Insight & Inspiration webinar on how to find the clarity to lead with intent; and stay current on Public Health Infrastructure Grant deadlines, events, opportunities and more by subscribing to the PHIG National Partners Connections newsletter.
ASTHO Webinar: Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships for Student Success in Vermont
ASTHO Blog: For Emman Parian, Strong Partnerships Are at the Heart of Public Health
ASTHO Webinar: Insight & Inspiration: Finding the Clarity to Lead with Intent
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe to PHIG Connections Newsletter
Francesca Provenzano, Public Health Section Chief of the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, discusses themes and insights from her term as Chair of ASTHO's Director of Public Health Preparedness Peer Network; Dr. Sara Collins, Senior Scholar for Expanding Coverage and Access and Tracking Health System Performance at The Commonwealth Fund, walks through some of the trends found in the 2025 Scorecard on State Health System Performance; ASTHO President Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, was recently quoted in a story for CNN about the record-breaking number of measles cases across the country; and on Wednesday, October 22nd, ASTHO will host session four of the Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab series with a focus on leveraging partnerships.
ASTHO Web Page: Peer Networks
The Commonwealth Fund: 2025 Scorecard on State Health System Performance
CNN: Measles outbreaks across the US continue to add to record case count
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab - A Series
Amelia Poulin, Assistant Director of Emerging Infectious Disease at ASTHO, discusses how she was recently recognized as an honoree of de Beaumont Foundation's 40 under 40 in Public Health award; Christina Severin, Director of Public Health Law at ASTHO, breaks down her recent Health Policy Update, which covers key case decisions from the Supreme Court's last term; ASTHO and the Public Health Foundation will host a webinar on academic health department partnerships on Monday, October 27th; and ASTHO is looking for health agency leaders and program staff that have strengthened their capacity to prevent mental health-related harms to apply to participate in discussions that will shape future strategies and drive impact.
de Beaumont Foundation: 40 Under 40 in Public Health
ASTHO Health Policy Update: Public Health Litigation Round-Up
ASTHO + PHF Webinar: Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships for Student Success in Vermont
ASTHO Web Page: Success Stories: Advancing Health Agency Capacity to Address ACEs, Suicide, Overdose, and Mental Health-Related Harms Request for Information
Rachel Lehman, Acting Director of the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR)'s Technical Resources Assistance Center and Information Exchange (TRACIE), celebrates 10 years of the center's existence and discusses how it provides states and territories with timely information and technical assistance; Peter Orton, Director of Media Design at the Institute for Vaccine Safety at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, explains the importance of storytelling in public health, and shares how an ASTHO blog on the subject can help guide understanding and practice; ASTHO is now accepting applications for a new Community of Practice focused on Maternal Health Access; and subscribe to Public Health Review Morning Edition to make sure you never miss an important update.
HHS.gov: WELCOME TO ASPR TRACIE
ASTHO Blog: The Art (and Science) of Storytelling in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: Bridging Barriers in Maternal Health Access Community of Practice
ASTHO Newscast: Subscribe to Public Health Review Morning Edition
Scott Murakami, PHIG Workforce Director and Principal Investigator with the State of Hawaii, shares how his department is utilizing Public Health Infrastructure Grant funds to support the state's public health workforce; jurisdictions looking to stay current on PHIG deadlines, project updates, resources and more can subscribe to the PHIG National Partners Connections newsletter; Melissa Touma, Director of the Public Health Infrastructure Program at ASTHO, discusses why procurement timelines are so critical and how PHIG recipients are using the grant to accelerate them; and Melissa Magstadt, ASTHO member and Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Health, was recently honored with the State Official Award by the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations.
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Infrastructure Grant
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe: PHIG Connections Newsletter
ASTHO Blog: PHIG Recipients Accelerating Procurement Processes
South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations: SDAHO recognizes 9 individuals with Distinguished Service Awards during 2025 Annual Convention
Dr. Susan Kansagra, Chief Medical Officer at ASTHO, discusses some of the downstream implications of CDC’s adoption of recommendations from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices earlier this week; Dr. Holly Wilcox, founder and Director of the Center for Suicide Prevention and professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, shares findings from their recent suicide prevention studies focused on early intervention and child access prevention laws; ASTHO is looking for leaders from up to six jurisdictions that have been successful in preventing mental health-related harms to apply to join discussions and help shape strategies for the future; and a new ASTHO blog article describes how the U.S. Virgin Islands worked with ASTHO and the Department of the Interior to improve their grant and financial management systems.
ASTHO Blog: Downstream Effects of CDC Adopting ACIP Recommendations for COVID-19 and MMRV Vaccines
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Center for Suicide Prevention
ASTHO Web Page: Success Stories: Advancing Health Agency Capacity to Address ACEs, Suicide, Overdose, and Mental Health-Related Harms Request for Information
ASTHO Blog: Improving Grants Management in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Q&A with Tatia Monell-Hewitt
Dr. Dan Edney, State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health and ASTHO member, shares how his state declared infant mortality a public health emergency to offer services across the state more rapidly; Bonny Mayes, epidemiologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services, discusses the article she co-authored to argue that Chagas disease should be considered endemic; PHIG Partners developed a practical resources guide to help public health agencies improve their procurement and hiring processes; and Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and Alabama State Health Officer was recently the inaugural speaker for the Dean’s Seminar Series at Samford University’s School of Public Health.
Mississippi State Dept of Health: MSDH Declares Public Health Emergency on Infant Mortality
CNN: ‘Kissing bug’ disease is here to stay in the US, experts say. Here’s why it’s spreading
PHIG Partners: Practical Resources for Improving Procurement and Hiring in Public Health
Samford University: School of Public Health Launches Dean’s Seminar Series featuring Alabama State Health Officer Scott Harris
Doctor Gen Meredith, Associate Professor with the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health at Cornell University, Associate Director of the Master of Public Health Program, and Director of Cornell’s Health Impact Score, explains how their new Public Health Strategic Skills Guide can help professionals in public health navigate changes to their roles and build upon their existing skillsets; Nick Jakubowski, Chief Operating Officer at the Connecticut Department of Public Health, shares how his agency used PHIG funding to upgrade their procurement and grant management systems and deliver monies to the community more efficiently; on Wednesday, October 29th, ASTHO will hold art one of a two part series on The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response; and subscribe to Public Health Review Morning Edition to start each weekday morning with a daily dose of insight from public health leaders across the country.
ASTHO Blog: Tennessee and Connecticut Are Transforming Procurement and Grant Management Systems
Cornell University: Enhancing Public Health Strategic Skills Guide
ASTHO Webinar: Weathering the Storm: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response Part I
ASTHO Newscast: Public Health Review Morning Edition
In today's installment of the PHIG Impact Report, Celeste Jorge, epidemiologist and evaluator with the Connecticut Department of Public Health, discusses how her department is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
In this special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition, Eric Whitworth, CEO of Inductive Health, discusses the importance of scalable data surveillance systems and how taking a broader approach to modernization can benefit health departments.
InductiveHealth Acquires Envision Technology Partners Bringing Together Foundational Public Health Informatics and Industry Experts into a Unified Public Health Platform
ASTHO Web Page: Innovation Advisory Council
Mickal Lewis, Associate Director of the Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction with the Alzheimer's Association, shares how Community Health Workers play an essential role supporting a continuum of care for community members with dementia, and how public health leaders can help advance progress; Jeffrey Ekoma, Senior Director of Government Affairs at ASTHO, provides an update on the current government shutdown and explains how federal health agencies are impacted in this week’s View from Washington, D.C. report; a new ASTHO report provides key resources that can help state and territorial health departments break down silos and collaborate with their partners in Medicaid agencies to improve health outcomes in their communities; and Dr. Susan Kansagra, Chief Medical Officer at ASTHO, was recently quoted in a story for STAT Health about low-income children’s lack of access to the Covid-19 vaccine.
Frontiers in Public Health Research Article: Community health workers: developing roles in public health dementia efforts in the United States
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Federal Government Shutdown Update: Contingency Plans Released
ASTHO Report: Leveraging Public Health Assets in Medicaid Managed Care
STAT Health: Low-income children lack access to Covid vaccines because of approval delay
Dr. Edward Simmer, Interim Director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health, celebrates the department’s one-year anniversary with a recap of their achievements, including the highest health ranking in the state’s history; Dr. Bryant Thomas Karras, the Washington State Department of Health’s Chief Medical Informatics Officer, discusses the Fast Healthcare Interoperable Resource (FHIR) pilot program that his department participated in; on Thursday, October 9th, ASTHO will host the final session of the Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate workshop on applying emotional intelligence strategies to enhance leadership; and subscribe to the newscast to make sure you never miss the opportunities, initiatives, and insights from public health leaders across the country.
South Carolina Dept of Public Health: South Carolina Health Compass Dashboards
ASTHO Report: Accelerating Data Exchange in Public Health: Insights from Public Health FHIR Pilots
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 3, Session 3: Applying Emotional Intelligence Strategies
ASTHO Newscast: Public Health Review Morning Edition
Alfredo Ramirez, Director of the Operation Analysis Office at the Tennessee Department of Health, explains how his department expanded its contract tracking system to enhance efficiency and manage grants across their life cycle; Kellie Waugh, Analyst of Health Improvement and Healthy Aging at ASTHO, shares how a new report can help state health agencies to support communities impacted by Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias by highlighting recent legislative activity and examples of promising strategies; tomorrow, Thursday October 2nd, ASTHO will host the final installment of its Succession Planning webinar series about putting the plan into action; and sign up for ASTHO’s legislative alerts to make sure you don’t miss any updates on the current federal government shutdown.
ASTHO Blog: Tennessee and Connecticut Are Transforming Procurement and Grant Management Systems
ASTHO Report: From Policy to Practice: Supporting Brain Health and Caregiving at the State Level
ASTHO Webinar: Succession Planning Part 3 of 3: Putting the Plan into Action
ASTHO Web Page: Legislative Alerts
In this special episode of Public Health Review: Morning Edition, Julie Sullivan, Principal at Berry Dunn, discusses how public health agencies can partner with Medicaid to share data and obtain needed resources while saving funds.
BerryDunn: Bridging the gap: Information sharing for Medicaid and public health agencies
ASTHO Web Page: Innovation Advisory Council
Catherine Jones, Senior Analyst of Government Affairs at ASTHO, breaks down what states need to know about the application for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and discusses ASTHO’s recent partnership with Cornerstone Government Affairs to host two expert panels on the subject; Dr. Lena Heilmann, Director of the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, shares the strategies her state employed to achieve the lowest youth suicide rate in Colorado since 2007; on October 7th, PHIG Partners will hold an informational Q&A session for agencies interested in applying to Wave 2 of the Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program; and take a trip through the show’s past in celebration of today’s 1000th episode.
ASTHO Blog: Federal, State, and Stakeholder Perspectives on the Rural Health Transformation Fund
Colorado Dept of Public Health and Environment: Youth Suicide Rate in Colorado Drops to Lowest Level since 2007, CDPHE Committed to Ensuring Trend Continues
ASTHO Blog: Public Health Approaches to Preventing Suicide and Promoting Mental Well-Being
ASTHO Report: Public Health's Role in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
ASTHO Legal Mapping Center: Suicide Prevention Offices and Committees Legal Map
PHIG Partners: Public Health Data Modernization IC Program Wave 2 Q&A (Session 2)
Halina Palacios, Chief Operations Officer for Population Health at the Commonwealth Health Care Corporation in the territory of the Northern Mariana Islands, discusses a recent population health summit specifically for pacific public health teams; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, breaks down how the potential government shutdown could impact access to public health funds in this week’s View From Washington, D.C. report; a new ASTHO Health Policy Update focused on Primary Care Offices explores new strategies for data-sharing; and a new Learning Series on the United States Territories and Freely Associated States is now open for enrollment on ASTHO’s website.
ASTHO Blog Article: Population Health Summit Strengthens Pacific Partnership
ASTHO Health Policy Update: Data-Sharing Strategies to Support Access to Care Interventions
ASTHO Learning Series: A Learning Series on the United States Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Health Policy Update: Data-Sharing Strategies to Support Access to Care Interventions
ASTHO Learning Series: A Learning Series on the United States Territories and Freely Associated States
Kim Martin, Director of Infectious Diseases at ASTHO, recaps the recent ACIP meeting that took place and discusses the conversation’s potential impacts on public health; Veronica Bryant, Emergency Preparedness and Outbreak Coordinator for the Environmental Health section of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, shares how her state strengthened its extreme weather emergency preparedness following a series of hurricanes; on October 29th, ASTHO will host Part I of its new webinar series on how to enhance an environmental health response during extreme weather events; and ASTHO welcomes new member Dr. Mark McDaniel, State Health Officer for West Virginia.
ASTHO Webinar: Weathering the Storm: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response Part I
CDC: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)
Mark McDaniel Bio
Maria Courogen, Executive Director for the Center for Access to Whole Person Care at the Washington State Department of Health, explains how her state worked to enable the continued support of Community Health Workers (CHWs) by developing a sustainable funding model; Dr. Heather Krasna, Associate Dean of Career and Professional Development at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, breaks down the nuances of applying to governmental public health roles and discusses ASTHO’s checklist resource, which walks applicants through the process; today is the third session of ASTHO’s Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab series focused on public health nursing residency programs and leadership pathways; and ASTHO President-Elect Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, and ASTHO alum Dr. Umair Shah, will participate on a panel at Health Systems Implementing Climate Action, a Climate Week NYC 2025 event.
ASTHO Web Page: Community Health Workers
ASTHO Resource: Your Guide to Navigating the Governmental Public Health Job Search Process
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab - A Series
Climate Week NYC 2025: Health Systems Implementing Climate Action
Andy Baker-White, ASTHO’s Senior Director for State Health Policy, provides an update on the legislative actions states are taking across the country to ensure continued vaccination access within their jurisdictions; Captain Artensie Flowers, Director of the Division of Regional Operations with the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), discusses the in-person workshop that ASPR hosted in partnership with ASTHO to help ASPR’s regional teams and state and territorial public health leaders enhance preparedness during public health emergencies; ASTHO welcomes new member Sherry Adams, North Dakota’s recently appointed State Health Officer; and sign up for ASTHO’s legislative alerts to stay informed about any legislative or policy movements that affect public health.
ASTHO Web Page: State Health Policy
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Preparedness
Sherry Adams Bio
ASTHO Web Page: Legislative Alerts
Dr. Joseph Kanter, CEO of ASTHO, joined Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health (TFAH), Rhea Faberman, Director of Strategic Communications and Policy at TFAH, and Lori Freeman, CEO of NACCHO, during a recent briefing about TFAH’s report that details the impact of CDC funding on public health; Madelyn Maxwell, Healthy Aging and Falls Prevention Project Coordinator for the Oklahoma State Department of Health Injury Prevention Service, shares how her state is working to engage communities in prevention efforts during Falls Prevention Awareness Week; the final session of ASTHO’s Succession Planning webinar series with a focus on putting plans into action takes place October 2nd; the highlights from last month’s Public Health Infrastructure Grant Annual Recipient Convening are available online now; and CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory about a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
TFAH Report: Public Health Infrastructure in Crisis: HHS Workforce Cuts, Reorganizations, and Funding Reductions: Impacts and Solutions
National Council on Aging: The 2025 National Falls Prevention Action Plan
ASTHO Report: Expanding Falls Prevention Through Surveillance, Community-Clinical Linkages, and Strategic Planning and Evaluation
ASTHO Blog: Strengthening Policies to Prevent Older Adult Falls
ASTHO Webinar: Succession Planning Part 3 of 3: Putting the Plan into Action
PHIG Partners: 2025 PHIG Convening Builds Stronger Connections, Inspires Action, and Advances Data Modernization
CDC Health Alert Network: Ebola Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
JW Randolph, Deputy Commissioner at the Tennessee Department of Health, shares how his state’s new Office for Healthy Aging has been successful in coordinating statewide efforts to care for Tennessee’s aging communities; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Government Affairs, provides an update on funding for the federal government in this week’s View From Washington, D.C. report; part three of the Public Health Nursing Learning Lab Series takes place next week on September 24th, at 3:00 p.m. ET, which will focus on residency programs and leadership pathways; a recent ASTHO blog article details the North Dakota Lead Prevention Program and how the state strengthened its coordination with tribal health officials; and congratulations to ASTHO alum Doctor John Armstrong, former Surgeon General and Secretary of Health for the state of Florida, for his reelection as Vice Speaker of the American Medical Association House of Delegates.
ASTHO Web Page: Healthy Aging and Brain Health
Tennessee Dept of Health: Office of Healthy Aging
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Summary of FY26 Continuing Resolution
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab - A Series
ASTHO Blog: North Dakota Lead Exposure Outreach Program
Bio: John H. Armstrong, MD
Shalini Nair, Senior Analyst of Infectious Disease at ASTHO, tells public health professionals everything they need to know about New World Screwworm (NWS), and what to do if their state experiences a case; Maggie Nilz, Senior Analyst of Preparedness at ASTHO, shares information from a new Health Policy Update on public health preparedness for extreme weather events; up to four states have the opportunity to host a two-day, in-person wastewater surveillance training opportunity, and the deadline to apply is September 19th; the latest edition of the DELPH Magazine is out, providing health officials with new information about the Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health program; and next Thursday, September 25th at 2:00 p.m. ET is the second session of the Activate series in the Ignite, Accelerate and Activate workshop, which will focus on improving emotional intelligence.
ASTHO Blog: New World Screwworm Insights and Action Steps
ASTHO Health Policy Update: State Policy Advances in Extreme Weather Preparedness
ASTHO Web Page: Ethical Analysis for Infectious Disease Wastewater Surveillance Training Opportunity
ASTHO Web Page: DELPH Magazine
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 3, Session 2: Improving Emotional Intelligence
Dr. Susan Kansagra, Chief Medical Officer at ASTHO, discusses updates to federal health initiatives that continue to impact public health agencies, including the latest report from the Make America Health Again Commission and recent activity regarding vaccines; Tiffany Day, Public Health Specialist with the Henry County Health Department in Ohio, previews what she’ll discuss as a speaker during ASTHO’s Succession Planning webinar session tomorrow, and highlights how succession planning can enhance the existing public health workforce; it’s Telehealth Awareness Week and ASTHO’s resource page has everything your department needs to expand its telehealth initiatives; and applications are now open for the second cohort of the Leadership Exchange for Adolescent Health Promotion Plus Community of Practice, which can help health agencies advance health education.
U.S. Dept of HHS: MAHA Commission Unveils Sweeping Strategy to Make Our Children Healthy Again
U.S. Dept of HHS: CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to Meet September 18-19
ASTHO Blog: Levers for Preventing Chronic Disease That Intersect with Key MAHA Report Themes
ASTHO Web Page: Telehealth
ASTHO Webinar: Succession Planning Part 2 of 3: Laying the Groundwork
ASTHO Web Page: Leadership Exchange for Adolescent Health Promotion Plus (LEAHP+) Community of Practice Cohort 2
In today's installment of the PHIG Impact Report, Dr. Edward Simmer, ASTHO member and the Interim Director of the South Carolina Department of Public Health, discusses how his department is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Marissa Eyanson, Director of Behavioral Health for the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, shares how her department is breaking down silos between its behavioral health and disability service systems to make it easier for Iowans to access care; Dr. Paul Petersen, Director of the Emergency Preparedness Program with the Tennessee Department of Health, explains how his state teamed up with ASTHO to strengthen its Healthcare Resource Tracking System (HRTS) and support emergency preparedness efforts; on September 16th, PHIG Partners Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program will hold the first of two Q&A sessions on Wave 2 applications; and Thursday, September 18th, ASTHO will host its second session in its three-part Succession Planning series to help public health agencies develop a more resilient workforce.
Iowa HHS: State of Iowa Launches New Behavioral Health and Disability Services Systems
ASTHO Resource: Public Health Preparedness
PHIG Partners: Public Health Data Modernization IC Program Wave 2 Q&A (Session 1)
ASTHO Webinar: Succession Planning Part 2 of 3: Laying the Groundwork
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, discusses the Op-Ed he co-authored in the Chicago Tribune on the progress his state has made in treating HIV; Brandon Kufalk, STI Unit Supervisor for the state of Wisconsin, explains the dramatic increase in Syphilis rates since 2019 and how his state has worked to reduce cases; a new ASTHO brief provides key considerations for STI programs during an emergency response; the next session of ASTHO’s Public Health Nursing Learning Lab Series takes place on September 24th; and in recognition of Suicide Prevention Month, ASTHO has resources that can help public health leaders protect the communities they serve.
Chicago Tribune: Ending the HIV epidemic is in sight. We can't stop now.
Wisconsin Dept of Health Services: New Data Show Congenital Syphilis Increasing in Wisconsin While Other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Decrease
ASTHO Brief: Prioritizing Cases and Contacts: Considerations for STI Programs During Emergency Response
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab - A Series
ASTHO Web Page: Suicide Prevention Offices and Committees Legal Map
Dr. Jen Layden, Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation at ASTHO, discusses her previous experience in data modernization and what’s to come as she takes on her new role; Dr. Rick Neitzel, professor of environmental health sciences at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, talks about the University’s partnership with Apple to study hearing and the impact of noise pollution; ASTHO invites state agencies to apply to be one of four states chosen for an in-person ethical wastewater surveillance training opportunity; and ASTHO welcomes new member Dr. Meg Sullivan, Deputy Secretary of Public Health Services at the Maryland Department of Health.
University of Michigan: Collaboration with Apple and World Health Organization studies sound exposure impacts on hearing
ASTHO Web Page: Ethical Analysis for Infectious Disease Wastewater Surveillance Training Opportunity
Meg Sullivan Bio
Dr. Catherine Brown, State Epidemiologist and State Public Health Veterinarian at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, discusses ASTHO’s recent meeting with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) and the importance of the One Health approach; a recent ASTHO blog article details the importance of preparing to ensure animals are accounted for during radiological incidents; Dr. Dave Chokshi, Chair of the Common Health Coalition, explains the changes made to FDA regulations ahead of respiratory vaccination season, and how the coalition can help public health leaders prepare; and ASTHO will hold its next succession planning webinar on September 18th, with a focus on laying the groundwork and incorporating data into planning efforts.
ASTHO Web Page: One Health Webinars
ASTHO Blog: Planning for Animal Needs During a Radiological Incident
Common Health Coalition
ASTHO Webinar: Succession Planning Part 2 of 3: Laying the Groundwork
Dr. Lindsay Weaver, State Health Commissioner of Indiana, discusses the public health programs that Indiana employed to achieve its lowest infant mortality rate in more than a century; Corinne Gillenwater, Analyst of Chronic Disease and Health Improvement at ASTHO, shares how ASTHO’s new e-learning module can equip Community Health Workers (CHWs) with the tools and resources they need to support healthy aging in individuals with Alzheimer's disease; the highlights from ASTHO’s recent INSPIRE: Readiness webinar on communicating with data during infectious disease emergencies are now available online; and the PHIG Partners Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program is hosting two Q&A sessions for public health agencies to learn more about applying to Wave 2.
Indiana Department of Health: HEALTH DEPARTMENT CELEBRATES HISTORIC DECREASE IN INFANT MORTALITY RATE
ASTHO Learning Module: Equipping Community Health Workers to Address Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias in Their Communities
ASTHO Web Page: Highlights from INSPIRE: Readiness - Communicating About Data and Surveillance During Infectious Disease Emergencies
PHIG Partners: Public Health Data Modernization IC Program Wave 2 Q&A (Session 1)
Dr. Dan Edney, ASTHO Member and State Health Officer of the Mississippi State Department of Health, and Dr. Susan Kansagra, Chief Medical Officer at ASTHO, discuss the Rural Health Transformation Program and the recent ASTHO panels that covered what states can expect and how some agencies are preparing; Tim Rosselet, Manager of Digital Learning and Design at ASTHO, shares more about Thursday’s upcoming Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate webinar session on emotional intelligence skills in the public health workplace; ASTHO is looking for state agencies to apply to participate in ethical wastewater surveillance trainings, which will take place in-person in four selected states; and ASTHO’s evidence-based technical packages can help departments improve community health interventions with tactical tools and strategies.
ASTHO Blog: Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 3, Session 1: Building Emotional Intelligence Skills
ASTHO Web Page: Ethical Analysis for Infectious Disease Wastewater Surveillance Training Opportunity
ASTHO Resource: Evidence-Based Public Health
Dr. Arti Barnes, Chief Medical Officer at the Illinois Department of Public Health, describes how her agency is working collaboratively with other state departments to enhance access to pediatric vaccinations; Jeffrey Ekoma, Senior Director of Government Affairs at ASTHO, discusses changes to the CDC, this month’s federal funding deadline, and more news from Capitol Hill in this week’s View From Washington, D.C. report; a full-length recording of ASTHO’s webinar on Navigating Ethical Issues in Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Diseases is now available online; and ASTHO congratulates new member Dr. John Dunn on his appointment as Interim Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health.
ASTHO Newscast: 925: KFF Tracking Poll, Youth Vaccines
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Summary of FY26 House LHHS Appropriations Bill
ASTHO Web Page: INSPIRE: Readiness - Navigating Ethical Issues in Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Diseases
John Dunn Bio
Former ASTHO President Dr. Anne Zink, Senior Clinical Fellow at Yale University and practicing emergency medicine physician, shares how PopHIVE, a database of de-identified, population-level health data, draws data from various sources, allowing public health providers to find patterns and make informed decisions; Nicholas Porter, Director for Environmental Health at ASTHO, discusses the public health threats that exist during floods and hurricanes, and what some states are doing to protect communities; ASTHO’s Wildfire and Wildfire Smoke Guidance and Resources can help jurisdictions strengthen their emergency preparedness; and ASTHOs latest legislative alert
PopHIVE Web Page
ASTHO Blog: Responding to Environmental Health Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Web Page: Wildfire and Wildfire Smoke Guidance and Resources
Former ASTHO President Dr. Anne Zink, Senior Clinical Fellow at Yale University and practicing emergency medicine physician, shares how PopHIVE, an interactive database of de-identified, population-level health data, can help public health providers navigate health trends in their respective jurisdictions; Joy Ermie, Health Commissioner of Henry County Health Department, discusses ASTHO’s upcoming webinar series on succession planning explains how it can help address various public health challenges; Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, gave the closing keynote last week at the National Conference on Tobacco or Health in Chicago; and ASTHO's State and Territorial Administrative Readiness (STAR) Center offers resources, tools, and best practices to help your agency build infrastructure and address critical population health needs.
PopHIVE Web Page
ASTHO Webinar: Succession Planning Part 1 of 3: Building the Case for Succession Planning
National Conference on Tobacco or Health (2025)
ASTHO Resource: State and Territorial Administrative Readiness (STAR) Center
Sara Patterson, Acting Director of CDC’s Public Health Infrastructure Center, details her view of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Madison Hluchan, ASTHO Assistant Director of Medicaid Health Systems Partnerships, details how a new ASTHO resource can help your team with the Rural Health Transformation Program; and JoAnne Deehr, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, shares prevention and response policies to reduce overdoses involving synthetic opioids.
ASTHO Blog Article: Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program
ASTHO Blog Article: Prevention and Response Policies to Reduce Overdoses Involving Synthetic Opioids
ASTHO Web Page: Legislative Alerts
Christy Roby, Local Public Health Performance Section Supervisor with Iowa Health and Human Services, explains how her agency developed a new technical assistance infrastructure referral system; Chelsea Cipriano, Managing Director of the Common Health Coalition, celebrates National Community Health Worker Awareness Week by sharing how her organization is working to build partnerships between public health and healthcare programs; ASTHO has a web page dedicated to CHW’s; and ASTHO's evidence-based technical packages can provide health agencies with accessible strategies to enhance community health interventions.
ASTHO Blog: Iowa Promotes Public Health Infrastructure by Supporting Local Health Departments
ASTHO Resource: Tools That Support Community Health Worker Programs in Island Jurisdictions
ASTHO Web Page: Community Health Workers
ASTHO Web Page: Evidence-Based Public Health
Dr. Joseph Kanter, CEO of ASTHO, joined us from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant Annual Recipient Convening to discuss the importance of public health leaders coming together to learn from one another; Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, explains how his department works to improve access to care in rural communities across the state; ASTHO will host the first webinar session of the Activate series in the Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate leadership workshop on Thursday, September 11th; and the PHIG National Partners Connections newsletter helps keep public health leaders up to date on deadlines, project updates, resources, and more.
Illinois Department of Public Health: Rural & Underserved Populations
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 3, Session 1: Building Emotional Intelligence Skills
ASTHO Web Page: PHIG Connections Newsletter
Dr. Kayla Anderson, Senior Advisor for Mental Health and Adverse Childhood Experiences in the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, shares how the CDC’s new mental health data channel streamlines access to essential data and resources that often become siloed by different sources; Dr. Scott Rivkees, Dean of Education at the School of Public Health at Brown University, talks about his goals for public health students, current challenges in the field, and the importance of communities like ASTHO; ASTHO will hold a webinar with PHIG National Partners today, Tuesday, August 26th, about Wave 2 of the Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program; and ASTHO welcomes new ASTHO member Ashley Newmyer, Interim Director for the Division of Public Health at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
CDC: Mental Health Data Channel
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
Ashley Newmyer Bio
Key James, Reproductive Health Unit Manager with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, shares her takeaways as a recent graduate of ASTHO’s Developing Executive Leadership in Public Health program; Suleima Salgado, CEO of the Global Partnership for Telehealth and Principal Investigator for the Southeastern Telehealth Resource Center, discusses emerging trends in telehealth and its important role in expanding access to care; a new study published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice explores AI’s potential in expediting the content analysis of public health documents to facilitate continuous program improvement; and Dr. John Langefeld, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, will provide a keynote at the 10th Annual Kentucky Rural Telehealth Summit on September 25th in Frankfort, Kentucky.
ASTHO Web Page: Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health
Global Partnership for TeleHealth
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice: Content Analysis of Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans Using Artificial Intelligence: A Use Case for Public Health Practitioners
University of Kentucky: Registration open for the 10th annual Kentucky Rural Telehealth Summit
Dr. Gillian Schauer, Director of the Cannabis Regulators Association, discusses the recent Cannabis Regulators Association external stakeholders meeting; Amelia Poulin, ASTHO Assistant Director of Emerging Infectious Disease, tells us about ASTHO’s new INSPIRE Readiness web page focused on infectious disease preparedness; an upcoming 3 part ASTHO webinar series will focus on succession planning; and join the PHIG National Partners for an informational webinar introducing Wave 2 of the Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program on August 26.
CANNRA Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Innovative Solutions to Mitigate Infectious Disease Outbreaks
ASTHO Webinar: Succession Planning Part 1 of 3 – Building the Case for Succession Planning
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
Dr. Dan Edney, State Health Officer with the Mississippi Department of Health, explains what the state is doing to meet the public health needs of rural communities across the state; Shirley Orr, Executive Director for the Association of Public Health Nurses and lead speaker of ASTHO’s new Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab series, discusses what may motivate nurses to choose the public health field; on Thursday, September 11th, ASTHO will hold the first session of the Activate series, the third installment of its Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate workshop, on building emotional intelligence skills; and ASTHO welcomes new member Dr. Lawrence Greenblatt, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.
Mississippi State Department of Health: Rural Health and Population Studies
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 3, Session 1: Building Emotional Intelligence Skills
Lawrence Greenblatt Bio
Darcy Pickens, Program Coordinator for the Office of Suicide Prevention at the California Department of Public Health, explains how the state’s “Never a Bother” youth suicide prevention campaign collaborated with youth to develop a campaign tailored to their needs; Courtney Dezendorf, Director for the Office of Practice and Learning at the Texas Department of State Health Services, shares the statewide strategy her department developed to expand partnerships between Texas’ local health departments and academic institutions; an ASTHO resource provides public health leaders with the information they need to learn more about effective infectious disease response; and a new ASTHO blog article describes the art of storytelling and why it’s so essential to the public health field.
California Department of Public Health: California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
ASTHO Blog: Public Health and Academic Leaders Unite Through Texas Consortium
ASTHO Web Page: Infectious Disease Response Resources
ASTHO Blog: The Art (and Science) of Storytelling in Public Health
Dr. Lindsay Weaver, ASTHO Member and the State Health Commissioner of Indiana, discusses how her state is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, and Kate McEvoy, Executive Director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors, discuss a new partnership between the two organizations; Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, and Dr. Manisha Juthani, ASTHO President-Elect and Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, held a deskside briefing discussing ACIP recommendations amid preparations for the upcoming respiratory virus season; a new ASTHO report analyzes recent Medicaid data to determine causes of commercial tobacco use in Washington State; and ASTHO will host a webinar with the PHIG National Partners to introduce Wave 2 of the Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program on August 26.
NAMD Web Page: National Committee for Sustainable Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships
ASTHO YouTube: ASTHO Respiratory Virus Season Deskside Media Briefing
ASTHO Report: Tobacco Use in King County Washington: A Medicaid Data Analysis Report
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, and Dr. Manisha Juthani, ASTHO President-Elect and Commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, held a deskside briefing on the preparations for the upcoming respiratory virus season; Ericka McGowan, Senior Director of Emerging Infectious Disease at ASTHO, explains the importance of case investigation and contact tracing, and how ASTHO’s Foundations in CICT course can help prepare public health providers; a new ASTHO brief breaks down succession planning to help public health departments develop strategies to address workforce challenges; and ASTHO will hold the first webinar of a three-part series on Thursday, September 4th, to explore building a future-ready public health workforce through succession planning.
ASTHO Blog: Strengthening Case Investigation and Contact Tracing Skills: Q&A with Ericka McGowan
ASTHO Brief: Demystifying Succession Planning
ASTHO Webinar: Succession Planning Part 1 of 3: Building the Case for Succession Planning
Dawn Shanafelt, Director of the Division of Maternal and Infant Health and Title V Maternal Child Health Director for the State of Michigan, shares the policies and program that helped the state record its lowest infant mortality rate on record; Dulce Mendoza, Senior Analyst of Island Support at ASTHO, explains how a new learning series can help prepare public health professionals to engage with U.S. territories and freely associated states; applications are now open for ASTHO’s Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health program, a ten-month intensive leadership development full of workshops, coaching, and networking opportunities; and a new ASTHO resource breaks down document management systems to help public health departments determine the best fit.
State of Michigan: Michigan records lowest rate of infant mortality in its history; continues focus on resources to keep moms, babies healthy
ASTHO Learning Series: LMS Module: Exploring Key Insights of U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Webpage: Leadership Development
ASTHO Web Page: Document Management System
Dr. Michelle Morse, Acting Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer for the New York City Health Department, explains how the city’s new video series aims to help educate communities about the impact of Long COVID; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Alum and former Principal Deputy Director at the CDC, discusses the focus of this year’s Executive Leadership Forum, and what he hopes to teach future public health professionals in his new role as a professor at Colby College; Emman Parian, Immunization Program Manager at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation of the Northern Mariana Islands, shares what he learned from the Building Capacity to Advance Health certificate program; ASTHO will host the third webinar session of the Accelerate series on Thursday, August 14th, about accountability, performance, and feedback; and a new ASTHO resource helps public health teams communicate effectively about infectious disease preparedness.
New York City Health Department: Facts vs Fiction: What is Long COVID? A discussion with Dr. Michelle Morse and Matt McGorry
New York City Health Department: Living with Long COVID: Matt McGorry's story
New York City Health Department: The risks and realities of Long COVID: A discussion with Dr. Michelle Morse and Matt McGorry
ASTHO Web Page: Building Capacity to Advance Health Certificate Program
Emman Parian LinkedIn
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 2, Session 3: Accountability, Performance, Feedback
ASTHO Web Page: Communicating About Infectious Disease Preparedness
Dr. James Lewis, Health Officer for the Snohomish County Health Department in Washington State, explains how data can help quicken healthcare-assosciated infection response; Lyla Hunt, Deputy Director of Public Health and Education at the New York State Office of Cannabis Management, tells us about the recent Cannabis Regulator Association stakeholder meeting; a new ASTHO resource can help your department reprioritize Black maternal health; and ASTHO’s INSPIRE hub also has resources for Wastewater Surveillance.
CORHA Web Page
Shonomish County Health Department Web Page
Cannabis Regulators Association Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: Reprioritizing Black Maternal Health
ASTHO Web Page: INSPIRE
ASTHO Web Page: Advancing Wastewater Surveillance for Public Health Impact
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, shares more of her story in this installment of Get To Know ASTHO; Juliane Walker, Public Health Program Specialist at the Wichita State University Community Engagement Institute, discusses the Public Health Employee Well-Being Assessment Guide; an article published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice takes a deeper look at using AI to expedite content analysis of real-world public health documents; and Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, helped author a blog article that provides insights from several executive leadership coaching events.
ASTHO Web Page: Federal Government Affairs
Kansas Health Institute Web Page: Public Health Employee Well-Being Assessment Guide
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Web Page: Content Analysis of Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans Using Artificial Intelligence – A Use Case for Public Health Practitioners
ASTHO Blog Article: Insights from Executive Leadership Coaching for Public Health and Community Leaders
Sam Jarvis, Community Health Division Manager at Johnson County Public Health in Iowa, explains how his DELPH experience helps him prepare others to be leaders in emergencies; applications for ASTHO’s DELPH program are now open; Heather Tomlinson, ASTHO Senior Analyst of the Environmental Health Team, updates us on federal and state activity focused on PFAS chemicals; and August 14 at 2 p.m. ET is ASTHO’s next Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate webinar series.
ASTHO Blog Article: How Public Health Can Better Manage Uncertainty
ASTHO Web Page: Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: States Continue to Address PFAS in U.S. Food and Water Supply
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 2, Session 3: Accountability, Performance, Feedback
Dr. Susan Kansagra, Chief Medical Officer for ASTHO, discusses the recent Make America Healthy Again report, and the work done by state and territorial health departments that intersects with the report’s themes; Ryan Daly, Deputy Director of Finance and Operations for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health, explains how the department’s new standardized process for subrecipient monitoring has helped improve operations; ASTHO’s framework for addressing ethical considerations in public health wastewater surveillance was recently published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Direct; a new ASTHO blog article describes the public health insights that can come from interjurisdictional immunization information systems; and ASTHO welcomes new member Dennis Worsham, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health.
ASTHO Blog: Levers for Preventing Chronic Disease That Intersect with Key MAHA Report Themes
ASTHO Blog: Nebraska Paves the Way for Improved Grant Subrecipient Monitoring
JPHMP Direct: Demystifying Applied Public Health Ethics: New Framework Highlights Ethical Considerations in Wastewater Surveillance and Tools for Deliberating Them
ASTHO Blog: Immunization Information Systems: One Foundational Data Source, Endless Health Insights
Dennis Worsham Bio
Erin Penniston, Chief of Staff of Public Health Services at the Maryland Department of Health, describes how ASTHO’s Peer Assessment Program helped her state’s health department strengthen its administrative infrastructure; Kelsey Tillema, Senior Analyst at ASTHO, shares key takeaways from ASTHO’s Strengthening Administrative Preparedness in Public Health Agencies webinar; the highlights from ASTHO’s recent INSPIRE: Readiness webinar on regional data ecosystems are available online now; and a study published in the Journal of Public Health Management & Practice revealed new opportunities for aligning State Health Improvement, Aging, and Dementia Plans.
ASTHO STAR Center: Peer Assessment Program
ASTHO Blog: Four Strategies to Advance Administrative Preparedness in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: Highlights from INSPIRE: Readiness - Building a Data-Ready Ecosystem for Public Health Response
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice: Bridging Silos: Aligning State Health Improvement, Aging, and Dementia Plans
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, ASTHO Member and the Commissioner of Health for the Minnesota Department of Health, discusses how her department is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, outlines the recent recall of Bicillin; Marie Stratton, Overdose Data to Action Program Manager at the Maryland Department of Health, explains how ASTHO’s technical assistance helped with the department’s OD2A funds; applications are now open for ASTHO’s Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health program; and an ASTHO Brief explains how you can sustain community engagement infrastructure through state public health programming.
ASTHO Web Page: Syphilis
ASTHO Web Page: Health Equity in Overdose Data to Action
ASTHO Web Page: Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health
ASTHO Brief: Sustaining Community Engagement Infrastructure Through State Public Health Programming
Kathy Jorgensen, member of the Board of Directors for the National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs, explains why it’s essential to account for animals in all emergency planning; Jeffrey Ekoma, Senior Director of Government Affairs at ASTHO, discusses HHS nominations, recissions, and more news from Capitol Hill in this week’s View From Washington D.C. report; a new ASTHO report assesses capacity gaps in the radiation readiness workforce; and Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, was a guest speaker this month for the Michigan State Medical Society, where she updated physician leaders on health priorities.
National Alliance of State Animal and Agricultural Emergency Programs
ASTHO Report: Assessing Capacity Gaps in the Radiation Readiness Workforce
MSMS and MDHHS Join Forces to Keep Physicians Informed: Natasha Bagdasarian, MD, on Key Health Priorities
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, ASTHO member and Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, explains how Michigan’s multifaceted approach has reduced overdose deaths across the state; Heidi Westermann, Director of Public Health, Data Modernization and Informatics at ASTHO, shares how ASTHO’s new Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides can help public health departments improve data modernization efforts by giving them a place to start; Dr. Jewel Mullen, ASTHO alum and Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, earned the W. Neal Kocurek Health Advocacy Award from the People’s Community Clinic for outstanding leadership and dedication to health equity; Dr. Ngozi Ezike, ASTHO alum and President and CEO of Sinai Chicago, will be a speaker at the upcoming 2025 TEDxArlington Heights “Under the Surface” Conference; and ASTHO will host the third session of the Accelerate series in the Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate workshop on August 14th, discussing accountability and feedback.
Bagdasarian Op-Ed: We must work to keep overdose deaths down in Michigan
ASTHO Resource: Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides
People's Community Clinic: 2025 There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch - Honoring Dr. Jewel Mullen
TEDxArlington Heights
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 2, Session 3: Accountability, Performance, Feedback
Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, epidemiologist and CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist, addresses the intersection between health and politics and provides words of encouragement to her fellow colleagues in public health; Grace Lee, Senior Analyst at ASTHO, describes a recent ASTHO blog article that dives into how strategic public health messaging can make it more approachable for communities; and a new ASTHO brief dives into how to cultivate a culture of community and belonging in the workplace.
Your Local Epidemiologist
ASTHO Blog: Strategic Public Health Messaging Drives Change
ASTHO Brief: Cultivating a Culture of Community and Belonging in the Workplace
Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, epidemiologist and CEO of Your Local Epidemiologist, shares how her public health newsletter helps to educate readers about the policies and science impacting public health today; Tracy Gruber, Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, explains how the state’s new behavioral health commission works to connect its fragmented mental health infrastructure; ASTHO will host a webinar on Wednesday, July 30th, to teach participants how to navigate the new suicide prevention infrastructure legal maps; and a new ASTHO resource can help jurisdictions promote public health and avoid adverse childhood experiences by prioritizing economic support policies.
Your Local Epidemiologist
Utah Behavioral Health Master Plan
ASTHO Webinar: State and Territorial Infrastructure for Suicide Prevention: Exploring New Legal Maps
ASTHO Web Page: Prioritizing Economic Support Policies to Prevent ACEs and Promote Public Health
Ali Maffey, Vice President of Social and Behavioral Health at ASTHO, explains how ASTHO’s new legal map assists with suicide prevention infrastructure; Noell Stone, Practicum and Capstone Director at the University of New Mexico’s College of Population Health, shares why two of New Mexico’s universities developed a unified framework for applied public health training; ASTHO is now accepting applications for its DELPH program; ASTHO member Dr. Brooke Cunningham of Minnesota and ASTHO alumni Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman of Maryland and Paula Nickelson of Missouri were announced as new board members of the Public Health Accreditation Board; and a new ASTHO blog article describes a recent assessment of public health data aimed at better understanding the health needs of people with disabilities.
ASTHO Web Page: New ASTHO Legal Map Illuminates State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Infrastructure
ASTHO Webinar: State and Territorial Infrastructure for Suicide Prevention: Exploring New Legal Maps
University of New Mexico: New Mexico Universities Join Forces to Bolster Public Health Training
ASTHO Leadership Development
Public Health Accreditation Board: PHAB Announces 2025-26 Board of Directors
ASTHO Blog: Designing With, Not For: Stakeholder-Centered Approaches to Disability Health Data
Dr. Kris Mork, Chief Data Officer for Leidos’ Health & Civil Sector, explains how Leidos is modernizing Medicaid.
Leidos Web Page: Leidos awarded Medicaid Enterprise Systems Integrator contract
Leidos Web Page: Modernizing CDC's information technology to meet growing public health needs
ASTHO Web Page: Innovation Advisory Council
Catherine Murphy, Analyst of Government Affairs at ASTHO, describes the impact of potential cuts to federally funded public health preparedness programs in a new ASTHO Federal Health Policy Update; Monique Farmer, President of Avant Solutions, shares what she’ll be discussing in today’s ASTHO webinar on public health communication strategies; the highlights from ASTHO’s recent INSPIRE: Readiness webinar on rumors and public trust are available online now; and Sheila Sjolander, Interim Director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, is welcomed as ASTHO’s newest member.
ASTHO Federal Health Policy Update: Federal Preparedness Programs Support Health Departments
ASTHO Webinar: Enhancing Public Health Communication: Tools for Engagement & Visibility
ASTHO Web Page: Highlights from INSPIRE: Readiness - Tackling Public Health Communication Conundrums: Rumors and Public Trust
Sheila Sjolander Bio
Amy Ciarlo, Senior Analyst for Chronic Disease Risk Factors at ASTHO, describes ASTHO’s new Health Policy Update on recent legislation focused on limiting the risk of older adult falls; Rebecca Ruvane, Senior Program Analyst at the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, discusses their joint webinar with ASTHO taking place tomorrow, July 24th, at 11 a.m. ET on data collection methods that are used to analyze people with disabilities; ASTHO is hosting a webinar tomorrow, July 24th, at 2 p.m. ET on tools for communication in public health; and John Auerbach, ASTHO past president and Senior Vice President for ICF, will participate in a Public Health Institute webinar next Wednesday, July 30th, to talk about how AI in public health can help meet community needs.
ASTHO Health Policy Update: Strengthening Policies to Prevent Older Adult Falls
CSTE + ASTHO Webinar: Building an Infrastructure for Disability Health Surveillance
ASTHO Blog: Creating Inclusive Disability Data Systems
ASTHO Blog: Designing With, Not For: Stakeholder-Centered Approaches to Disability Health Data
ASTHO Webinar: Enhancing Public Health Communication: Tools for Engagement & Visibility
Public Health Institute Webinar: AI in Public Health: Amplifying Our Ability to Meet the Needs in Our Communities
Dr. Robert Goldstein, ASTHO Member and the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, takes us through how his department is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. Vanessa Coffman, Director of the Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness, shares how the organization’s new Food Safety Culture Toolkit can help public health officials strengthen food safety efforts; Dr. Michelle Morse, Acting Commissioner for the New York City Health Department, explains how their new series, “Living with Long Covid,” is helping to educate New Yorkers about the illness; ASTHO will host a webinar on Thursday, July 24th, about effective communication strategies to enhance public health messaging; ASTHO has developed resources to help jurisdictions implement upstream policies that prevent adverse childhood experiences; and next Wednesday, July 23rd, the second session of the Accelerate series in ASTHO’s Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate online workshop will take place to discuss conflict and collaboration.
Alliance to Stop Foodborne Illness Web Page: Food Safety Culture Toolkit
New York City Department of Health Web Page: The risks and realities of Long COVID: A discussion with Dr. Michelle Morse and Matt McGorry
New York City Department of Health Web Page: Living with Long COVID - Matt McGorry's story
New York City Department of Health Web Page: Facts vs Fiction - What is Long COVID? A discussion with Dr. Michelle Morse and Matt McGorry
ASTHO Webinar: Enhancing Public Health Communication: Tools for Engagement & Visibility
ASTHO Web Page: Upstream Policies to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences
ASTHO Workshop: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 2, Session 2: Conflict & Collaboration
Aileen Benavente-Pangelinan, Environmental Health Program Manager at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, describes how the new food code adopted by the Northern Mariana Islands will improve public health safety; Jessica Hulsey, Founder and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum, explains how new CDC provisional overdose data indicates that public health measures are working, and how to sustain success; ASTHO is kicking off its Public Health Nursing Learning Lab Series next Wednesday, July 23rd; and ASTHO’s PHIG National Partners Connections newsletter keeps members up to date on all Public Health Infrastructure Grant news.
CNMI Law: Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Food Code
CDC: Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab
ASTHO Subscribe: PHIG Connections Newsletter
Laura Knights, CEO and founder of Knights Consulting, shares what the second installment of ASTHO’s Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate series has to offer public health leadership; Dr. Anil Mangla, Director for Disease Surveillance and Control at the South Nevada Health District, highlights the benefits and ethical concerns of wastewater surveillance; ASTHO is launching its Public Health Nursing Learning Lab Series next Wednesday, July 23rd; and ASTHO warmly welcomes new member Dena Schmidt, Administrator of the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health, to the ASTHO community.
ASTHO Workshop: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 2, Session 2: Conflict & Collaboration
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE: Readiness - Navigating Ethical Issues in Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Diseases
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab
Dena Schmidt Bio
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, shares how ASTHO will use the Public Health Workforce Interest and Needs Survey (PH WINS) to guide national public health priorities; Emma Pliskin, research scientist at Child Trends, shares what their new study reveals about trends in STI testing and why many patients are missing key testing opportunities; ASTHO is holding an INSPIRE: Readiness webinar tomorrow, Tuesday July 17th, at 2 p.m. EST on the role of wastewater surveillance in preventing infectious diseases and navigating the ethical concerns that come with it; and a summary of the Tobacco Control Network’s Office Hour on Federal Policy and Funding Updates is now available online.
PH WINS Dashboard
Child Trends Study: Missed Opportunities for STI Testing in Contraceptive Care
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE: Readiness - Navigating Ethical Issues in Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Diseases
Tobacco Control Network Summary: TCN Office Hour on Federal Policy and Funding Updates
Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, shares how the 2024 PH WINS survey can help state and local health departments develop more strategic workforce development plans; Dr. David Spach, Editor-in-Chief for the National STD Curriculum and Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington in Seattle, explains how the university’s online STI curriculum is providing reliable education to healthcare professionals across the globe; ASTHO alum Dr. Tomás Aragón has been appointed to be an Impact Fellow at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, where he will launch projects and share expertise with the school’s students and scholars; ASTHO is holding a webinar next Thursday, July 24th, about effective communication strategies for public health messaging; and a new ASTHO toolkit is available for states to strengthen immunization infrastructure through partnerships with Community Action Agencies.
PH WINS Dashboard
National STD Curriculum Web Page
National STD Curriculum Podcast
National HIV Curriculum Web Page
UC Berkeley Public Health: UC Berkeley School of Public Health welcomes second cohort of impact fellows
ASTHO Webinar: Enhancing Public Health Communication: Tools for Engagement & Visibility
ASTHO Toolkit: Strengthening State Immunization Infrastructure Through Public Health-Community Action Partnerships
Kristin Raab, Director of the Minnesota Climate and Health Program at the Minnesota Department of Health, shares how the state’s “Stay Cool Minnesota” campaign is working to protect Minnesotans against the negative health effects of extreme heat; ASTHO Alum, Dr. Matthew Christiansen, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Health Affairs at Valley Health Systems, discusses ASTHO’s recent Executive Leadership Forum and the value of public health; ASTHO’s new data dashboard to help states use data to guide health improvement; and an ASTHO training on legal maps will take place on July 30th.
Minnesota Department of Health News Release: Health officials launch campaign to encourage Minnesotans to ‘Stay Cool’ during extreme heat
ASTHO Brief: How States Can Leverage Data to Guide Health Improvement
ASTHO Webinar: State and Territorial Infrastructure for Suicide Prevention: Exploring New Legal Maps
Maggie Nilz, Senior Analyst of Preparedness at ASTHO, explains how states can help support public health preparedness workforce resilience and capacity; Carolyn Mullen, Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations at ASTHO, shares what Congress has been busy with in this week’s View from Washington, D.C. report; a new ASTHO resource helps prevent adverse childhood experiences by providing various economic support program options; and Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO Past President, was named co-leader of a new population health data initiative at the Yale School of Public Health.
ASTHO Health Policy Update: States Stay Prepared by Supporting the Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Legislative Alert: One Big Beautiful Bill Law Summary
ASTHO Web Page: Prioritizing Economic Support Policies to Prevent ACEs and Promote Public Health
Yale School of Public Health unveils PopHIVE
Kristen Rogers, writer for CNN Wellness, explains why synthetic food dyes are being banned by states across the country and how each state is taking action; Felicia Quintana-Zinn, Associate Director of Health Data with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, discusses the value of ASTHO’s Executive Leadership Forum and what makes it a unique opportunity; Dr. Dan Edney, ASTHO Board Member and State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, was featured on the first episode of the department’s new “Health Talk MS” podcast to discuss the state’s largest preventable health threats; and ASTHO just released a new episode of Public Health Review on forming strong partnerships across state and local agencies.
CNN News Article: Over half of US states are trying to eliminate food dyes. Here’s what you can do now
CNN News Article: What eliminating artificial food dyes could mean for the food system
ASTHO Facebook Post: ASTHO’s 2025 Executive Leadership Forum
Health Talk MS Podcast Web Page
ASTHO Public Health Review Episode: Partnering to Expand Adolescent Access to School Health Services
Dr. Allison Arwady, Director at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC, details a recent webinar focused on mental health and overdose prevention; Beth Giambrone, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, explains some of the challenges island jurisdictions face; ASTHO Member Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, recently gave a keynote address at the June 2025 Food as Medicine Summit; and on Thursday, July 10th ASTHO will hold the next Inspire Readiness Webinar focused on communicating about data and surveillance during infectious disease emergencies.
CDC Web Page: About the Division of Overdose Prevention
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health Legislation in Island Areas
Food As Medicine Web Page
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness - Communicating About Data and Surveillance During Infectious Disease Emergencies
Patricia Tilley, Associate Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, details the critical needs the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has helped with.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. Jay Varma, physician and epidemiologist with the Community Healthcare Network, describes the importance of embracing new AI technologies in public health; Dr. Amanda Simanek, associate professor at the Chicago Medical School and Director of the Michael Reese Foundation Center for Health Equity Research at Rosalind Franklin University, discusses what’s to come this Thursday, July 10th in ASTHO’s INSPIRE: Readiness webinar on effective data communication during public health crises; ASTHO is kicking off its five-part Public Health Nursing Learning Lab Series on Wednesday, July 23rd, with a conversation about the evolving role and impact of public health nurses; and Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO alum and past president, begins his new role as secretary of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, where he’ll work alongside the rest of the cabinet to manage Kentucky’s human services.
HealthBeat Web Page: Here’s how artificial intelligence could improve public health
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE: Readiness - Communicating About Data and Surveillance During Infectious Disease Emergencies
ASTHO Series: Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab
The News-Enterprise News Article: A conversation with Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky’s new health cabinet secretary
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from June 3, 2025.
Autumn Watson, Public Health Organizational Development Director for the Mecklenburg County Public Health Department, explains how PHIG is being used at the local level.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from May 13, 2025.
Esther Muña, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation and Territorial Health Official for the Northern Mariana Islands, explains how their Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funds allowed them to improve security and integrate care through a new electronic health record system; Jerry Larkin, Director of the Department of Health of Rhode Island, describes how PHIG has been an asset to his department in preventing illness and enabling advancements; Jacki Tulafono, Division Head for the Department of Health in American Samoa, shares how PHIG dollars support key functions at their agency, allowing them to provide services to those that need it most.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from April 18, 2025.
Dr. Allison Arwady, Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC, tells us about historic progress in the field of overdose prevention; Catherine Murphy, ASTHO Governmetn Affairs Analyst, discusses the advocacy effort from ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Forum; and Trust for America’s Health will host a Congressional Briefing on April 23rd that is focused on its Ready or Not 2025 report.
CDC Web Page: CDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths
ASTHO Blog Article: Strengthening Public Health Advocacy at ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Forum
Trust for America’s Health Web Page: TFAH Congressional Briefing – Ready or Not
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 882: Harris Testifies on Hill; 2025 TFAH Report
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from April 1, 2025.
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, gives examples from across the country of success stories that stem from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Kelly Dougherty, Deputy Commissioner at the Vermont Department of Health, shares how drug testing has helped reduce the state’s opioid overdose deaths; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Government Affairs, breaks down this week’s View From Washington D.C. Report on public health news from Capitol Hill; Dr. Ralph Alvarado, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, shares how he works with legislators to improve public health during this week’s deskside briefing on the impact of Nutrition on Chronic Disease; and a new ASTHO blog discusses low vaccine uptake among Medicaid members and the barriers to vaccine administration that exist.
Vermont Department of Health: Deaths from Opioid Overdose Declined Significantly in 2024
ASTHO Newscast: View From Washington Episodes
ASTHO Blog: Shaping Vaccine Cost and Coverage for Medicaid-Eligible Individuals
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President, Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lindsay Weaver of Indiana, Dr. James McDonald of New York, and Dr. Ralph Alvarado of Tennessee, share more from Tuesday’s deskside briefing on the impact of Nutrition on Chronic Disease; Kelly Dougherty, Deputy Commissioner at the Vermont Department of Health, explains how the state’s public health strategies reduced opioid overdose deaths; and an ASTHO Blog Article shows that states across the country are reassessing vaccine policy and public health powers due to legislative changes that impact public health authority and access to vaccines.
Vermont Department of Health: Deaths from Opioid Overdose Declined Significantly in 2024
ASTHO Blog Article: States Reassessing Vaccine Policy and Public Health Powers
ASTHO Web Page: STAR Center
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President, Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Lindsay Weaver of Indiana, Dr. James McDonald of New York, and Dr. Ralph Alvarado of Tennessee, held a deskside briefing on the impact of Nutrition on Chronic Disease; Catherine Jones, Senior Analyst of Government Affairs at ASTHO, shares some of the biggest takeaways from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recent budget hearings; ASTHO’s 2025 Executive Leadership Forum Annual meeting is happening now; and publichealthcareers.org can help public health teams in the hiring process.
ASTHO Federal Health Policy Update: HHS Budget Hearings Chart New Direction for Public Health
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition
Public Health Careers
Beth Giambrone, Senior Analyst at ASTHO, discusses her role on the State Health Policy team in this installment of the “Get to Know ASTHO” segment; Dr. Rose Molina, Associate Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School, shares public health strategies that can help reduce the rate of pregnancy-related deaths; and ASTHO will host a desk-side media briefing at 10:30 a.m. ET on the Impact of Nutrition on Chronic Disease.
ASTHO Web Page: State Health Policy
JAMA Network Web Page: Pregnancy-Related Deaths in the US, 2018-2022
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe to Public Health Weekly
Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and State Health Officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health, discusses takeaways from the most recent ASTHO Board of Directors meeting; Alex Kurutz, dialysis epidemiologist for the Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Program at the Tennessee Department of Health, shares how the state created an educational program to help dialysis facilities strengthen infection prevention; Dr. Manisha Juthani, ASTHO’s President-Elect, and Anne Zink, ASTHO’s Past President, served on a panel at the Yale Innovation Summit to discuss how state and local leaders can advance public health and health innovation in today’s political landscape; and stay up to date on all things public health by subscribing to this newscast.
ASTHO Web Page: Board of Directors
ASTHO Blog: Tennessee Partners with Dialysis Facilities to Strengthen Infection Prevention
Yale School of Public Health: Public health needs to find its way through “the in-between”
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe to Public Health Review Morning Edition
Dr. Nicole Magnuson, Director of the Live Well Center for Innovation and Leadership, discusses how the academic practice partnership between San Diego County and San Diego State University strengthens their ability to serve the community; Valerie Henderson, Senior Analyst at ASTHO, explains how ASTHO’s STRETCH 2.0 Initiative brought state and community health leaders together to create strategies for community-centered work; highlights from ASTHO’s INSPIRE: Readiness webinar on AI-Enabled Community-Inclusive Preparedness are now available; and sign up for ASTHO’s legislative alerts to receive notifications of any changes to legislation affecting public health.
ASTHO Blog: San Diego Academic Health Partnership Strengthens Service During COVID-19 and Beyond
Live Well San Diego Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: STRETCH Events Support Sustainable Partnerships and Community Engagement
ASTHO Web Page: Highlights from INSPIRE: Readiness - Navigating AI-Enabled Community-Inclusive Preparedness
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Lillian Colasurdo, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health Law and Data Sharing, is featured in ASTHO’s Get To Know You Segment; Lesley Wolf, Director of Programming with Envision, discusses how their new CHW Financial Sustainability Toolkit can help public health programs fund the work of Community Health Workers; and ASTHO is hosting an INSPIRE Readiness Webinar on Thursday, July 10th, about communicating with data during infectious disease emergencies.
ASTHO Web Page: State Health Policy
ASTHO Web Page: 2025 Legislative Prospectus Series
Envision CHW Financial Sustainability Toolkit
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE Readiness: Communicating About Data and Surveillance During Infectious Disease Emergencies
ASTHO LinkedIn Profile
ASTHO X Profile
ASTHO Facebook Profile
Dr. James McDonald, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, explains how the Public Health Infrastructure Grant strengthens the state’s public health workforce.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Truc Taylor, Director of Health Data Analytics at Guidehouse, a founding member of ASTHO’s Innovation Advisory Council, which is a new multisector collaborative of private sector partners to help ASTHO’s membership and leadership stay informed and nimble on emerging topics affecting public health, walks public health leaders through best approaches to AI.
Guidehouse: The State of GenAI Report 2024
ASTHO Web Page: Innovation Advisory Council
Dr. Anna-Michelle McSorley, Assistant Professor in the Department of Allied Health Sciences at the University of Connecticut, details the findings of her recent study on quality of life indicators in three U.S. territories and explains the importance of data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; Christina Severin, Director of Public Health Law at ASTHO, discusses her role on the State Health Policy team in this installment of the Get to Know You segment; ASTHO welcomes new member Dr. John Langefeld, Medical Director for the Kentucky Department for Public Health; the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory received the Excellence in Public Health Response award for a significant contribution to the CDC; and registration is open for the second installment in ASTHO’s Essentials of Leadership and Management Series, with the first workshop on strategic communications taking place July 9th.
Study: Health-Related Quality of Life in the US Territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
ASTHO State Health Policy
ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center
PHIG Partners: PHIG Infrastructure Grant
John Langefeld, MD
Vermont Department of Health Public Health Laboratory
CDC Laboratory Response Network for Chemical Threats
ASTHO Workshop: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 2, Session 1: Navigating Difficult Conversations
Dr. Jim McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, discusses the State’s Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard and how it can reduce heat related injury; Dr. Tara Kirk Sell, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, previews public health communications topics that will be covered in ASTHO’s INSPIRE Readiness webinar today, Thursday, June 12 at 2 p.m. ET; the Texas Department of State Health Services is leading an initiative to strengthen collaboration between public health and academic health departments; and ASTHO member Dr. Ralph Alvarado, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, was a panelist at the Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit, where he discussed the importance of effective public health messaging.
New York State Department of Health Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard
News Release: New York State Department of Health Launches Interactive Heat Risk and Illness Dashboard
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE: Readiness - Tackling Public Health Communication Conundrums: Rumors and Public Trust
ASTHO Blog: Public Health and Academic Leaders Unite Through Texas Consortium
Trust for America's Health and John A. Harford Foundation: The Age-Friendly Ecosystem Summit
Liz Hamel, Vice President and Director of Public Opinion and Survey Research at KFF, discusses KFF’s latest KFF Tracking Poll on Information and Trust; Tina Tan, State Epidemiologist at the New Jersey Department of Health, tells us about the Protect Me With 3+ program that aims to educate adolescents about the importance of vaccinations; and an ASTHO webinar on Thursday, June 12 at 2 p.m. ET will be a vital conversation on protecting public health and building trust.
KFF Web Page: KFF Tracking Poll on Health Information and Trust – The Public’s Views on Measles Outbreaks and Misinformation
Protect Me With 3+ Program Web Page
Protect Me With 3+ Program Web Page: NJ Students Recognized for Excellence in 13th Annual Vaccine Awareness Contest
ASTHO Webinar Web Page: INSPIRE – Readiness - Tackling Public Health Communication Conundrums: Rumors and Public Trust
ATSHO Web Page: Subscribe
Andy Baker-White, ASTHO Senior Director for State Health Policy, is the first member of ASTHO’s State Health Policy team to be featured in ASTHO’s Get To Know You Segment; Ken Harrison, Workforce Development Director with the Alabama Department of Public Health, explains the Friendly Face Fridays initiative and how it is helping their workforce; an ASTHO blog article focuses on how Hillsborough County, the Florida Department of Health, and the University of South Florida came together to focus on workforce development; and ASTHO's STAR Center offers resources and tools to help state and territorial health agencies modernize and strengthen administrative and organizational capacities.
ASTHO Web Page: State Health Policy
ASTHO Blog Article: Academic Health Partnership Prioritizes Workforce Development in Florida
ASTHO Web Page: State and Territorial Administrative Readiness (STAR) Center
Claire Hannan, Executive Director of the Association of Immunization Managers, details AIM’s 2024 Annual Report as they celebrate 25 years in existence; Sara Bell, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Public Health Systems and Planning, tells us how a new ASTHO resource can help your team with internal communications; an ASTHO webinar on Thursday, July 10 at 2 p.m. ET will aim to teach you how to clearly and effectively communicate public health data; and ASTHO has a crisis communcations hub with trainings, videos, and additional resources.
Association of Immunization Managers Web Page: AIM 2024 Annual Report
ASTHO Blog Article: Field-Tested-Strategies for Effective Communication in Public Health
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness - Communicating About Data and Surveillance During Infectious Disease Emergencies
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health & Crisis Communications Resource Hub
Nate Weed, Chief of Resiliency and Health Security at the Washington State Department of Health, discusses a conversation at the 2025 Preparedness Summit between Directors of Public Health Preparedness, the CDC, and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response facilitated by ASTHO; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, tells us about all the public health happenings from Washington D.C.; on Wednesday, July 9 at 2 p.m. ET the second installment in ASTHO’s Essentials of Leadership and Management series will happen; and ASTHO has a free e-learning opportunity to allow your organization to better utilize the STRETCH framework.
2025 Preparedness Summit Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Legislative Alerts
ASTHO Legislative Alert: White House Releases Additional FY26 Budget Materials
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 2, Session 1: Navigating Difficult Conversations
ASTHO Web Page: Tools to Operationalize Equity Utilizing the STRETCH Framework
Melissa Magstadt, Secretary of Health for South Dakota and an ASTHO Member, explains the state’s first-in-the-nation anonymous naloxone kit distribution program; Colton Anderson, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Public Health Infrastructure and Improvement, tells us about ASTHO’s Quality Advisory Group; an ASTHO webinar scheduled for June 12 aims to help public health practitioners tell the story of public health; and Dr. Broke Cunningham, an ASTHO Member and the Commissioner of Health for the Minnesota Department of Health, will speak at the 2025 Minnesota Rural Health Conference.
Emily’s Hope News Release: Emily’s Hope and South Dakota agencies team up to make lifesaving naloxone widely available
ASTHO Blog Article: Quality Advisory Group Supports Performance Improvement in Health Agencies
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness - Tackling Public Health Communication Conundrums: Rumors and Public Trust
Minnesota Rural Health Conference Web Page
Elizabeth Gunsalus, K-12 Education and Outreach Project Manager at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, explains how the department’s Mobile Lab Experience has been beneficial; Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, spoke at a recent Trust for America’s Health media briefing focused on the most recent Pain in the Nation Report; the Connecticut Tumor Registry marks its 90th anniversary; and Elizabeth Hertel, ASTHO Member and the Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, recently gave the commencement address for the Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine graduation ceremony.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment Web Page: Mobile Lab Experience
Trust for America’s Health Web Page: Pain in the Nation 2025 – The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths
NAACCR 2025 Annual Conference Web Page
Michigan State University Class of 2025 Commencement Web Page
Autumn Watson, Public Health Organizational Development Director for the Mecklenburg County Public Health Department, explains how PHIG is being used at the local level.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Laura Harrington, Professor in the Department of Entomology at Cornell University and Director of the Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases, explains how public health can combat tick-borne diseases; Beth Giambrone, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, discusses public health legislation in states around the country; the first-ever national certification for disease intervention professionals is coming this year; and the Boundary Spanning Leadership Training focused on Alzheimer’s and dementia care will take place June 16th and 17th.
Northeast Regional Center for Excellence in Vector-Borne Diseases Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: Update on State Legislative Sessions 2025
Certified Disease Intervention Certification Program Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Boundary Spanning Leadership Training Interest Form
Brian King, Executive Vice President for U.S. Programs at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, explains how state and local programs are the lifeblood of tobacco prevention; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO's Senior Director for Government Affairs, updates us on a busy few weeks in Washington D.C. that have a direct impact on public health; an article in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice discusses the role of State and Territorial Health Agencies when it comes to supporting healthy aging; and Dr. Puthiery Va, the Director of the Maine CDC and an ASTHO Member, was a guest speaker for the Maine Health Care Association’s “Remember Me” ceremony.
World Health Organization Web Page: World No Tobacco Day
Tobacco Control Newswork Web Page: The Future of Tobacco Control Relies on OSH Funding
ASTHO Blog Article: Tobacco Policy Roundup: Smoking Rates Down but Youth E-Cigarette Use Rising
Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids News Release: Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Names Brian King as Executive Vice President for U.S. Programs
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Web Page: Supporting Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health – The Role of State and Territorial Health Agencies
Maine Health Care Association Web Page: Remember ME 2025 – Celebrating Lifetime Achievements!
Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, offers details on the Make America Health Again report; Lexie Giragosian, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Maternal and Child Health, tells us about an ASTHO brief that zeroes in on adolescent health; an ASTHO webinar today, May 29th at 3 p.m. E.T. focuses on how defined levels of maternal care can reduce maternal mortality and improve health outcomes; an ASTHO blog highlights the effectiveness of academic health partnerships; and ASTHO’s Carolyn Mullen and Lisa Petersen represented ASTHO at the recent ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new HHS portable biocontainment unit.
ASTHO Web Page: Supporting Adolescent Health Through School-Based Health Programs
ASTHO Webinar: Defining Care, Saving Lives: The Role of Levels of Maternal Care in Mortality Reduction
ASTHO Blog Article: Academic Health Partnership Prioritizes Workforce Development in Florida
Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response News Release: HHS launches new Portable Biocontainment Unit, Only domestic capability of transporting and treating patients with high-consequence infectious disease
Danny Staley, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Public Health Programs and Practice, details the recent Healthy Brain Initiative Summit where he presented a keynote presentation; Catherine Murphy, ASTHO Government Affairs Analyst, explains the importance of the Prevention and Public Health Fund; an ASTHO webinar today, May 28th at 1 p.m. ET will focus on administrative preparedness for public health emergencies; and the CDC has launched a new Mental Health Data Channel.
ASTHO Web Page: Healthy Aging and Brain Health
ASTHO Blog Article: An Ounce of Prevention (and Public Health Fund) Is Worth a Pound of Cure
ASTHO Webinar: Strengthening Administrative Preparedness in Public Health Agencies
CDC Web Page: Mental Health Data Channel
Moses Pretrick, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Health & Social Affairs with the Federated States of Micronesia, explains how the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has worked for his team.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. Anne Zink, Former ASTHO President and a Senior Clinical Fellow at the Yale School of Public Health, describes the 100 Miles in May challenge; Anna Bradley, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Public Health Infrastructure and Performance Improvement, discusses how to better gather community engagement metrics; an ASTHO webinar on Wednesday, May 28th at 1 p.m. ET will focus on administrative preparedness for public health emergencies; and your next great hire could be found at publichealthcareers.org.
100 Miles In May Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: Meaningful Measures for Community Engagement in Public Health
ASTHO Webinar: Strengthening Administrative Preparedness in Public Health Agencies
PublicHealthCareers.org
Dr. Sarah Nosal, President-Elect of the American Academy of Family Physicians, discusses the importance of family physicians in regard to mental health; Amelia Poulin, ASTHO Assistant Director of Emerging Infectious Disease at ASTHO, explains why a Disease Intervention Specialist is so important; an ASTHO webinar today, May 22nd at 2 p.m. ET, explores how regional data ecosystems can power smarter public health decisions; and an ASTHO resource walks you through the best ways to integrate sustainability into your implementation of the Healthy Brain Initiative.
National Alliance on Mental Illness Web Page: Mental Health Awareness Month
American Academy of Family Physicians Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Prioritizing Cases and Contacts: Considerations for STI Programs During Emergency Response
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness - Building a Data-Ready Ecosystem for Public Health Response
ASTHO Web Page: Integrating Sustainability Into Healthy Brain Initiative Implementation
Julia McIlroy, Procurement Content Manager for the National Association of State Procurement Officials, discusses administrative preparedness for public health emergencies; Lillian Colasurdo, ASTHO Director of Public Health Law and Data Sharing, tells us about legislative trends regarding mosquito control; an ASTHO webinar on Thursday, May 29th will focus on how defined levels of maternal care can reduce maternal mortality and improve outcomes; and Dr. Manisha Juthani, ASTHO President-Elect and the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, recently delivered a commencement address.
ASTHO Webinar: Strengthening Administrative Preparedness in Public Health Agencies
ASTHO Blog Article: Legislative Trends for Mosquito Control in the United States
ASTHO Webinar: Defining Care, Saving Lives – The Role of Levels of Maternal Care in Mortality Reduction
Kimberly Shoaf, Professor of Public Health and the Director of the Rocky Mountains and High Plains Center for Emergency Public Health, discusses how a data-ready ecosystem for public health response can be beneficial; Ashley Cram, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Population Health, tells us about ASTHO’s new web page dedicated to the support of Community Health Workers in island jurisdictions; and the Be Ready for Measles toolkit from CDC is online now.
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness - Building a Data-Ready Ecosystem for Public Health Response
ASTHO Web Page: Tools That Support Community Health Worker Programs in Island Jurisdictions
CDC Web Page: Be Ready for Measles Toolkit
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Why We Serve – An Inside Look at Public Health AmeriCorps
Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, provides updates on Measles and the Avian Flu; Dr. Ralph Alvarado, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, explains how Tennessee is building a better healthcare system for older Americans; on May 22nd, ASTHO’s next INSPIRE: Readiness webinar focused on data-ready ecosystems will take place; and Dr. Puthiery Va, ASTHO Member and the Maine CDC Director, recently spoke about youth mental health at an event.
Older Americans Month Web Page
Tennessee Web Page: Department of Disability and Aging
Tennessee Department of Health Web Page: Office of Healthy Aging
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness – Building a Data-Ready Ecosystem for Public Health Response
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, tells us why his department wanted to create a dashboard focused on measles; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director of Government Affairs, recaps a busy few weeks on Capitol Hill in this week’s View From Washington D.C. Report; and Dr. Ralph Alvarado, ASTHO Member and Tennessee Commissioner of Health, and ASTHO Alum Dr. Georges Benjamin, will give commencement speeches at the Meharry Medical College.
Illinois Department of Public Health News Release: IDPH Rolls Out New Measles Simulator Dashboard to Empower School Officials to Protect Students and Staff from Outbreaks
Meharry Medical College Web Page: Commencement Speakers
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Alex Karydi, State and Territory Initiatives Director at the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, details a recent assessment from SPRC that looked at the ability of states and territories to prevent suicide successfully; Emily Lapayowker, ASTHO’s Assistant Director of Web, uses Global Accessibility Awareness Day to explain why digital access and inclusion are so important; publichealthcareers.org might be where you find your next great hire; and ASTHO Alum, Dr. Umair Shah, received an award from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Suicide Prevention Resource Center Web Page: State and Territorial Suicide Prevention Needs Assessment Homepage
Suicide Prevention Resource Center Web Page: State Suicide Prevention Infrastructure Recommendations
Global Accessibility Awareness Day Web Page
ASTHO Brief: Website Accessibility – Enhancing Access to COVID-19 Vaccine Registration and Beyond
PublicHealthCareers.org
Brittany Giles-Cantrell, Program Director at the de Beaumont Foundation, tells us why de Beaumont’s 40 Under 40 in Public Health program is so valuable; Catherine Jones, ASTHO Government Affairs Senior Analyst, tells us her journey to ASTHO in this week’s “Get to Know ASTHO” segment; an interactive ASTHO tool compiles data to help your health agency in identifying measures for your suicide prevention programs; and ASTHO’s “Strengthening Administrative Preparedness” webinar will dive into everything you need to know for public health agency preparedness.
de Beaumont Foundation Web Page: 40 Under 40 in Public Health – Nominations
ASTHO Web Page: Suicide Indicator Tool
ASTHO Webinar: Strengthening Administrative Preparedness in Public Health Agencies
Esther Muña, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation and Territorial Health Official for the Northern Mariana Islands, explains how their Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funds allowed them to improve security and integrate care through a new electronic health record system; Jerry Larkin, Director of the Department of Health of Rhode Island, describes how PHIG has been an asset to his department in preventing illness and enabling advancements; Jacki Tulafono, Division Head for the Department of Health in American Samoa, shares how PHIG dollars support key functions at their agency, allowing them to provide services to those that need it most.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Rita Condon, Program Manager for obesity, nutrition, and physical activity with the Department of Health in New Mexico, discusses the agency’s annual child obesity update and the new initiatives in place to promote healthy eating; Andy Baker-White, Senior Director for State Health Policy at ASTHO, reports a new legislative trend of banning certain food dyes and additives in states across the country; ASTHO’s INSPIRE Readiness webinar on the importance of regional data in decision-making takes place May 22nd; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO past president and former Alaska State Health Officer, was appointed to the Steering Committee for the Vaccine Integrity Project.
New Mexico Childhood Obesity 2024 Report
ASTHO: States Moving to Prohibit Additives and Dyes in Food
ASTHO: INSPIRE: Readiness - Building a Data-Ready Ecosystem for Public Health Response
Vaccine Integrity Project
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s new Health and Environment Laboratories improve the state's ability to respond to disease outbreaks and health threats; Get to know Catherine Murphy; the impact of the Public Health AmeriCorps program at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services; the Pennsylvania Department of Health celebrates 120 years; and the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation of the Northern Mariana Islands has been awarded a 2025 Network of Practice Grant from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.
New Kansas Health & Environment Laboratories
AmeriCorps in Action: Strengthening Public Health in Iowa
PA Department of Health Celebrates 120 Years of Service
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation of the Northern Mariana Islands awarded a 2025 Network of Practice Grant
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the state of Michigan, explains the state’s Public Health Data Dashboard, which visualizes public health trends by district and helps to shape awareness of public health’s role in the community; David Stone, Accreditation Analyst at ASTHO, discusses the importance of accreditation and ASTHO’s guide to sustaining efforts across health departments; Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and State Health Officer for Alabama, appeared on a recent Public Health on Call podcast; Dr. Nirav Shah, former ASTHO President and former Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, will give the commencement address at the University of Maine in Farmington; ASTHO will host an event being an effective crisis communicator Thursday, May 8th.
Michigan’s Public Health Data Dashboard
ASTHO: A Guide for Sustainable Public Health Accreditation
Podcast: A Conversation with Alabama’s State Health Officer
ASTHO: Don’t Panic: A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator
UMF Announces Dr. Nirav Shah as Commencement Speaker
Dr. Alex Walley, professor of medicine at the Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, addresses the opioid overdose crisis and community engagement, topics at the Rhode Island’s Community Overdose Engagement (CODE) Summit; Sean Graham, Deputy Director of Emergency Preparedness for the State of Georgia Department of Public Health, discusses the importance of radiological preparedness; ASTHO resources for Mental Health Awareness Month; Dr. Victor Ramos Otero, Secretary of Health for the Puerto Rico Department of Health, honored at the 11th Preventive Health and Immunization Congress for his leadership and accomplishments.
Rhode Island’s Community Overdose Engagement (CODE) Initiative and Summit
National Alliance for Radiation Readiness
ASTHO: Public Health’s Role in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
Victor Ramos Otero, MD, Puerto Rico Department of Health
Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, explains how he came to ASTHO and how his team provides value for members; Vish Viswanath, Professor of Health Communication and Population Sciences at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, explains how an upcoming ASTHO webinar will prepare you to be a better crisis communicator; the Association of Immunization Managers, is celebrating its 25-year anniversary; and Jeff Brown, Acting Commissioner of Health for the State of New Jersey, is ASTHO’s newest member.
ASTHO Webinar: Don't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator
Association of Immunization Managers Web Page: AIM 2024 Annual Report
ASTHO Web Page: New Jersey | Jeff Brown
Brian Weaver, Lead Policy Advisor at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, tells us about an emergency rule to strengthen standards that protect children from lead exposure; Annie Evans, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness, discusses a recent project that aimed to create an official definition of disability for the National Syndromic Surveillance Program; a new ASTHO Legislative alert details President Trump’s FY-26 discretionary budget proposal; and ASTHO’s “Don’t Panic!” webinar on how to be an effective crisis communicator is on May 8th at 1 p.m.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services News Release: As Previewed in 2025 State of the State Address, Gov. Evers Approves DHS Emergency Rule to Strengthen Standards to Prevent Further Hazardous Lead Exposure to Wisconsin Kids
Medscape Web Page: Data Routinely Captured in ED EMRs Can Support People With Disabilities During Public Health Emergencies
ASTHO Legislative Alert: President Trump Releases FY26 Budget Proposal
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
ASTHO Webinar: Don't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator
Kelly Crosbie, Director of the North Carolina Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services, tells us about the community crisis center initiative in her state; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, discusses Congress’ to-do list as they return from a break; an ASTHO webinar later this month will dive into administrative preparedness for public health emergencies; and two members have been elected as ASTHO Board of Directors Regional Representatives.
NCDHHS News Release: NCDHHS and Trillium Health Resources Announce New Crisis Centers
ASTHO Webinar: Strengthening Administrative Preparedness in Public Health Agencies
Dr. Kaitlan Baston, ASTHO Alum and the former New Jersey Commissioner of Health, reflects on her time in the role as she steps down; Dr. Hang Lu, Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Media at the University of Michigan, discusses an article about the use of Generative AI for vaccine misbelief correction state and territory leaders, ASTHO staff, and more are attending Prep Summit 2025 this week; and ASTHO would like to welcome Dr. Meena Seshamani, the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health, as its newest member.
New Jersey Department of Health News Release: ICYMI: Governor Murphy Announces Jeff Brown to Serve as Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health
ScienceDirect Article: Generative AI for vaccine misbelief correction – Insights from targeting extraversion and pseudoscientific beliefs
Preparedness Summit Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Maryland | Meena Seshamani, MD, PhD
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, begins the new “Get To Know ASTHO” series, which will highlight different experts at ASTHO; Madison Yerges, Section Supervisor for the Student Education Section at the Center for Foundational Health under the umbrella of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, tells us about an initiative to integrate public health content into classrooms across the state; and you can join ASTHO for a webinar on how to be an effective crisis communicator.
Integrating Public Health Content Into The Classroom Web Page
ASTHO Webinar: Don't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator
PublicHealthCareers.org
Dr. Kaitlan Baston, former Commissioner of Health for the New Jersey Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, outlines what New Jersey has been doing to address opioids; Kate Murray, Program Supervisor for Long COVID and Post-COVID Conditions at the Minnesota Department of Health, discusses her program and how the work is going; an ASTHO webinar on May 1 focuses on Academic Health Departmetn Partnerships; and ASTHO Member and the New York Commissioner of Health, Dr. James McDonald, will speak at Blooming Day 2025 on May 2.
New Jersey Department of Health News Release: NJ Health Department Announces Waiver to Improve Access to Opioid Treatment Services
New Jersey Department of Health News Release: ICYMI – Governor Murphy Announces Jeff Brown to Serve as Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health
Minnesota Department of Health Web Page: Long COVID Resources and Support
ASTHO Webinar: Pathways to Academic Health Department Partnerships: Successes and Best Practices
Blooming Day 2025 Web Page
Emi Chutaro, Executive Director of the Pacific Island Health Officers Association, explains what she hopes others gain from Pacific Islander Heritage Month; Paul Bonta, Director of Government Relations for the Safe States Alliance, tells us about his organization’s most recent advocacy day; and a new ASTHO blog article highlights recent Congressional hearings focused on key challenges facing older adults.
PIHOA Web Page
National Archives Web Page: Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Safe States Alliance Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: Hearings Spotlight Inflation, Opioids, and Other Challenges Facing Older Adults
ASTHO Web Page: State and Territorial Administrative Readiness (STAR) Center
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, explains how his state is taking action for youth behavioral health; Aurora GrantWingate, Member and Partner Engagement Manager at the National Association of Community Health Workers, tells us why CHWs are especially important in the island areas; and Dr. Dr. Ayanna Bennett, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health and an ASTHO Member has been appointed to the Big Cities Health Coalition Board of Directors.
ASTHO Report: Supporting Community Health Workers in Territories and Freely Associated States
Big Cities Health Coalition News Release: BCHC announces 2025-26 board directors and executive officers
ASTHO Web Page: PH-HERO
Adrienne Ammerman, Founder and CEO of Arclet, explains how her platform will help health communicators; Amelia Poulin, ASTHO Assistant Director of Emerging Infectious Disease, breaks down a blog article on what states are doing to combat syphilis and congenital syphilis; and Dr. Robbie Goldstein, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and an ASTHO member, will give the keynote address for the Advances in Global Disease Surveillance event.
Arclet Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: States Amending Policies to Slow Congenital Syphilis Increases
Advances in Global Disease Surveillance: An Introduction to BEACON Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, outlines the recommendations from the most recent ACIP meeting; Kathleen Amos, Director of Workforce Development at the Public Health Foundation, explains how Academic Health Department Partnerships can be beneficial; and an upcoming ASTHO webinar focuses on strengthening public health risk communication.
CDC Web Page: ACIP Meeting Information
ASTHO Webinar: Exploring Successful Academic Health Department Partnerships
ASTHO Web Page: Calendar of Events
ASTHO Webinar: Don't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator
Dr. John Wiessman, Associate Dean for Practice at UNC Chapel Hill, remembers his former mentor, Mary Selecky, who passed away on April 7; Finn Lanning, Youth Tobacco Prevention Coordinator for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, tells us about a successful Take Down Tobacco Day; and ASTHO’s Adrianna Evans contributed to an article that was recently published in Medscape.
Kansas Department of Health and Environment News Release: Resist and the Tobacco Free Kansas Coalition Host Take Down Tobacco Day at the Capitol
Medscape Article: Data Routinely Captured in ED EMRs Can Support People With Disabilities During Public Health Emergencies
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Christy Jones, President and CEO of the Monday Solutions Group, details how leaders can benefit from skill development in preparation for several upcoming ASTHO Ignite Leadership Series webinars; Dr. Allison Arwady, Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC, tells us how data has influenced real change in the fight against opioids; and on Thursday, April 24, ASTHO will host a webinar on the benefits of Successful Academic Health Department Partnerships.
ASTHO Webinar: Performance Management Techniques for Successful Decision-Making
CDC Web Page: CDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths
ASTHO Webinar: Exploring Successful Academic Health Department Partnerships
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Dr. Allison Arwady, Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the CDC, tells us about historic progress in the field of overdose prevention; Catherine Murphy, ASTHO Governmetn Affairs Analyst, discusses the advocacy effort from ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Forum; and Trust for America’s Health will host a Congressional Briefing on April 23rd that is focused on its Ready or Not 2025 report.
CDC Web Page: CDC Reports Nearly 24% Decline in U.S. Drug Overdose Deaths
ASTHO Blog Article: Strengthening Public Health Advocacy at ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Forum
Trust for America’s Health Web Page: TFAH Congressional Briefing – Ready or Not
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 882: Harris Testifies on Hill; 2025 TFAH Report
Sharon Gilmartin, Executive Director of the Safe States Alliance, tells us about the Keep America Safe Coalition; Dr. Victor Ramos, Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Health and an ASTHO member, breaks down the health priorities for Puerto Rico; ASTHO has several resources to keep your team prepared furing Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month; and Julia Arel is the Vermont Department of Helath Interim Commissioner of Health.
Keep America Safe Coalition Web Page
Safe States Alliance Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Sexually Transmitted Infections
ASTHO Web Page: Julie Arel
Robbyn Kistler, Senior Consultant in the Social Impact Media Program at KFF, tells us about recent syphilis videos that ASTHO, KFF, and CDC created; Theresa Arriola, discusses the importance of face-to-face interactions at ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Forum; ASTHO has several tools that can help your team during National Child Abuse Prevention Month; and an ASTHO webinar on Thursday focuses on how to navigate AI-Enabled Community-Inclusive Preparedness.
ASTHO Web Page: Syphilis Testing and Prevention Videos
ASTHO Report: Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Policy Tool
ASTHO Web Page: Actions to Build Capacity for ACEs Prevention
ASTHO Web Page: Adverse Childhood Experiences Capacity Assessment Tool Roadmap
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness – Navigating AI-Enabled Community-Inclusive Preparedness
Dr. Jamie Means, Workforce Development Director for the Metro Public Health Department of Nashville and Davidson County, explains how they have used Public Health Infrastructure Grant dollars to fund a public health residency program.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Theresa Arriola, Director of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, tells us how she takes care of public health workers; Dr. Emia Oppenheim, Public Health Consultant for the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, explains the importance of a Farm to ECE program; and an upcoming ASTHO webinar dives into how you can create a successful academic health department partnership.
Association of State Public Health Nutritionists Web Page: Farm to Early Care and Education (ECE) programs
ASTHO Webinar: Exploring Successful Academic Health Department Partnerships
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, highlights public health workers as National Public Health Week wraps up this weekend; Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and Alabama State Health Officer, outlines public health priorities to Congress; Jacki Tulafono, Division Head for the Department of Health in American Samoa, explains why ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Forum was such a valuable experience.
American Public Health Association Web Page: National Public Health Week
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO President Scott Harris, MD, MPH, Testifies to Congress Advocating for Sustainable and Predictable Public Health Funding
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education - Public Witness Day
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 882: Harris Testifies on Hill, 2025 TFAH Report
ASSTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and Alabama State Health Officer, testified before Congress about the needs of Public Health; Emi Chutaro, the Executive Director of the Pacific Island Health Officers Association, recently spoke to leaders on Capitol Hill about the challenges she is facing; and Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of Trust for America's Health, discusses Trust For America’s Health’s new “Ready or Not 2025: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism” report.
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education - Public Witness Day
Trust for America’s Health Web Page: Ready or Not 2025 – Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, previews ASTHO President Dr. Scott Harris’ testimony before Congress today; Anna Bradley, ASTHO Senior Analyst with the Public Health Infrastructure and Performance Improvement Team, details a new ASTHO toolkit that assists you with virtual engagement; and the Alaska Department of Health has launched a new website to better serve all Alaskans.
Appropriations Web Page: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education - Public Witness Day
ASTHO Web Page: Engaging Partners in a Virtual Space
State of Alaska Web Page: Department of Health
ASTHO Web Page: State and Territorial Administrative Readiness (STAR) Center
Kilah Walters-Clinton, Director of Race, Equity, and Community Engagement for the Executive Office of Health and Human Services in Rhode Island, explains how ASTHO’s Building Capacity to Advance Health Certificate Program has helped dozens across the country; Dr. Christine Muganda, Data and Analytics Team Leader at County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, details a new 2025 Model of Health; and the Navigating AI-Enabled Community Inclusive Preparedness webinar will occur on Thursday, April 17th at 2 p.m. E.T.
ASTHO Web Page: Building Capacity to Advance Health Certificate Program
County Health Ranking & Roadmaps Web Page: Explore health topics
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness – Navigating AI-Enabled Community-Inclusive Preparedness
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Alexis Travis, Assistant Provost and Executive Director of the University Health and Well-being at Michigan State University, details a few priorities for National Public Health Week; Arnice Yuji, Director of the Bureau of Health System Administration for the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, explains how she is prioritizing veteran health as part of public health; and Dr. Scott Harris will testify on Capitol Hill later this week.
National Public Health Week Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Review Morning Edition
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Naomi Adeline Biggs, Director of the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division and an ASTHO Member, explains how her team has made community-based organizations a priority; Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, tells us about his experience at the HIMSS Global Health Conference; an ASTHO webinar of April 24th explores partnerships with academic institutions; and the Virginia Department of Health’s Internship Academy is gaining recognition.
Oregon Health Authority Web Page: Partnering with Community-Based Organizations
HIMSS Global Health Conference Web Page
ASTHO Webinar: Exploring Successful Academic Health Department Partnerships
Virginia Department of Health Web Page: VDH Internship Academy
John Vick, Director of the Office of Primary Prevention at the Tennessee Department of Health, discusses how important partnerships are since many industries affect public health; Esther Muna, Chief Executive Officer of the CNMI Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, discusses CNMI’s main priorities; an ASTHO blog article teaches you more about trauma-responsive leadership skills; and Dr. Saipale Fuimaono is ASTHO’s newest member.
ASTHO Webinar: State and Local Partnerships to Promote Community Health
ASTHO Blog Article: Supporting the Public Health Workforce with Trauma-Responsive Leadership Skills
ASTHO Member Directory
Ryan Jury, Assistant Division Director for Operational Excellence with the Department of Health and Human Services in North Carolina, tells us what he has learned from the ASTHO Leadership Institute and the ASTHO Spring Leadership Forum; Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner of Health for the United States Virgin Islands, details a recent interagency leadership team convened by ASTHO; and on Thursday, April 3, an ASTHO webinar will focus on how AmeriCorps is shaping Public Health across the country.
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO Leadership Institute
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health in Action – How AmeriCorps is Shaping Public Health in Indiana and NACDD
ASTHO Web Page: Subscribe
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, gives examples from across the country of success stories that stem from the Public Health Infrastructure Grant.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. Susan Kansagra, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, offers an update on funding after a flurry of activity; Martha Hagen, Consultant Nutritionist with the Association of State Public Health Nutritionists, explains the cultural focus of new transition feeding briefs; and ASTHO and NACCHO will host a virtual learning session on Thursday, April 3rd about partnering with community coalitions.
ASPHN Web Page: The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans – Focus on Infant, Toddler, and Transition Feeding
ASTHO Webinar: State and Local Partnerships to Promote Community Health
Emma Dewhurst, Senior Program and Research Associate at the de Beaumont Foundation, tells us why public health and business partnerships are still rare; Edlen Anzures, Acting Deputy Secretary for the Ministry of Health and Human Services in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, explains why PHIG funding is needed to upgrade technology in the island areas; an ASTHO toolkit can help your agency improve access to critical medications.; and ASTHO’s PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center is your place to find tools, recommendations and more to help you help your workforce.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: How Business and Public Health Can Work Better Together
ASTHO Web Page: Improving Access to Critical Medications – A Policy Toolkit for Health Agency Program Leadership
ASTHO Web Page: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
Kelly Anderson-Thomas, Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, explains why ASTHO’s Leadership Institute has been so helpful; Ali Grossman, Prevention and Intervention Section Supervisor at the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, tells us the benfits of having a Public Health AmeriCorps service member on site; an ASTHO resource looks at modernizing public health data while also protecting privacy; and it’s a perfect time to sign up for ASTHO’s next INSPIRE: Readiness webinar which will take place on April 17.
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO Leadership Institute
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health in Action – How AmeriCorps is Shaping Public Health in Indiana and NACDD
ASTHO Web Page: Modernizing Public Health Data and Protecting Privacy
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE: Readiness – Navigating AI-Enabled Community-Inclusive Preparedness
Maria Gabriela Ruiz, an analyst on ASTHO’s maternal and infant health team, discusses a new ASTHO resource on strategies to use during prenatal care to address hypertension and other chronic diseases; Warren Villagomez, Public Health and Hospital Emergency Preparedness Director for the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands (CMNI), outlines lessons and discussions from the 2025 Pacific Island Preparedness Emergency Response (PIPER) Summit; Public Health Review Morning Edition earns a top spot among public health podcasts.
ASTHO: Addressing Hypertension During Pregnancy Improves Maternal and Infant Health
2025 PIPER Summit
PHRME Earns Top Rank in Top 100 Public Health Podcasts
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, tells us how Illinois worked to successfully reduce opioid overdoses; and Beth Giambrone, ASTHO Senior Analyst of State Health Policy, recaps some of the efforts across the country to combat tobacco use.
ASTHO Blog Article: Tobacco Policy Roundup – Smoking Rates Down but Youth E-Cigarette Use Rising
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Amelia Poulin, Assistant Director of Emerging Infectious Disease at ASTHO, gives an update on public health’s battle against tuberculosis on World TB Day; Moses Pretrick, Assistant Secretary for Health for the Federated States of Micronesia, tells us how ASTHO’s Executive Leadership Forum helps the island areas; ASTHO will host a webinar focused on how AmeriCorps is Shaping Public Health in Indiana on April 3.
CDC Web Page: 2025 U.S. TB Elimination Champions
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health in Action – How AmeriCorps is Shaping Public Health in Indiana and NACDD
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Erin Laird, ASTHO Director of Emerging Infections, explains how states are taking action against sepsis; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, tells us how the recently signed continuing resolution affects funding for public health; an ASTHO tool can help upgrade your structured planning; and Alaska is celebrating 100 years of public health.
ASTHO Blog Article: State Health Policies Reduce Sepsis Cases
ASTHO Web Page: Foundational Planning Readiness Organizational Self-Assessment
Alaska Department of Health Web Page
Alaska Department of Health Video: 100 Years of Public Health
Alaska State Archives Web Page: Serum Run of 1925
Allison Wheeler, Wastewater Surveillance Unit Manager and the Co-Director of the Wastewater Center of Excellence in Colorado, tells us about a recently published ASTHO report on ethical considerations in public health wastewater surveillance; Dawn Yohey, Clinical Program Planner III with the Department of Health and Human Services in Nevada, explains how the Fund for a Reslient Nevada will support projects to combat opioids over the next two decades; ASTHO’s Essentials of Leadership and Management Workshop Series kicks off on Wednesday, April 2; and CDC issued a Health Alert Network Health Update about the ongoing risk of dengue virus.
ASTHO Report: Framework for Addressing Ethical Considerations in Infectious Diseases Public Health Wastewater Surveillance
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Web Page: Wastewater Surveillance for Infectious Disease Pathogens
Nevada Web Page: Fund for a Resilient Nevada
Nevada Web Page: Funds awarded to support opioid prevention, community intervention and support
ASTHO Web Page: Series Topics and Sessions
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 1, Session 1- Leadership Behavior and Decision-Making
CDC Web Page: Ongoing Risk of Dengue Virus Infections and Updated Testing Recommendations in the United States
Soulmaz Rostami, Program Manager for the Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program, tells us how the program is helping to fill a need for qualified public health workers in the island areas; Susan Gilbert, Co-Director of the National Coalition for Sexual Health, explains how the “Own The Awk” campaign will empower young adults to talk openly and honestly with their partners about sexual health; and on Thursday, April 3, ASTHO will highlight the impact of Public Health AmeriCorps on workforce development.
PIHOA Web Page: Pacific Public Health Fellowship Program
Own The Awk Web Page
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health in Action – How AmeriCorps is Shaping Public Health in Indiana and NACDD
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Puthiery Va, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, explains how PHIG has helped Maine create a new Office of Violence Prevention.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. Jerome Larkin, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, explains how his state achieved such impressive vaccination rates; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, tells us how to change the conversation around immunizations; and the Essentials of Leadership and Management Workshop Series —Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate— begins on Wednesday, April 2nd.
ASTHO Web Page: Immunization
ASTHO Web Page: Series Topics and Sessions
ASTHO Webinar: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate – Series 1, Session 1- Leadership Behavior and Decision-Making
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Daniel Edney, State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health and an ASTHO member, tells us how his meeting on Capitol Hill went this week; the Essentials of Leadership and Management Workshop Series kicks off on Wednesday, April 2; and Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and an ASTHO member, explains why this week has been so important.
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
ASTHO Web Page: Series Topics and Sessions
ASTHO Web Page: Ignite, Accelerate, and Activate: Series 1, Session 1- Leadership Behavior and Decision-Making
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, brings us an update directly from ASTHO’s 2025 Spring Leadership Forum; and an upcoming webinar focuses on the positive Public Health AmeriCorps can provide.
ASTHO News Release: State and Territorial Health Leaders Convene on Capitol Hill to Advocate for Sustained Funding
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health in Action – How AmeriCorps is Shaping Public Health in Indiana and NACDD
Dr. John Swartzberg, Clinical Professor Emeritus at the UC Berkeley School of Public Health, provides an update on Avian Influenza; Dr. Susan Hernandez, an Epidemiologist at Public Health Seattle and King County, explains how her team used novel data to improve identification of Medicaid members who use tobacco; and a new ASTHO resource is available for your department’s accreditation and reaccreditation.
ASTHO Web Page: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Scientific Symposium
CDC Web Page: Notes From the Field: Enhanced Identification of Tobacco Use Among Adult Medicaid Members — King County, Washington, 2016–2023
ASTHO Web Page: A Guide for Sustainable Public Health Accreditation
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of Health for the State of Vermont and an ASTHO Member, looks back on his time as commissioner as he gets ready to depart his post; Melissa Touma, ASTHO Director of the Public Health Infrastructure Program, tells us how a toolkit aims to help with the funding of local subrecipients; a new ASTHO report explores how New York, Connecticut, and Illinois are working to improve nutrition for infants and young children; and CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory about the measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico.
ASTHO Web Page: Funding Local Subrecipients Toolkit
ASTHO Report: Early Childhood Nutrition Security
CDC Web Page: Expanding Measles Outbreak in the United States and Guidance for the Upcoming Travel Season
J.T. Lane, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation at ASTHO, tells us how the HIMSS Global Health Conference and Exhibition is pushing health data modernization forward; Alex Wheatley, ASTHO Senior Director of Island Support, explains why this week is so important for the Island Areas; and ASTHO’s Board of Directors will meet on Monday, March 10.
HIMSS Global Health Conference & Exhibition Web Page
ASTHO News Release: State and Territorial Health Leaders Convene on Capitol Hill to Advocate for Sustained Funding
Avia Mason, ASTHO Vice President of Leadership and Learning, tells us what to expect from ASTHO’s 2025 Executive Leadership Forum; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, takes us through some of the priorities for meetings on Capitol Hill; and ASTHO has an entire web page dedicated to rulemaking.
ASTHO Web Page: Rulemaking
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Spencer Fox, Assistant Professor at the University of Georgia, explains how a new course on mathematical models could help public health professionals; Dr. Lana McKinney, ASTHO Senior Policy Analyst on the State Health Policy Team, tells us how states are addressing rural healthcare access issues; an ASTHO self-assessment can help prepare your agency for structured planning; and ASTHO’s newest member is Sarah Wilson, the Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
How To Think Like A Modeler Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: State Legislatures Moving to Increase Rural Healthcare Access
ASTHO Web Page: Foundational Planning Readiness Organizational Self-Assessment
ASTHO Web Page: Sarah Willson
Dr. Susan Kansagra, former ASTHO Member and most recently the Assistant Secretary and State Health Officer for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, has been named ASTHO’s new Chief Medical Officer; Jennifer Schmidt, North Dakota Health and Human Services Public Health Division PHIG Fund Manager, tells us how her office is transitioning from a “career ladder” to a “career honeycomb”; and the deadline to apply for ASTHO’s Leadership Institute has been extended.
ASTHO News Release: Susan Kansagra, MD, MBA, Named Chief Medical Officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials
ASTHO Blog Article: How Staffing and Workload Can Impact Public Health Agencies
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO Leadership Institute
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Sarah Lyon-Callo, Senior Deputy Director for Public Health Administration and the State Epidemiologist for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, tells us how the unique ability to use PHIG across sectors helps break down silos.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Elle Talsma, Project Supervisor for the INSPIRE Program at the Minnesota Department of Health, tells us how the program encourages students to take an interest in public health; Chris Baumgartner, Deputy Chief Informatics Officer at the Washington State Department of Health, discusses his time in the ASTHO Leadership Institute; and the Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community is currently accepting applications.
Minnesota Department of Health Web Page: INSPIRE Program
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO Leadership Institute
ASTHO Web Page: Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Dylan George, Director of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the CDC, tells us about Insight Net which aims to improve analytics in outbreak forecasting; Mark Miller, Vice President of Communications at the deBeaumont Foundation, explains how a deBeaumont Foundation toolkit could help build trust; and on March 1st we will recognize “Remembrance Day” to honor the victims and survivors of U.S. nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands.
CDC Web Page: Insight Net
deBeaumont Foundation Web Page: Communicating About Public Health
Marshall Islands Story Project Web Page: Remembrance Day
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Robert Kruse, State Medical Director and the Division Director of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services and an ASTHO Member, tells us about his state’s response to a confirmed case of Lassa Fever; Clarie Miller, Lead Suicide Prevention Coordinator at the New Mexico Department of Health, explains how her team helped reduce suicide rates in women and Indigenous peoples; an ASTHO Report can help your state learn about resiliency planning; and the deadline to apply for ASTHO’s Leadership Institute has been extended to March 10th.
Iowa Health and Human Services Web Page: State and Hospital Officials Follow Federal Guidance After Lassa Fever Death
USA Today News Article: Have the flu or know someone with it? Flu cases surge to highest levels in 15 years, CDC says
New Mexico Department of Health News Release: State suicide rate decreases in key groups in 2023
ASTHO Report: State Resiliency Planning Considerations
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO Leadership Institute
Dr. Bradley Stoner, Director of the Division of STD Prevention at the CDC, reports the findings in the latest STI Surveillance report; Katherine Feldman, Chief Performance Officer at the Maryland Department of Health, details the success of Maryland’s State Health Improvement Plan; an ASTHO blog article outlines heart disease and stroke prevention in the pacific territories; and the Alabama Department of Public Health marks 150 years in existence.
National Coalition of STD Directors Web Page: NCSD Congratulates Dr. Bradley Stoner on CDC Appointment; Applauds Leadership During STI Crisis
CDC Web Page: Sexually Transmitted Infections Surveillance, 2023
Maryland Web Page: Building a Healthier Maryland
ASTHO Blog Article: Maryland Achieves Success Through Thoughtful Planning
ASTHO Blog Article: Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention in the Pacific Territories
Dr. Bradley Stoner, Director of the Division of STD Prevention at the CDC, discusses the first few weeks in his new role; Dr. Barbara Van Der Pol, Professor of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, explains how the UAB Circle Project will work to combat syphilis; the deadline to apply for the 2025 ASTHO Leadership Institute in March 3rd; and Dr. Erica Pan, Director and State Public Health Officer for the California Department of Public Health, is ASTHO’s newest member.
National Coalition of STD Directors Web Page: NCSD Congratulates Dr. Bradley Stoner on CDC Appointment; Applauds Leadership During STI Crisis
ASTHO Web Page: Syphilis
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO Leadership Institute
ASTHO Web Page: Erica Pan
Kyle Manglona, Onboarding Experience Manager at the Washington State Department of Health, tells us about the department’s revamped onboarding program; Lindsey Myers, ASTHO Vice President for Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure, gives us an update on the progress PHIG recipients have made in year two; an ASTHO blog article details Maryland’s success for its Building a Healthier Maryland initiative; and ASTHO has a toolkit to help you improve virtual working relationships.
PHIG Partners Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: Maryland Achieves Success Through Thoughtful Planning
ASTHO Web Page: Engaging Partners in a Virtual Space
Jason Cummins, President of the National Tuberculosis Coalition of America, gives an update on a TB outbreak in Kansas; Dr. Charles Chima, Washington Department of Health Chief Healthcare Innovation and Strategy Officer, tells us about the “clarion call” for public health regarding telehealth; on ASTHO PROFILE resource focuses on the transition from Healthy People 2020 to Healthy People 2030; and ASTHO has several resources for “Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain.”
The Topeka Capital-Journal News Article: Kansas tuberculosis outbreak is now America's largest in recorded history
National Tuberculosis Coalition of America
ASTHO Telehealth Project Initiation and Scoping Assessment Web Page
Washington State Department of Health Web Page: Telehealth
ASTHO PROFILE Web Page: Making the Transition to Healthy People 2030
ASTHO Web Page: Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain
Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner for the Alaska Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, tells us about Alaska's Youth Behavioral Health Roadmap; Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, former ASTHO Member and the newest President and CEO of the Public Health Accreditation Board, explains what brought her to her new role; ASTHO is now taking applications for the Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community; and there are several brand-new updates to ASTHO’s Legal Mapping Center.
Behavioral Health Roadmap Project for Alaska Youth
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 846: Comprehensive Mental Health Program, Syphilis Resources in One Place
PHAB News Release: PHAB Names Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP, As New President and CEO
ASTHO Web Page: Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Infrastructure
Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, describes Alaska's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan; Julia Greenspan, Director of Infectious Disease Infrastructure and Policy at ASTHO, explains how ASTHO’s new syphilis web page could help public health leaders; applications are now open for the 2025 ASTHO Leadership Institute; and the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is inviting you to participate in a needs assessment.
Alaska's Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan
ASTHO Web Page: Syphilis
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO Leadership Institute
National Strategy for Suicide Prevention Web Page: 2025 SPRC National Strategy Needs Assessment
Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Secretary of Health for the Maryland Department of Health, explains how her team used the Public Health Infrastructure Grant to fund a myriad of initiatives.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Wesley Korteum, Data Analytics Section Lead at the Arizona Department of Health Services, explains how his team created a comprehensive public health data portal; Abraham Kulungara, Senior Director for Environmental Health at ASTHO, updates us on the state of indoor air quality; an ASTHO blog article highlights the staffing challenges public health agencies face; and if you’re attending HIMSS25 Global Health Conference and Exhibition make sure you check out the Public Health Data Modernization Preconference Forum.
Arizona Department of Health Services News Release: Arizona Department of Health Services Launches Public Health Data Portal
ASTHO Blog Article: States Are Innovating to Improve Indoor Air Quality
ASTHO Blog Article: How Staffing and Workload Can Impact Public Health Agencies
HIMSS25 Web Page
Kristin Peterson, Chief of Policy at the Washington State Department of Health, tells us why the data-sharing agreement with the Tulalip Tribe is historic; Dr. Kim Baker, Assistant Professor and Assistant Dean of Practice at UT Health Houston School of Public Health, explains the success of the Own Every Piece campaign; several members of the ASTHO team collaborated on a recent Journal of Public Health Management and Practice article that focuses on efforts to improve access to care; and an ASTHO report explores the reasons cancer prevention messaging has often not resonated with its intended audience.
Washington State Department of Health News Release: DOH and Tulalip Tribe sign historic Tribal-specific data sharing agreement
UT Health Houston School of Public Health Web Page: “Own Every Piece” Campaign Promotes Reproductive Wellness and Birth Control Access to More than 3 Million Women
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Public Health Agency Approaches to Improving Access to Care
ASTHO Report: Improving Public Health Messaging – Exploring the Reach and Effectiveness of Cancer Prevention Communications
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and an ASTHO Member, provides an update on Colorado’s progress dealing with syphilis; Dr. Sonya Borrero, Professor of Medicine and Director of CONVERGE at the University of Pittsburgh, explains the updated guidelines of Providing Quality Family Planning Services in the United States; a data story in the ASTHO PROFILE focuses on the number of public health non-temporary employees as well as the rise of vacant and temporary positions; and the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is inviting you to participate in a needs assessment to help shape the future of suicide prevention.
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Web Page: Syphilis in Colorado
American Journal of Preventative Medicine Article: Providing Quality Family Planning Services in the United States: Recommendations of the U.S. Office of Population Affairs (Revised 2024)
ASTHO PROFILE Web Page: The number of public health non-temporary employees rises slightly; vacant and temporary positions rise more
Suicide Prevention Resource Center Web Page: 2025 SPRC National Strategy Needs Assessment
Mia Christopher, Research Epidemiologist at RTI International, explains how the Opioid Overdose Community Decision Tool could benefit public health; Lexa Giragosian, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Maternal and Child Health, tells us why she believes her blog article on adolescent mental health resonated with so many; and an ASTHO toolkit is aimed at improving working relationships between a health agency’s internal staff and external partners.
NIH Heal Initiative Web Page: Overdose Crisis Community Decision Tool
ASTHO Blog Article: Reducing the Impact of Eating Disorders on Adolescent Girls
ASTHO Web Page: Engaging Partners in a Virtual Space
ASTHO Web Page: 2025 Legislative Prospectus Series
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, tells us more about the Our Health Kentucky Home initiative; Dr. Josef Coresh, Director of the Optimal Aging Institute at the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, tells us the numbers behind a study that says dementia cases could double by 2060; the PH WINS survey is expanding; and the CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory about a recently confirmed outbreak of Ebola in Uganda.
Our Healthy Kentucky Home Web Page
NYU Langone Health Web Page: United States Dementia Cases Estimated to Double by 2060
de Beaumont Foundation Web Page: Raising the Voices of the Islands Workforce – A Historic Expansion of PH WINS
CDC Web Page: Ebola Outbreak Caused by Sudan virus in Uganda
Dr. Heidi B. Miller, Chief Medical Officer of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, explains how her state was able to see the first significant decline in drug overdose deaths in nearly a decade; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, walks us through what is next in the HHS Secretary confirmation process; Jessica Todorovich is the Acting Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health as well as ASTHO’s newest member; and ASTHO is now taking applications for the Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services News Release: Missouri sees first significant decline in drug overdose deaths in nearly a decade
ASTHO Web Page: Jessica Todorovich
ASTHO Web Page: Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community
Dr. Sejal Hathi, Director of the Oregon Health Authority, tells us that to achieve Oregon’s bold health goals we have to work together; Beth Giambrone, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, explains how some states are addressing food deserts and food insecurity; and apply today to be part of the Leadership Exchange for Adolescent Health Promotion Plus Community of Practice.
Oregon Health Authority Web Page: Oregon Health Forward
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policies Aim to Eliminate Food Deserts
ASTHO Web Page: Leadership Exchange for Adolescent Health Promotion Plus (LEAHP+) Community of Practice
Dr. Sejal Hathi, Director of the Oregon Health Authority and an ASTHO Member, explains her state’s bold initiative to eliminate health inequities; Kelsey Tillema, ASTHO Senior Workforce Analyst, tells us about a new resource ASTHO has to support workforce well-being; PublicHealthCareers.org could be where you find your next great hire; an ASTHO article outlines trends related to public health data modernization; and Dr. Brannon Traxler, Deputy Director of Health Promotion and Services and the Chief Medical Officer for the South Carolina Department of Public Health as well as an ASTHO Member, is the brand new Secretary and Treasurer for ASTHO’s Board of Directors.
Oregon Health Authority Web Page: Oregon Health Forward
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Strategies for Enhancing Governmental Public Health Workforce Well-being and Retention
ASTHO Web Page: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Web Page: Modernizing Public Health Data and Protecting Privacy
PublicHealthCareers.org
ASTHO Web Page: Brannon Traxler
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the ASTHO President-Elect, tells us how the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has allowed her team to invest in her workforce’s well-being.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Patricia Tilley, Associate Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services and an ASTHO member, discusses New Hampshire’s Mission Zero; Dr. Stephen Lee, the Executive Director of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, updates us on the Ending HIV Epidemic program; and ASTHO’s Legislative Prospectus Series outlines the public health trends to watch for in 2025.
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Web Page: Mission Zero
NASTAD Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Joint and Affiliate Councils
ASTHO Web Page: 2025 Legislative Prospectus Series
Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition, is currently working on guidelines for AI use in public health communications; Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and the State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, reflects on the HPAI symposium and what made it so popular; and you can apply for the Leadership Exchange for Adolescent Health Promotion Plus Community of Practice.
National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media Web Page
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 832: PH Communication Outlook, Firearm Injury Prevention
ASTHO Web Page: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Scientific Symposium
ASTHO Web Page: Leadership Exchange for Adolescent Health Promotion Plus (LEAHP+) Community of Practice
Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition, gives an outlook for public health communication; Caitlin Langhorn-Griffith, ASTHO Director of Injury, Suicide, and Violence Prevention, discusses a blog article she worked on that focuses on firearm injury and death prevention; and an ASTHO brief examines how states are working to address lead poisoning.
ASTHO Blog Article: Preventing Firearm Injury and Death with Safe and Secure Storage Policies
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s Most Popular Resources of 2024
ASTHO Web Page: States Partner Across Sectors to Address Lead Poisoning
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Jeff Stover, Chief of Staff at the Virginia Department of Health, details the successful VDH Internship Academy made possible by the Public Health Infrastructure (PHIG) Grant; Kristina Herrera, of the Tuolumne County Department of Public Health in California, discusses a popular ASTHO blog she authored with two other members of the DELPH program on practical strategies to boost well-being in the public health workforce; and an ASTHO Legislative Prospectus reports the trends in state legislatures across the country on public health and healthcare workforce bolstering.
Virginia Department of Health Web Page: VDH Internship Academy
ASTHO Blog Article: VDH Internship Academy Paves the Way for the Next Generation of Public Health Talent
ASTHO Blog Article: Prioritizing Well-Being in the Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s Most Popular Resources of 2024
ASTHO Web Page: Strengthening the Public Health and Healthcare Workforce
Ashlyn Sherman, Health Planning Coordinator for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, tells us how a PHIG-funded ASTHO Technical Assistance Opportunity helped her department; Colton Anderson, an ASTHO Senior Analyst, details what to consider when picking a performance management system; the fourth national convening of the STRETCH 2.0 initiative on is Wednesday, January 29 at 4 p.m. ET; and ASTHO is now taking applications for the Leadership Exchange for Adolescent Health Promotion Plus Community of Practice.
ASTHO Blog Article: Missouri Takes Strategic Steps to Improve Policy Processes
ASTHO Blog Article: Eight Considerations For Choosing a Performance Management System
ASTHO Webinar: Centering Community-Led Strategies to Sustainable Public Health Financing
ASTHO Web Page: Funding & Collaboration Opportunities
Sharon Gilmartin, the new Executive Director of Safe States Alliance, discusses her new position and her goals for the organization; John Auerbach, Senior Vice President for Health at ICF and a speaker at the upcoming STRETCH 2.0 national convening, tells us what to expect from the January 29th meeting; the ASTHO PROFILE survey aims to help you hire great informatics staff to take your organization to the next level; and ASTHO has several resources on rulemaking that could assist your public health department.
ASTHO Web Page: Joint and Affiliate Councils
Safe State Alliance Web Page
ASTHO Webinar: Centering Community-Led Strategies to Sustainable Public Health Financing
Health Affairs Article: The Community As A Full Partner – A New Model For Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: Rulemaking
JoAnne McClure, Senior Analyst on ASTHO’s State Health Policy Team, discusses a new ASTHO health policy update that centers on the need for more overdose prevention supports for those in the criminal justice system; Catherine Jones, ASTHO Government Affairs Senior Analyst, recaps her article on the fentanyl crisis which was one of ASTHO’s most viewed resources; ASTHO is accepting applications for the Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community; and an ASTHO blog article examines equity, diversity and inclusion in public health.
ASTHO Blog Article: Overdose Prevention Policies Help People Involved with Criminal Justice System
ASTHO Blog Article: The Fentanyl Crisis Requires Ongoing and Strategic Federal Action
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s Most Popular Resources of 2024
ASTHO Web Page: Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception Learning Community
ASTHO Blog Article: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Public Health: Creating a Healthier Society
Dr. Jerome Larkin, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, recaps a White House roundtable meeting that focused on sepsis; Meghan Mead, Deputy Director in the Mid-States Region at the Network for Public Health Law, tells us about a webinar today at 3 p.m. ET that is about AI and public health; an ASTHO report dives into one possible solution to health disparities in our nation; an ASTHO resource focuses on legislative trends dealing with the containment and prevention of infectious diseases; and Dr. Victor Ramos is the Secretary of Health for the Puerto Rico Department of Health and ASTHO’s newest member.
Report to Congress: An Assessment of Sepsis in the United States and its Burden on Hospital Care
The Network for Public Health Law Webinar: AI and Public Health – Opportunities and Challenges
ASTHO Report: Including Island Areas in Federal Public Health Datasets
ASTHO Web Page: Containing and Preventing the Spread of Infectious Disease
ASTHO Web Page: Victor Ramos, MD
Courtney Anderson, a Director with ASTHO’s Environmental Health Team, discusses a blog article on Alpha-Gal Syndrome that was one of ASTHO’s most popular resources of 2024; Catherine Murphy, a Government Affairs Analyst for ASTHO, uses past examples to see how key players in the 119th Congress might prioritize public health; an ASTHO webinar today focuses on the Building Capacity to Advance Health program; on January 29th, STRETCH will host its 4th national meeting; and the CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory for clinicians and laboratories to accelerate the subtyping of influenza A-positive patients.
ASTHO Blog Article: What Health Officials Should Know About Alpha-Gal Syndrome
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s Most Popular Resources of 2024
ASTHO Blog Article: Key Players and Health Policy Insights for 119th Congress
ASTHO Webinar: Centering Community-Led Strategies to Sustainable Public Health Financing
ASTHO Webinar: BCAH Informational Session
CDC Web Page: Accelerated Subtyping of Influenza A in Hospitalized Patients
Melissa Magstadt, Secretary of Health for the South Dakota Department of Health, explains how her state has used Public Health Infrastructure Grant funding to bolster public health.
PHIG Partners Web Page
PHIG Newsletter
Natasha Harper Levy, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ASTHO, tells us the importance of racial healing as we get ready to celebrate the National Day of Racial Healing; an ASTHO blog article dives into how you can integrate race and ethnicity data into public health; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, tells us what the new administration might aim to do early on; and on January 22nd an ASTHO webinar will help you learn how the Building Capacity to Advance Health program can elevate your leadership skills in governmental public health.
National Racial Day of Healing Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: Integrating Race and Ethnicity Data in Public Health: Local, State, and Territorial Insights
ASTHO Webinar: BCAH Informational Session
Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Secretary of Health for the Maryland Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, tells us how Maryland was the first state to sign on to the AHEAD Model released by CMS; Jessica Byrski, Senior Policy Analyst for the National Emergency Management Association, previews a webinar focused on North Carolina’s Hurricane Helene response; and the California Air Resources Board and the California Department of Public Health have developed resources to safeguard communities during smoke events.
Maryland Web Page: AHEAD Model
Maryland News Release: Governor Moore Signs Historic Agreement to Advance Innovative and Equitable Health Care, Lower Health Care Costs for Marylanders
NEMA Webinar: Navigating Crisis Communication: Lessons from North Carolina's Response to Hurricane Helene
AirNow Web Page: Wildfire Smoke – A Guide for Public Health Officials
Wildfire Smoke – Considerations for California’s Public Health Officials
Dr. Russell Dunkel, President of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, tells us why dental health is so important to public health; Keith A. James, Program Manager for Workforce Development and Health Equity for the U.S. Virgin Island Department of Health, explains how others can address workforce challenges with island-centric strategies; and an ASTHO report outlines ASTHO’s most popular resources of 2024.
ASTHO Web Page: Joint and Affiliate Councils
Association of State & Territorial Dental Directors Web Page
ASTHO Report: Leveraging Island-Centric Strategies to Address Workforce Challenges
ASTHO Report: Improving Indirect Cost Rate Use in Island Jurisdictions
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s Most Popular Resources of 2024
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health, shares some of his proudest accomplishments as he steps away from his position; Dirk Wilke is the new Interim Commissioner of the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services; and an ASTHO webinar on January 29th will be the Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) 2.0 initiative’s fourth national convening.
Fox 13 Seattle News Article: WA Secretary of Health, Dr. Umair Shah, stepping down in 2025
ASTHO Web Page: Dirk Wilke, JD, MBA
ASTHO Webinar: Centering Community-Led Strategies to Sustainable Public Health Financing
Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Deputy Secretary for Public Health at the Maryland Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, discusses Maryland’s winter weather safety campaign; and Dr. Tobi Adeyeye Amosun, Deputy Commissioner for Population Health for the Tennessee Department of Health, tells us about a recent meeting between senior deputies and CFOs with the CDC.
Maryland Department of Health Web Page: Resources – Extreme Cold
ABC 7 News Article: Maryland Department of Health urging residents to take precautions during winter months
ASTHO Blog Article: How to Stay Safe This Winter
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, dives into ASTHO’s Legal Mapping Project which was one of the most popular resources on ASTHO’s website in 2024; and Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, recaps how last year’s legislative session ended and gives an outlook for 2025 in this week’s View From Washington D.C. Report.
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center
ASTHO Web Page: ASTHO’s Most Popular Resources of 2024
Dr. Yngvild Olsen, Director of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at SAMHSA, tells us about the importance of the first-ever Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month; Dr. Beverly Kingston, Director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence, discusses the brand-new Power of One app launched in Colorado aimed at potential risk factors for youth violence; and an episode of the Public Health Review Podcast explains how your team can improve brain health with data-driven solutions.
SAMHSA Web Page: Substance Use Disorder Treatment Month
The Power of One App Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Enhancing Brain Health with Data-Driven Solutions
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Kristy Marynak, Senior Science Advisor at the CDC's Office on Smoking and Health, details a report on tobacco-related disease and death; Dr. Jean Ko, discusses a CDC report about overdose rates involving illicitly manufactured fentanyls; and an ASTHO Blog Article focuses on the integration of race and ethnicity data into public health.
CDC Web Page: Surgeon General's Report – Eliminating Tobacco-Related Disease and Death: Addressing Disparities
CDC Web Page: Detection of Illegally Manufactured Fentanyls and Carfentanil in Drug Overdose Deaths — United States, 2021–2024
ASTHO Blog Article: Integrating Race and Ethnicity Data in Public Health – Local, State, and Territorial Insights
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Sameer Vohra, ASTHO Member and the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, takes us through how his team is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) to impact the state of Illinois.
PHIG Partners Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: Illinois Strengthens Public Health Infrastructure with New Data Modernization Director
PHIG Partners Web Page: Illinois Director Vohra Announces Groundbreaking Public Health Workforce Transformation Initiative at Kick-Off Meeting
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. Ralph Alvarado, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, tells us why his team decided to create an Office of Healthy Aging; Dr. Jennifer Unger, a Professor of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California, discusses the rise of vape devices with built-in video games; and ICF is hosting a webinar about the transformative impact of recent CMS actions on Tuesday, January 7th at Noon ET.
Tennessee Department of Health News Release: New Office of Healthy Aging Will Support Well-Being of Tennessee's Growing Population of Older Adults
Keck School of Medicine of USC News Story: Vaping devices with video games
ICF Webinar: Medicare and Medicaid move upstream to address social determinants of health
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, tells us everything we need to know about the potential government shutdown; Ali Maffey, ASTHO Vice President of Social and Behavioral Health, outlines efforts across four jurisdictions to launch statewide firearm injury prevention surveys; and n ASTHO committee of CFOs and Senior Deputies recently met with the CDC to discuss the future.
ASTHO Web Page: Legislative Alerts
ASTHO Brief: Recommendations for Developing State Firearm Surveys and Applying Findings
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Rich Hamburg, Executive Director of the Safe States Alliance, reflects on his career in public health as he prepares to retire; Marita Chilton, Senior Director of Accreditation and Recognition at the Public Health Accreditation Board, tells us about the Vital Records and Health Statistics Reaccreditation Program; and a recent episode of the Public Health Review Podcast details how your team can work across agencies to maximize investments in the social determinants of health.
ASTHO Web Page: Joint and Affiliate Councils
Safe States Alliance News Release: Safe States Alliance Thanks Retiring Executive Director and Announces New Executive Director
Public Health Accreditation Board News Release: News PHAB Launches Reaccreditation Program for Vital Records and Health Statistics Units
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Working Strategically Across Agencies to Maximize Investments in the Social Determinants of Health
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Allison Budzinski, ASTHO Senior Workforce Analyst, tells us small and important steps to support the public health workforce; Shane Gausepohl, Communications and Equity Coordinator for Del Norte County Public Health, explains the Community Health Education Kiosk Project that his team has undertaken; and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, an ASTHO alum, has been named the new President and CEO of the Public Health Accreditation Board.
ASTHO Blog Article: Small Steps to Support and Compensate the Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Blog Article: Health Education Kiosks Meet Diverse Needs in California Community
Public Health Accreditation Board News Release: PHAB Names Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP, As New President and CEO
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Robert Goldstein, Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, describes how SAPHE 2.0 will promote health equity throughout the state; Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama State Health Officer and ASTHO President, is quoted in a recent Governing article that details the rise of bird flu in dairy cattle and weighs the risk to humans; and Dr. Anne Zink, former Chief Medical Officer for the Alaska Department of Health and ASTHO’s 80th President, has been appointed as a Lecturer and Senior Fellow at the Yale School of Public Health.
Boston Globe News Article: New law aims to shore up and equalize state’s public health services
SAPHE 2.0 Fact Sheet
Governing News Article: Bird Flu Continues to Spread. What Are the Risks for Humans and Cows?
Yale School of Public Health News Release: Dr. Anne Zink Appointed as Lecturer and Senior Fellow at YSPH
Melissa Magstadt, Secretary of Health in the South Dakota Department of Health, tells us how the state is using a recently awarded maternal health innovation grant; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, previews legislative trends for the upcoming year; and a recent Public Health Review episode explores how cloud technology, open-source tools, and data standards transform public health data systems.
South Dakota Department of Health News Release: South Dakota Department of Health Receives Maternal Health Innovation Grant to Improve Maternal Care
ASTHO Blog Article: Likely Public Health Legislative Trends for 2025
ASTHO Podcast Episode: Improving Public Health by Modernizing Data Exchange
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Debra Bogen, Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and an ASTHO Member, discusses ASTHO’s Maternal and Childhood Health Legislative Prospectus; Dr. Tina Tan, President of the Infectious Disease Society of America, tells us how public health can push back against pertussis; an ASTHO blog article explores how mathematical models and forecasts predict outbreaks and guide public health decisions; and ASTHO Member Dr. Betsy Tilson was awarded the Public Service Award from the North Carolina Academy of Family Physicians.
ASTHO Web Page: Supporting Maternal and Child Health Across All Stages of Life
NBC News Article: Whooping cough spikes, especially among unvaccinated teens
ASTHO Blog Article: Defining Disease Forecasting and Modeling
Lindsey Myers, ASTHO Vice President for Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure, discusses the need to bolster the public health workforce to better serve everyone; Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, recaps the annual APHA meeting; ASTHO’s Omar Khalid was recently featured on an episode of “Public Health Live!”; and an ASTHO blog article details more ways to support your workforce.
ASTHO Web Page: Strengthening the Public Health and Healthcare Workforce
American Public Health Association Web Page: APHA 2024
Public Health Live! Episode: Trauma Responsive Leadership for the Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Blog Article: Small Steps to Support and Compensate the Public Health Workforce
Dr. Robert Goldstein, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, discusses the containment and prevention of the spread of infectious disease as part of ASTHO’s Legislative Prospectus Series; Allyson Belton, Director of Education and Training for the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine and a Co-Lead of ASTHO Divers Executives Leading in Public Health program, looks back on how far the program has come as the fifth cohort kicks off; and ASTHO’s newest member is Gina DeBlassie, the Interim Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health.
ASTHO Web Page: 2025 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: Gina DeBlassie
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health and the ASTHO President, tells us exactly how his state has benefited from PHIG.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: PHIG – A Transformative Infrastructure Grant for Health Equity and Inclusive Workforces
PHIG Newsletter
Dr. James McDonald, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, discusses substance misuse and overdose prevention as part of ASTHO’s Legislative Prospectus series; Dr. Lindsey Kato, Director for the Division of Public Health with the State of Alaska, tells us about the journey for accreditation from the Public Health Accreditation Board; and PHIG has its own newsletter now.
ASTHO Web Page: Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention
ASTHO Blog Article: Alaska Division of Public Health’s Accreditation Success
PHIG Newsletter
Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, tells us what to expect from Congress as the year wraps up; Dr. Brendan Jackson, Director of the Office of Readiness, Response, and Operations for the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, discusses the current state of respiratory virus season as we wrap up National Influenza Vaccination Week; and ASTHO has compiled a number of evidence-based technical packages for your use.
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
CDC Web Page: About National Influenza Vaccination Week
ASTHO Web Page: Evidence-Based Public Health
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, emphasizes the importance of gathering data in Public Health to react to any issues as we continue ASTHO’s Legislative Prospectus Series; Debra Johnson, the Director of the Strategy and Transformation Management Office at the Oklahoma State Department of Health and Rachel Klein, the Director of the Office of Communications at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, tell us about their communications revamp journey; and ASTHO’s PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center can help your workforce.
ASTHO Web Page: Modernizing Public Health Data and Protecting Privacy
ASTHO Blog Article: Strengthening Public Health Communication – Oklahoma’s Strategy and Lessons Learned
ASTHO Web Page: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, gives us an overview of what to expect from ASTHO’s annual Legislative Prospectus Series; ASTHO’s INSPIRE: Readiness Series can help you foster innovation in your public health systems; and learn all about PHIG by signing up for the new PHIG newsletter.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top Five State Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2025
ASTHO Web Page: 2025 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Web Page: Fostering Innovation in Public Health Systems
PHIG Newsletter
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
David Harvey, Executive Director of the National Coalition of STD Directors and the ASTHO Affiliate Council Chair, tells us how the ASTHO Affiliate Council assists public health; Patrick Allen, former Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health, explains how a renewed public health order will lead to more syphilis testing; and a new ASTHO brief outlines several recommendations for developing state firearm surveys.
National Coalition of STD Directors Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Joint and Affiliate Councils
New Mexico Department of Health News Release: Renewed public health order targets congenital syphilis uptick
ASTHO Web Page: Recommendations for Developing State Firearm Surveys and Applying Findings
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, discusses the launch of the Take Control of Your Birth Control program; Catherine Jones, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Government Affairs, tells us what the priorities are for the lame duck period; and a new ASTHO report details how health agency staff can collaborate across sectors to address climate risks.
Michigan News Release: Gov. Whitmer Announces New Program to Provide Free Contraception to Michiganders, Lowering the Cost of Access to Family Planning
ASTHO Blog Article: Lame Duck Session Priorities in Congress
ASTHO Report: Health Agency Staff Collaborate Across Sectors to Address Climate Risks
Christina Severin, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health Law, dives into the ins and outs of the status of hemp; Linda Helland, Manager of California’s Climate Change and Health Equity Branch at the California Department of Public Health, tells us more about the work the branch is doing; ASTHO is looking for qualified candidates to be its Senior Director of Accounting Operations; and Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan and an ASTHO Member, shares her thanks for public health.
ASTHO Report: Integrating Environmental Justice and Health Equity into Statewide Climate Planning
ASTHO Blog Article: Hemp’s Hazy Legal Status Challenges Public Health Efforts
California Department of Public Health: Climate Change and Health Equity
ASTHO Web Page: Senior Director, Accounting Operations
Linda Helland, Manager of the Climate Change and Health Equity Branch in the Office of Health Equity at the California Department of Public Health, tells us how the California Department of Public Health is working to incorporate health equity into climate work; Tyrone Bethune, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Health Improvement and Healthy Aging, discusses support ASTHO provides for Alzheimer’s; ASTHO has a resource on the legal requirements for state funding core public health services; and Patrick Allen, Secretary of the New Mexico Department of Health, shares thanks for public health.
ASTHO Report: Integrating Environmental Justice and Health Equity into Statewide Climate Planning
California Department of Public Health Webpage: Climate Change and Health Equity
ASTHO Web Page: Healthy Aging and Brain Health
ASTHO Web Page: Needs Assessment Toolkit for Dementia, Cognitive Health and Caregiving
ASTHO Web Page: State Funding Requirements for Core Public Health Services in Local Health Agencies – A Legal Overview
Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President and State Health Officer of the Alabama Department of Public Health and Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, share their thoughts on Public Health Thank You Day; and Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, delivers a message for Public Health Thank You Day.
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health Thank You Day
American Public Health Association Web Page: Public Health Thank You Day
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Awele Maduka-Ezeh, Medical Director for the Delaware Division of Public Health, details the launch of the Health Equity Institute of Delaware; Ken Rose, Branch Chief for the Physical Activity and Health Program in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity at the CDC, tells us how community design can affect health aging; an ASTHO blog article focuses on building more equitable communities through policy; and Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of the Hawaii State Department of Health, shares his thoughts as we near Public Health Thank You Day.
Delaware News Release: Health Equity Institute of Delaware Offers Training to Clinical and Public Health Workers
CDC Web Page: Community Design
ASTHO Blog Article: Building More Equitable Communities Through Public Health Law
Caroline Wroczynski, Education Manager for the National Organization of State Health Offices of Rural Health, tells us about the impact of National Rural Health Day; Dr. Robyn Cree, Epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention within the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, evaluated the success of the Public Health Disability Specialists Program; the Great American Smokeout is also today; and the CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory focused on the first case of Clade I Mpox.
National Rural Health Day Web Page
Journal of Public Health Management Practice Article: Best Practices and Lessons Learned From the Public Health Disability Specialists Program – Addressing the Needs of People With Disabilities During COVID-19
American Cancer Society Web Page: The Great American Smokeout
ASTHO Web Page: Menthol Capacity Building
CDC Web Page: First Case of Clade I Mpox Diagnosed in the United States
Dr. Charmain Jackman, Licensed Psychologist and Founder and CEO of InnoPsych, tells us how InnoPsych plans to diversify the psychology workforce; Tami Thompson, Regulatory Affairs Manager at the Washington State Department of Health, discusses how Washington is prioritizing health equity in their rulemaking processes; the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has its own newsletter; and ASTHO is hiring several positions.
CNN News Article: Why Black women are pushing to diversify health care industry
ASTHO Report: Equitable Rulemaking in Washington State
PHIG Newsletter
ASTHO Web Page: Careers At ASTHO
Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health and ASTHO’s Immediate Past President, tells us how his state is using the Public Health Infrastructure Grant to improve the state of public health in Kentucky; ASTHO and the National Community Action Partnership are hosting a webinar focused on lessons learned from the vaccine equity project on November 20th at 2 p.m. ET; and California has confirmed the first known case of Clade I MPox in the United States.
PHIG Web Page
ASTHO Webinar: Leading the Way for Community-Driven Health Transformation – Lessons Learned from the Vaccine Equity Project
California Department of Public Health News Release: California Reports First Known U.S. Case of Emerging Mpox Strain
CDC News Release: California confirms first clade I mpox case
Karl Ensign, ASTHO Vice President for Island Support, tells us why braiding and layering funding can be beneficial as ASTHO launches a learning module on the subject; Beth Giambrone, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, discusses the EPA setting limits on PFAS chemicals in drinking water; and ASTHO is looking for its next Chief Medical Officer.
ASTHO Learning Module: Braiding and Layering Funding
ASTHO Blog Article: States’ Growing Efforts to Eliminate PFAS
ASTHO Web Page: Chief Medical Officer
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Rachel Jervis, Foodborne Enteric, Waterborne and Wastewater Diseases Program Manager for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, discusses how Colorado played a key role in the response to the McDonald’s E. coli outbreak; Joshua Berry, ASTHO Director of Chronic Disease Risk Factors, details the latest version of the National Youth Tobacco Survey; the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has its own newsletter; and an ASTHO Brief takes you through lessons learned from the Data Road Map for Racial Equity Advancement in Maternal and Child Health Learning Community.
CNN News Article: How disease detectives’ quick work traced deadly E. coli outbreak to McDonald’s Quarter Pounders
CDC Web Page: Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2024
PHIG Newsletter
ASTHO Brief: Using Data to Advance Racial Equity – Lessons from the DREAM Learning Community
Greg Papillon, ASTHO Director of Public Health Innovation, tells us about the launch of ASTHO’s Innovation Advisory Council; Jonathan Greene, Deputy Assistant Secretary at the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, reflects on the response in North Carolina to Hurricane Helene; and ASTHO and the National Community Action Partnership are hosting a webinar focused on lessons learned from the vaccine equity project.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Launches Public-Private Advisory Council to Address Critical Public Health Challenges
Vaccine Equity Project Webinar
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health and ASTHO President-Elect, breaks down some of the recommendations from the most recent ACIP meeting; Kelsey Tillema, ASTHO Senior Analyst, discusses the recent PH-HERO Agency Advocate event; and for all PHIG information, PHIG has its own newsletter now.
American Medical Association Web Page: New ACIP recommendations – COVID vaccine frequency for seniors and RSV vaccine safety concerns
PHIG Newsletter
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Teresa Ehnert, Federal Affairs Liaison for the Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Resiliency, Policy, and Environmental Services, discusses why public health is the perfect career for someone transitioning from the military; Lillia Colasurdo, ASTHO Director of Public Health Law and Data Sharing, tells us how the HTI-2 rule could help those in public health; the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has its own newsletter; and applications are now open for ASTHO’s Over-the-Counter Contraception Academy.
Arizona Department of Health Services Web Page: AZ Hires Vets
ASTHO Blog Article: What Public Health Leaders Need to Know About HTI-2 Proposed Rule
PHIG Newsletter
ASTHO Web Page: Funding & Collaboration Opportunities
Dr. Kenneth Fink, Director of the Hawaii Department of Health, an ASTHO Member and a retired Air Force Colonel, tells us how the military prepared him for his role in public health; Sara Bell, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Public Health Systems and Planning, tells us about a recent ASTHO learning community series focused on public health planning; and ASTHO is sharing best practices for environmental agency resiliency planning.
State of Hawaii Web Page: Director of Health
ASTHO Blog Article: Balancing Structure and Flexibility for Effective Public Health Planning
ASTHO Report: State Resiliency Planning Considerations
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. James Huynh, Assistant Professor in the Department of Health Management and Policy at the University of Michigan School of Public Health, discusses what the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey says about racism; Sarah Auer, Program Analyst for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, outlines the findings from CSTE’s Epidemiology Capacity Assessment; ASTHO would like to give a warm welcome to Dr. Stacey Bank as the newest ASTHO member; and an ASTHO blog article details how Minnesota uses the Public Health Infrastructure Grant to streamline public health funding and technical assistance.
CDC Web Page: Experiences of Racism in School and Associations with Mental Health, Suicide Risk, and Substance Use Among High School Students — Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2023
CSTE News Release: New report shows U.S. has shortfall of health detectives, posing serious threats in future health emergencies
Utah Department of Health and Human Services News Release: Utah DHHS welcomes Dr. Stacey Bank as new executive medical director
ASTHO Blog Article: How Massachusetts Streamlines Data Sharing to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Wanda Barfield, Division Director for the Division of Reproductive Health at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses the “Hear Her” campaign that aims to help the national maternal mortality crisis; Naasira Taylor, Leadership Training Coordinator and the Program Manager for Leading the Way, explains how PHIG has funded a leadership training program in South Carolina.
CDC Web Page: Hear Her Campaign
PHIG Newsletter
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Lori Freeman, Chief Executive Officer for the National Association of County and City Health Officials, discusses a new report from the CDC outlines the decline in required vaccine coverage among kindergartners; and Brittany Lee, ASTHO Director of Family and Child Health, tells us about a recently proposed rule to make over-the-counter birth control free for those with private health insurance.
CDC Web Page: Vaccination Coverage and Exemptions among Kindergartners
CNN News Article: Required vaccine coverage among US kindergartners dips again, new CDC data shows
NPR News Article: Biden administration proposes a rule to make over-the-counter birth control free
HHS Web Page: Biden-Harris Administration Proposes Expanding Coverage of Birth Control and Other Preventive Services
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Gayatri Raol, Data Modernization Director at the Illinois Department of Public Health, outlines how the Public Health Infrastructure Grant is helping her department; Alicia Camuy, with Health Career Connection, wrote a blog article about the initiatives the Illinois Department of Public Health is funding with PHIG; there is now a newsletter dedicated solely to PHIG; and Jessica Fepelstein, State and Community Engagement Analyst for ASTHO, reflects on STRETCH 2.0.
ASTHO Blog Article: Illinois Strengthens Public Health Infrastructure with New Data Modernization Director
PHIG Newsletter
ASTHO Blog Article: Best Practices for Sustained Community Engagement Learned from the STRETCH 2.0 Midpoint
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, is stepping away from ASTHO after seven years in the position; Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health and ASTHO President, says the next few years are critical ones for public health; and this Sunday, November 3rd, marks One Health Day.
ASTHO Web Page: Scott Harris
CDC Web Page: One Health Day
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Laura Ungar, Science and Medical Writer on the Global Health and Science Team for the Associated Press, discusses the two articles she wrote about the maternal mortality crisis; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO Past President and Alaska’s former Chief Medical Officer recently hosted an Alaska Public Media radio show; and applications close today for ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
AP News Article: Europe offers clues for solving America’s maternal mortality crisis
AP News Article: America is trying to fix its maternal mortality crisis with federal, state and local programs
Alaska Public Media Web Page: The past, present, and future of Line One and Alaskan health
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: DELPH Applications
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Dan Dodgen, Senior Advisor for the Office of Strategy Policy and Requirements in the Office of the Administrator for Strategic Preparedness and Response at HHS, discusses the importance of a recent listening session focused on the effect of disasters on children; Keon Lewis, Health Equity Consultant for C4 Innovations and a DELPH Graduate, talks about how DELPH helped him as the deadline to apply quickly approaches; and applications are now open for ASTHO’s Over-the-Counter Contraception Academy.
ASTHO Blog Article: How Emergency Preparedness Can Better Protect Children’s Health
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: DELPH Applications
ASTHO Web Page: Funding & Collaboration Opportunities
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, details Illinois’ latest report on infant mortality; Allison Corr, Manager for the Suicide Risk Reduction Project at Pew Charitable Trusts, explains trends surrounding suicide; and you still have time to sign up for ASTHO’s Performance Management System Vendor Showcase on October 30th.
Illinois Department of Public Health News Release: IDPH Report Shows Drop in Infant Mortality Rate as State of Illinois Makes Push to Improve Infant Health
Pew Web Page: Suicide Risk Increasing and Many High-Risk People Don’t Receive Mental Health Care
Pew Web Page: U.S. National Trends and Disparities in Suicidal Ideation, Suicide Attempts, and Health Care Use
ASTHO Web Page: Vendor Showcase – Performance Management Systems
Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, examines recent state-level funding changes for public health; Dr. Pamela Mink, Director of Health Services Research at the Minnesota Department of Health, tells us about a report on the impact of the 2021 Minnesota Telehealth Act; and apply today to be part of ASTHO’s next DELPH cohort.
Minnesota Department of Health Web Page: MDH study finds telehealth continues to benefit Minnesotans
ASTHO Blog Article: State Efforts to Bolster Funding for Core Public Health Services
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
ASTHO Web Page: DELPH Applications
Dr. Tekisha Everette, Executive Vice President at Trust For America’s Health, outlines the six priorities of the new Trust For America’s Health Blueprint Report; Andrea Schon, National Account Manager for VMSG Dashboard, previews ASTHO’s upcoming performance management system vendor showcase; and ASTHO’s HAI roadmap will help you understand Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance programs.
Trust for America’s Health Web Page: Pathway to a Healthier America: A Blueprint for Strengthening Public Health for the Next Administration and Congress
ASTHO Web Page: Vendor Showcase – Performance Management Systems
ASTHO Web Page: HAI Roadmap
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health and now ASTHO President, previews the upcoming year in his new role; Jazmin Orozco Rodriguez, Correspondent for KFF Health News, discusses her article about public health budget cuts; the deadline to apply for ASTHO’s next Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health cohort is quickly approaching; and the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has its own newsletter.
ASTHO News Release: Scott Harris, State Health Officer of Alabama Department of Public Health, Announced as Next ASTHO President
KFF Health News Article: Boom, Now Bust: Budget Cuts and Layoffs Take Hold in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: DELPH Applications
ASTHO Webinar: Elevating Tools and Resources for Transforming Performance Management
PHIG Connections Newsletter
Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health and current ASTHO President, tells us about ASTHO’s upcoming leadership transition; Madison Novosel, North Dakota’s Lead Program Coordinator discusses the program’s new home in the state’s Department of Health and Human Services; an ASTHO blog article explains how the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is making improvements to their hiring practices; and a new ASTHO resource provides strategies for enhancing governmental public health workforce well-being and retention.
Scott Harris, MD, MPH, FACP, FIDSA Biography
The North Dakota Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
ASTHO Blog Article: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Improvements in Public Health Hiring Practices
ASTHO Worksheet: Strategies for Enhancing Governmental Public Health Workforce Well-Being and Retention Recommendation to Action Worksheet
Catherine Murphy, Government Affairs Analyst at ASTHO, previews a new blog article that details federal efforts for long COVID; Ewa King, PhD, Chief Program Officer at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, details a new online resource for the latest on H5N1; ASTHO will host an online event on the latest performance management systems to track indicators and outcomes; and in a new ASTHO video, the Oklahoma State Department of Health shares its journey using Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) funds to revisit and modernize its communications strategies.
ASTHO: Federal Policies Search for Insights and Solutions into Long COVID
APHL: 8 Things You Should Know About HPAI A(H5N1)
ASTHO: Vendor Showcase: Performance Management Systems
ASTHO: Strengthening Public Health Communication: Oklahoma’s Strategy and Lessons Learned
Dr. Sejal Hathi, Director of the Oregon Health Authority and an ASTHO Member, dives into her state’s strategic plan to eliminate health inequities by 2030; Shalini Nair, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Infectious Disease, wrote an article about ASTHO’s work with the National Community Action Partnership to address disparities in adult immunizations; and an ASTHO blog article outlines how diversity can create a healthier society.
Oregon Health Authority Web Page: Oregon Health Authority Strategic Plan
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Partnering for Vaccine Equity – A Public Health-Community Action Model to Advance Delivery of Essential Health Services
ASTHO Blog Article: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Public Health: Creating a Healthier Society
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
David Moffitt, Captain with the Phoenix Fire Department Homeland Defense Bureau and Public Health Program Manager and Threat Liaison Officer, tells us how Fusion Centers are integrating with public health; Keon Lewis, Health Equity Consultant for C4 Innovations, tells us why DELPH was so valuable to him; and the CDC has issued a health alert network advisory about a supply interruption to certain dialysis and IV solutions due to Hurricane Helene.
Homeland Security Web Page: Fusion Centers
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: DELPH Applications
CDC Web Page: Disruptions in Availability of Peritoneal Dialysis and Intravenous Solutions from Baxter International Facility in North Carolina
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Lily McClure, Workforce Director for the Texas Department of State Health Services, tells us how Texas benefited from the ASTHO Peer Assessment Program; Christina Mullins, Deputy Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders at the West Virginia Department of Human Services, details how they reduced overdose deaths by 28 percent; the 2024 Virtual Performance Management Vendor Showcase is on October 30; and the CDC has launched a new web portal to support emergency preparedness for people living with disabilities.
ASTHO Blog Article: Texas Leverages ASTHO Program to Advance Workforce Strategy
West Virginia Department of Health News Release: West Virginia Department of Human Services Reports Significant Reduction in Overdose Fatalities
ASTHO Web Page: Vendor Showcase – Performance Management Systems
CDC Web Page: Communication Resources
Kristin Sullivan, ASTHO Director of Public Health Systems Improvement and Infrastructure, details how the ASTHO Peer Assessment Program can benefit an organization; Dr. Monica Schoch-Spana, Research Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, dives into the PanREMEDY project; an upcoming ASTHO’s webinar focuses on how to navigate the rulemaking process; and a new Forever Stamp honors the healthcare community.
ASTHO Web Page: Peer Assessment Program
PanREMEDY Report
ASTHO Webinar: Navigating the Rulemaking Process
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 756: Improving Cancer Messaging, Importance of Rulemaking Webinar
USPS Web Page: Healthcare Community Recognized on New Forever Stamp
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and an ASTHO Member, dives into the state’s first-ever statewide public awareness campaign focused on dementia; Dr. Rachel Hare Bork, Director of Research and Impact at the de Beaumont Foundation, tells us why the PH WINS survey is so beneficial; applications for the next cohort of ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program are now being accepted; and an ASTHO webinar that will equip you with the tools to better your performance management systems.
de Beaumont Foundation Web Page: What is PH WINS?
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment News Release: State health department launches statewide dementia awareness campaign
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment News Release: State releases five-year plan to reduce Alzheimer's disease and related dementias impacts on Coloradans
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: Applications
Dr. Roxanne Connelly, Entomology and Ecology Team Lead in the Arboviral Diseases Branch of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases at the CDC, tells us about the CDC’s response plan for Oropouche Virus; Latoya Sahadeo, ASTHO’s Leadership Development Program Director, discusses the wide-ranging benefits of the DELPH program; on Oct. 23 at 2 p.m. ET ASTHO and ChangeLab Solutions will host part two of their webinar series on regulations and rulemaking; and an ASTHO resource focuses on the basics of case investigation and contact tracing.
CDC Web Page: Response to Oropouche Virus Disease Cases in U.S. States and Territories in the Americas
ASTHO Web Page: Applications
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webinar: Navigating the Rulemaking Process
ASTHO Web Page: Foundations in Case Investigation and Contact Tracing
Suzanne Bornschein, Rhode Island State Epidemiologist, outlines Rhode Island’s approach to combating Eastern Equine Encephalitis; Francesca Provenzano, Public Health Section Chief with the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health, tells us about ASTHO’s recent Directors of Public Health Preparedness Meeting; ASTHO staff have co-authored a Journal for the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice; and an ASTHO toolkit helps state and territorial health agencies mitigate drug shortages.
CDC Web Page: About Eastern Equine Encephalitis
ASTHO Web Page: Preparedness
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Approaching Public Health Issues Among People Who Use Drugs Through a Syndemic Lens
ASTHO Web Page: Improving Access to Critical Medications: A Policy Toolkit for Health Agency Program Leadership
Mieka Sanderson, Deputy Director for Public Health AmeriCorps, discusses the latest Notice of Funding Opportunity; Amy Wodarek O’Reilly, Principal Managing Consultant at Mathematica Policy Research, tells us Mathematica’s role as an Implementation Center; ASTHO’s upcoming webinar focuses on how to best navigate the rulemaking process; and applications are now open for ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
AmeriCorps Web Page: FY 2025 AmeriCorps State and National Grants
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Infrastructure Partners Launch National Implementation Center Program to Support Data Modernization
PHIG Partners Web Page: Wave 1 (2024) Expression of Interest
ASTHO Webinar: Navigating the Rulemaking Process
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Dr. Kelly S. Ramsey, an Addiction Medicine and Harm Reduction Consultant, discusses a Q&A she wrote for Johns Hopkins about the expansion of methadone treatment access; Matta Sannoh, ASTHO Chronic Disease Risk Factors Senior Analyst, tells us about ASTHO’s Menthol Capacity Building web page; and an ASTHO blog article details how Washington State continues to improve emergency preparedness.
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Web Page: Expanding Access to Methadone Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in Carceral Settings
LinkedIn Web Page: Kelly S. Ramsey
ASTHO Blog Article: Menthol Capacity Building
ASTHO Blog Article: How Washington State Leverages Data to Improve Emergency Preparedness
Dr. Zack Moore, State Epidemiologist with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, explains how his state effectively uses wastewater testing; Truc Taylor, Director of Public Health Informatics at Guidehouse, discusses Guidehouse being one of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant Implementation Centers; Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, is now also part of the Connecticut Health Foundation’s advisory committee; and an ASTHO blog article will help you learn how to create a more equitable public health system through grants;
CDC Web Page: Wastewater Surveillance for Influenza A Virus and H5 Subtype Concurrent with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Outbreak in Cattle and Poultry and Associated Human Cases
CDC Web Page: Notes from the Field – Support for Wastewater Monitoring and Influence on Protective Behavioral Intentions Among Adults — United States, July 2024
CDC Web Page: Infectious Disease Physicians’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Wastewater Surveillance, United States, 2024
PHIG Partners Web Page: Wave 1 (2024) Expression of Interest
Yale School of Public Health Web Page: Connecticut Health Foundation launches advisory committee for statewide blueprint on maternal health equity
ASTHO Blog Article: Advanced Grant Payments – Creating a More Equitable Public Health System
Dr. Peggy Honein, Director of the Division of Infectious Disease Readiness and Innovation at the CDC, tells us how the CDC has used wastewater surveillance to track influenza; Kari White, Director of Community Health Equity with Northern Counties Healthcare, discusses the Vermont STRETCH Collaborative; and two ASTHO blog articles address different issues to consider when responding to hurricanes.
CDC Web Page: Wastewater Surveillance for Influenza A Virus and H5 Subtype Concurrent with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus Outbreak in Cattle and Poultry and Associated Human Cases
CDC Web Page: Notes from the Field – Support for Wastewater Monitoring and Influence on Protective Behavioral Intentions Among Adults — United States, July 2024
CDC Web Page: Infectious Disease Physicians’ Knowledge and Practices Regarding Wastewater Surveillance, United States, 2024
ASTHO Blog Article: STRETCH-ing for Health – Operationalizing Health Equity in Public Health Agencies
ASTHO Blog Article: Empowering Connection Through STRETCH
ASTHO Blog Article: Responding to Environmental Health Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for and Responding to Infectious Disease Threats Following Hurricanes
Dr. John Anderton, Associate Director for Communication Science at the CDC's Office of Readiness and Response, tells us how the CDC has changed their approach to National Preparedness Month; Brian Lentes, Senior Director for Public Health Infrastructure at ASTHO, discusses ASTHO’s upcoming Virtual Performance Management Vendor Showcase; and you can now apply for ASTHO’s latest cohort of the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
CDC Web Page: National Preparedness Month 2024
ASTHO Web Page: Vendor Showcase – Performance Management Systems
ASTHO Web Page: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Web Page: DELPH Applications
Dr. Lynn Bufka, Deputy Chief of Professional Practice at the American Psychological Association, discusses the Surgeon General’s recent general advisory on the mental health and well-being of parents; A.C. Rothenbuecher, ASTHO Director of Workforce, details ASTHO’s new workforce planning guide; and an ASTHO blog article focuses on how to better protect children’s health through emergency preparedness.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Web Page: Parental Mental Health & Well-Being
ASTHO Web Page: Workforce Planning Guide – Guidance, Tools, and Resources to Assist Public Health Agencies in Workforce Planning
ASTHO Blog Article: How Emergency Preparedness Can Better Protect Children’s Health
Dr. Steven Stack, MD, MBA, Commissioner for Public Health and Chief Medical Officer, Commonwealth of Kentucky, and ASTHO President, discusses a partnership with HBCU Kentucky State University to bolster the public health workforce; Julia Greenspan, MPH, CHES, Director, Infectious Disease Infrastructure and Policy, ASTHO, lists the benefits of FDA approval of the first at-home syphilis test; a new ASTHO blog article looks at the Ohio Department of Health’s effort to improve public health data and emergency preparedness through partnerships; a new ASTHO toolkit is available on advancing contraceptive care to improve maternal health outcomes.
New Partnership with Kentucky State University Will Expand Pathways to Public Health Careers
FDA: Marketing Authorization Enables Increased Access to First Step of Syphilis Diagnosis
ASTHO: Ohio Department of Health Using Partnerships to Improve Public Health Data and Emergency Preparedness
ASTHO Toolkit: Advancing Contraceptive Care to Improve Maternal Health Outcomes
Alison Cammack, PhD, MPH, lead author and health scientist on the CDC suicide prevention team, provides an overview of the CDC’s new Vital Signs report, with new data on suicide rates and variables; Stacy Scott, PhD, National Institute for Children’s Health Quality, discusses the role of public health in the effort to reduce infant mortality; an ASTHO blog article looks at better protecting children’s health through emergency preparedness.
CDC: Vital Signs: Suicide Rates and Selected County-Level Factors - United States, 2022
NICHQ: Infant Mortality CoIIN Prevention Toolkit
NICHQ: National Infant Mortality Awareness Month Toolkit
ASTHO: How Emergency Preparedness Can Better Protect Children’s Health
Dr. Diane Hall, Director of the CDC Office of Rural Health, dives into the CDC’s new Rural Public Health Strategic Plan; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, tells us how Congress avoided a government shutdown this week; and Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, announces the launch of the new Lead-Free CT Campaign.
CDC Web Page: Rural Public Health Strategic Plan
ASTHO Web Page: Summary of FY25 Continuing Resolution
Connecticut Network Web Page: Capitol News Briefing
Dr. Sheena Patel, Executive Director for Public Health Modernization at Crisp Shared Services, discusses the role Crisp Shared Services will play in the Implementation Center program; Lisa Peterson, ASTHO Senior Director for Preparedness, discusses the upcoming annual Directors of Public Health Preparedness Meeting; and the CDC has issued a Health Update for Mpox through the Health Alert Network.
Data Modernization Implementation Center Program Web Page
CDC Web Page: Prevention Strategies for Mpox, including Vaccinating People at Risk via Sexual Exposure, for U.S. Travelers Visiting Countries with Clade I Mpox Outbreaks
Brianne Zaborowske, Lead Crisis Coordinator in the Division of Care and Treatment Services at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, discusses new crisis stabilization facilities across Wisconsin; Elizabeth Conklin, Connecticut Data for Action Participant, tells us about being part of the first cohort for the Healthy Brain Initiative Data for Action Project; and it is Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
Wisconsin Department of Health Services News Release: Five Crisis Stabilization Facilities Now Open Across Wisconsin
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Enhancing Brain Health with Data-Driven Solutions
ASTHO Report: Expanding Falls Prevention Through Surveillance, Community-Clinical Linkages, and Strategic Planning and Evaluation
CDC Web Page: Trends in Nonfatal Falls and Fall-Related Injuries Among Adults Aged ≥65 Years — United States, 2012–2018
Dr. Lisa Richardson, Division Director of Cancer Prevention and Control at the CDC, breaks down a recent ASTHO report on cancer messaging; Andy Baker-White, ASTHO Senior Director for State Health Policy, tells us about two ASTHO webinars focused on public health agency rulemaking; and Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, was recently featured on an episode of the podcast “Reimagining Government for the Digital Age”.
ASTHO Report: Improving Public Health Messaging: Exploring the Reach and Effectiveness of Cancer Prevention Communications
ASTHO Webinar: Navigating the Rulemaking Process
Podcast Episode: Reimagining Public Healthcare with globally renowned innovator, Dr. Umair A. Shah, M.D., MPH
Karl Ensign, ASTHO Vice President of Island Support, talks about the work to address COVID-19 health disparities in the U.S. territories and freely associated states; Christina Severin, ASTHO Director of Public Health Law, summarizes several recent Supreme Court decisions that could affect public health; and you can still ask your questions about the new Data Modernization Implementation Center Program at an upcoming office hours opportunity.
American Journal of Public Health Article: Reducing COVID-19 Health Disparities in the Territories and Freely Associated States
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Defining and Advancing Health Equity in the US Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health Full-Court(s) Press
PHIG Web Page: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
Captain Heather Dimeris, Director for the Office of the Advancement of Telehealth at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, discusses investments in telehealth as we celebrate Telehealth Awareness Week; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, updates us on the latest federal spending developments; and ASTHO has a new guide to help you procure data visualization software.
HHS Telehealth Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
ASTHO Web Page: Procuring Contractor Support to Build a Data Dashboard
Tanya Carter, Suicide Prevention Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Health, discusses the state’s preventable death data which showed some improvements; Chikamso Chukwu, ASTHO Analyst with the Population Health Team, tells us about a Primary Care Office survey; an ASTHO brief has five recommendations to enhance governmental public health workforce recruitment and hiring; and the CDC has a toolkit that promotes emotional well-being during October and beyond.
Minnesota Department of Health News Release: Preventable deaths by suicide declined in 2023
ASTHO Web Page: 2024 Primary Care Office Annual Technical Assistance Survey
ASTHO Brief: Five Recommendations for Enhancing Governmental Public Health Workforce Recruitment and Hiring
CDC Emotional Wellness Month Partner Toolkit
Zach Lowenstein, Program Manager with the EPA’s Office of Waste Water Management, discusses the Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap initiative; Jon Lujan, Program Manager for the Guam Public Health and Welfare Secretariat Program, details the expansion of a public health warehouse on the island; and Meghan Fadel, Associate Director with the Healthy Brain Initiative at the Alzheimer’s Association, tells us about an effort to help states integrate data on brain health and caregiving into public health planning efforts.
EPA Web Page: SepticSmart Week
EPA Web Page: Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap
SepticSmart Week Proclamation
ASTHO Web Page: Modernizing Infrastructure and Facilities for Readiness and Response
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Enhancing Brain Health with Data-Driven Solutions
Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and an ASTHO Member, discusses the allocation of $300 million to address substance use disorder; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, spoke to Route Fifty about COVID-19 vaccinations; Maya Goldman, a Reporter for Axios, tells us about a new report that says the U.S. will be short thousands of health care workers by 2028; and an ASTHO webinar will help create a workplace that promotes psychological safety.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services News Release: MDHHS Director Hertel visits Detroit Recovery Project to discuss nearly $300 million in FY 2025 budget to address SUD
Route Fifty News Article: $62M available for state, local health agencies to offer free vaccines
Axios News Article: Health worker shortages forecast thru 2028
ASTHO Webinar: Grounding Leadership and Engagement in Psychological Safety to Promote a Culture of Equity
Catherine Jones, Senior Analyst, Government Affairs, ASTHO, outlines a new ASTHO blog article about the federal response to rising temperatures; Bobbi Krabill, Deputy Director, Office of Performance and Innovation, Ohio Department of Health, discusses ensuring those with disabilities are included in emergency planning; and an ASTHO webinar on Tuesday, September 17th, details campaign messaging to promote pharmacist-prescribed contraception.
An Impact Evaluation of the Disability and Preparedness Specialist Program
Ohio Includes Stakeholders of All Abilities in Public Health Planning
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception: Public Outreach & Awareness
Amber Williams, ASTHO Senior Vice President, reflects on the changes in public health in her seven years with the organization; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President, discusses Congress’ focus this fall, a continuing resolution, and what ASTHO members need to know in the View from Washington, DC report; A webinar on how to put performance management into action is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th; An e-learning course on the STRETCH Framework will teach attendees how to apply health equity principles; and ASTHO will hold office hours Monday, September 16th, for agencies to ask questions about the Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program.
ASTHO Legislative Alerts
ASTHO Webinar: Operationalizing Performance Management in a Health Department
ASTHO Online Course: Tools to Operationalize Equity Using the STRETCH Framework
Office Hours: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
Dr. James McDonald, MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health, New York State Department of Health, details a program that uses scholarships to address health inequities; Dr. Umair Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health, Washington State Department of Health, had a recent appearance on a podcast and discussed the relationship between public health, health care providers and communities; Marie Flake, Senior Program Manager at the Public Health Foundation, outlines an e-learning training on the Foundational Public Health Services Framework, FPHS; Preview of an interview with a longtime ASTHO executive.
New York State Department of Health Announces Additional Funding to Continue Efforts to Improve and Expand Physician Diversity
Reimagining Government for the Digital Age Podcast Episode: Reimagining Public Healthcare with Globally Renowned Innovator, Dr. Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health, Washington State Department of Health
ASTHO and PHF: Foundational Public Health Services eLearning Series
Maggie Nilz, MPH, CPH, Senior Analyst, Preparedness and Disability Integration, ASTHO, discusses emergency stockpiles management; Allison Budzinski, Social & Behavioral Health and Workforce Senior Analyst, ASTHO, previews strategies for agencies to recruit and hire from a new article in Journal of Public Health Management and Practice; A new ASTHO blog article explains how members can promote a planning culture; And sign up for ASTHO Legislative Alert emails.
Strategic Stockpiling: How New State Policies will Impact Emergency Preparedness
JPHMP: Optimizing Governmental Public Health Recruitment and Hiring
Cultivating a Culture of Planning
ASTHO Legislative Alerts
Alysia Mihalakos, Chief, Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Rhode Island Department of Health, and Chair of the ASTHO Directors of Public Health Preparedness Peer Network, discusses National Preparedness Month and year-round collaboration of agencies that respond to emergencies; Dr. Andrea Young, Director for the Division of Workforce Development, CDC’s Public Health Infrastructure Center, details the AmeriCorps and CDC grant funding to support more than 4,000 AmeriCorps workers; and information on the HHS “Risk Less. Do More” campaign to educate audiences about respiratory viruses.
National Preparedness Month Ready.gov
AmeriCorps and CDC Award $76 Million in Funding to Support Public Health Needs Nationwide
ASTHO Office Hours: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
HHS “Risk Less. Do More” Campaign
Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health, breaks down the latest ‘Pain in the Nation’ report; Chantel Emery, the Dialysis Infection Prevention Lead with the Florida Department of Health’s Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Program, tells us how the Making Dialysis Safer Coalition has helped her team; and the third convening of the STRETCH 2.0 initiative will take place on Wednesday, September 18th at 4 p.m. ET.
2024 Pain in the Nation Report: The Epidemics of Alcohol, Drug, and Suicide Deaths
CDC Web Page: Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition
ASTHO Blog Article: Enhancing Dialysis Safety – Voices from the Making Dialysis Safer Coalition
ASTHO Webinar: Grounding Leadership and Engagement in Psychological Safety to Promote a Culture of Equity
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
John Auerbach, Senior Vice President for Health at ICF, previews an upcoming webinar on AI; Paula Lee, Manager of Public Health Training at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Office of Public Health Practice, Planning, and Local Partnerships; tells us about the Athena Success Partnering Program; the Data Modernization Implementation Center Program is off and running; SAMHSA is hosting an inaugural 988 day later this month; and the Illinois Department of Public Health has launched a podcast called “This is Public Health.”
ICF Webinar: The role of AI in advancing public health
ASTHO Blog Article: Colorado's New Online Mentorship Initiative Supports Local Public Health Agencies
PHIG Web Page: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
SAMHSA Web Page: 988 Day
Illinois Department of Public Health Podcast: Exploring Public Health Efforts in Illinois with Director Sameer Vohra
Rachel Jervis, Foodborne, Enteric, Waterborne, and Wastewater Diseases Program Manager with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, discusses a recent CDC report on foodborne illnesses; Paolo Del Vecchio, Director of SAMHSA’s Office of Recovery, outlines the upcoming observances of National Recovery Month; ASTHO welcomes new member Naomi Adeline-Biggs, who was recently appointed as the new Public Health Director for the Oregon Health Authority; and several ASTHO members were quoted in a recent Route Fifty article focused on ASTHO’s recent respiratory virus season deskside briefing.
CDC Report: Reported Incidence of Infections Caused by Pathogens Transmitted Commonly
Through Food
SAMHSA Web Page: National Recovery Month 2024
ASTHO Web Page: Naomi Adeline-Biggs
Route Fifty News Article: How states can tackle vaccine hesitancy with data
Dr. Laura Herrera Scott, Secretary of Health for the Maryland Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, discusses the state’s revamped overdose dashboard; Claire Hannan, Executive Director of the Association of Immunization Managers, tells us how immunizations get extra attention during this month; Dr. James McDonald, New York State Health Commissioner and an ASTHO Member, explains his approach to health equity; and an ASTHO webinar focuses on pharmacist-prescribed contraception on Tuesday, September 17th.
Maryland Department of Health News Release: Maryland Department of Health launches new overdose data dashboard
Association of Immunization Managers Web Page: 2024 Immunization Champion Award Winners
New York Now Web Page: Full Episode – The State of NY's Cannabis Industry, NYS DOH Commissioner
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception: Public Outreach & Awareness
Dr. Rachel Wightman, Consultant Medical Director at the Rhode Island Department of Health for Drug Overdose Prevention and Surveillance, catches us up on the state’s opioid strategy; Kelly White, Director of the Infectious Disease Epidemiology and Prevention Division at the Indiana Department of Health, discusses tuberculosis drug shortages; performance management is on the agenda for a webinar hosted by ASTHO and the Public Health Foundation on September 17th; and Dr. Kelly Kimple is the new acting director of the North Carolina Division of Public Health.
Rhode Island News Release: Rhode Island Overdose Deaths Decreased 7.3% in 2023
ASTHO Blog Article: Partnering to Increase Access to Tuberculosis Medications
ASTHO Webinar: Operationalizing Performance Management in a Health Department
ASTHO Web Page: Kelly Kimple, MD, MPH
Chris Taylor, ASTHO Director of Infectious Disease Outbreak Response and Recovery, discusses a new strain of Mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; a CDC advisory warns about an increase in cases of human parvovirus B19 in the U.S.; Kara Kane, Public Information Officer at the Erie County Department of Health in New York, tells us about a new planning guide available to agencies looking to improve communications; ASTHO’s DELPH program wins a Power of Associations Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives; and International Overdose Day is tomorrow.
CDC Web Page: Mpox Caused by Human-to-Human Transmission of Monkeypox Virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Spread to Neighboring Countries
CDC Web Page: FACT SHEET – United States Response to the Clade I Mpox Outbreak in Several African Countries
ASTHO Web Page: Looking Back and Moving Forward from the U.S. Mpox Outbreak
CDC Web Page: Preventing Parvovirus B19
NACCHO Web Page: New Communications Planning Guide for Local Health Departments
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leadership Program Receives National Recognition
International Overdose Awareness Day Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Overdose Prevention
Dr. Jennifer Shuford, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services and an ASTHO Member, discusses her state’s updated data dashboards; Dr. Jessica Nelson, Program Director and Epidemiologist with the Minnesota Department of Health, says new urine tests can detect exposure to more than 70 different environmental chemicals; the third convening of the STRETCH 2.0 Initiative will take place on Sept. 18th; and the CDC recently released a national strategy to prevent and control vector-borne diseases in people.
Texas Health and Human Services Web Page: New Data Tools Provide Insights on Maternal and Child Health
CDC Web Page: Healthy Kids Minnesota – Creating a Better World
ASTHO Webinar: Grounding Leadership and Engagement in Psychological Safety to Promote a Culture of Equity
CDC Web Page: National Public Health Strategy to Prevent and Control Vector-Borne Diseases in People
Geetika Nadkarni, ASTHO’s Director of Infectious Diseases, discusses work to increase vaccine acceptance and uptake; Dr. Mikeisha Oldson, Senior Program Associate at NNPHI, previews an upcoming meeting for new public health workers focused on professional development and mentorship; and ASTHO has tools and resources to help you better support your workforce.
ASTHO Blog Article: Partnering with Community Action Agencies Can Improve Trust in Vaccines
ASTHO Toolkit: Championing Change – A Toolkit for Addressing Vaccine Equity Through Community Mobilization
NNPHI Web Page: Open Forum Next Generation
NNPHI Web Page: Open Forum – Next Generation (NxGen)
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Workforce
Dr. Valerie Yeager, Interim Director of the Center for Health Policy at the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health, discusses the need for public health to update hiring practices; Willysha Jenkins, Senior Advisor for Data Modernization and Informatics at the Public Health Accreditation Board, tells us about an upcoming webinar focused on the new Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program; and an ASTHO blog article recaps a two-day, in-person workshop that brought together leadership from Island Areas.
Health Affairs Web Page: When Money Is Not Enough – Reimagining Public Health Requires Systematic Solutions To Hiring Barriers
ASTHO Webinar: PHIG Implementation Center Informational Webinar
ASTHO Blog Article: Strengthening Leadership, Risk Communications, and Preparedness in the Islands
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Dr. Lindsay Weaver, State Health Commissioner of Indiana, discusses the state’s record investment in public health; an ASTHO blog article details behavioral health-related workforce initiatives happening across the states and territories; and ASTHO has created a tool to help evaluate Health in All Policies strategies.
Health First Indiana Web Page
ASTHO Blog Article: Efforts to Boost Behavioral Health Workforce
ASTHO Resource: Health in All Policies Evaluation Tool for State and Local Health Departments
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
ASTHO hosted a Respiratory Virus Season Deskside Briefing attended by national media outlets with Dr. Marcus Plescia, Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, Dr. Sameer Vohra, and Dr. Manisha Juthani; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director of Government Affairs, discusses the work his team is doing while Congress is in recess; and an ASTHO webinar will help you create a performance management system.
ASTHO Media Briefing on Preparations for Respiratory Virus Season
ASTHO Webinar: Operationalizing Performance Management in a Health Department
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, updates us on COVID rates across the country; Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition, tells us how AI could benefit public health communication; and an ASTHO webinar will explore strategies for public outreach and increasing awareness of PPC services.
ASTHO Web Page: COVID-19
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice Article: Leveraging AI for Public Health Communication: Opportunities and Risks
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception – Public Outreach & Awareness
Angie Smith-Butterwick, Substance Use, Gambling and Epidemiology Manager for the State of Michigan, tells us about a pilot program that offers small incentives to people if they stay on approved substance use treatment plans; Ashley Nanthanvongsa-Mosley, gives an update on PublicHealthCareers.org; and the Healthy People framework guides national public health priorities every 10 years.
Michigan Web Page: Recovery Incentives Pilot
PublicHealthCareers.org
ASTHO Resource: Healthy People Coordinator Description Template
Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the State of Washington, outlines the Be Well Washington campaign; two leaders from ”WE in the World” share how collaboration helps create the conditions that lead to better public health; Andre Pierce, Director of the Division of Retail Food Protection in the Office of State Cooperative Programs at the FDA, discusses a new tool designed to help restaurant operators address illness among their staff; and a new CDC health advisory warns about an increasing number of cases of the Oropouche Virus across the Americas.
Be Well WA Web Page
ASTHO Resource: The Keys to Driving Generational Health, Well-Being, and Justice
FDA Employee Health Policy Tool
CDC Web Page: Increased Oropouche Virus Activity and Associated Risk to Travelers
Tom Cotter, Executive Director of Healthcare Ready, explains how Healthcare Ready could assist public health leaders in a disaster; Wendy Bell, Environmental Health Supervisor for Mecklenburg County Public Health, discusses the North Carolina Retail Program Standards Network; an ASTHO webinar will cover the Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program; and an episode of ASTHO’s Public Health Review podcast explores how state health departments are expanding health equity through innovative programs.
Healthcare Ready Web Page
ASTHO Brief: Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards)
ASTHO Webinar: PHIG Implementation Center Informational Webinar
ASTHO Web Page: Breaking Barriers – Securing Partnerships to Advance Health Equity
Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, updates us on movements that could reshape public health authority; Emily Fine, School and Youth Survey Manager at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, discusses the results of the Healthy Kids Colorado survey; and a new ASTHO guide shows how health equity metrics help island areas understand community issues and improve health equity.
ASTHO Blog Article: State Legislatures Reshape Public Health Legal Authority
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment News Release: CDPHE releases the latest Healthy Kids Colorado Survey data
ASTHO Report: Using Health Equity Indicators to Guide Community Health Improvement in U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed
Ellen Essick, Section Chief for the NC Healthy Schools Section at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, explains the results of North Carolina’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey; Byron Lobsinger, Environmental Health Emergency Planner for the Department of Public Health in Georgia, recaps the impacts Hurricane Debby had on his state; ASTHO along with NACCHO and the CDC has published an article focused on lessons learned from the Public Health Disability Specialists program; ASTHO, with support from the EPA, has created four Community Action Plan Templates for state and territorial health agencies to address children’s environmental health; and the CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Advisory about current increases in human parvovirus B19 activity.
North Carolina Department of Public Instruction Web Page: NC Youth Risk Behavior Surveys show improvement in student mental health
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for and Responding to Infectious Disease Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Blog Article: Responding to Environmental Health Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Blog Article: Why It’s Never Too Early to Prep for Hurricane Season
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice Article: Best Practices and Lessons Learned From the Public Health Disability Specialists Program – Addressing the Needs of People With Disabilities During COVID-19
ASTHO Resource: Community Action Plan Templates for Children’s Environmental Health
CDC Web Page: Increase in Human Parvovirus B19 Activity in the United States
Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell, Medical Director of the Louisiana Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review and the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative, details the work to lower accidental overdose among pregnant persons; Linda Krantz, Health Communications Specialist with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, explains why her department created a public health podcast; and a new ASTHO report delivers a blueprint for setting up a health equity or minority health office.
Louisiana Department of Health Webpage: LDH premieres video series on treatment for maternal substance use disorder
Talking Health in the 406 Podcast Webpage
ASTHO Report: Establishing an Office of Health Equity or Minority Health
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Debra Bogen, Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, discusses the importance of testing children for lead; Irving Washington, Senior Vice President and Executive Director for KFF’s Health Misinformation and Trust Initiative, tells us how Public Health can benefit from KFF’s Health Misinformation Monitor; an ASTHO report explores how the Mississippi State Department of Health integrates environmental justice into disaster response and emergency preparedness; and the CDC has issued a Health Alert Network Health Update regarding Mpox.
TribLive News Article: Dr. Debra Bogen – Applesauce recall shows importance of testing all children for lead poisoning
KFF Webpage: Health Misinformation and Trust
ASTHO Report: How Mississippi Prioritizes Environmental Justice During Disaster Response
CDC Webpage: Mpox Caused by Human-to-Human Transmission of Monkeypox Virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with Spread to Neighboring Countries
Dr. Mark Levine, ASTHO Member and Commissioner of Health for the State of Vermont, recaps some recent updates to a few ASTHO policy statements; Sherri Ohly, Co-Director of the Envision Equity CHW Training and Technical Assistance Center, says Community Health Workers are critical to public health; an ASTHO report inspects the link between substance use, incarceration, and death; and an ASTHO blog article examines how your workplace can improve the retention of employees by enhancing connection.
ASTHO Blog Article: Federal Nutrition Program’s Fate Lies in 2024 Farm Bill
ASTHO Policy Statement: Improving Birth Outcomes Policy Statement
ASTHO Policy Statement: Commercial Tobacco and Nicotine Use Prevention Policy Statement
ASTHO Policy Statement: State Home Visiting Programs Policy Statement
ASTHO Webpage: Policy Statements
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Investing in Community Health Workers Is Vital to Population Health
ASTHO Report: Supporting Incarcerated People’s Recovery – Linkage to Care Policies for People Entering and Exiting Incarceration with Substance Use Disorder
ASTHO Blog Article: Enhancing Connection at Work Can Improve Retention
Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Distinguished Professor of Practice at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Former Baltimore City Health Commissioner, explains the ups and downs of overdose deaths in Baltimore across the last decade; Catherine Jones, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Government Affairs, stresses the importance of the SNAP program; an ASTHO blog article discusses response strategies to environmental health threats after a hurricane; and am ASTHO blog article emphasizes how hurricanes heighten the risk of infectious diseases due to flooding and population displacement.
The New York Times News Article: Almost 6,000 Dead in 6 Years: How Baltimore Became the U.S. Overdose Capital
ASTHO Blog Article: Federal Nutrition Program’s Fate Lies in 2024 Farm Bill
ASTHO Blog Article: Responding to Environmental Health Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for and Responding to Infectious Disease Threats Following Hurricanes
Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President-Elect and Alabama State Health Officer, discusses his state’s new maternal autopsy program; Calliana Thomas, Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention in the New York State Department of Health, tells us about the Surgeon General’s recent decision to declare gun violence as a public health issue; and a new ASTHO blog article explains the benefits of fostering workplace connections.
Alabama Public Health Webpage: Alabama Maternal Mortality Review Program
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Webpage: Firearm Violence in America
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: A Blueprint for Establishing a Health Equity or Minority Health Office
ASTHO Blog Article: Enhancing Connection at Work Can Improve Retention
Ben Gamache, Policy Consultant for the Office of Health Workforce Development at the Department of Health Care Access and Information, explains why California has created a new position; Dr. Lisa Villarroel, Chief Medical Officer for Public Health at the Arizona Department of Health Services, discusses how AZ reach helps smaller hospitals; and an ASTHO webinar will teach you how state health agencies can address gaps in the policy review process.
California Wellness Coach Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policies Bolster Rural Healthcare Workforce
AZ Reach Webpage
Arizona Department of Health Services Webpage: Arizona Surge Line
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Improving Public Health by Modernizing Data Exchange
ASTHO Webinar: How State Health Agencies Can Address Gaps in the Policy Review Process
Dr. Chelsea Langer, Program Manager for the Environmental Health Program at the New Mexico Department of Health, explains the capabilities of the department’s HEAT dashboard; Amy Maxmen, Public Health Correspondent at KFF Health News, tells us about the tactics used to spread misinformation about vaccinations; and a new ASTHO report outlines the development of cross-sector or Health in All Policies (HiAP) working groups.
New Mexico Public Health Tracking Webpage: Heat-Related Illness
New Mexico Department of Health Webpage: Heat-Related Illness Tracker
KFF Health News News Article: 4 Ways Vaccine Skeptics Mislead You on Measles and More
ASTHO Report: Commonalities of State-Level HiAP Groups
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Dr. Jane Harness, Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan’s Department of Psychiatry, discusses the Surgeon General’s recent call for warning labels on social media; Bryan Jimenez, Program Supervisor for Communicable Disease Control with San Mateo County, tells us about the Essentials of Leadership Management Programs; and an ASTHO webinar will provide practical insights for successful decision making.
The New York Times Opinion Article: Surgeon General – Why I’m Calling For A Warning Label On Social Media Platforms
ASTHO Webpage: Leadership Accelerator
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Using Business Process Improvement to Address Procurement Challenges in Guam
ASTHO Webinar: Performance Management Techniques for Successful Decision Making
Dr. Gillian SteelFisher, Director of Global Polling at the Harvard Opinion Research Program at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, tells us what a new national poll says about people and their public health priorities; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Government Affairs, discusses Congress’ to-do list when they return from recess; Tabatha Offutt-Powell, ASTHO Vice President of Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics, explains how the Northstar architecture framework can help agencies share data; and an ASTHO blog article emphasizes the importance of strategic planning in public health.
National Library of Medicine Webpage: Trust and 2024 Public Priorities for the CDC and State Health Departments
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Improving Public Health by Modernizing Data Exchange
ASTHO Blog Article: Leading Health Security Efforts Through Strategic Collaboration and Innovation
Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO President-Elect and State Health Officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health, tells us about an education campaign about tick-borne diseases; Sean Newhouse, Staff Reporter for Government Executive, explains a study that says government employees are burned out; and a new resource from ASTHO emphasizes the role of public-private sector partnerships in advancing health equity.
The Cullman Tribune OpEd: Protect yourself from tick bites – and what to do if you’re bitten
Route Fifty News Article: Burnout among government workers is decreasing but still high, according to new pulse survey data
Eagle Hill Consulting Webpage: Understanding government employee burnout
ASTHO Webpage: Best Practices to Leverage Partnerships to Support Health Equity: An Implementation Cheat Sheet
Dr. Karen Hacker, Director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the CDC, says Medicaid and Medicare may be able to help keep Community Health Workers on the front lines; Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer for CVS Health and the former State Health Officer for the State of Michigan, explains how important it is to keep community health workers on the team; Christina Severin, ASTHO Director of Public Health Law, breaks down a new ASTHO legal map hosted on the organization’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center website; and ASTHO has a new report about the impact COVID-19 had on people living with disabilities.
ASTHO Report: Opportunities for Public Health Agencies to Advance Sustainable Financing of Community Health Worker Programs
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Investing in Community Health Workers Is Vital to Population Health
ASTHO Webpage: Overdose Surveillance Legal Map
ASTHO Brief: Access to Healthcare for People with Disabilities in Public Health Emergencies
ASTHO Report: Organizational Strategic Planning Guide
Christine Schell, Manager for the Department of Environmental Protection at the Office of Environmental and Public Health Analysis in New Jersey, tells us about an online portal in New Jersey that explains to people the health impacts of hot summer temperatures; Dave Baden, Deputy Director for Policy and Programs at the Oregon Health Authority, says Oregon wants to get ahead of the heat by helping Medicaid members stay cool; ASTHO has released a set of four comprehensive resources to help agencies align their public health data and systems with their state’s Medicaid Enterprise system; and Sara Black, Senior Advisor at the National Association for County and City Health Officials, dives into a new report to help agencies improve data sharing.
Heat Hub NJ Webpage
KFF Health News News Article: AC, Power Banks, Mini Fridges – Oregon Equips Medicaid Patients for Climate Change
ASTHO Webpage: Sustaining DMI – Conditions for Enhanced Funding
ASTHO Webpage: Sustaining DMI – A State Health Official’s Guide to Enhanced Funding
ASTHO Webpage: Sustaining DMI – Medicaid Advanced Planning Document Process
ASTHO Webpage: Sustaining DMI – Leveraging Medicaid to Advance Public Health Data and Surveillance
ASTHO Report: Policy Options to Improve Data Sharing Between State and Local Health Departments
Andy Baker-White, ASTHO Senior Director for State Health Policy, discusses the ongoing discussion over legal tools needed to ensure public health during outbreaks and emergencies; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, says funding and standards for peer support specialists are the focus of a new ASTHO legal map now online; Arnaldo Machado, Director of Public Health Workforce Development and Resilience at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, tells us virtual open house events might help your agency build new connections; a new ASTHO blog article examines lessons learned during the Zika outbreak; and ASTHO has new report sharing how three states have worked to improve nutrition for infants, young children, and their families.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Authority Toolkit
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Webpage: Recommended Strategies to Prioritize Evidence-Based Public Health Authority
ASTHO Webpage: Peer Support Specialist Credentialing Legal Map
ASTHO Blog Article: PHIG Success Story: In Massachusetts, Building Public Health Infrastructure Starts with a Strong Workforce
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for Maternal and Child Health Crises with Lessons from the Zika Outbreak
ASTHO Report: Early Childhood Nutrition Security
Dr. Macarena Garcia, a Senior Health Scientist at the Office of Rural Health at the CDC, summarizes a report focused on preventable premature deaths in rural America; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, updates us on the appropriations work his team has been doing; and ASTHO has published three briefs centered on the improvement of health data sharing.
CDC Webpage: Leading Causes of Death in Rural America as a Public Health Issue
Tableau Public Dashboard: Preventable Early Deaths in the United States, 2010-2022
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Improving Retail Food Safety with the FDA Food Code
Public Health Review Podcast Webpage
ASTHO Brief: Olmsted County Pilots a Regional Population Health Data Hub to Improve Data Accessibility
ASTHO Brief: Fairfax County Health Department Modernizes Infrastructure to Optimize Public Health Data Sharing
ASTHO Brief: Arizona Department of Health Services Pursues Policies to Advance Data Sharing with Tribal Nations
Dr. Audrey Juhasz, Researcher at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice, explains a project she is working on that is focused on accessible healthcare for people with disabilities; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, says the risk for avian influenza is still low for humans; an ASTHO blog article teaches you how to support Community Health Workers; an ASTHO report dives into the work ASTHO is doing with the COVID-19 health disparities grant; and Route Fifty spoke to ASTHO leaders about the National Implementation Center program.
ASTHO Blog Article: Strategies for Accessible Healthcare for People with Disabilities Living in Rural Communities
ASTHO Blog Article: Helping Community Health Workers Excel in the Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Report: Improving Community Access to Care Through Health Disparities Grant
Route Fifty News Article: New $255M federal grant will help state, local public health agencies modernize data systems
Jim Jellison, Vice President of Technology Strategy and Innovation at the National Network of Public Health Institutes, describes a new CDC-funded implementation center that will help tribal agencies with their data modernization work; Amy Lavery, an Epidemiologist at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the CDC, explains how the Heat and Health index tool could help manage the impact of temperatures in communities; an ASTHO blog article explores how community power building can address social and structural determinants of health; and ASTHO partnered with CVS Health to research and write a report about the trend of more health plans investing in strategies to address the social determinants of health.
ASTHO News Release: Public Health Infrastructure Partners Launch National Implementation Center Program to Support Data Modernization
PHIG Partners Webpage: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
CDC Webpage: Heat and Health Index
ASTHO Blog Article: Community Power Building Helps to Address Social and Structural Determinants of Health
ASTHO Report: High-Impact Community Investments by Health Plans
Dr. Kristina Kintziger, Associate Professor and the Associate Director of the Water, Climate, and Health program at the University of Nebraska, explains the long-term community impacts of a tornado; Nassira Nicola, Deputy Director for Access and Inclusion in the Office of Health Equity and Community Engagement at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, tells us the three goals of an upcoming ASTHO webinar focused on disability equity during an emergency response; a new ASTHO report examines how adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities use Medicaid services; and Drake Taitano, Program Coordinator at the Division of Environmental Health at the Department of Public Health and Social Services on Guam, says new approaches to data will give people in Guam more real-time information about public health concerns.
ASTHO Webpage: Climate and Health
ASTHO Webinar: Disability Equity in Emergency Preparedness – Lessons from COVID-19 Vaccination in Massachusetts
ASTHO Report: Examining Health Service Utilization in Medicaid Participants with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities – Findings from Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming
ASTHO Webpage: Vector-Borne Disease
ASTHO Webpage: Vector-Borne Disease Surveillance with QGIS
ASTHO Webpage: Climate for Health Ambassadors Training
Whitney Magendie, Lead Advisor of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant at the Public Health Accreditation Board, tells us about PHAB’s involvement in the newly announced National Implementation Centers; Ann Abraham, Senior Analyst of Chronic Disease Risk Factors at ASTHO, explains the tobacco retailer licensing policy trends; Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health, recently spoke with Dr. Vivek Murthy, the United States Surgeon General, about loneliness in the United States; ASTHO has a new blog article on the integration of health equity into state and local data-sharing practices; and an ASTHO brief dives into the Grants Management Office Structure Optimization Toolkit.
ASTHO News Release: Public Health Infrastructure Partners Launch National Implementation Center Program to Support Data Modernization
PHIG Partners Webpage: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
ASTHO Blog Article: Enhancing Tobacco Control through Retailer Licensing Policies
Public Health Connects - RX For a Lonely Nation YouTube Video
ASTHO Blog Article: Integrating Health Equity into State and Local Data Sharing Practices
ASTHO Brief: Strengthening Grant Management Functions in Puerto Rico
Melissa Jezior, CEO of Eagle Hill Consulting, says burnout on the decline continues to create challenges in the workplace; Dr. Yngvild Olsen, Director of the Center for Substance Use Treatment at SAMHSA, tells us the Naloxone Saturation Policy Academy is helping states saturate their communities with life-saving medications to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose; Public Health Infrastructure Grant recipients are working with key partners to improve data systems through the Data Modernization Initiative; and ASTHO has a new template and guide to help agencies write charters to direct their work.
Eagle Hill Webpage: The State of Worker Burnout 2024
ASTHO Blog Article: DMI Advisory Committees Kick Off Across the Pacific
ASTHO Webpage: Charter Template and Guide
Karl Ensign, ASTHO Vice President of Island Support, tells us about ASTHO’s work on the Guam Interagency Business Process Improvement Program to Strengthen Administrative Capacity project; Diana Crumley, Former Associate Director of Delivery System Reform at the Center for Health Care Strategies, says Medicaid could be leveraged for community health worker initiatives; an ASTHO blog article focuses on the integration of health equity into state and local data-sharing practices; and an ASTHO blog article features a conversation with the Project Director from Pew Charitable Trusts on how to share data between public health and providers.
Saipan Tribune News Article: Cantor announces $11M in grants for Guam, CNMI
ASTHO Webpage: Leveraging Medicaid to Support Community Health Workers and Address Health-Related Social Needs
ASTHO Brief: Leveraging Medicaid to Support Community Health Workers
ASTHO Blog Article: Integrating Health Equity into State and Local Data Sharing Practices
ASTHO Blog Article: Partner Spotlight: Q&A with Lilly Kan, Project Director, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Massimo Pacilli, Director of the Technology Implementation Office at the Office of Public Health Data Surveillance and Technology with the CDC, discusses the newly announced implementation center project; Lindsey Myers, ASTHO Vice President for Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure, tells us about a new online interactive map that allows users to track the progress of legislation impacting public health infrastructure work; this month ASTHO has two webinars focused on emergency preparedness; and an ASTHO blog article explores how to lead teams through change.
ASTHO News Release: Public Health Infrastructure Partners Launch National Implementation Center Program to Support Data Modernization
PHIG Partners Webpage: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Infrastructure Legal Map
ASTHO Webinar: Using Medicaid Data to Support People with Disabilities During Public Health Emergencies
ASTHO Webinar: Disability Equity in Emergency Preparedness: Lessons from COVID-19 Vaccination in Massachusetts
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health Leader Profile – Joy Borjes on Leading Teams Through Change
Dr. Deborah Stone, Lead Behavioral Scientist for Suicide Prevention Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains the strategies that make up a new national strategy to prevent suicide; Nikki Meline, Social Marketing and Public Health Campaign Manager at the Washington State Department of Health, discusses a new campaign and website to raise awareness about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline; and an ASTHO webinar outlines a project in Washington state that studied how tobacco users enrolled in Medicaid access care.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Webpage: 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
Washington State Department of Health News Release: Department of Health launches 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Campaign website
ASTHO Webinar: Lessons with the State of Washington on Medicaid Data and Tobacco Use
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, explains why some states had difficulty getting access to new immunization products; the newly announced implementation centers wouldn’t be possible without key partners; Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, tells us about Connecticut’s recent adoption of the FDA Food Code; an ASTHO webinar allows you to hear from leaders at ASTHO and the CDC about how to properly communicate with policymakers; and an ASTHO brief examines how Puerto Rico strengthened its grant management functions.
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policies Impact Access to New Immunization Products
ASTHO News Release: Public Health Infrastructure Partners Launch National Implementation Center Program to Support Data Modernization
Public Health Review Podcast: Improving Retail Food Safety with the FDA Food Code
ASTHO Webinar: Disease Forecasting Learning Series - Communicating with Policymakers
ASTHO Report: A Framework for Linking PRAMS with Administrative Data
Dr. Jennifer Layden, Director of the Office of Public Health Data Surveillance and Technology at CDC, tells us about CDC’s investment into the new Implementation Center program; Tabatha Offutt-Powell, ASTHO Vice President of Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics, says the Implementation Centers are key to helping agencies accomplish their data modernization goals; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, updates us on Congress’ work on budgets; and an ASTHO blog article examines substance use disorder policies.
ASTHO News Release: Public Health Infrastructure Partners Launch National Implementation Center Program to Support Data Modernization
ASTHO Blog Article: SUD Policy and Access to Care – Implications for Pregnant and Postpartum Persons
Chelsea Cipriano, Managing Director of the Common Health Coalition, tells us about ASTHO’s inclusion in the group that aims to build a bridge between healthcare and public health; Megan Wolfe, Senior Policy Development Manager for Trust for America’s Health, says Trust for America's Health has made ASTHO the first national public health organization to win recognition for its healthy aging policy work; ASTHO members and the federal government are taking action to bolster the public health workforce; and an ASTHO report outlines how New Jersey will expand access to contraception under laws passed in 2022 and 2023.
Common Health Coalition News Release: The Common Health Coalition Announces Over 50 Health Care & Public Health Organizations Have Joined in Just Three Months
Trust for America’s Health News Release: The Association for State and Territorial Health Officials Achieves Age-Friendly Public Health Systems Recognition
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policies Bolster Rural Healthcare Workforce
ASTHO Report: Moving from Design to Implementation – Lessons on Expanding Contraception Access in New Jersey
Scott Burris, Director of the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University Beasley School of Law, explains the value of scientific legal mapping; ASTHO presents a webinar on how to share public health information with elected officials; Lamarr Lewis, consultant and trainer, shares how leaders can improve workforce conditions through trauma leadership training; and an upcoming ASTHO webinar explores innovative strategies within public health systems.
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center
Temple University: Public Health Law Research
Law Atlas: Policy Surveillance Portal, Center for Public Health Law Research
ASTHO Webinar: Disease Forecasting Learning Series - Communicating with Policymakers
ASTHO Webpage: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE: Readiness: Innovating in Public Health Systems
ASTHO President and Kentucky Commissioner for Public Health Dr. Steven J. Stack shares how ASTHO's peer networks give agency leaders the opportunity to make connections with colleagues; Dr. Jonathan Mermin, Director of the CDC National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, says the CDC has published clinical guidelines for the antibiotic Doxy PEP; ASTHO has two upcoming webinars on how to better support people with disabilities during emergencies; and a new policy guide explains the benefits of internal training modules.
ASTHO Webpage: Leadership Development
CDC Publishes Doxy PEP Clinical Guidelines for Bacterial STI Prevention
CDC Clinical Guidelines on the Use of Doxycycline Postexposure Prophylaxis
ASTHO Webinar: Disability Equity in Emergency Preparedness: Lessons from COVID-19 Vaccination in Massachusetts
ASTHO Webinar: Using Medicaid Data to Support People with Disabilities During Public Health Emergencies
ASTHO Webpage: Developing Internal Quality Improvement and Performance Management Training Modules
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, encourages ASTHO members to consider braiding and layering funding approaches; Carrie Poser, Continuum of Care Director for the Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care, tells us how Wisconsin public health leaders are teaming up to address rising cases of homelessness in the state; and an ASTHO webinar with details from the State of Washington on how integrated data can enhance tobacco surveillance.
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer: Braiding and Layering Funding Amplifies Public Health Impact
ASTHO Brief: Cross-Sector Collaboration to End Homelessness in Wisconsin
ASTHO Webinar: Lessons with the State of Washington on Medicaid Data and Tobacco Use
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from June 7th, 2024.
Dr. Audrey Juhasz, researcher at the Institute for Disability Research Policy and Practice at Utah State University, discusses findings from their disability data analysis research; Nada Hassanein, health inequities reporter at Stateline, talks about her article which details research from UC San Francisco dealing with maternal implicit bias training; and ASTHO’s PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center can help protect and support your teams.
Association of University Centers on Disabilities Webpage: Announcement of AUCD-ASTHO Grant Awardees
The Salt Lake Tribune Article: Opinion – Too often, Utah neglects the mental health needs of individuals with disabilities
Chronic Health Conditions Among People with Disabilities Living in the Mountain West
Stateline News Article: To close racial gap in maternal health, some states take aim at implicit bias
ASTHO PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from May 16, 2024.
Derek Olson, web content manager for the Washington State Department of Health, tells us the importance of digital access and inclusion; Emily Lapayowker, assistant director of Web at ASTHO, says ASTHO has systems to ensure its online products are accessible; and two ASTHO-authored papers in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice examine the agency role associated with healthy aging.
Washington State Department of Health Webpage
Global Accessibility Awareness Day Webpage
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Improving Older Adult Health by Operationalizing State Plans on Aging and Health Improvement
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Supporting Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health: The Role of State and Territorial Health Agencies
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from June 3rd, 2024.
Chris Teale, a journalist with Route Fifty, discusses a federal rule that requires websites to adopt standards outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act; Courtney Youngbar, ASTHO director of Environmental Health, tells us about the concern over a tick-borne disease called alpha-gal syndrome; an ASTHO brief explains how agencies can help pregnant people and infants find the specialized care they need; and an ASTHO framework outlines public health's role in mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
ADA Fact Sheet: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities
Route Fifty News Article: Feds move to make gov websites more accessible to people with disabilities
ASTHO Blog Article: What Health Officials Should Know About Alpha-Gal Syndrome
ASTHO Brief: Implementing Levels of Maternal Care Improves Access to Risk-Appropriate Care
ASTHO Report: Public Health's Role in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from May 24th, 2024.
ASTHO staff, members, and alumni, discuss a recent meeting focused on the implementation of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant program for the island areas; Dr. Mark Levine, commissioner of Health for the State of Vermont, says his state’s Facing Suicide Vermont website is more than a collection of online links to available resources; Dr. Ari Bernstein, director of the National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the CDC, tells us about a new tool available to help people avoid the dangers of hot weather.
Public Health Infrastructure Grant Webpage FacingSuicideVT Webpage
Vermont Support Line Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Supporting Mental Health – Addressing a New Public Health Crisis
CDC HeatRisk Dashboard
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from May 6th, 2024.
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, elaborates on a blog he authored on takeaways from the recent Avian Flu Symposium; Katelyn Wells, Chief Research Evaluation and Development Officer for the Association of Immunization Managers, discusses a toolkit to help with adolescent vaccination numbers; and ASTHO’s 2024 Legislative Prospectus series can be a valuable resource for you and your team as it lists the top 10 public health policy trends to watch.
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer – Key Takeaways from ASTHO’s HPAI Scientific Symposium
Association of Immunization Managers Webpage: Adolescent Immunization Toolkit
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Jorge Petit, Founder and CEO of Quality Healthcare Solutions, discusses his article in Forbes where he advocates for LGBTQ+ inclusivity; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, helps us navigate appropriation season in D.C.; an ASTHO blog article outlines efforts to reduce maternal mortality; and you can apply for the Building Capacity to Advance Health program to address health equity in your everyday work.
Forbes Article: Championing Change – Healthcare Initiatives And Policies For LGBTQ+ Inclusivity
ASTHO Webpage: Summary of FY25 House Appropriations Bill
ASTHO Blog Article: Reducing Maternal Mortality, a Healthy People 2030 Leading Health Indicator
ASTHO Webpage: Building Capacity to Advance Health
Eli Kern, Senior Epidemiologist at Public Health Seattle and King County, says public health teams in Washington are finding new ways to identify tobacco prevention challenges and opportunities; Tiffany Meche, Director of the Bureau of Sanitary Services within the Office of Public Health under the Louisiana Department of Health, tells us employees should also be considered during preparations for natural disasters; the CDC is warning about an increased risk of dengue virus infections in the U.S.; an ASTHO webinar will discuss innovation in public health systems; and an article from ASTHO and the CDC explores current health equity science and opportunities in state and local health departments.
ASTHO Report: Tobacco Use in King County Washington: A Medicaid Data Analysis Report
ASTHO Webinar: Lessons with the State of Washington on Medicaid Data and Tobacco Use
ASTHO Blog Article: Why It’s Never Too Early to Prep for Hurricane Season
CDC Webpage: Increased Risk of Dengue Virus Infections in the United States
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness – Innovating in Public Health Systems
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice Webpage: Leveraging Science to Advance Health Equity – Preliminary Considerations for Implementing Health Equity Science at State and Local Health Departments
ASTHO Brief: Advancing Health Equity Science Implementation in Health Departments
Dr. Elena Rios, President of the National Hispanic Health Foundation, discusses a scan of literature focused on diversity to encourage people to consider work in public health; Dr. Nassira Nicola, Deputy Director for Access and Inclusion in the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Office of Health Equity and Community Engagement, reflects on a study by ASTHO and the Association of University Centers on Disabilities that focuses on how people living with disabilities interacted with mass vaccination centers; and a report from ASTHO examines the impact of COVID-19 on individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Louisiana and Pennsylvania.
National Hispanic Health Foundation Webpage
PublicHealthCareers.org
Association of University Centers on Disability News Release: Announcement of AUCD-ASTHO Grant Awardees
ASTHO Report: COVID-19 Impact on Inpatient Admissions and Chronic Conditions Among Medicaid Enrollees with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Analysis of Louisiana and Pennsylvania
Katie Steffens, Deputy Program Manager for the State of Alaska Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, is working to give potential employees the skills they need to thrive; Suja Shunmugavelu, ASTHO Senior Director of Engagement, discusses this week’s Executive Leadership Forum; Joh Auerbach, Senior Vice President for Public Health at ICF, tells us about a high-level discussion on the social determinants of health that you can now watch; and an ASTHO brief explains how Guam public health officials are working to centralize their grants management and procurement processes.
ASTHO Blog Article: Tobacco Control Programs Use Business Process Mapping to Strengthen Workforce
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Peer Networks
ICF Webpage: Public health on the front lines – A conversation about the social determinants of health
ASTHO Brief: Centralizing Administrative Functions, with Lessons Learned from Guam
Dr. Tara Kirk Sell, a senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and an associate professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, offers straightforward advice on managing online misinformation; Locola Hayes, the Deputy Director for Strategy and Implementation in CDC's Office of Science, explains how science can help advance health equity; ASTHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter encourages public health to understand the challenges marginalized communities face towards reaching the goal of optimal health; and an ASTHO webinar covers how Medicaid enrolled tobacco users in Washington state access health care.
ASTHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter and Executive Director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors, Kate McEvoy, have sent a letter to Congress to lift the Medicaid funding cap on all U.S. territories and approve a permanent 83 percent federal contribution to Medicaid costs in Puerto Rico; an ASTHO blog article discusses proposed legislation and the benefits of telehealth in rural areas; Heather Tomlinson, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Immunizations, explains ASTHO tools to help adopt the FDA Food Code; Maria Sarabia, Assistant Commissioner for the Health Improvement Bureau at the Minnesota Department of Health, shares a new assessment to help health department update health improvement plans; and the CDC has issued a health advisory on Diamond Shruumz- Brand Chocolate Bars, Cones, and Gummies.
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, discusses a letter to Congress that asks lawmakers to lift the Medicaid funding cap on all U.S. territories; Gordon Thane, CEO and Principal Consultant for Public Health Insight, says gaps in public health knowledge can keep important information from reaching those who need it most; communication is the topic of an ASTHO webinar happening on Monday June 24th; and an ASTHO blog article from Dr. James Bell III, Chief of Staff at the Michigan Health Department and a DELPH graduate, explains how Michigan is working to address health disparities.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO and NAMD Call on Congress to Fully Fund Medicaid and CHIP in U.S. Territories
Public Health Insight Podcast Episode: Leadership in Public Health and Medicine
ASTHO Webinar: Combatting the Rise of Syphilis Through State Communication Campaigns
ASTHO Blog Article: Roots of Equity – Addressing Health Disparities and Advancing Inclusive Solutions in Michigan
ASTHO Webinar: Performance Management Techniques for Successful Decision Making
Suleima Salgado, an ASTHO Telehealth Consultant, shares details of a new needs assessment focused on telehealth; Dr. Fredrick Echols, CEO and Founder of Population Health and Social Justice Consulting LLC and a DELPH Graduate, tells us how DELPH graduates use their newly acquired skills to impact work in agencies across the states and territories; and an ASTHO resource provides ideas to build additional capacity to address adverse childhood experiences.
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 Telehealth Needs Assessment
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: DELPH Reflections – A Journey Towards Creating a More Equitable and Just Democracy
ASTHO Webpage: Leadership Development
ASTHO Webpage: Actions to Build Capacity for ACEs Prevention
Megan Drake-Pereyra, ASTHO Advisor for Public Health Infrastructure, says island area agencies are looking to update plans and processes following the pandemic; Arthur U. San Agustin, Special Assistant to the Office of the Governor, tells us Leaders in Guam have spent a lot of time working to improve the way they manage small purchase procurement; the CDC has issued a health advisory regarding a federal health care fraud indictment against a telehealth company that provides ADHD treatment; and the ASTHO Leadership Institute is building a new cohort of senior public health leaders interested in strategic professional development.
ASTHO Blog Article: How Two Island Health Departments Are Preparing for Successful Public Health Planning
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast: Using Business Process Improvement to Address Procurement Challenges in Guam
CDC Webpage: Disrupted Access to Prescription Stimulant Medications Could Increase Risk of Injury and Overdose
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Leadership Institute
Ashley Hebert, Senior Program Manager for Community and Government Relations with the Center for Black Health and Equity, says despite challenges organizations must continue their work to protect communities of color from tobacco industry campaigns; Ashley Ottewell, ASTHO Director of Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics at ASTHO, discusses a JPHMP article written about health equity science; and Kristin Sullivan, ASTHO Director of Public Health Systems Improvement and Infrastructure, discusses a project to help leaders in the U.S. Virgin Islands improve their business processes.
ASTHO Brief: Engaging Communities Is a Critical Tobacco Control Strategy
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Leveraging Science to Advance Health Equity
ASTHO STAR Center
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Liz Wood, Scholarly Assistant Professor at the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University, discusses her grant-winning research on disability data; Julia Von Alexander, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Island Support, says leaders with the Federated States of Micronesia are working to improve healthcare access for remote island populations; Veronica Halloway, Executive Director for the National Association of State Offices of Minority Health, reflects on National Minority Health Month; and Trust for America’s Health has announced that ASTHO has earned an Age-Friendly Public Health Systems Recognition.
Association of University Centers on Disabilities News Release: Announcement of AUCD-ASTHO Grant Awardees
ASTHO Blog Article: Improving Access to Healthcare in the Pacific: Q&A with Patrick Abraham
Trust for America’s Health News Release: The Association for State and Territorial Health Officials Achieves Age-Friendly Public Health Systems Recognition
Sarah Auer, Program Analyst for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, tells us about the Applied Epidemiology Competencies toolkit; Lillie Seels, Director of Practice Transformation at the National Community Action Partnership, says ASTHO’s vaccine equity toolkit was developed using real-world experience; Jon Junior Calvo, Chief of Staff for the Office of the Governor of Guam, discusses why ASTHO’s business process improvement approach has been time well spent; and an ASTHO webinar will focus on state communication campaigns to combat the syphilis epidemic.
Applied Epidemiology Competencies Toolkit
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Helping Agencies and Providers Advance Vaccine Equity
Public Health Review Podcast: Using Business Process Improvement to Address Procurement Challenges in Guam
ASTHO Webinar: Combatting the Rise of Syphilis Through State Communication Campaigns
Dr. Michelle Fiscus, Chief Medical Officer at the Association of Immunization Managers, discusses numbers released in March that show the RSV immunization for infants is 90 percent effective; Dr. Tom Frieden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Resolve to Save Lives, says public health needs to take three steps to rebuild trust in communities; Darrah Dunlap, Food Protection Program Manager at the Illinois Department of Public Health, tells us about a cottage food guide to help people in business and local health departments in Illinois; and Puerto Rico has an online dashboard to identify and address health equity concerns in their jurisdiction.
CDC Webpage: CDC study shows effectiveness of RSV immunization for infants
STAT Opinion Article: To rebuild trust in public health: Better communication, fewer mandates, and small wins
ASTHO Webpage: Developing a Data Dashboard to Address Health Equity Concerns: Insights from Puerto Rico
Dr. Tom Frieden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Resolve to Save Lives, shares three steps he says are needed to rebuild trust in public health; Melissa Magstadt, Secretary of Health for the South Dakota Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, discusses how their states’ mobile clinics aim to bring health services to where people are; and a new ASTHO report outlines suicide prevention resources for agencies.
STAT News Opinion Article: To rebuild trust in public health – Better communication, fewer mandates, and small wins
South Dakota Department of Health News Release: South Dakota Department of Health Unveils Wellness on Wheels Mobile Clinics to Improve Healthcare Access to Underserved Communities
ASTHO Webpage: Data Sources and Strategies for Suicide Prevention Among Disproportionately Affected Populations
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Audrey Juhasz, Researcher at the Institute for Disability Research Policy and Practice at Utah State University, discusses findings from their disability data analysis research; Nada Hassanein, Health Inequities Reporter at Stateline, talks about her article which details research from UC San Francisco dealing with maternal implicit bias training; and ASTHO’s PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center can help protect and support your teams.
Association of University Centers on Disabilities Webpage: Announcement of AUCD-ASTHO Grant Awardees
The Salt Lake Tribune Article: Opinion – Too often, Utah neglects the mental health needs of individuals with disabilities
Chronic Health Conditions Among People with Disabilities Living in the Mountain West
Stateline News Article: To close racial gap in maternal health, some states take aim at implicit bias
ASTHO PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Edward Simmer, Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, talks about a dashboard for state-wide overdose data; Chevelle Glymph, Senior Director of Public Health at the Association for University Centers of Disabilities, discusses grant funding that focuses on disability data analysis; an ASTHO brief emphasizes the need for specialized care for high-risk pregnant persons and infants; and Dr. Jerome Larkin is the new Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Webpage: Overdose Biosurveillance Dashboard
Association of University Centers on Disabilities Webpage: Announcement of AUCD-ASTHO Grant Awardees
ASTHO Brief: Enhancing Consumer Awareness Improves Access to Risk-Appropriate Care
ASTHO Webpage: Jerome Larkin
Denise Octavia Smith, Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers, discusses the need for sustained funding for Community Health Workers; and Dr. Scott Hadland, Chief of Adolescent Medicine at Mass General for Children, discusses a survey that reveals most pediatricians don’t feel equipped to help teenage patients struggling with drug addiction.
National Association of Community Health Workers Webpage
American Academy of Pediatrics Webpage: Perceptions, Preparedness & Practices Treating Adolescent Opioid Use in Primary Care
KFF Health News Article: More Kids Are Dying of Drug Overdoses. Could Pediatricians Do More to Help?
Monika Salvage, Project Director for Cayuga County in New York, explains their participation in the HEALing Communities Study; Dr. Hao Yu, Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, conducted a national study on the effect of record heat on EMS; and ASTHO has a new resource to help health agencies address suicide.
Healing Cayuga Webpage
HEALing Communities Study Webpage
County-Level Disparities in Heat-Related Emergencies Study
ASTHO Webpage: Suicide Indicator Tool
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Chris Teale, a journalist with Route Fifty, discusses a federal rule that requires websites to adopt standards outlined in the Americans with Disabilities Act; Courtney Youngbar, ASTHO Director of Environmental Health, tells us about the concern over a tick-borne disease called Alpha-Gal Syndrome; an ASTHO brief explains how agencies can help pregnant people and infants find the specialized care they need; and an ASTHO framework outlines public health's role in mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
ADA Fact Sheet: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Accessibility of Web Information and Services of State and Local Government Entities
Route Fifty News Article: Feds move to make gov websites more accessible to people with disabilities
ASTHO Blog Article: What Health Officials Should Know About Alpha-Gal Syndrome
ASTHO Brief: Implementing Levels of Maternal Care Improves Access to Risk-Appropriate Care
ASTHO Report: Public Health's Role in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
Ellen Cartmell, Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program Manager at the Kentucky Department for Public Health, updates us on her state’s tobacco situation for World No Tobacco Day; an ASTHO blog article outlines how your jurisdiction might leverage its JUUL settlement funds to promote public health; and Dr. Timothy Hunt, Research Scientist at Columbia University, discusses the Healing Communities Study which aims to provide possible solutions to the opioid crisis.
World No Tobacco Day Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: How States Can Leverage JUUL Settlement Funds to Promote Public Health
NIH Webpage: Healing Communities Study
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
John Bowman, Executive Vice President for U.S. Tobacco Programs at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, sounds the alarm about the tobacco industry’s relentless drive to encourage young people to use their products; Kayley Humm, ASTHO Senior Analyst on the Overdose Prevention Team, says there is some encouraging news about the rate of overdose deaths; ASTHO continues its celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; and learn how to promote healthy aging as a public health priority in an ASTHO learning module now online.
ASTHO Legislative Prospectus: Tobacco and Nicotine Products – The Unwavering Public Health Crisis
CDC Webpage: Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts
ASTHO Webpage: Integrating Healthy Aging into Public Health
Helen Branswell, Senior Writer on Infectious Diseases and Global Health at STAT, reflects on her early coverage of the avian flu virus impacting mostly dairy cows across the country; Betsy Mayotte, President of the Institute of Student Loan Advisors, discusses an upcoming webinar on the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program; ASTHO continues its celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with reflections from public health leaders in the island areas; and an ASTHO blog article outlines how public health agencies are preparing for another wildfire season.
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer – Key Takeaways from ASTHO’s HPAI Scientific Symposium
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Webinar Webpage: Public Service Promise Webinar for BCHC, APHL and Safe States Alliance
ASTHO Blog Article: Where There’s Fire, There’s Smoke—States Prepare for Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke
Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, updates us on public health policy updates from state legislatures across the country; Cody Kinsley, North Carolina Secretary of Health and Human Services, says North Carolina will continue to build a network of behavioral health urgent care centers; and Moses E. Pretrick, Assistant Secretary for Health at the FSM Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO's 2024 Legislative Session Update – Part Two
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s 2024 Legislative Session Update – Part One
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services News Release: Investment in Strengthening North Carolina’s Behavioral Health Crisis Response System
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
ASTHO staff, members, and alumni, discuss a recent meeting focused on the implementation of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant program for the island areas; Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of Health for the State of Vermont, says his state’s Facing Suicide Vermont website is more than a collection of online links to available resources; Dr. Ari Bernstein, Director of the National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the CDC, tells us about a new tool available to help people avoid the dangers of hot weather.
FacingSuicideVT Webpage
Vermont Support Line Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Supporting Mental Health – Addressing a New Public Health Crisis
NWS HeatRisk Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, tells us how her department is working to improve mental health; Kathleen Ho, Deputy Director for Environmental Health with Hawaii’s State Department of Health, explains her team’s response to the historic wildfires in 2023; and an ASTHO blog article looks at five trends from across state legislatures that you should be aware of.
Michigan Webpage: Mental Health
Mental Health Awareness Month Webpage
Hawaii Department of Health Webpage: Maui Wildfire Response
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s 2024 Legislative Session Update: Part One
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 669
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. JP Leider, Associate Professor in the Division of Health Policy and Management at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, tells us what the ASTHO Profile reveals about the public health workforce; Dr. Carolyn Wester, Director of the CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis, talks about national viral hepatitis elimination goals; and an ASTHO webinar will help you communicate more effectively through an equity lens.
ASTHO Profile
CDC Webpage: Viral Hepatitis
ASTHO Webinar: Bi-directional Communication Through a Health Equity Lens with Public Health Practitioners
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Lillian Colasurdo, ASTHO Director of Public Health Law and Data Sharing, tells us about part one of ASTHO’s 2024 Legislative session update; Dr. Katrina Piercy, Director of the Division of Prevention Science in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, discusses the federal government’s report on physical activity guidelines for older adults; healthy aging is the focus of a new ASTHO resource; and podcasters in the software space says the ASTHO Profile dashboard is one of the best-designed websites they have ever seen.
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s 2024 Legislative Session Update: Part One
HHS Webpage: Midcourse Report – Implementation Strategies for Older Adults
Older Americans Month Webpage
The White House Webpage
ASTHO Brief: Public Health Frameworks to Advance Healthy Aging
ASTHO Profile
Liz Gipson, Senior Program Officer at the Center for Healthcare Strategies, discusses a case study about New Jersey contraception legislation that ASTHO partnered on; Catherine Jones, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Government Affairs, says the federal government is beginning to have discussions about the rapidly aging U.S. population; and an ASTHO blog article offers several perspectives on how a diverse public health workforce can be beneficial.
ASTHO Webpage: Contraception Access Learning Community – Resources
New Jersey Webpage: A Study of New Jersey Assembly Bill 4503
ASTHO Blog Article: Federal Discussions on Aging Move Center Stage
ASTHO Blog Article: Infusing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Into State Public Health Agencies – Perspectives from Connecticut, New York, and Tennessee
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, tells us about his state’s “Pause to Heal” campaign; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, discusses a recent meeting she attended where she heard from staff members with the House Minority Leader’s office; the National Coalition of STD Directors and ASTHO will host a webinar on May 22 that will feature a “policy 101” perspective focused on state legislative sessions; and Emma Talkington, ASTHO Senior Analyst on the Environmental Health team, recaps the State Environmental Health Directors meeting.
Illinois Press Release: Illinois Launches New "Pause to Heal" Firearm Restraining Order Education Campaign
MyStateline News Article: Illinois reaches milestone in distribution of gun locks: 100,000 in one year
NCSD Webinar: Navigating the State Legislative Session and Department Collaboration: SPEAKS Session with ASTHO and NCSD
Derek Olson, Web Content Manager for the Washington State Department of Health, tells us the importance of digital access and inclusion; Emily Lapayowker, Assistant Director of Web at ASTHO, says ASTHO has systems to ensure its online products are accessible; and two ASTHO-authored papers in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice examine the agency role associated with healthy aging.
Washington State Department of Health Webpage
Global Accessibility Awareness Day Webpage
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Improving Older Adult Health by Operationalizing State Plans on Aging and Health Improvement
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Supporting Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health: The Role of State and Territorial Health Agencies
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Maura Quinlan, Women's Health Medical Advisor for the Illinois Department of Public Health, describes Illinois’ warm line for syphilis and congenital syphilis cases; Patrick Luces, Program Coordinator for the NCD Prevention and Control Program, tells us about an award Guam has won for its work in health equity; an ASTHO webinar will give you the latest information about pharmacist prescribed contraception; and if you’re looking for a career in public health… ASTHO has an interactive map to help you find openings in your state.
Illinois Department of Public Health News Release: IDPH Launches New Provider Phone Line in Response to Alarming Increase in Babies Born with Congenital Syphilis
Illinois Department of Public Health Dear Colleagues Letter
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Webpage: Strategies to Operationalize Health Equity in Island Area Health Departments
ASTHO Webpage: Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception – Health Plan Coverage of Services
PublicHealthCareers.org Webpage
Dr. Sally Rafie, Founder of Birth Control Pharmacist, says pharmacies are an accessible and private option for those in need of contraceptive care; Joy Burkhard, Executive Director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, wants to make sure providers who see pregnant people and new parents get the help they need to perform screenings; an ASTHO blog article covers Missouri's response to a maternal health crisis; and disease forecasting is the topic of an ASTHO webinar set for later this week.
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception: Health Plan Coverage of Services
Birth Control Pharmacist Webpage
Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Advancing State Maternal and Child Health Policymaking Through Boundary Spanning Leadership
ASTHO Webinar: Disease Forecasting Learning Series
Aaron Ferguson, Manager of the Climate and Tracking Unit in the Division of Environmental Health at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, tells us what Michigan leadership learned when they dealt with unprecedented air quality in the state; Karla Granado, Senior Operations Manager with the Travis County Hospital District and a DELPH Scholar, says Community Health Workers need to be empowered to advance health equity; ASTHO has a webinar focused on communicating about disease forecasting; and the 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention is now available.
Michigan Health and Human Services Webpage: Your Health and Wildfire Smoke
ASTHO Blog Article: Empowering Community Health Workers to Advance Health Equity
ASTHO Webinar: Disease Forecasting Learning Series
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Webpage: 2024 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention
Alex Kearly, ASTHO Director of Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships, says doula care is one of the most promising strategies to address maternal health disparities; Kay Matthews, Executive Director and Founder of the Shades of Blue Project, tells us that too often Black mothers have to choose between their mental health and basic family needs; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, discusses a federal plan to replace lead pipes used for drinking water in this week’s View from Washington D.C. Report; and ASTHO’s latest profile of state and territorial public health is now available online.
ASTHO Blog Article: Increasing Access to Doulas will Ease the Maternal Health Crisis
Shades of Blue Project Webpage
Environmental Protection Agency News Release: Biden-Harris Administration Announces $3 Billion for Lead Pipe Replacement to Advance Safe Drinking Water as Part of Investing in America Agenda
ASTHO Webpage: Profile of State and Territorial Public Health
Anil Nair, Director for the Division of Environmental Health Epidemiology within the Department of Health in Pennsylvania, says their state is taking a deeper look at environmental justice; Dr. Dylan George, Director of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the Centers for Disease Control, tells us about a forecasting project to help communities anticipate and prepare for outbreaks; and ASTHO has two new members, Heidi Hedberg in Alaska and Dr. Douglas Harrington in Montana.
ASTHO Report: How Pennsylvania Health Department’s Cross-Sector Partnerships Are Strengthening Climate and Environmental Justice
ASTHO Blog Article: Improving Performance Management in Licking County, Ohio’s Environmental Health Operations
CDC Webpage: Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Member Directory
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Amber Gibbar, Health Promotion Coordinator for the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, says they have been working for years to dismantle communication barriers in retail food safety; Julia Rivera, Program Director for the Public Health AmeriCorps Centralized Call Center in Guam, tells us the benefits of launching the Public Health AmeriCorps program in Guam; ASTHO is hosting a webinar on pharmacist-prescribed contraception; and Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, honors Public Service Recognition Week.
ASTHO Brief: Evidence-Based Approaches to Promoting Health Equity in Retail Food Safety
Washington State Department of Health Webpage: Food Worker Manual
AmeriCorps Webpage: Public Health AmeriCorps
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception – Health Plan Coverage of Services
X Webpage Post: Public Service Recognition Week
Omar Khalid, ASTHO Director of Workforce, tells us about the American Nurses Foundation’s upcoming webinar, “Break Free From Burnout”; Maya Goldman, a healthcare reporter for Axios, discusses her article on the nurse workforce; and ASTHO has a policy statement on Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health.
Webinar Webpage – Break Free from Burnout: Free Webinar & Interactive Q&A for Nurses & Healthcare Workers
Axios News Article: Nursing workforce is becoming more diverse
ASTHO Policy Statement: Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health Policy Statement
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, elaborates on a blog he authored on takeaways from the recent Avian Flu Symposium; Katelyn Wells, Chief Research Evaluation and Development Officer for the Association of Immunization Managers, discusses a toolkit to help with adolescent vaccination numbers; and ASTHO’s 2024 Legislative Prospectus series can be a valuable resource for you and your team as it lists the top 10 public health policy trends to watch.
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer – Key Takeaways from ASTHO’s HPAI Scientific Symposium
Association of Immunization Managers Webpage: Adolescent Immunization Toolkit
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Nyuma Harrison, Director of Programs at the American Nurses Foundation, explains a webinar about burnout planned as part of National Nurses Week activities; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO's Senior Director for Government Affairs, and his team are tracking developments on two federal rulemakings that ASTHO members should pay attention to; today is Dr. Anne Zink’s last day as Chief Medical Officer in Alaska; and an ASTHO blog article authored by Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, shares his take on last week’s avian flu symposium.
American Nurses Foundation Webinar: Break Free from Burnout – Free Webinar & Interactive Q&A for Nurses & Healthcare Workers
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Think Like Zink With Anne Zink
Dr. Robert Goldstein, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, details his state’s Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity; Michelle Van Handel, Associate Director for the Program and Performance Improvement Office at the CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, discusses a syndemic approach to combatting certain infections; and an ASTHO report addresses the issue of unintentional falls among older adults.
Massachusetts News Release: Department of Public Health launches health equity plan to address racism as a serious public health threat
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Webpage: Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity 2024-2028
CDC Webpage: HIV
CDC Webpage: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
CDC Webpage: Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE)
ASTHO Report: Expanding Falls Prevention Through Surveillance, Community-Clinical Linkages, and Strategic Planning and Evaluation
Dr. Jessica Schleider, Associate Professor of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University, says social media platforms are one of the best ways to reach kids in crisis; Josh Hodges, Chief Customer Officer at the National Council on Aging, explains how older adults will be helped by a new direct care workforce strategy center; and a webinar will offer perspective on several ways to effectively advance STI program needs.
STAT News Article: Banning teens from social media won’t help their mental health. Here’s what might
ASTHO Webpage: Social and Behavioral Health
National Council on Aging Webpage: Meet our Direct Care Workforce Strategies Center Partners
National Coalition of STD Directors Webinar: Navigating the State Legislative Session and Department Collaboration – SPEAKS Session with ASTHO and NCSD
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Jessica Baggett, Senior Advisor for Public Health Response at ASTHO, talks about a package of evidence-based strategies outlined in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice; Megan Tompkins, Director of Data Modernization for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, tells us about a web page full of stories about the impact of data modernization work; and Dr. James Bell III, Chief of Staff for the Public Health Administration at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, explains how it’s possible to advance DEI work in state government.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Webpage: Evidence-Based Strategies to Enhance Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists Webpage: DMI Stories From The Field
ASTHO Blog Article: Leading from the Inside: Advancing DEI at the State Level
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
A national symposium on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, moderated by ASTHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter and attended by many ASTHO members, discussed many aspects of the virus; Dr. Janice Phillips, Assistant Director at the Illinois Department of Public Health, discusses their 30 Days of Public Health Campaign; and ASTHO has a webinar focused on leveraging syndromic surveillance to promote health equity for people with disabilities.
ASTHO Webpage: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Scientific Symposium
Illinois Department of Public Health News Release: IDPH Kicks Off “30 Days of Public Health” Celebration to Coincide with National Minority Health Month
ASTHO Webinar: Defining Disability for Syndromic Surveillance – Data to Action
ASTHO Webinar: Defining Disability for Syndromic Surveillance – Data to Action Technical Assistance
Corey Davis, Director of the Harm Reduction Legal Project at the Network for Public Health Law, discusses the challenges of improving naloxone distribution; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, tells us about her team’s advocacy efforts as fiscal year 2025 appropriations advocacy gets underway; and the CDC has a warning about the dangers of some botox injections.
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center
ASTHO Blog Article: The Fentanyl Crisis Requires Ongoing and Strategic Federal Action
CDC Webpage: Adverse Effects Linked to Counterfeit or Mishandled Botulinum Toxin Injections
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Corinne Gillenwater, ASTHO Chronic Disease and Health Improvement Analyst, talks about an ASTHO toolkit that uses the Healthy People 2030 framework to help build partnerships; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, says today’s Avian Flu Symposium is all about preparing; Tamira Moon, ASTHO Director of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, tells us about the Power of Partnerships Health Equity Alliance; and an ASTHO webinar will discuss workforce challenges and opportunities as part of their Disease Forecasting Learning Series.
ASTHO Webpage: Leveraging Healthy People 2030 to Build Non-Traditional Multisector Partnerships
ASTHO Webpage: Building Non-Traditional Public Health Multisector Partnerships
ASTHO Webinar: HPAI Scientific Symposium
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Announces Alliance Designed to Weave Health Equity into Emergency Response
ASTHO Webinar: Disease Forecasting Learning Series
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, previews a national symposium on avian flu; Jack McClure, a Public Health Consultant with the Association of Immunization Managers, helps us understand how to reach younger people interested in public health careers; Dr. Nayda Roman, Director of the Commission on Suicide Prevention at the Puerto Rico Department of Health, discusses new federal grants that give Puerto Rico the money it needs to do more suicide prevention work; and an ASTHO blog article has us thinking again about the health connections between animals, humans, and the environment.
Avian Flu Symposium Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Webpage: Closing the Distance in Puerto Rico
ASTHO Blog Article: Tackling Climate Change Using the One Health Approach
Dia Gainor, Executive Director of the National Association of State EMS Officials, worries about challenges facing local jurisdictions working to provide EMS services; ASTHO invites listeners to join a national online symposium this Thursday to learn about the latest with avian influenza; Mike Cisneros, a data storyteller from the organization Storytelling with Data says stories often get left behind because we focus too much on data analysis and not enough on how to present the data to audiences; Brianna Scott, MPH, a Healthcare Associated Infections Epidemiologist with the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services, writes in a new ASTHO blog article that superbugs can be defeated with a health equity approach.
News Article: Route Fifty - Emergency Alert - States confront EMS shortages
ASTHO Event: HPAI Scientific Symposium registration page
ASTHO Profile Data Dashboard
Webpage: Mike Cisneros, Storytelling with Data
ASTHO Blog Article: Beating Superbugs Together with a Health Equity Approach
Kathy Jo Robbins, One Health Treatment Program Administrator, Delaware Division of Public Health, explains her state's One Health approach and how EpiChats have helped educate audiences; Massimo Pacilli, Deputy Commissioner, Disease Control Bureau, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Dr. Raynard Washington, Director of the Mecklenburg County Public Health Department in Charlotte, NC, discuss their response to avian flu cases during an online news conference hosted by the Big Cities Health Coalition; Catherine Murphy, an ASTHO Government Affairs analyst, says the organization's latest appropriations book is timed to inform the congressional appropriations process; and there's still time to register to attend today's training session centered on risk and protective factors associated with adverse childhood experiences.
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast: One Health - The Shared Future of People, Animals, and the Planet
Webpage: Delaware Division of Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: What to Expect from FY25 Appropriations
ASTHO Resource: FY25 Governmental Public Health Appropriations Book
ASTHO Webinar: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences - Virtual 101 Training
Admiral Rachel Levine, Assistant Secretary for Health at the United States Department of Health and Human Services, reflects on the policy factors that impact public health; Massimo Pacilli, Deputy Commissioner of the Disease Control Bureau with the Chicago Department of Public Health, tells us teams are working to immunize people staying in shelters around the city as a measles outbreak occurs in Chicago; Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director for the Big Cities Health Coalition, adds that the situation in Chicago is why public health needs flexible funding; and Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, delves into how DEI supports effective public health leadership.
HHS Webpage: Equitable Long-Term Recovery and Resilience
Big Cities Health Coalition Webpage: Big city health leaders urge vaccination amid another measles outbreak
Chicago Department of Public Health Webpage: Get the Facts – Measles
ASTHO Blog Article: Breaking The Mold – How DEI Builds Successful Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Ben Fulgencio-Turner, Director of the Climate for Health Program at EcoAmerica, discusses a new ASTHO training program that connects the impacts of climate change to public health; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, tells the news site Governing that coordination between agriculture and public health officials is critical as more dairy herds test positive for avian influenza; Dr. Ari Bernstein, Director of the National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the CDC, reviews updated guidance for clinicians with patients exposed to PFAS; an ASTHO blog article summarizes public health policy in the U.S. territories and freely associated states; and a webinar hosted by the National Coalition of STD Directors will help you learn how to work with state lawmakers.
ASTHO Webpage: Climate for Health Ambassadors Training
Governing News Article: Public Health's Strategy to Protect Against Bird Flu
CDC Webpage: PFAS Information for Clinicians – 2024
ASTHO Blog Article: Island Areas Public Health Policies in 2024
NCSD Webinar: Navigating the State Legislative Session and Department Collaboration: SPEAKS Session with ASTHO and NCSD
Sasha Chavkin, Senior Reporter for The Examination, tells us about his investigation into whether the food industry is misusing anti-diet messages; Dr. Timothy Harrison, Principal Deputy Director in the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV AIDS Policy with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, says syphilis and congenital syphilis are the focus of a new federal task force; and an ASTHO blog article explains how leadership by example can benefit employees.
The Washington Post News Article: As obesity rises, Big Food and dietitians push ‘anti-diet’ advice
ASTHO Report: Policy Considerations for Reducing Congenital Syphilis
CDC Webpage: STI Awareness Week
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Webpage: HHS Announces Department Actions to Slow Surging Syphilis Epidemic
ASTHO Blog Article: Leading by Example Benefits Employees
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer for the Alaska Department of Health and ASTHO Immediate Past President, tells us stigma is to blame for slowing progress on sexually transmitted infections; Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, says the pandemic diverted people and resources away from STI work; Shelbi Davis, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Environmental Health, describes a new ASTHO training program to help your staff learn how to address the impacts of climate change in your communities; and ASTHO has plans for a webinar to discuss the definition of disability.
ASTHO Report: Policy Considerations for Reducing Congenital Syphilis
CDC Webpage: STI Awareness Week
The Hill News Article: US sees record syphilis cases as funding cuts threaten to worsen epidemic
ASTHO Webpage: Climate for Health Ambassadors Training
ASTHO Webinar: Defining Disability for Syndromic Surveillance – Data to Action
Christi Mackie, ASTHO Vice President of Community Health and Prevention Programs, tells us about the USDA’s first update to WIC packaging in a decade; Jessica Baggett, ASTHO Senior Advisor for Public Health Response, reflects on lessons learned from the 2024 Preparedness Summit; and Danny Staley, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Public Health Programs and Practice, previews this years’ State Environmental Health Directors annual meeting.
National WIC Association News Release: USDA Finalizes Changes to WIC Food Packages; National WIC Association Calls for Swift Implementation
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 SEHD Annual Meeting
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Chemyeeka Tumblin, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in Perinatal and Maternal Mental Health, outlines the importance of Black Maternal Health Week; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO's Senior Director for Government Affairs, discusses ASTHO’s FY25 Governmental Public Health Appropriations Book; and an ASTHO resource will take you through all the changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
CDC Webpage: Working Together to Reduce Black Maternal Mortality
ASTHO Webpage: FY25 Governmental Public Health Appropriations Book
ASTHO Webpage: Changes to 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CHI Services
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, says bird flu is getting the attention of public health agencies; Emily Payne, an Epidemiologist at the New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute, tells us about a New York state study of the differences between four and eight milligram doses of naloxone; an ASTHO blog article features an advocate for women’s health in Alaska who tells us how public health can empower women to take charge of their health; and ASTHO has a new member in Dr. Pete Croughan, who was recently appointed as the deputy secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health.
KNX News Article: The CDC warns public health orgs: Keep an eye on spreading bird flu cases, but don't freak out -- yet
ASTHO News Release: Readout of CDC/ASTHO/CSTE/APHL Call Regarding Avian Influenza Preparedness
New York State Department of Health Webpage: CDC and New York State Department of Health Publish Study On Effectiveness of 4 Milligram Versus 8 Milligram Naloxone During Opioid Overdose
ASTHO Blog Article: Partner Spotlight – Q&A with Anne Remick, Program Director, Alaska Breast and Cervical Screening Assistance Program
ASTHO Webpage: Pete Croughan, MD
Dr. Sharon Stancliff, Associate Medical Director for Harm Reduction in Healthcare at the AIDS Institute with the New York State Department of Health, discusses a study the state performed to test the pros and cons of different doses of naloxone; Tanya Schwartz, Director of Urgent and Acute Care at the Maryland Department of Health Behavioral Health Administration, explains how more money to support behavioral health services in Maryland could benefit everyone; an ASTHO training will help you learn how to assess current work and use tools designed to enhance ACEs prevention capacity; and Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Alaska Department of Health Chief Medical Officer, will be featured in an ASTHO webinar on effective policy implementation to reduce congenital syphilis.
New York State Department of Health Webpage: CDC and New York State Department of Health Publish Study On Effectiveness of 4 Milligram Versus 8 Milligram Naloxone During Opioid Overdose
New York Public Health Now Podcast
ASTHO Webinar: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences – Virtual 101 Training
ASTHO Webinar: Reducing Congenital Syphilis Through Policy Initiatives
AJ Pearlman, Director of Public Health AmeriCorps, says more than 4-thousand people are learning about public health as part of the program; Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, and Dr. Debra Bogen, Acting Secretary of Health for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, share their own messages about National Public Health Week; Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, tells us public health needs new strategies to address rising rates of syphilis and congenital syphilis; and ASTHO will help you put your leadership skills on the fast track with a discussion happening on Thursday.
Public Health Americorps Webpage
National Public Health Week Webpage
Pennsylvania Department of Health Video
Ohio Department of Health Video
ASTHO Webinar: Reducing Congenital Syphilis Through Policy Initiatives
ASTHO Webinar: Leadership Accelerator – Fast-Track Your Skills with ELM - Cohort 1
Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, looks forward to a smooth transition as he begins his new job; Rebecca Adamson, Preparedness Section Director at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, discusses the sixth day of National Public Health Week as we focus on emergency preparedness; Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, reflects on the topic of public health modernization being a focus of the HIMSS Conference agenda in Orlando last month; and a new article about lessons learned during the pandemic is now online in an ASTHO blog article.
ASTHO Podcast Episode: 614 – New ASTHO CEO Announced
ASTHO Podcast Episode: 615 – Grad Considers DELPH Colleagues Family, New ASTHO CEO is “Nice, Kind, Caring”
National Public Health Week Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Preparedness
ASTHO Webpage: Legal Preparedness Series
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Webpage: Evidence-Based Strategies to Enhance Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response
Clare Coleman, President and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, says silos can hinder access to reproductive and sexual health care; Dr. Daniel Edney, State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, recognizes National Public Health Week by thanking the workforce in a YouTube video; Dr. Jennifer Shuford, Commissioner at the Texas Department of State Health Services, tells us how the Texas Tobacco Quit Line will expand services now that they’ve gained more funding; and new strategies to address rising congenital syphilis rates are the focus of an ASTHO webinar planned for next week.
ASTHO Webpage: Family and Reproductive Health – Supporting Holistic Care Across All Stages of Life
National Public Health Week Webpage
Welcome to National Public Health Week 2024 YouTube Video
ASTHO Webinar: Reducing Congenital Syphilis Through Policy Initiatives
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and ASTHO Member, tells us how his department uses good data to better serve his state; Paula Nickelson, Director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and an ASTHO Member, says the HIMSS conference continues to impact conversations about the future of public health; an ASTHO webinar focused on TEFCA will feature ASTHO President Dr. Steven Stack and will take place today; and an ASTHO webinar will show you how viewing disability as a demographic can improve understanding of the impacts of public health emergencies on people with disabilities.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health for the 21st Century – Data Modernization and Privacy Protections
National Public Health Week Webpage
ASTHO Webinar: TEFCA Overview and Perspectives from the Field
ASTHO Webinar: Defining Disability for Syndromic Surveillance – Data to Action
Dr. Karen Smith, Former Director of the California Department of Public Health, says day three of National Public Health Week focuses on climate change and the impact of environmental concerns on communities; Karl Ensign, ASTHO Vice President of Island Support, tells us ASTHO is celebrating a big funding win for three island nations aligned with the U.S. as freely associated states; and an ASTHO brief discusses how foodborne illness is preventable yet costly.
ASTHO Webpage: Climate and Health
National Public Health Week Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Fully Fund the Renegotiated Compacts of Free Association and Reduce Compact Impact in U.S. Territories and States Policy Statement
Mazie Hirono News Release
Honolulu Civil Beat News Article: Congress Restores Federal Benefits To COFA Migrants As Part Of $7.1 Billion Aid Deal
ASTHO Brief: Evidence-Based Approaches to Promoting Health Equity in Retail Food Safety
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and an ASTHO Member, tells us healthy neighborhoods are the focus on day two of National Public Health Week; Dr. Nizar Wehbi, North Dakota State Health Officer and an ASTHO Member, says a new ASTHO policy statement on public health infrastructure recommends sustained investments and the adoption of public health standards; and ASTHO has created resources to aid health agencies in communities affected by mass firearm violence.
ASTHO Webpage: Environmental Health – Reducing Chemical Exposure and Supporting Food Safety
ASTHO Report: Going Beyond Regulatory Compliance for Lead Testing in Water
National Public Health Week Webpage
National Public Health Week Webpage: Healthy Neighborhoods
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Infrastructure Policy Statement
ASTHO Webpage: Health Agencies Can Support Communities Suffering Mass Firearm Violence
Jeanne Ayers, ASTHO Alum and Executive Director of Health Democracy Healthy People, says research has shown that a civically engaged community is a healthy community; Betty Bekemeier, Professor at the University of Washington School of Nursing, tells us about a new ASTHO white paper that examines how states are leveraging funding sources to help with transportation; and an ASTHO webinar will teach you how to assess your agency’s work to prevent adverse childhood experiences later this month.
ASTHO Blog Article: Why Public Health Officials Should Make Voting Accessible for Everybody
ASTHO Webpage: State Health Officials Share 12 Tips for Safe In-Person Voting
ASTHO Blog Article: Connecting Health and Transportation to Improve Access to Care
ASTHO Report: Cross Sector Collaborations – Addressing Health Inequities in Access to Care Through Public Health and Transportation Partnerships
ASTHO Webinar: Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences – Virtual 101 Training
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director at the American Public Health Association, tells us about this year’s National Public Health Week which kicks off on Monday; Kellie Waugh, ASTHO Analyst for Health Improvement and Healthy Aging, describes a new resource hub that explains how to integrate sustainability into your work on the Healthy Brain Initiative; Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, says women bring lived experiences that contribute to her department’s success; and infant mental health is examined in an ASTHO webinar set for Monday, April 8th.
National Public Health Week Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Integrating Sustainability into Healthy Brain Initiative Implementation
ASTHO Webinar: VLS 18 – ASTHOConnects: Infant Mental Health
Dr. Karen Smith, Former Director of the California Department of Public Health, tells us about the early days of her career; Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of Trust for America's Health, details the Ready or Not Report which gets specific about areas that need improvement; Dr. Josh Wymer, Chief Health Information and Data Strategy Officer with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, reflects on this year’s takeaways from the annual HIMSS Global Health Conference; and ASTHO is hosting a program for immersive leadership development in April.
Trust for America’s Health Webpage: Ready or Not 2024 – Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
ASTHO Webinar: Leadership Accelerator – Fast-Track Your Skills with ELM - Cohort 1
Susan Bsharah, Associate Director at Guidehouse, discusses an upcoming TEFCA webinar set for April 4; Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and an ASTHO Member, tells us about the “Good Housing Good Health” initiative; Dr. Pattie Tucker, Director of the Office of Women's Health at the CDC, talks about the Power of Partnerships Health Equity Alliance; and an ASTHO blog article lists 7 public health podcast to listen to in 2024.
ASTHO Webinar: TEFCA Overview and Perspectives from the Field
Michigan Health and Human Services Webpage: MDHHS and MSHDA launch "Good Housing = Good Health" program
ASTHO Blog Article: Seven Public Health Podcasts to Listen to in 2024
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, updates us on the Long COVID situation; Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of Health for the State of Vermont, tells us about ASTHO’s recently updated policy statement on adverse childhood experiences; and Dr. Tara Kirk Sell, Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, discusses a new playbook to help public health agencies deal with online misinformation.
Long COVID Update Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Adverse Childhood Experiences Policy Statement
Practical Playbook for Addressing Health Misinformation
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Debra Bogen, Acting Secretary of Health for the Pennsylvania Department of Health and ASTHO Member, discusses Pennsylvania’s work to expand overdose training to many different populations; Beth Giambrone, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, discusses the part Public Health plays in helping transportation partners; and an ASTHO webinar will explain more about how TEFCA will help public health.
Pennsylvania Webpage: Department Of Health Offers New Training To Fight The Overdose Crisis
ASTHO Blog Article: Stroads? Where We’re Going, We Don’t Need Stroads
ASTHO Webinar: TEFCA Overview and Perspectives from the Field
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Marissa Esser, CDC Alcohol Program Lead, discusses the steep rise in deaths from excessive alcohol use; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, gives an update on the public health funding situation; and the Philadelphia Department of Public Health along with the Public Health AmeriCorps tell us about cultivating future public health leaders.
CDC Webpage: Deaths from Excessive Alcohol Use — United States, 2016–2021
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
ASTHO Blog Article: Building Public Health Leaders: Voices from Public Health AmeriCorps
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, tells us ASTHO continues to focus on improving heart health in our island areas; Lisa Peterson, ASTHO Senior Director for Preparedness, discusses the upcoming 2024 Preparedness Summit; and an ASTHO report highlights successful partnerships between state health agencies and transportation sectors to address health disparities in accessing care.
ASTHO Blog Article: Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention in the Pacific Territories
2024 Preparedness Summit Webpage
ASTHO Report: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address the Social Determinants of Health
Dr. Alison Athey, Associate Behavioral Scientist at RAND, worked with her colleagues to take a deeper look at the impact of overdose deaths; Connie Moon Sehat, Principal Investigator of the Analysis and Response Toolkit for Trust Project, says the project aims to develop a set of guidelines around AI use for health communicators; an ASTHO blog article outlines opportunities for the improvement of workplace wellness; and PublicHealthCareers.org is a great place to find a rewarding career in public health.
American Journal of Public Health Article: An Overlooked Emergency – More Than One in Eight US Adults Have Had Their Lives Disrupted by Drug Overdose Deaths
Analysis and Response Toolkit for Trust Webpage: Ethical Use of AI in Public Health Communications
ASTHO Blog Article: Prioritizing Well-Being in the Public Health Workforce
PublicHealthCareers.org Webpage
Dr. Michelle Mello, Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University School of Medicine, studied state lawmakers’ response to the use of public health authority during the pandemic; Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Chief Science Officer at the Washington Department of Health, discusses the vending machines filled with COVID and Flu tests that are popping up all over Washington; and ASTHO’s speakers bureau can help you find the person to take your event to the next level.
British Medical Journal Webpage: Legal infrastructure for pandemic response – lessons not learnt in the US
Washington State Department of Health Webpage: Department of Health unveils kiosks that offer free COVID-19 and flu tests
ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of Trust for America's Health, discusses the 21st edition of the Ready or Not Report; Catherine Jones, ASTHO Government Affairs Senior Analyst, tells us ASTHO’s Hill Day program in late February continues to receive high marks; and an ASTHO webinar on the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement with ASTHO President Dr. Steven Stack, will take place in April.
Trust for America’s Health Webpage: Ready or Not 2024 – Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
ASTHO Blog Article: State and Territorial Health Officials Convene First On-site Hill Day Since COVID
ASTHO Webinar: TEFCA Overview and Perspectives from the Field
Dr. Harris, State Health Officer with the Alabama Department of Public Health and ASTHO Member, recalls his recent visit to Congress a few weeks ago; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, says ASTHO continues to talk with elected leaders about the President’s proposed budget released earlier this week; and Dr. Susan Kansagra, North Carolina Public Health Director and ASTHO Member, discusses the significance of Women’s History Month.
ASTHO Webpage: President Biden Releases FY25 Budget Proposal
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Michelle Mello, Professor of Law at Stanford Law School and a Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University School of Medicine, teamed up with colleagues at Temple University to study the legislative response to legal authority; Danielle Nelson, Senior Program Analyst in the Office of Program Management at the Federal Transit Administration, discusses how the federal fund braiding guide was created; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO Past President and Alaska Chief Medical Officer, kicks off the Disease Forecasting Learning Series today; and ASTHO releases a review of President Joe Biden’s proposed budget for the new fiscal year.
BMJ Article: Legal infrastructure for pandemic response: lessons not learnt in the US
Public Health Review Podcast
ASTHO Webinar: Disease Forecasting Learning Series
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Lisa Iezzoni, Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, worries the U.S. isn’t ready to accommodate the coming wave of seniors with disabilities; Jennifer Botsford, Bureau Chief for the Bureau of Environmental Health Services at the Arizona Department of Health Services, discusses a listeria outbreak discovered in early January continues to worry public health officials; an ASTHO blog article addresses the growing use of AI in public health; and ASTHO is hiring a senior accountant.
The Washington Post News Article: U.S. health care isn’t ready for a surge of seniors with disabilities
CBS News Article: Costco, Trader Joe's and Walmart products made with cheese linked to deadly listeria outbreak
ASTHO Blog Article: States Assessing and Mitigating Risks of Agencies Using Artificial Intelligence
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Dr. Susan Kansagra, Director of the North Carolina Division of Public Health and an ASTHO Member, tells us how the tenacity of one inspector caused an investigation that uncovered lead-contaminated applesauce packets in North Carolina; Dr. Tara Kirk Sell, Senior Scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security and an Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Health and Engineering at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, explains how a new toolkit can help you deal with misinformation; and an ASTHO blog article outlines federal policies and Medicaid options that together address hunger and promote wellness.
ASTHO Blog Article: Lead, Food Safety, and Public Health’s Power and Responsibility to the People
Practical Playbook for Addressing Health Misinformation Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Supporting Positive Mental Health Through Food Security and Good Nutrition
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
J.T. Lane, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation, previews the HIMSS Global Health Conference that kicks off today; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, tells us how routine lead level screenings in North Carolina began an international investigation; and an ASTHO blog article outlines changes the USDA is considering making to nutrition standards.
HIMSS 24 Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Lead, Food Safety, and Public Health’s Power and Responsibility to the People
ASTHO Blog Article: USDA Takes Long-Term Look at Nutrition Standards
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Matthew Biel, Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Georgetown University Medical Center, worries about the impact of social media on young people; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, says the federal budget continues to be the focus of work on Capitol Hill; ASTHO has new policy statements on Adverse Childhood Experiences and Public Health Infrastructure; and harm reduction laws are mapped in a webpage developed by ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center.
ASTHO Webpage: Policy Statements
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center
Dr. Matthew Biel, Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Georgetown University Medical Center, tells us social media is not necessarily a good part of childhood; Lexa Giragosian, ASTHO Senior Analyst for the Maternal and Newborn Health Team, says one concern linked to social media use is eating disorders among young people; and Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO Past President and Chief Medical Officer for the Alaska Department of Health’s Division of Public Health, headlines a series of four events aimed at learning the basics of disease forecasting.
New York Times News Article: Today’s Teenagers – Anxious About Their Futures and Disillusioned by Politicians
ASTHO Blog Article: Reducing the Impact of Eating Disorders on Adolescent Girls
ASTHO Webinar: Disease Forecasting Learning Series
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Keon Lewis, Equity and Development Coordinator for the Cabarrus Health Alliance, talks about his experience as a recent graduate of ASTHO’s DELPH program; Dr. Joseph Kanter is ASTHO’s new CEO and begins his role in April; Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President and Kentucky Health Commissioner, shares his experiences working with Dr. Kanter through the years; and ASTHO is hiring for several open positions.
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: DELPH Magazine
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Appoints Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH, as New Chief Executive Officer
ASTHO Webpage: Careers At ASTHO
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, announces Dr. Joseph Kanter as ASTHO’s new CEO; Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO’s newly-announced CEO, who joins ASTHO from the Louisiana Department of Health, outlines his approach to the role; and an ASTHO blog article outlines steps to advancing DEI efforts at the state level.
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Appoints Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH, as New Chief Executive Officer
ASTHO Blog Article: Leading from the Inside: Advancing DEI at the State Level
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, spent her week in Washington D.C. discussing the importance of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant to her state; Arthur San Agustin, Special Assistant for Health to the Governor of Guam, shared an important island perspective with legislators; Moses Pretrick, Assistant Secretary for Health at the FSM Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, says health equity was at the top of his list of priorities in meetings; and an ASTHO blog article outlines the need for federal support to combat the fentanyl crisis.
ASTHO Webpage: Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Blog Article: The Fentanyl Crisis Requires Ongoing and Strategic Federal Action
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Jeffery Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, tells us how Hill Day went this week; Stephanie Moraga-McHaley, Program Manager for the New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking Program, says the number of carbon monoxide poisoning cases is on the rise; an ASTHO blog article outlines why U.S. territories need more health data to make better decisions for people in their communities; and ASTHO’s spring meeting included visits to Congress and a special graduation event.
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking Webpage
New Mexico Department of Health Webpage: NM records 89 emergency visits and one fatality due to carbon monoxide poisoning
ASTHO Brief: Strengthening Maternal and Infant Health Data in the U.S. Territories
Dr. Kaitlan Baston, ASTHO Member and Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, discusses a new law in New Jersey that decriminalizes many harm reduction supplies; Andra Samoa, a Department of Health Consultant and Liason, wants Congress to know that it’s hard to make improvements in an isolated island environment; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, tells us what he told a recruiter who called him about the ASTHO job more than seven years ago; and ASTHO leaders have issued a statement about the alarming number of measles cases now being reported across the country.
Insider NJ News Article: Governor Murphy Signs Legislation to Expand Access to Crucial Harm Reduction Supplies
ASTHO News Release: Public Health Leaders Will Visit Congress and Stress the Need to Invest in Infrastructure, the WIC Program, and Island Priorities
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast
ASTHO News Release: State Health Officials Alarmed by U.S. Measles Outbreaks, Stress the Importance of Adhering to Established Public Health Practices and Vaccinating the Unvaccinated
Gaafar Uherbelau, Minister of Health for the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, tells us his priorities in Washington D.C. for ASTHO’s Spring Meeting; this week the third cohort of public health professionals in the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program will graduate; Dr. Puthiery Va, the Maine CDC Director, has a plan to recruit and retain more public health nurses; and ASTHO is hiring for several positions.
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: 2023 DELPH Cohort
Portland Press Herald News Story: Maine’s new CDC director is expanding public health workforce, access, mission
ASTHO Webpage: Careers At ASTHO
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Iyanrick John, Vice President of External Affairs at ChangeLab Solutions, tells us about his organization partnering with the CDC to create a legal and policy assessment tool; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, will be leaving the organization after more than seven years leading ASTHO; Amber Williams, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Leadership and Organizational Performance, says members from state and island jurisdictions are in Washington D.C for ASTHO’s spring meeting; and an ASTHO blog article outlines how the Alabama Department of Public Health is working to implement the state’s public health infrastructure grant workplan.
CDC Webpage: HIV Criminalization Legal and Policy Assessment Tool
ChangeLab Solutions Webpage: HIV Criminalization Legal & Policy Assessment Tool
ASTHO Public Health Review
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
ASTHO Blog Article: Alabama’s Positive Transformation Through Cross-Cutting PHIG Workplans
Dr. Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, and Dr. Brian Castrucci, de Beaumont Foundation President and CEO, tell us why their new book is beneficial for all public health professionals; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director for State Health Policy, says states are beginning to assess the use of AI in public health and beyond; ASTHO has a course to teach best practices for building and understanding data visualization through a health equity lens; and ASTHO launches a three-part video series to showcase how public health can build program sustainability into their Healthy Brain Initiative work.
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health – A Primer for Public Health Professionals
ASTHO Blog Article: States Assessing and Mitigating Risks of Agencies Using Artificial Intelligence
ASTHO Webpage: Designing Data Dashboards Using a Health Equity Lens
ASTHO Webpage: Integrating Sustainability into Healthy Brain Initiative Implementation
Amber Williams, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Leadership and Organizational Performance, previews ASTHO’s upcoming Spring Meeting; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, prepares to say goodbye as he ends his time at ASTHO next week; and an ASTHO blog article explains why it’s never too early to prepare for hurricane season.
Public Health Review Podcast Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Why It’s Never Too Early to Prep for Hurricane Season
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, discusses the supply and demand challenges impacting new RSV antibody products; Luke Kenley, Former Indiana State Senator, tells us how he helped lead the committee to develop and promote the public health funding package that would raise spending by 1500 percent; and an ASTHO Blog Article outlines strategies to address hypertension disorders in pregnancy.
CDC Webpage: RSV Immunization for Children 19 months and Younger
ASTHO Report: Investing in Indiana’s Public Health Infrastructure Through Community-Driven Policy Change
ASTHO Webinar: Investing in Public Health Infrastructure – Indiana's Success Story
ASTHO Brief: Addressing Hypertension in Pregnancy to Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
ASTHO Webpage: Healthy Heart, Healthy Brain
ASTHO Webpage: Strategic State and Local Policies for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Ashwin Vasan, New York City Health Commissioner, discusses New York City’s decision to declare social media a public health hazard; Anya Nystrom, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Director of Culture, Strategy, Equity, and Innovation as well as the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Officer, says equity and inclusion are the focus of work happening in Colorado; an ASTHO blog article outlines an urgent need to make sure public health data represents all communities; and Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO and de Beaumont Foundation President and CEO Dr. Brian Castrucci are hosting a webinar discussion based on their new book.
New York City News Release: Mayor Adams Announces Lawsuit Against Social Media Companies Fueling Nationwide Youth Mental Health Crisis
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Webpage: 2023 - 2026 Strategic Plan
ASTHO Blog Article: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Public Health Data Modernization
ASTHO Webinar: Lunch and Learn – Building Strategic Skills for Public Health Professionals
Dr. Nizar Wehbi, ASTHO Member and North Dakota State Health Officer, says North Dakota has a plan to attract healthcare workers; Lindsey Myers, ASTHO Vice President for Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure, tells us Pacific Island area public health leaders are working on plans to invest their public health infrastructure grant funding; learn what to do during the first three days following a nuclear detonation in an ASTHO webinar; and an ASTHO webinar will explain how to implement a performance management system within an environmental health division.
North Dakota Webpage: Healthcare Workforce
Prairie Public News Article: HHS launches 'Love You to Stay'
ASTHO Webinar: Planning For the First 72 Hours
ASTHO Webinar: Performance Management in Environmental Health
Dr. Gabriel Seidman, Director of Policy at the Ellison Institute of Technology, details the need for a stronger nationwide health data ecosystem; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, tells us how some topics on the Hill that are seemingly unrelated to public health can have an impact; and an ASTHO blog article discusses the connection between built environments and adverse childhood experiences.
American Journal of Public Health News Release: Public Health Leaders Urge Federal Government to Incentivize State-led Health Data Management to Create a Stronger National Health Data Ecosystem
American Journal of Public Health Webpage: Regulations and Funding to Create Enterprise Architecture for a Nationwide Health Data Ecosystem
ASTHO Blog Article: Improving the Built Environment Prevents ACEs and Creates Safer Communities
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Amber Williams, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Leadership and Organizational Performance, previews next week’s webinar about strategic skills for public health professionals; Dr. Sejal Hathi, ASTHO Member and Director of the Oregon Health Authority, tells us her new role in Oregon is the perfect assignment; Dr. Khalilah LeGrand, the new Vice President for Communications and Public Relations at ASTHO, outlines her goals for the role; and authentic community engagement is on the agenda at the first national meeting of the STRETCH 2.0 initiative planned for February 21.
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health – A Primer for Public Health Professionals
ASTHO Webinar: Lunch and Learn – Building Strategic Skills for Public Health Professionals
ASTHO Webinar: Healing Relationships Authentically to Sustain a Healthy Community – A STRETCH National Convening
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, ASTHO Member and Health Commissioner for the Minnesota Department of Health, reflects on the importance of using policy to achieve racial equity; Dr. Priti Patel, Acting Director of the Office of Science in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at CDC, discusses a new study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine that considers the public health role in the response to long COVID; and an ASTHO report examines the benefits of verbal screening when treating people using two or more substances during pregnancy.
American Journal of Preventive Medicine Webpage: The Role of U.S. Public Health Agencies in Addressing Long COVID
ASTHO Report: Polysubstance Use During Pregnancy and the Benefits of Universal Verbal Screening
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Robert Goldstein, ASTHO Member and Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, discusses a new report that shows Massachusetts overdose deaths remain near record highs; Jessica Baggett, ASTHO Senior Advisor for Public Health Response, outlines a report about the role of public health in the response to long COVID; and Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, and Dr. Brian Castrucci, de Beaumont Foundation President and CEO, will team up to review key skills everyone needs to succeed in public health in an upcoming webinar.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health News Release: Massachusetts public health officials release latest opioid-related overdose reports
American Journal of Preventative Medicine Webpage: The Role of U.S. Public Health Agencies in Addressing Long COVID
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health: A Primer for Public Health Professionals
ASTHO Webinar: Lunch and Learn – Building Strategic Skills for Public Health Professionals
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Danielle Ofri, Clinical Professor of Medicine at New York University School of Medicine, tells us some patients still have concerns about COVID-19 vaccines; Jessica Bissett, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Social and Behavioral Health, discusses several steps Colorado has taken to promote housing security; an ASTHO webinar will teach attendees how to build and retain a strong clerical workforce; and an ASTHO webinar will review new guidance on how to respond within the first 72 hours after a nuclear detonation.
Danielle Ofri Webpage
ASTHO Blog: Policies Supporting Young Families Can Reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences
The New York Times Opinion Article: My Patients Used to Be Enthusiastic About the Covid Vaccine. What Changed?
ASTHO Webinar: Planning For the First 72 Hours
ASTHO Webinar: The Frontline Advantage – Discovering and Developing a Frontline Clerical Workforce
Dr. Carolyn Wester, Director of the Division of Viral Hepatitis at the CDC, says the CDC has a plan to increase access to the diagnosis and treatment resources for Hepatitis C; Tim Henderson, a Reporter for Stateline, explains how wastewater testing was considered a reliable way to track community outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic; ASTHO has designed a toolkit showing agencies how to leverage the Healthy People 2030 process to build non-traditional partnerships; and an ASTHO report discusses how Pennsylvania agencies work together on environmental justice issues.
CDC Webpage: Hepatitis C Surveillance 2021
HHS Webpage: Launching a National Hepatitis C Elimination Program in the United States
CDC Webpage: Testing Recommendations for Hepatitis C Virus Infection
CDC Webpage: Hepatitis C Questions and Answers for Health Professionals
CDC Webpage: Professional Resources
Stateline News Article: Wastewater tests show COVID infections surging, but pandemic fatigue limits precautions
ASTHO Toolkit: Leveraging Healthy People 2030 to Build Non-Traditional Multisector Partnerships
ASTHO Report: How Pennsylvania Health Department’s Cross-Sector Partnerships Are Strengthening Climate and Environmental Justice
Dr. Molly Dickens, Founder and Director of the Maternal Stress Project, discusses the ways maternal health is impacted by stress linked to childcare; Edolem Ikerdeu, Chief for the Division of Primary and Preventive Health Services at the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, says they are rethinking their approach to community screening clinics for heart disease and stroke; an ASTHO Blog Article details the groundbreaking work Palau has done to develop a series of health equity indicators; and an ASTHO blog article explains that achieving health equity in retail food safety programs depends on a number of factors.
New York Times Opinion Article: What the Child Care Crisis Does to Parents
American Heart Association Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Lessons Learned from Palau's Journey to Develop Health Equity Indicators
ASTHO Brief: Incorporating Health Equity Into Retail Food Safety
Larry Michael, State Environmental Health Director at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, tells us about the many public health careers available to people interested in science and public service; Marissa Vigar, Health Scientist at the CDC, explains that a new study says providers don’t feel equipped to treat patients sickened from harmful algal blooms; and an ASTHO webinar dives into a Washington State study about the ways Medicaid enrolled tobacco users access their health care.
PublicHealthCareers.org
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Workforce
ScienceDirect Webpage: Healthcare Provider Confidence and Perceived Barriers to Diagnosing Illness Associated with Harmful Algal Blooms
ASTHO Webinar: Lessons with the State of Washington on Medicaid Data and Tobacco Use
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Nicole Casanova, Youth Engagement and Evaluation Specialist with the Washington State Department of Health, says her agency has created an online Teen Health Hub to answer teens’ questions; Dr. Lindsay Weaver, ASTHO Member and State Health Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health, discusses how Indiana health leaders were able to win state approval of a 1500 percent increase in public health funding; and an ASTHO webinar will dive into how performance management systems can help agencies improve practices within their environmental health divisions.
Washington State Department of Health Webpage: Teen Health Hub WA
ASTHO Webinar: Investing in Public Health Infrastructure – Indiana's Success Story
ASTHO Webinar: Performance Management in Environmental Health
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Tomas Aragon, ASTHO Membera and Director and State Public Health Officer of the California Department of Public Health, discusses a new website to give people the information they need to understand and deal with the opioid crisis; Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, ASTHO Member and State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer for the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services, describes her state’s comprehensive plan to address gun violence; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, says Congress may be on track to meet new federal spending deadlines; ASTHO will host a webinar to discuss how Indiana’s legislature approved a 1500 percent increase in public health funding; and Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO and Dr. Brian Castrucci, de Beaumont Foundation president and CEO, will explore how public health professionals can build strategic skills in a webinar.
California Government Webpage: California’s Opioid Response
ASTHO Webinar: Investing in Public Health Infrastructure – Indiana's Success Story
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health – A Primer for Public Health Professionals
ASTHO Webinar: Building Strategic Skills for Public Health Professionals
Dr. Daniel Edney, ASTHO Member and State Health Officer of the Mississippi State Department of Health, says his state’s legal ability to review and implement FDA food code changes is better for everyone involved; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, tells us Congress might have an answer for agencies waiting to hear if new federal spending deadlines will be met; an ASTHO Blog article outlines a framework to better promote wellness among team members in health agencies; and ASTHO in collaboration with the CDC Foundation and the Michigan Public Health Institute are hosting a webinar with health equity as the focus on February 21.
ASTHO Blog Article: Workforce Planning Tools – Frameworks That Enhance Workforce Well-Being and Retention
ASTHO Webinar Registration: Healing Relationships Authentically to Sustain a Healthy Community – A STRETCH National Convening
Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, Philadelphia Health Commissioner, discusses a measles outbreak that was detected in the city in early December; Grace DeLeon, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Overdose Preparedness and Response, tells us about an ASTHO report to help agencies better understand how to reduce stigma for people who receive opioids for chronic pain; an upcoming ASTHO webinar focuses on insights from a CDC-funded project identifying Medicaid-enrolled tobacco users and exploring their healthcare patterns; and an ASTHO blog explains how ASTHO members have come up with new ways to help people who are losing Medicaid coverage they received during the pandemic.
CDC Webpage: Measles Cases and Outbreaks
ASTHO Report: How Healthcare Providers Can Reduce Stigma to Improve Care for Patients Taking Long-Term Opioid Therapy
ASTHO Webpage: Opioid Preparedness – Disruptions in Access to Prescription Opioids
ASTHO Report: How State Health Departments Can Reduce Stigma to Improve Care for Patients Taking Long-Term Opioid Therapy
ASTHO Webinar: Lessons with the State of Washington on Medicaid Data and Tobacco Use
ASTHO Blog Article: Ensuring Continuity in Healthcare Coverage While Medicaid Unwinds
Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO Member and State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, says new numbers in Alabama show infant deaths are dropping but the news isn’t all good; an ASTHO blog article outlines practical strategies for identifying and treating syphilis in pregnant individuals; Amelia Poulin-Obregon, ASTHO Assistant Director of Emerging Infectious Disease, for the last several months has been a student in a program offered at the Naval Postgraduate School; and ASTHO is looking to fill two positions.
WSFA 12 News Article: Alabama’s infant mortality rate decreased in 2022, ADPH says
ASTHO Blog Article: Promising Approaches to the Congenital Syphilis Health Crisis
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Kayley Humm, ASTHO Senior Analyst, discusses a new ASTHO report that outlines a series of overdose prevention policies for consideration by public health agencies; Sarah Bonk, Mental Health Disaster and Emergency Response Coordinator for Erie County, tells us communication was a critical part of the response to storms that were among the worst on record; and there’s still time to join ASTHO's Contraception Access Learning Community for a virtual event on pharmacist-prescribed contraception.
ASTHO Report: Overdose Prevention Policy Considerations: A Policy Playbook for State and Territorial Health Officials and Agencies
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception: Clinical Training & Workforce Engagement
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Julia Greenspan, ASTHO Director for Infectious Disease Infrastructure and Policy, says the FDA deciding to import a medication that treats syphilis is a step in the right direction; Caitlin Langhorne Griffith, ASTHO Director of Behavioral Health, tells us many states have passed laws to encourage firearm education and safety; an ASTHO webinar could help you learn new ways to leverage policy and funding to prevent adverse childhood experiences; and ASTHO’s Adverse Childhood Experiences Capacity Assessment Tool can help agencies identify opportunities to work on this important public health issue.
CNN News Article: FDA to allow importation of syphilis drug amid ongoing shortages
ASTHO Blog Article: Preventing Firearm Injury and Death with Safe and Secure Storage Policies
ASTHO Webinar: Leveraging Policy and Funding to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences
ASTHO Webpage: Adverse Childhood Experiences Capacity Assessment Tool Roadmap
Catherine Jones, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Government Affairs, says there are discussions underway to ensure the AI is managed properly; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, tells us Congress remains busy as January nears an end; and Dr. Lindsay Weaver, State Health Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health and an ASTHO Member, explains how Indiana leaders were able to win a 1500 percent increase in public health funding from their legislature last year.
ASTHO Blog Article: Balancing AI Innovation in Healthcare with Federal Legislation
ASTHO Report: Investing in Indiana’s Public Health Infrastructure Through Community-Driven Policy Change
ASTHO Webinar: Investing in Public Health Infrastructure – Indiana's Success Story
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Josh Berry, ASTHO Director of Chronic Disease Risk Factors, says ASTHO is calling on the White House to implement a rule that would prohibit the sale of menthol-flavored tobacco products; Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, spoke about the need to ban menthol in a recent online news conference; and an ASTHO video dives into the importance of partnering pediatrics with obstetrics and gynecology to improve access to care for parents and children.
ASTHO White House Letter on Menthol
CNN News Article: With menthol cigarette ban still uncertain, American Lung Association calls for White House to act ‘swiftly’ to save lives
Big Cities Health Coalition News Release: BCHC urges Biden Administration to prioritize federal rule restricting use of menthol flavors
ASTHO Blog Article: Improving Access to Risk-Appropriate Care Through a Partnership Between Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Tao Sheng Kwan-Gett, Chief Science Officer for the Washington State Health Department, says providing doses of naloxone to many schools in the state will save lives; Molly Cotant, Deputy Director for the Division of Local Health Services at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, says Michigan uses preventive health and health services block grants to support health-equity; and ASTHO has several job openings.
Washington State Department of Health Webpage: Department of Health offers naloxone to high schools to combat youth opioid overdoses
ASTHO Blog Article: Flexibility of PHHS Block Grant Supports Health Equity in Communities
ASTHO Webpage: Careers At ASTHO
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Andy Baker-White, ASTHO Senior Director for State Health Policy, previews the state of the legislative calendar this year; Omar Khalid, ASTHO Director of Workforce Development, says leaders can support their teams by adopting a trauma-responsive approach; and prescription opioid use during pregnancy is the subject of a new ASTHO infographic.
ASTHO Webinar: Investing in Public Health Infrastructure – Indiana's Success Story
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Blog Article: Supporting the Public Health Workforce with Trauma-Responsive Leadership Skills
ASTHO Brief: Prescription Opioid Use During Pregnancy in 34 Jurisdictions
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer of the North Carolina Department of Health & Human Services, tells us about a recent meeting with officials from the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, outlines what Congress moving a funding deadline means for ASTHO members; Marty Link, Administrator of the Office of EMS and Trauma with the South Dakota Department of Health, says the Telemedicine in Motion program allows paramedics and EMTs to get help from doctors as the ambulance is en route; and ASTHO will host a discussion leveraging policy and funding to prevent ACES on January 29.
State of North Carolina News Release: Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order Establishing State Office of Violence Prevention
South Dakota Department of Health Webpage: EMS Telemedicine
ASTHO Webinar: Leveraging Policy and Funding to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences
ASTHO Report: Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Policy Toolkit
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Congressman Raul Ruiz, from California’s 25th District who is also a doctor, worries there aren’t enough doctors trained to deal with infectious diseases; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, tells us Congress is once again punting on federal funding; and ASTHO's Contraception Access Learning Community is hosting a virtual webinar on pharmacist-prescribed contraception implementation on January 30.
Stat Opinion Article: Physician and Rep. Raul Ruiz – The infectious disease doctor shortage threatens future pandemic preparedness
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception – Clinical Training & Workforce Engagement
Mike Ellsworth, Federal Relations Director at the Washington State Department of Health, says his organization has released a study of telehealth activities and opportunities; Erika Kirtz, an Epidemiologist at the Tennessee Department of Health, tells us the power of ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; and ASTHO has collected its top 10 public health resources from 2023 for your viewing.
Washington State Department of Health Webpage: 2023 Telehealth Report
Washington State Department of Health Webpage: Clarion Call for Public Health’s Role in Telehealth & Digital Health v1
ASTHO News Release: Leading the Change: ASTHO Program Advances Diversity in Public Health Leadership
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s 10 Most Popular Resources of 2023
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Brianna Gorman, ASTHO Analyst for Performance Excellence, explains ways to connect public health and health care in communities; Dr. Lindsay Weaver, ASTHO member and State Health Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health, tells us how Indiana was able to get lawmakers to approve a 1500% increase in funding last year; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, reminds readers there’s still a lot of concern about COVID and possible mutations of the virus in a news article; and ASTHO in collaboration with the CDC has made it easier to search and examine overdose legislation with an online dashboard.
ASTHO Blog Article: Legislative Action Bridging Public Health and Clinical Healthcare
ASTHO Webinar: Investing in Public Health Infrastructure – Indiana's Success Story
Scripps News Article: CDC says no peak anytime soon for COVID-19, flu and RSV
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center
Natasha Harper Levy, ASTHO Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, reflects on the National Day of Racial Healing’s value and purpose; Margaux Haviland, ASTHO Director of Preparedness and Response Coordination, explains what users will see first as ASTHO’s new INSPIRE Readiness website goes live; and Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, talks about the increase in respiratory illness cases across the country.
National Day of Racial Healing Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: How the Civil Rights March on Washington Embodied Key Public Health Tenets
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness Website Launch - Strengthening Public Health Preparedness
NPR News Article: Navigating the respiratory illnesses — including COVID — going around post-holidays
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Kyle Gasaway, ASTHO Communications Manager for the Leadership and Learning Unit, talks about the very successful Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; Jeffrey Ekoma, Senior Director for Government Affairs, is monitoring progress on bills that fund public health as Congress faces deadlines to approve key spending measures; Melissa Lewis, ASTHO Senior Director, Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, examines the connections between public health and the March on Washington; and ASTHO launches a new website on Tuesday.
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: How the Civil Rights March on Washington Embodied Key Public Health Tenets
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE - Readiness Website Launch - Strengthening Public Health Preparedness
Dr. Sameer Vohra, ASTHO Member and Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, tells us new laws in Illinois will seek to address the deadly effects of fentanyl; Paul Schramm, Health Scientist for the CDC, details the far-reaching and worsening impacts of human-caused climate change; and ASTHO's webinar on "Leveraging Policy and Funding to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences" is on January 29.
Peoria Journal Star News Article: New laws in Illinois 2024 – Dangers of fentanyl a priority
Fifth National Climate Assessment
ASTHO Webinar: Leveraging Policy and Funding to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Margaux Haviland, ASTHO Director for Preparedness and Response Coordination, shares that the Inspire Readiness website goes live on January 16; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, wants public health to focus its COVID vaccine promotion on key audiences; an ASTHO webinar focused on the success story of Indiana's public health transformation through SB 4 is on February 6; and ASTHO is hiring for several positions.
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE - Readiness Website Launch - Strengthening Public Health Preparedness
The Hill News Article: Why fears over a ‘tripledemic’ are surging
ASTHO Report: Investing in Indiana’s Public Health Infrastructure Through Community-Driven Policy Change
ASTHO Webinar: Investing in Public Health Infrastructure – Indiana's Success Story
ASTHO Webpage: Careers At ASTHO
Dr. Edward Simmer, Director of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, dives deep into a new state health assessment; Melissa Touma, ASTHO’s Director of the Public Health Infrastructure Program, tells us how Colorado used public health infrastructure grant funding to support a subscription to the public health digital library; and an ASTHO resource provides tools, recommendations, and literature to support the well-being of the public health workforce.
South Carolina State Health Assessment Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Tequila Terry, Director of State Innovation and Population Health at the CMS Innovation Center, discusses a new approach to health care costs and population health; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, says Congress already has two funding deadlines important to public health; Kirk Smith, Director of the Minnesota Department of Health, tells us about a recent salmonella outbreak; and state and territorial health agencies face challenges in securing funding to address social determinants of health.
CMS Webpage: States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development (AHEAD) Model
CMS Webpage: AHEAD Model Frequently Asked Questions
Grants.gov Webpage
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 574: Tracking Respiratory Illness, Congressional Deadlines Loom
CIFOR Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Housing and Food Insecurity
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, is tracking reports of respiratory illness across the U.S.; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, discusses a federal funding deadline that is quickly approaching; the first census of state and island area public health agencies compiled since before the pandemic is now online; and an ASTHO report focuses on stigma associated with opioid therapy.
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer: Preventing Respiratory Disease Spread with Less Authority, More Influence
ASTHO Webpage: Profile of State and Territorial Public Health
ASTHO Report: How State Health Departments Can Reduce Stigma to Improve Care for Patients Taking Long-Term Opioid Therapy
Annie Evans, ASTHO Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, tells us ASTHO is working to create a definition of disability to be used in the ESSENCE program; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, says legislative priorities are organized into three categories; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser helped write and edit a book that outlines skills that could be helpful to public health professionals; and an ASTHO report outlines new approaches to public health challenges in rural areas.
ASTHO Brief: Better Defining Disability Will Make Data More Inclusive and Usable
ASTHO Brief: Defining Disability for Syndromic Surveillance
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 Federal Legislative Agenda
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health: A Primer for Public Health Professionals
ASTHO Report: Supporting Resilience in Rural Areas Through Cross-Sector Partnerships
Dr. Karen Remley, ASTHO Alum and Director for the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the CDC, says early detection of birth defects is a focus in January; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Chief Medical Officer for the Alaska Department of Health Division of Public Health, elaborates on the critical role adults play in sexual education; ASTHO has a new report to help providers address the barriers that can prevent people from receiving long-term opioid therapy; and ASTHO has several job openings.
CDC Webpage: National Birth Defects Awareness Month
CDC Webpage: Birth Defects
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Webpage: Supporting a Syndemic Approach – Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections
ASTHO Report: How Healthcare Providers Can Reduce Stigma to Improve Care for Patients Taking Long-Term Opioid Therapy
ASTHO Webpage: Careers At ASTHO
Dr. David Newman-Toker, Director of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, discusses his time with House members talking about the bias and privacy issues involved with artificial intelligence; Dana Moore, Deputy Director for the Center for Health Statistics and Informatics and the Chief Data Officer at the California Department of Public Health, says modernized data systems help improve decision making; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, tells us ASTHO has developed a comprehensive guide to the top ten public health issues you might expect this year; and ASTHO celebrates the new year with a new website about public health preparedness.
The Hill News Article: Health care leaders seek regulation, transparency for AI in health industry
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Legislative Trends in 2024 – A Note from ASTHO CEO
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness Website Launch - Strengthening Public Health Preparedness
Lillian Colasurdo, ASTHO Director of Public Health Law and Data Sharing, discusses work to protect consumer data gathered from a growing number of health-related transactions; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, reacts to the legislative prospectus series that he says provides members a handy reference to the hottest public health issues; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, says it’s time to start thinking about ASTHO’s 2024 federal legislative agenda.
ASTHO Webpage: Data Collection and Exchange – The Foundation of Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Legislative Trends in 2024 – A Note from ASTHO CEO
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 Federal Legislative Agenda
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Jerome Adams, the 20th U.S. Surgeon General and current Executive Director of Health Equity Initiatives at Purdue University, who was the Surgeon General during the pandemic discusses his new book; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, guides us through some of the family and reproductive health policy developments across the country; and ASTHO has a blog article about one approach to address the concern known as trauma-responsive leadership.
Crisis and Chaos: Lessons from the Front Lines of the War Against COVID-19
ASTHO Webpage: Family and Reproductive Health – Supporting Holistic Care Across All Stages of Life
ASTHO Blog Article: Supporting the Public Health Workforce with Trauma-Responsive Leadership Skills
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, Deputy Secretary of Public Health for the Maryland Department of Health, says his state has been able to engage bold policies to help people and address health inequities; Dr. Mondi Mason, Workforce Manager with the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment, examines how Colorado is raising up a new generation of public health leaders through an apprenticeship program; and an ASTHO blog article explains how agencies have used the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant to support health equity.
ASTHO Webpage: Optimal Health for All in the Legislative Process
Trailhead Institute Webpage: Colorado Public Health Works Program
ASTHO Blog Article: Flexibility of PHHS Block Grant Supports Health Equity in Communities
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, talks about the new book he wrote with Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation; Elke Shaw-Tulloch, Public Health Administrator for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, says many agencies saw bills passed or introduced this year to reduce exposure to lead in water pipes and other building materials; an ASTHO resource outlines practical strategies for state and local governments to prevent heart disease and stroke; and a special issue of the Maternal and Child Health Journal will be unveiled in an online event scheduled for 12:30 p.m. eastern time today.
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health: A Primer for Public Health Professionals
ASTHO Webpage: Environmental Health – Reducing Chemical Exposure and Supporting Food Safety
ASTHO Webpage: Strategic State and Local Policies for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
ASTHO Webinar: Unveiling of the Perinatal Substance Use Special Issue in the Maternal and Child Health Journal
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Chief Medical Officer for the Alaska Department of Health, says policies can help address the fact that the number of babies born with syphilis is ten times higher than in 2012; JoAnne McClure, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, outlines the different ways states and territories have reacted to xylazine being in the illicit drug supply; and Amani Echols, Policy and Government Affairs Manager for the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, discusses an online webinar revealing an article ASTHO worked on about public health approaches to perinatal substance use.
ASTHO Webpage: Supporting a Syndemic Approach – Preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections
ASTHO Blog Article: How the Emergence of Xylazine Impacts Overdose Prevention Policy
ASTHO Webinar: Unveiling of the Perinatal Substance Use Special Issue in the Maternal and Child Health Journal
Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs News Release: AMCHP and ASTHO Release Maternal and Child Health Journal Special Issue: Public Health Approaches to Perinatal Substance Use
Cara Biddlecom, Interim Public Health Director at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, talks about the launch of the first-ever state-sponsored psilocybin therapy program; Amani Echols, Policy and Government Affairs Manager for the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, discusses an article ASTHO worked on about public health approaches to perinatal substance use; and ASTHO will launch a new website next month aimed at strengthening public health preparedness.
ASTHO Webpage: Supporting Mental Health – Addressing a New Public Health Crisis
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs News Release: AMCHP and ASTHO Release Maternal and Child Health Journal Special Issue – Public Health Approaches to Perinatal Substance Use
ASTHO Webinar: INSPIRE – Readiness Website Launch - Strengthening Public Health Preparedness
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Barbara Wallace, Director of the Division of Chronic Disease Prevention at the New York State Department of Health, discusses various strategies to curb tobacco use; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, worries that too many sick people could eventually overwhelm hospitals as flu and RSV are increasing; and Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, says work is underway to make the drug that can reverse an opioid overdose available in more places.
ASTHO Webpage: Tobacco and Nicotine Products – The Unwavering Public Health Crisis
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer – Preventing Respiratory Disease Spread with Less Authority, More Influence
Rhode Island Current News Article: States Strive to Get Opioid Overdose Drug to More People
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Health, outlines the continued challenges to public health legal authority; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, discusses a big win for Indiana as funding for public health will jump by 1500 percent; and learn how to protect your agency from a cyber-attack in an ASTHO video discussion.
ASTHO Webpage: Containing and Preventing the Spread of Infectious Disease: A Cornerstone of Public Health
ASTHO Report: Investing in Indiana’s Public Health Infrastructure Through Community-Driven Policy Change
Politico News Article: A red state boosted public health funding by 1,500 percent. This is how they did it.
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health’s Silent Defender – Cybersecurity
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President and Commissioner of Public Health for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, discusses substance misuse and overdose prevention strategies; Dr. Susan Kansagra, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Public Health, dives into North Carolina’s discovery of lead contamination in applesauce pouches that has led to the recall of at least three brands of the children’s snack; and ASTHO has mapped an approach that public health agencies can use to help address firearm violence.
ASTHO Webpage: Substance Misuse and Overdose Prevention
Washington Post News Article: Applesauce Lead Cases in Kids Surge Amid Questions on FDA Oversight
ASTHO Report: A Roadmap for Using a Public Health Approach to Prevent Firearm Injury
Dr. Lindsay Weaver, State Health Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health, discusses the state’s campaign to increase investment in public health; Dr. Ralph Alvarado, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Public Health, explains how Tennessee agencies are working together this season to educate audiences about the dangers of excessive alcohol use; and an ASTHO webinar offering strategies to improve access to emergency contraception is open for registration.
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Webpage: Strengthening the Public Health Workforce: Streamlining Government Processes and Dedicated Sustainable Funding
Tennessee Department of Health News Release: Tennessee Launches Campaign to Promote Safe Alcohol Use During Holidays
ASTHO Webinar: Provider Strategies to Improve Access to Emergency Contraception
Dr. Jerome Adams, former United States Surgeon General, says businesses learned from the pandemic that public health is a worthy investment; Destani Bizune, an Epidemiologist in the Office of Antibiotic Stewardship at the CDC, discusses the CDC’s guidance for public health agencies based on its Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship framework; Vanessa Iheanachor, PhD, a Health Communication Specialist at the CDC, tells us health inequities are another concern to address; and Cara Biddlecom is now the Interim Public Health Director at the Oregon Health Authority’s Public Health Division.
CNN News Article: The US has a mental health crisis that could undermine our democracy, US surgeons general say
CDC Webpage: Core Elements of Antibiotic Stewardship for Health Departments
CDC Webpage: About U.S. Antibiotic Awareness Week (USAAW)
ASTHO Webpage: Cara Biddlecom, MPH
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, examines the third edition of the state’s maternal morbidity and mortality report; Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health, discusses Washington State’s plan to prevent suicide and save lives; Massachusetts is working with communities to prevent suicide, overdose, and adverse childhood experiences; and an ASTHO blog article offers advice for members dealing with the rise of seasonal illness.
Illinois Department of Public Health News Release: IDPH Releases Third Edition of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality Report Covering 2018-2020
Illinois Department of Public Health Webpage: Maternal Mortality in Illinois
Seattle Times Opinion Article: Suicide prevention starts with each one of us
ASTHO Webpage: Closing the Distance in Massachusetts
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer – Preventing Respiratory Disease Spread with Less Authority, More Influence
ASTHO President and Kentucky Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack says easier access to Naloxone could help prevent many overdose deaths; former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams says Naloxone should be as easy to find as AED devices that prevent heart attacks; ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says Good Samaritan laws can encourage people to respond to overdoses when they witness them; Honour McDaniel, Director of Maternal and Infant Health Initiatives, March of Dimes, Alabama, says policies can help address maternity care deserts; ASTHO has job openings; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
ASTHO Deskside Briefing: Public Health Officials Discuss Increasing Naloxone Access
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Legal Mapping Center
March of Dimes Webpage: Maternity Care Deserts Report (2022)
ASTHO Job Opening: Manager, Contracts
ASTHO Job Opening: Temp, Accounting Analyst
ASTHO Email Newsletters: Sign Up Here
Dr. Jim McDonald, Commissioner of Health, New York State Department of Health, gives an order that allows New York pharmacists to administer RSV vaccines to older adults and pregnant people without a prescription; de Beaumont President and CEO Dr. Brian Castrucci says the book he edited with ASTHO CEO Dr. Mike Fraser, Building Strategic Skills for Better Health, is a must-read for every new or current public health professional; ASTHO plans a webinar to tell you how to improve access to emergency contraception; and sign up ASTHO’s public health newsletters.
New York State Department of Health Issues Standing Order to Allow Pharmacists to Administer RSV Vaccines to Older Adults without a Prescription
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health
ASTHO Webinar: Provider Strategies to Improve Access to Emergency Contraception
ASTHO Email Newsletters: Sign Up Here
Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, says ASTHO’s new policy statement on suicide prevention offers many recommendations including a call to improve access to health care services for those at highest risk; Dr. Robert McDonald, Medical Officer in the Division of STD Prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says most cases of newborn syphilis likely could be prevented with testing and treatment during pregnancy; Dr. Susan Kansagra, Assistant Secretary for Public Health and Director of the North Carolina Division of Public Health, says a recent investigation that found lead in some pureed fruit pouches is testament to the hard work that public health agencies perform every day on behalf of their communities; and sign up for ASTHO’s legislative alert emails.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Releases Five Health Policy Statements
CDC Webpage: U.S. Syphilis Cases in Newborns Continue to Increase – A 10-Times Increase Over a Decade
The Hill Webpage: Fruit puree pouches recalled after elevated lead levels found in North Carolina children: FDA
ASTHO Legislative Alerts: Sign Up Here
Elke Shaw-Tulloch, Public Health Administrator for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, says ASTHO’s revised policy statement on climate and health recommends more funding for state and territorial climate programs; Dr. Lyle Petersen, Director of the Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, within the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), says relationships with providers can help agencies stay ahead of Dengue and other viral outbreaks; Brenna Davidson, Operational Excellence Leader at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, encourages colleagues to take part in Public Health Improvement Training; and Florida will use ASTHO’s SPACECAT tool to evaluate its work on adverse childhood experiences as part of a plan to improve health and safety for people across the state.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Releases Five Health Policy Statements
CDC Webpage: What is Dengue?
CDC Webpage: Dengue for Healthcare Providers
NNPHI Website: Public Health Improvement Training (PHIT)
ASTHO Story: Closing the Distance in Florida
Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, outlines the organization’s updated policy statement on structural racism in public health; Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, says a book he edited with Michael Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO, codifies a new way of thinking about work in public health; J.J. Jones, Executive Director of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, says the threat of zoonotic disease outbreaks argues for widespread adoption of the One Health approach to public health; and a new ASTHO blog article explains how to address housing and food insecurity by braiding and layering available funding sources.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Releases Five Health Policy Statements
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast: One Health – The Shared Future of People, Animals, and the Planet
ASTHO Blog Article: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Housing and Food Insecurity
Jessica Fepelstein, ASTHO Analyst for State and Community Engagement, explains the health equity core concepts work that is happening as part of the STRETCH Initiative; Dr. Esther Muna, Chief Executive Officer and Territorial Health Official for the Northern Mariana Islands, discusses the ASTHO policy statement calling for Medicaid funding parity for the U.S. territories; Daphne Delgado, Program Director with the Center for Brain Health Equity at UsAgainstAlzheimer's, says the organization has resources for doing work in black and Latino communities; and an ASTHO webinar will help you learn new strategies to improve access to emergency contraception during.
ASTHO Blog Article: Centering the Community’s Voice in State-Led Health Equity Initiatives
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Releases Five Health Policy Statements
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Webpage: Our Data Insights
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Webpage: Let’s Talk Alz this National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Webpage: Culturally Tailored Communications Resources
ASTHO Webinar: Provider Strategies to Improve Access to Emergency Contraception
Patricia Tilley, Director Division of Public Health Services with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, discusses ASTHO’s sexual and reproductive health policy statement; Meghan Fadel, Associate Director of the Healthy Brain Initiative at the Alzheimer's Association, says the Healthy Brain Initiative Roadmap is an important tool in the work to address Alzheimer’s; Dan Keating, Washington Post Reporter, tells us about a project that studied chronic disease and life expectancy in the United States; and an ASTHO toolkit will allow you to find out how your agency is doing managing its grants process.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Releases Five Health Policy Statements
ASTHO Webpage: Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy Statement
Alzheimer’s Association Webpage: Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map
Washington Post News Article: An Epidemic of Chronic Illness is Killing Us Too Soon
ASTHO Webpage: Grants Management Office Structure Optimization Toolkit
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, examines ASTHO’s new webpage with a collection of evidence-based technical packages covering key public health concerns; J.T. Lane, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation, outlines the work being facilitated by the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement or TEFCA; and Daphne Delgado, the Program Director for the Center for Brain Health Equity at UsAgainstAlzheimer's, says 2023 has been a historic and exciting year for the Alzheimer’s community.
ASTHO Webpage: Evidence-Based Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: TEFCA – A Better User Experience for Exchanging Public Health Data
UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Webpage: Alzheimer's Disease – Get The Facts
J.T. Lane, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation, discusses the impacts of the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement; Catherine Jones, Senior Analyst for Government Affairs, looks at new congressional deadlines to meet and several spending bills that still need approval; Janet Johnson, Tribal Liason for the New Mexico Department of Health, says designated tribal liaisons have helped New Mexico improve connections with multiple populations; and Public Health Thank You Day was on Monday.
ASTHO Blog Article: TEFCA – A Better User Experience for Exchanging Public Health Data
New Mexico Department of Health Webpage: Office of the Tribal Liaison
New Mexico Department of Health Webpage: State-Tribal Collaboration Act Agency Report
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s Fall 2023 Capitol Hill Recap
American Public Health Association Webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Dr. Lauren Tanz, an Epidemiologist with the CDC, talks about the rising numbers of teen overdose deaths in the United States; Dr. Dylan George, Director of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the CDC, discusses the CDC’s creation of a new national network to improve outbreak and disease modeling; and Public Health Thank You Day was yesterday.
CDC Webpage: Drug Overdose Deaths Among Persons Aged 10–19 Years — United States, July 2019–December 2021
NPR News Article: As more teens overdose on fentanyl, schools face a drug crisis unlike any other
CDC Webpage: Insight Net – National Outbreak Analytics & Disease Modeling Network
American Public Health Association Webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health; extends his gratitude for Public Health Thank You Day; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, discusses how ASTHO worked on a discussion guide to help jurisdictions get ready for challenges that could impact their communities; Dr. Megin Nichols, Deputy Division Director, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases with the CDC, tells us more about starting a One Health program; and Public Health Thank You Day is today.
American Public Health Association Webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
ASTHO Webpage: Healthcare Capacity Discussion Guide
Public Health Review Episode: One Health – The Shared Future of People, Animals, and the Planet
Melissa Magstadt, Secretary of Health for the South Dakota Department of Health, outlines how she works with nine sovereign nations in her state; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, tells us about the avoided shutdown and lays out new deadlines for several federal programs; Jared Shoultz, ERSI Health and Human Services Technical Lead, shares the power of mapping and data visualization on GIS Day; and Public Health Thank You Day is November 20th.
Great Plains Tribal Leaders’ Health Board Webpage
South Dakota Department of Tribal Relations Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: November Federal Funding Update
ERSI Webpage: Health and Human Services
GIS Day 2023 Webpage
Charla Sutton, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Chronic Disease Risk Factors, tracks the latest National Youth Tobacco Survey’s encouraging results; Chris Salyers, Director of Programs and Evaluation at the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, shares how to highlight National Rural Health Day; ASTHO celebrates the work of State Offices of Rural Health in a new blog article; and Public Health Thank You Day is November 20th.
CDC Webpage: Tobacco Product Use Among U.S. Middle and High School Students — National Youth Tobacco Survey, 2023
Great American Smokeout Webpage
National Rural Health Day Webpage: Community Stars
ASTHO Blog Article: State Offices of Rural Health Address Health Equity Through Collaboration
American Public Health Association Webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Dr. Shannon Dowler, Chief Medical Officer for North Carolina Medicaid, says health care gets better when state Medicaid and public health agencies take the time to understand each other; Dr. Matthew Christiansen, State Health Officer for the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, details how he plans to use lessons learned from author Stephen Covey in his work; ASTHO is hiring for multiple positions; and Public Health Thank You Day is on November 20th.
ASTHO Report: Strengthening the Role of Public Health Agency Officials in the Health Safety Net System
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
American Public Health Association Webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Brian Lentes, ASTHO Senior Director of Public Health Infrastructure, discusses the supports offered by the ASTHO STAR Center; Stephen Covey, a well-known author, says leaders first need to build trust within the public health agency before expanding outside the organization; ASTHO has resources on leveraging public health funding initiatives to support housing and food access; and Public Health Thank You Day is November 20th.
ASTHO Webpage: STAR Center
ASTHO Webpage: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Housing and Food Insecurity
American Public Health Association Webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Dr. Somava Saha, President and CEO of Well-being and Equity in the World, discusses the importance of National Rural Health Day; Stephen Covey, a well-known author, had a message for ASTHO when he joined members at a meeting in Washington D.C. in late October; an ASTHO webpage gathers stories of public health teams working to close the gaps between root causes and crisis; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 20th.
National Rural Health Resource Center Webpage: Health Equity
ASTHO Webpage: Closing the Distance in Puerto Rico
Public Health Thank You Day Webpage
Charity Menefee, Lieutenant Colonel and Public Health Officer in the Tennessee Air National Guard and the Director of the Division of Public Health at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, highlights the connections between her public health and military service; Alex Wheatley, Assistant Director of the Island Support Team, examines an ASTHO report that looks to help Island areas address challenges with indirect cost rates; and an ASTHO blog article discusses disability inclusion in the public health workforce.
CDC Foundation Webpage: Building Evaluation Capacity to Reduce Veteran Suicide Rates
CDC Webpage: Arthritis Among Veterans
CDC Webpage: Military Service Members and Veterans
ASTHO Report: Improving Indirect Cost Rate Use in Island Jurisdictions
ASTHO Blog Article: Taking Action to Include a Disability Perspective in the Public Health Workforce
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Alaska Chief Medical Officer, raises the alarm on the need for new attention to the rising number of syphilis cases in the U.S.; Stephanie Doyle, Deputy Director for the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, describes how Massachusetts agencies are collaborating on a Medicaid 1115 waiver; and Shelby Rowell, ASTHO Senior Analyst, joined colleagues in producing a technical package for members exploring ways to boost their Community Health Worker programs.
Boston Globe Article: Syphilis, the ‘Great Pretender,’ is back
ASTHO Report: Strengthening the Role of Public Health Agency Officials in the Health Safety Net System
Massachusetts Webpage: The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant, also known as Title V
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Webpage:The Role of State and Territorial Health Agencies in Supporting and Hiring Community Health Workers
ASTHO Webpage: Careers At ASTHO
Dr. Robert Goldstein, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, says local agency partnerships are key to the success of new public health performance standards; Allison Nickrent, Director of Governmental Affairs at the Illinois Department of Public Health, discusses a recent roundtable meeting with a group of state senators; the first of an ASTHO four-part series titled “Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception” is this week; and ASTHO looks forward to continuing its work with Marcus Samo, Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Affairs for the Federated States of Micronesia.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Press Release: Massachusetts public health officials announce performance standards for local public health
Illinois Department of Public Health Webpage
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist Prescribed Contraception – Key Policy Considerations
ASTHO Webpage: Member Bio – Marcus Samo
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Kaleb Roedel, News Reporter at KUNR Public Radio, reacts to a recent Pew survey that documents extremely high suicide rates among Native Americans and Alaska Natives; and Stephanie Doyle, Deputy Director for the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and Madi Wachman, Director of Parent, Child, and Family Policy at MassHealth with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, says agencies in Massachusetts are working together to help improve health while utilizing the state’s 1115 waiver.
KUNR News Article: Native Americans, Alaska Natives see big spike in suicide rates
Pew Webpage: Suicide Is an Urgent Public Health Issue in America
CDC Webpage: Celebrate Native American Heritage Month!
Massachusetts Webpage: Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform
Massachusetts Foundation Webpage: The MassHealth Demonstration Extension 2022–2027 – Building on Success, Focusing on Equity
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Karen Smith, Former California Public Health Officer, discusses how agencies can begin their One Health approach; an ASTHO report outlines how Idaho and New Jersey are taking a One Health approach to address environmental health concerns; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director of Government Affairs, tracks progress toward a budget solution on Capitol Hill as another federal budget deadline looms; and Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont Health Commissioner, talks about the health impacts of climate change.
CDC Webpage: One Health Day
ASTHO Report: Harnessing the One Health Approach to Tackle Recreational Lead and Harmful Algal Blooms
WAMC News Article: Public health officials discuss the health effects of climate change
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 528: Flexible Climate Funding, New Federal Budget Deadline
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska Chief Medical Officer and ASTHO Immediate Past President, reflects on her time at the head of the organization; Dr. Susan Kansagra, North Carolina Assistant Public Health Secretary, says her agency works with the state’s Medicaid office to find new ways to help people; ASTHO has identified strategies to include maternal and child health in emergency plans; and an ASTHO blog outlines the work of eight Health Equity fellows assigned to work in agencies during the pandemic.
ASTHO Report: Strengthening the Role of Public Health Agency Officials in the Health Safety Net System
ASTHO Blog Article: Strategies to Include Maternal and Child Health in Emergency Planning
ASTHO Blog Article: How Equity Fellows Impact Health Agencies
Tom St. Louis, Director of the Office of Public Health Workforce Development for the Connecticut Department of Public Health, tells us about the new Culture of Care initiative that aims to help staff recover from the pandemic; Amy Ciarlo, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Chronic Disease Risk Factors, catches us up on 46 states, Puerto Rico, and D.C. reaching settlements in their cases against e-cigarette maker Juul; an ASTHO toolkit wants to help agencies train for possible disruptions to the supply of medications used to treat opioid use disorder; and ASTHO CEO Dr. Mike Fraser and de Beaumont Foundation President and CEO Dr. Brian Castrucci are out with a new book.
ASTHO Webpage: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
How States Can Leverage JUUL Settlement Funds to Promote Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Opioid Preparedness Exercise in a Box
ASTHO Webpage: Building Strategic Skills for Better Health: A Primer for Public Health Professionals
Jade Ramsdell, Performance Improvement Director with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, says community engagement leads to more inclusive decision-making; Lorrin Kim, Chief Policy Officer and Legislative Coordinator for the Hawaii Department of Health, appears in a new video offering advice to ASTHO members spending time in hearings and meetings; ASTHO is hosting a Contraception Access Learning Community to expand knowledge about pharmacist-prescribed contraception; and an ASTHO blog article teaches how ASTHO members are working to finance maternal mental health.
ASTHO Equity Driven Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes Policy Statement
ASTHO Blog Article: Advice for Engaging a Legislature – Eight Testimony Tips for Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist Prescribed Contraception: Key Policy Considerations
ASTHO Brief: Health Agency Innovations in Financing Maternal Mental Health
Dr. Cathy Slemp, Former State Health Officer for the WV Department of Health and Human Resources and now Co-Chair of the West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance, says the alliance is a group that builds collaborations focused on substance use concerns in the state; Amy Schlotthauer, an ASTHO consultant, helped author a new ASTHO guide to help agencies expand their falls prevention work; an ASTHO report examines the Medicaid safety net and the impact of Section demonstration 1115 waivers; and an ASTHO primer focuses on he health impacts of lead in drinking water.
Hope in Action Alliance Webpage
ASTHO Report: Expanding Falls Prevention Through Surveillance, Community-Clinical Linkages, and Strategic Planning and Evaluation
ASTHO Report: Strengthening the Role of Public Health Agency Officials in the Health Safety Net System
ASTHO Report: Going Beyond Regulatory Compliance for Lead Testing in Water
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO’s New President and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, wants to find common ground to push public health forward in his new role; Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, is getting ready to welcome public health leaders in early November to their annual meeting; and Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, looks at the impacts of Congress securing a new Speaker or the House.
Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 532: New ASTHO President, Licensing Questions May Promote Stigma
ASTHO News Release: Steven Stack, Commissioner of Kentucky Department for Public Health, Announced as Next ASTHO President
American Public Health Association Webpage: APHA 2023 Annual Meeting and Expo
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Federal Funding Update
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO’s New President and Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, previews his goals for the upcoming year; Jacqueline Howard, a CNN Health Reporter, reacts to the idea that questions on licensing forms may prevent health care workers from seeking help; and an ASTHO report explains how Health in All Policies strategies can promote health equity and address the root causes of disparities.
ASTHO News Release: Steven Stack, Commissioner of Kentucky Department for Public Health, Announced as Next ASTHO President
CNN News Article: US health care workers face elevated risk of suicide, new study finds
Sigma Webpage: An audit of mental health questions on U.S. nursing licensure applications: Evidence to guide urgent action for change
ASTHO Report: Using Health in All Policies to Advance State Strategic Priorities: A Set of Key Approaches Commonly Used by State Health Agencies to Address Health Inequities
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, wants public health to focus on medical providers as the primary way to promote the RSV vaccine; an ASTHO blog article explains why public health readiness during the respiratory virus season is key; an ASTHO blog article outlines how to use data to better understand the vaccine opinion landscape; and Dr. Kris Bryant, a healthcare epidemiologist at Norton Children's Hospital, says the American Academy of Pediatrics is working to make it known that health disparities exist when it comes to influenza.
ASTHO Blog Article: Policymakers Boosting Public Health Readiness for Respiratory Illness Season
ASTHO Blog Article: Using Data and Effective Messaging to Support Strong Vaccine Policy
American Academy of Pediatrics Webpage: Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Influenza in Children, 2023–2024
Healthy Children Webpage: Which Flu Vaccine Should Children Get?
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Joan Duwve, State Health Officer for the Kansas Department of Health, talks about the need to put equity at the center of all public health work; Dr. Puthiery Va, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, explains that lessons learned from the pandemic will inform her new role at a critical time as she begins her new job; Dr. Mandy Cohen, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says she is working to build trust with local agencies; and ASTHO training modules will tell you what it means to be a state trusted contact for the CDC’s Opioid Rapid Response Program.
ASTHO Policy Statement: Equity Driven Promotion of Optimal Health Outcomes
Kansas Office of the Governor Webpage: Commission on Racial Equity and Justice
Maine Department of Health and Human Services News Release: DHHS Commissioner Lambrew Announces Director for Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
ASTHO Webpage: Trusted Contacts Training Modules
Priya Shah, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Health Improvement, discusses a new guide to falls prevention that outlines strategies and best practices; Dr. Philip Chan, Infection Disease Consultant at the Rhode Island Department of Health, credits Rhode Island’s status as a universal vaccine state as to why they are a leader in adolescent immunizations; and an ASTHO blog article by ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Marcus Plescia, outlines why healthy aging and brain health are public health issues.
ASTHO Report: Expanding Falls Prevention Through Surveillance, Community-Clinical Linkages, and Strategic Planning and Evaluation
Today In Parenting Webpage: Rhode Island Remains A Vaccination Leader Nationwide
State of Rhode Island Department of Health Webpage: Office of Immunizations
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer: Public Health Approaches to Healthy Aging and Brain Health
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
State Public Health Officials Dr. Umair Shah, Dr. Joseph Kanter, and Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, discuss the public health impacts of climate change; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, discusses hot topics on Capitol Hill this week including a new deadline in Congress and CDC reform; and an ASTHO Blog Article outlines plans developed by ASTHO members to improve coverage, access, and health equity for Medicaid beneficiaries with waivers to section 1115 of the Social Security Act.
ASTHO Deskside Briefing: ASTHO Officials Discuss Health Effects of Climate Change
ASTHO Blog Article: Addressing Health-Related Social Needs through 1115 Demonstrations
Jennifer Lynch, Emergency Management Specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, says the frequency and intensity of natural disasters is changing the way planners think about emergency response; Nathan Wormington, Emergency Program Manager for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, discusses his experience with the public health preparedness mentorship program; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, tells us about the role public health has to play in the advancement and promotion of brain health; and the FDA Food Code is updated often to ensure agencies responsible for retail food safety have the latest guidance.
FEMA Webpage: Preparedness Toolkit
FEMA HSEEP Training Videos
National Preparedness Leadership Initiative Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer: Public Health Approaches to Healthy Aging and Brain Health
ASTHO Brief: The Importance of the FDA Food Code
Dr. Sarah Stoddard, a Member of the Community Preventive Services Task Force with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, says the organization reviewed 60 studies to determine what can help prevent substance use among young people; Dr. Mandy Cohen, CDC Director, has already traveled to several states as part of a campaign to build trust; Dr. Heather Krasna, Associate Dean of Career Services and Professional Development at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, explains the importance of publichealthcareers.org as the website turns one-year-old this month; and ASTHO has tools agencies can use to prepare for the closure of pain clinics.
The Community Guide Webpage
The Community Guide Webpage: Substance Use: Family-based Interventions to Prevent Substance Use Among Youth
Public Health Review Morning Edition Episode 525: CDC Director Shares Priorities
Public Health Careers Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Opioid Preparedness – Disruptions in Access to Prescription Opioids
CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen joins the newscast to discuss changing mindsets around health data infrastructure and the new RSV vaccine; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter
ASTHO Newsletter
CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen encourages public health agencies to share their data with each other; Linda Hall, Director of the Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health, says her state is working to align its government agencies on a strategy to improve children’s mental health with a current focus on the well-being of girls in the state; an ASTHO blog article outlines how to improve sexual and reproductive health services and education for young people; and stay informed with ASTHO resources.
Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health: Fact Sheets
ASTHO Webpage: Current Trends in Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
ASTHO Stay Informed
ASTHO CEO Dr. Mike Fraser and Dr. Ray Barishansky, Former Deputy Secretary for Health Preparedness and Community Protection at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, explain new research on barriers to decision making in public health response; Dr. J.P. Leider, Associate Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, says more data scientists are needed in the public health workforce; ASTHO has two case studies on a One Health approach to address environmental health issues; an ASTHO article shares the findings of a learning community focused on mental health and substance use in the maternal and child health population; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter
The Journal of Public Health Management and Practice: Understanding Factors Influencing Decision Making by State Health Officials in a Public Health Emergency
Public Health Review: The Call to Join Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Harnessing the One Health Approach to Tackle Recreational Lead and Harmful Algal Blooms
Maternal and Child Health Journal: Promoting Innovation in State and Territorial Maternal and Child Health Policymaking
ASTHO Newsletter
Maria Sarabia, Assistant Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, shares an overdose dashboard that clarifies the people most affected; Shannan Rome, Health Access Nurturing Development Services Manager at the Franklin County Health Department in Kentucky, says the ELM leadership training program helped her grow as a leader; a new ASTHO framework outlines public health's role in promoting mental health well-being and suicide prevention; applications for ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program are due Friday, October 13th; and stay up to date by signing up for ASTHO’s Legislative alert emails.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety: Minnesota Drug Crimes And Overdose Dashboard
Public Health Review: Cutting-Edge Program Boosts Public Health Leadership Skills
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health's Role in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Dr. Anna-Michelle McSorley, Postdoctoral Scholar at the NYU School of Global Public Health, reports territories are not represented in federal health data systems; ASTHO is looking for a contractor to build a toolkit for health equity performance indicators; and Dr. Steven Gortmaker, Professor of the Practice of Health Sociology at the Harvard School of Public Health, encourages public health to work with community partners to address childhood obesity.
JAMA Network: A Call to Increase Health Data Availability in US Territories—Not Too Small to CountASTHO Website: U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States Health Equity Key Performance Indicator Contractor
Childhood Obesity Intervention Cost-Effectiveness Study: Choices Community Of Practice
Gabby Ruiz, ASTHO Analyst of Maternal and Infant Health, explains strategies to promote infant and early childhood mental health; Joy Rucker, National Harm Reduction Consultant at JR Harm Reduction Consulting, reflects on the harm reduction journey of the overdose crisis; Dr. Steve Corsi is the new CEO of Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services; and applications are open for ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
ASTHO: Approaches Public Health Leaders Can Use to Make a Difference
ASTHO Public Health Review: Partnering to Prevent Overdoses
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Governor Jim Palma Office of the Governor: Gov. Pillen Appoints Steve Corsi as CEO of DHHS
Mary Giliberti, Chief Public Policy Officer at Mental Health America, explains a new framework that connects public health with mental health and suicide prevention; Latoya Sahadeo, Director of the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program (DELPH), says the initiative empowers public health leaders; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, says the deadline for Congress to reach agreement on federal funding and thus avoid a government shutdown is now November 17th; and a new ASTHO report examines how state agencies can support community and clinical connections to prevent falls among older adults in the U.S.
ASTHO Webpage: New Framework Helps Public Health Leaders Navigate Suicide, Mental Health
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health's Role in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Expanding Falls Prevention Through Surveillance, Community-Clinical Linkages, and Strategic Planning and Evaluation
Dr. Fatimah Dawood, Pediatrician and Medical Officer on the Influenza Prevention and Control Team at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains how the SHARE method can help providers inform patients about vaccines; Dr. Dylan George, Director of the CDC's Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, says the upcoming fall and winter respiratory season will generate more peak hospitalizations than pre-pandemic seasons; an ASTHO brief examines social stressors in chemical risk assessments; and an ASTHO blog article outlines relationships and community connections as a part of the STRETCH Initiative.
CDC: Recommendations for Influenza Prevention and Treatment in Children: An Update for Pediatric Providers
CDC: Respiratory Disease Season Outlook
ASTHO Webpage: Considering the Role of Social Stressors in Chemical Risk Assessment
ASTHO Webpage: Empowering Connection Through STRETCH
ASTHO Webpage: Funding & Collaboration Opportunities
Dr. Nia West-Bey, the Director of Youth Policy at the Center for Law and Social Policy, shares a new framework focused on prevention and wellness promotion among young people; Dr. Cathy Slemp, Co-Founder and Vice Chair of the West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance, explains the importance of collaboration across public safety and public health fields when it comes to addressing the overdose crisis; an ASTHO webinar outlines how to work with PRAMS data; and ASTHO is accepting applicants to its DELPH Program.
The Center for Law and Social Policy: Are We Listening? Youth Mental Health Challenges are Rooted in Young Adult Poverty Rates
The Kennedy Forum
Public Health Review: Partnering to Prevent Overdoses
ASTHO Webinar: It’s a Weighty Matter: Exploring PRAMS Weights
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Chris Taylor, ASTHO’s Director of Infectious Disease Outbreak Response and Recovery, says it's important that health departments remain vigilant against Mpox; Alyssa Gonzales, Communication Specialist at Salud America, shares a tool that identifies community health inequities; an ASTHO webinar explains how data equity can improve maternal and infant health outcomes; and sign up for ASTHO’s Legislative Alert emails.
CDC: 2022-2023 Outbreak Cases and Data
ASTHO Webpage: Looking Back and Moving Forward from the U.S. Mpox Outbreak
Salud America: Health Equity Report Card
ASTHO Webinar: Advancing Maternal Health with Data Equity
ASTHO Legislative Alerts
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, offers public health agencies three talking points they can use when the tobacco industry tries to argue against proposed bans on flavored tobacco products; Dr. Alison Evans Cuellar, Chair of the Community Preventive Services Task Force, says patient navigation services to increase cancer screening are cost-effective; Laura Wildey, Senior Program Analyst in Food Safety at the National Environmental Health Association, says there's still time for agencies to apply for FDA grants to improve retail food safety programs; and subscribe to ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
The Community Guide: Patient Navigation Services to Increase Breast Cancer Screenings are Cost-effective
National Environmental Health Association
National Environmental Health Association: NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program
The Retail Food Safety Regulatory Association Collaborative: Collaborative Featured in the Journal of Environmental Health
Kyle Zebley, Senior Vice President of the American Telemedicine Association, explains the benefits of telehealth; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, explains what ASTHO members should know about the pending government shutdown; ASTHO has resources on healthy aging available; and ASTHO has resources on cardiovascular disease for World Heart Day.
American Telemedicine Association: Telehealth Awareness Week
The White House: Agency Contingency Plans
ASTHO Webpage: Healthy Aging and Brain Health
ASTHO Webpage: Heart Disease And Stroke
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, shares the challenges facing plans to ban tobacco flavorings; Dr. David McSwane, Executive Director of the Conference for Food Protection, explains the collaborative work of CFP and NACCHO to research and evaluate retail program standards networks; a new ASTHO blog article examines how everyday surroundings impact the health of communities; and an ASTHO infographic shares exercises health agencies can use to prepare for emergencies.
ASTHO Webpage: From the Chief Medical Officer: How State Health Officials Can Make a Stand Against Menthol
An Evaluation of Existing Retail Program Standards Networks
ASTHO Webpage: What Surrounds Us Shapes Our Health—Look to Primary Prevention for Better Health
ASTHO Webpage: Seven Emergency Preparedness Exercises for Health Agencies
Christina Severin, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health Law, outlines upcoming Supreme Court cases that will impact public health; Susan Donnelly, Workforce Director at the Oklahoma State Department of Health, shares the work her team is doing to support the public health workforce; applications are open to join the STRETCH 2.0 project; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
ASTHO Webpage: Oyez! Oyez! Oyez! Public Health in the Courts
Careers in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Empowering Connection Through STRETCH
ASTHO Webpage: STRETCH 2.0 Community Collaborative Cohort Opportunity
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Dr. Jennifer Tang, Professor of OB-GYN at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, calls for better solutions to maternal health inequities; a new ASTHO blog article examines the impact of rural hospital closures on pregnant people and their babies; Tamara McBride, the Chief of Health Preparedness at the Ohio Department of Health, shares the value of promoting mentorship programs in the public health workforce; and a new ASTHO Legislative Alert addresses the budget impact of the potential federal government shutdown.
ACURE4MOMS
ASTHO Webinar: Advancing Maternal Health with Data Equity
National Preparedness Leadership Initiative: Programs
ASTHO Blog: Addressing the Impact of Rural Hospital Closures on Maternal and Infant Health
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Federal Government Shutdown Update: HHS Contingency Plan Released
Brandon del Pozo, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Public Health at Brown University, explains that collaboration between public health, public safety, and harm reduction is needed to fully address public health needs; Antony Cousins, the Executive Director for AI Strategy at Cision, outlines how generative AI can contribute to public health work; and ASTHO has a new blog article celebrating Dr. Jennifer Thomas, Employee Wellbeing and Resilience Program Manager at the Washington State Department of Health, on her series of blog articles focused on wellness.
Public Health Review podcast: Partnering to Prevent Overdoses
ASTHO Webpage: Your Words Matter
Dr. Gillian SteelFisher, Director of Global Polling at the Harvard Opinion Research Program, says promoting the flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines together help broaden the appeal; Dr. Jennifer Shuford, Commissioner for the Texas Department of State Health Services, explains how creating more specific data records for pregnant people impacts health outcomes; and Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, discusses the threat of a government shutdown and challenges within a bill to grow the healthcare workforce.
Evolving View Of Vaccination: COVID-19, Flu, AND RSV
09/20 Public Health Review Morning Edition 507: New Vaccine Poll Data, Blogs Help PH Workers Connect
Texas Department of State Health Services: Hear Her Texas
Texas Department of State Health Services: Effort to Reduce Opioid-Related Deaths in Pregnancy
Dr. Puja Seth, the Healthy Aging Branch Chief at the CDC, shares a new state-focused program that aims to address dementia; Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman, the Deputy Secretary of Public Health at the Maryland Department of Health, explains that policy changes have allowed the state to better support mental health among pregnant people; an upcoming ASTHO webinar focuses on Advancing Maternal Health with Data Equity; and sign up for ASTHO’s Legislative Alert emails.
CDC: Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Program Home
Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health: Inaugural Maternal Mental Health State Report Card (2023)
ASTHO Webinar: Advancing Maternal Health with Data Equity
ASTHO Legislative Alerts
Dr. Gillian SteelFisher, Director of Global Polling at the Harvard Opinion Research Program, shares the results from a study on public perception of COVID-19, RSV and Flu; Dr. Jennifer Thomas, Employee Wellbeing and Resilience Program Manager at the Washington State Department of Health, explains the impact of a blog series on wellness; an ASTHO presentation on AI’s role in state and territorial public health is available online; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
Evolving View Of Vaccination: COVID-19, Flu, And RSV
ASTHO Webpage: COVID-19 Public Health Communications Resource Hub
ASTHO Webpage: Your Words Matter
ASTHO Presentation: Artificial Intelligence in State and Territorial Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Andrew Pickett, Director of the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, says collaboration among preparedness professionals is essential for public health; ASTHO has issued a statement supporting the recommendation that all Americans age six months and older get the latest COVID-19 vaccine; Tim Callahan, the Evaluation Support Program Director at the Georgia Department of Public Health, explains the significance of mapping septic systems when it comes to public health; and ASTHO has released its 2023 fall reading list.
ASTHO Webpage: National Preparedness Month: Recognizing Public Health Preparedness
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Supports Recommendation for COVID-19 Vaccination for All Individuals Six Months and Older
SepticSmart Week
National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO’s 2023 Fall Reading List
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, says health departments are working to create effective vaccine messaging for this fall; Maggie Davis, ASTHO's Director of State Health Policy, shares policies aimed at reducing barriers to vaccines; and a new ASTHO webinar explains how to manage data in the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System.
ASTHO Webpage: Policymakers Boosting Public Health Readiness for Respiratory Illness Season
ASTHO Webinar: It’s a Weighty Matter: Exploring PRAMS Weights
Dr. Armando De Alba Rosales, Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, shares creative strategies to boost vaccine uptake among hispanic communities; a CDC campaign aims to boost vaccination rates and raise awareness among rural communities; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, shares insights on Congress’s return to session; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
ASTHO Webpage: New ASTHO Program Aims to Increase Equity in Adult Immunization
ASTHO Webpage: Forming Partnerships to Increase Rural Immunization Rates
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, says a new budget for the state expands resident’s access to behavioral health services; Taffany Hwang, Nurse Consultant Specialist for the State of California Department of Public Health, explains a new data system aimed to prevent childhood lead poisoning; a new ASTHO blog shares lessons learned from the U.S. Mpox outbreak and plans for moving forward; and public health agencies looking to hire can post their jobs on ASTHO’s Public Health Careers website.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services: Budget Roundtable
California Department of Public Health: Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention
ASTHO Webpage: Looking Back and Moving Forward from the U.S. Mpox Outbreak
Public Health Careers
Dr. Ralph Alvarado, Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health, explains the work the Tennessee Rural Health Care Task Force sets out to do; Dr. Karon Phillips, Policy Development Manager at Trust for America's Health; shares a funding initiative focused on creating age-friendly public health systems; Avia Mason, ASTHO Vice President of Leadership and Learning, says ASTHO is working on a new leadership training program; ASTHO is hiring multiple positions; and sign up for ASTHO’s Legislative Alert emails.
Tennessee Department of Health: Tennessee Rural Health Care Task Force Releases Recommendations
Trust for America’s Health: Age-Friendly Public Health Systems
Trust for America’s Health: Age-Friendly Public Health: The Podcast
Public Health Review: Cutting-Edge Program Boosts Public Health Leadership Skills
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Legislative Alerts
Adrianna Evans, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, says cybersecurity is an emerging topic in preparedness planning; Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, explains that suicide prevention is a year-round effort; an ASTHO webinar outlines how data equity can help improve maternal and infant health outcomes; and ASTHO has a full list of resources related to 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain.
ASTHO Webpage: Preparedness Policy Highlights for Trending Public Health Threats
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: National Suicide Prevention Week
ASTHO Webpage: Supporting Mental Health: Addressing a New Public Health Crisis
ASTHO Webpage: The Youth Mental Health Crisis: States Invest in Suicide Prevention, Intervention, and Postvention Strategies
ASTHO Webinar: Advancing Maternal Health with Data Equity
ASTHO Webpage: CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, 2022: Resources for Decision-Makers
Dr. Rahul Gupta, Director of National Drug Control Policy at the White House, outlines the federal government’s response to the threat of Xylazine; the 2024 Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) Program is accepting applications for professional development; a new ASTHO blog article explains how data modernization intersects with diversity, equity, and inclusion; and the Morning Edition celebrates its 500th episode.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Officials Stand Ready to Implement White House Xylazine Response Plan
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health Application
ASTHO Webpage: The Search for Good Data to Support Health Equity in Public Health
Jessica Fepelstein, ASTHO Analyst of State and Community Engagement, explains the work the ASTHO Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) Initiative is doing to promote health equity; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, says there is a lot of work to be done to prevent a government shutdown this fall; Alicia Justice, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Programmatic Health Equity Initiatives & Strategy, is recognized in this year’s de Beaumont Foundation 40 Under 40 in Public Health; and ASTHO welcomes new members Dr. Kaitlan Baston and Dr. Puthiery Va to the organization.
CDC Foundation: Open Requests For Proposals: STRETCH 2.0
The de Beaumont Foundation: 40 Under 40 in Public Health
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services: DHHS Commissioner Lambrew Announces Director for Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Dr. Aaron Bernstein, Director of the National Center for Environmental Health and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (NCEH/ATSDR) at the CDC, explains the CDC’s work to address extreme heat; Dr. Ihsan Azzam, Chief Medical Officer of the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services; outlines the updated Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health ASTHO Policy Statement; a new ASTHO report offers solutions for jurisdictions to better support individuals who rely on life support and medical devices during power interruptions; and sign up for ASTHO’s Legislative Alert emails.
White House Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Takes Action to Protect Communities from Extreme Heat Fueled by the Climate Crisis
ASTHO Webpage: Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health Policy Statement
ASTHO Webpage: Advancing Preparedness for Life Support Users During Power Outages
ASTHO Legislative Alerts
Safia Khan, Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff at the Minnesota Department of Corrections, outlines how the Healthy Start Act will reduce the negative impact of adverse childhood experiences in Minnesota; Danny Staley, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Public Health Programs and Practice, says both governmental and nongovernmental agencies are working together to create climate resilient communities; an ASTHO webinar focuses on understanding Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletters.
ASTHO Webpage: Collaborative Policymaking to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences in Minnesota
Partnerships for Healthy, Climate Resilient, and Thriving Communities
ASTHO Webinar: It’s a Weighty Matter: Exploring PRAMS Weights
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Heather Tomlinson, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst of Immunizations, outlines the impacts of proposed vaccine and immunization bills; Connie Moon Sehat, Researcher-at-Large for Hacks/Hackers, details a tool to help public health communicators address online trust issues called the Analysis and Response Toolkit for Trust (ARTT) public health communicator tool; ASTHO has an upcoming webinar on how to discuss sexual and reproductive health with young people; and applications are open for ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
ASTHO Webpage: Using Data and Effective Messaging to Support Strong Vaccine Policy
ARTT: Analysis and Response Toolkit for Trust
ASTHO Webinar: Engaging Adolescents in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Education
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Eric Cote, Founder of Power Outage Partners, explains how the ASTHO Power Outage tool kit can help prevent life-threatening situations; Elizabeth Schiffman, Supervisor of the Vector-Borne Disease Unit at the Minnesota Department of Health, says it’s important for care teams to learn about Alpha-Gal Syndrome; Elizabeth Anderson Hoagland, Cabinet for Health and Family Services at the Kentucky Department of Public Health Division of Prevention and Quality Improvement, shares the ASTHO leadership training program; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletters.
ASTHO Webpage: Advancing Preparedness for Life Support Users During Power Outages
CDC Website: Alpha-gal syndrome
ASTHO Public Health Review: Cutting-Edge Program Boosts Public Health Leadership Skills
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Joanne McClure, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Policy, explains an ASTHO webpage that tracks legislation to authorize overdose centers in some states; Dr. Laura Chisolm, Section Manager for Injury and Violence Prevention with the Oregon Health Authority, outlines her state's response to the overdose crisis; an ASTHO webinar will help participants address barriers to treatment that have a negative impact on pregnant people with substance use disorder; and a tranquilizer used by veterinarians is making its way into the drug supply.
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center
Oregon Health Authority Webpage: Reducing Opioid Overdose and Misuse
ASTHO Blog Article: Xylazine – What Health Agencies Need to Know
ASTHO Webinar: Advancing Perinatal Substance Use Policy with People with Lived Experience
Sowmya Kuruganti, Analyst with ASTHO’s Family and Child Health Team, discusses disturbing numbers surrounding overdose-related deaths among pregnant and postpartum people; Shelby McCulley, Director of the Bureau of Youth Services at the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, says treating youth health as public health could help reduce the number of youth arrested and incarcerated; an ASTHO brief dives into the fact that hypertension disorders in pregnancy are the leading cause of maternal death in the U.S.; and as another hurricane approaches, ASTHO has a web page with resources.
ASTHO Blog Article: States Aim to Improve Outcomes for People Experiencing Substance Use During Pregnancy
ASTHO Brief: Utilizing Doula Care to Support Substance Use Disorder in the Postpartum Period
ASTHO Blog Article: Wisconsin at Intersection of Public Health and Youth Justice
ASTHO Brief: Addressing Hypertension in Pregnancy to Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
ASTHO Webpage: Natural Disasters
Heather Hamner, Maternal, Infant, and Toddler Nutrition Team Lead at the CDC, explains the importance of Breastfeeding Awareness Month; the Trust For America’s Health has launched a new podcast to highlight the work in the Age-Friendly Public Health systems movement; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, is quoted in The Hill newspaper regarding the recent approval of RSV vaccines; and ASTHO members are sharing their thoughts about work to improve the safety of dialysis.
CDC Webpage: Priority Breastfeeding Strategy – Continuity of Care
NACCHO Webpage: The Continuity of Care in Breastfeeding Support Blueprint
Age Friendly Public Health Podcast
The Hill News Article: What Newer Immunizations Mean for This Year’s Respiratory Viral Season
ASTHO Blog Article: Enhancing Dialysis Safety – Voices from the Making Dialysis Safer Coalition
Diane Hall, Director of the CDC Office of Rural Health, outlines the office's priorities; Claire Rudolph, ASTHO Consultant and Assistant Director of the New York State Department of Health’s Child Health Bureau, discusses how childhood experiences affect society; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, is quoted in a Governing.com article about misinformation; and ASTHO is hosting a webinar on adolescent sexual and reproductive health.
CDC Webpage: Rural Health
Governing.com News Article: Public Health Enters the Era of Infodemiology
ASTHO Webinar: Engaging Adolescents in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Education
Kris Ehresmann, former Director of Infectious Disease at the Minnesota Department of Health, describes ASTHO’s revised policy statement; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, discusses predictions for Congressional action before the end of the fiscal year; and an ASTHO blog article outlines messaging and response strategies for wildfires.
ASTHO Immunization Policy Statement
ASTHO Blog Article: Where There’s Fire, There’s Smoke—States Prepare for Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, details the state’s back-to-school vaccination campaign; Terry Tincher, Section Chief for the CDC’s Chemical Demilitarization Program, marks a big milestone for the program; and American Indian and Alaska Native communities are at higher risk of COVID-19 complications.
Illinois Department of Public Health News Release: IDPH Unveils "Don't Wait, Get Your Kids Up-To-Date" Campaign to Remind Parents of Back-To-School Vaccinations
Chemical Weapons Convention Webpage
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Bridging the Gap: Ensuring Vaccine Equity for Native Communities
J.P. Leider, Director of the Center for Public Health Systems at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, explains the importance of the Consortium for Workforce Research and Public Health; Nancy Scotto Rosato, Assistant Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, tells us about the $3.5 million headed to the Healthy Women, Healthy Families initiative in New Jersey; and an episode of the Public Health Review podcast dives into health disparities.
Public Health Careers Webpage
Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health
New Jersey Department of Health News Release: $3.5 Million Awarded to Three NJ Agencies to Improve Black and Hispanic Infant, Maternal Mortality
Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Data Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes for Indigenous Communities
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Dr. Kris Mork, Director of Public Health Informatics at Guidehouse, says the development of AI needs to be inclusive; Heidi Bojes, Director of the Environmental Epidemiology and Disease Registry at the Texas Department of State Health Services, discusses incorporating an environmental health surveillance unit as part of their overall Hurricane response; an ASTHO blog article describes how to respond to additional hurricane threats aside from water and wind; and ASTHO has a webpage for funding opportunities, RFPs, and collaboration opportunities.
ASTHO Webinar: Artificial Intelligence in State and Territorial Public Health
Texas Department of Emergency Management Webpage: Preparedness
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for and Responding to Infectious Disease Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Blog Article: Responding to Environmental Health Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Webpage: Funding & Collaboration Opportunities
Richa Ranade, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Overdose Prevention, says ASTHO’s policy statement on Over-the-Counter Naloxone supports increasing access; Chris Medina, State Medical Operations Center Director at the Texas Department of State Health Services, outlines the department’s preparation for hurricane response; and ASTHO has a virtual event on Artificial Intelligence in State and Territorial Public Health.
ASTHO Webpage: Over-the-Counter Naloxone Policy Statement
ASTHO Webpage: AI in Public Health—ASTHO Has Entered the Chat
ASTHO Webinar: Artificial Intelligence in State and Territorial Public Health
Warren Villagomez, Director of Public Health Hospital for the Emergency Preparedness Program at the Commonwealth Health Care Corporation, shares the public health planning lessons learned form COVID-19; Hsini Lin, Office Chief for Environmental Epidemiology at the Arizona Department of Health Services, explains the ADHS response to record breaking heat; ASTHO has a new Speakers Bureau that connects event organizers with expert speakers; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletters.
ADHS: Extreme Weather & Public Health
ASTHO: Climate and Health
ASTHO: Speakers Bureau
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Kerry Wyss, ASTHO’s Director of Environmental Health, explains how ASTHO held focus groups to address school air quality concerns; Dawn Terashita, Associate Director ofthe Acute Communicable Disease Control Program at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, shares the The Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogen (CORHA) framework document made to standardize healthcare-associated infection notifications; and ASTHO will hold a virtual discussion on the Contraception Access Learning Community.
ASTHO Webpage: School Ventilation and Air Filtration: Focus Group Findings and Guidance Considerations for Health Agencies
CORHA Principles and Practices for Healthcare Outbreak Response
ASTHO Webinar: Engaging Adolescents in Sexual and Reproductive Health Care and Education
Beth Giambrone, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst of State Health Policy, says the EPA has proposed regulations on certain forever chemicals; Jamie Pina, ASTHO’s Vice President of Public Health Data Modernization, explains how AI can be a public health tool; ASTHO has a new Congenital Syphilis Technical Package; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter
ASDWA, ECOS, and ASTHO Send Letter to President Biden Seeking Support from Federal Agencies to Remove Sources of PFAS
ASTHO Webpage: AI in Public Health—ASTHO Has Entered the Chat
ASTHO Webinar: Artificial Intelligence in State and Territorial Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Effective Public Health Approaches to Reducing Congenital Syphilis
ASTHO Newsletter
Wendi Wilkes, Senior Advisor at the Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water, explains lead testing program that allows schools and child care agencies to remove the threat of lead; Heather Sebero, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Social and Behavioral Health, says partnering with community-based organizations is a powerful tool to address mental health; ASTHO resources show that your physical environment significantly impacts health; and stay up to date by signing up for ASTHO’s Legislative alert emails.
EPA: WIIN Grant: Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program
ASTHO Webpage: Addressing the Youth Mental Health and Loneliness Crises Through Social Connection in Schools
ASTHO Webpage: What Surrounds Us Shapes Our Health—Look to Primary Prevention for Better Health
ASTHO Infographic: What Surrounds Us Shapes Our Health
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Dr. Jeffrey Klausner, Professor of Clinical Population and Public Health Sciences at the Keck School of Medicine at USC, describes how drug shortages are making it tough to treat syphilis; Jazmyn Covington, ASTHO Director of Maternal and Infant Health, says ASTHO members are making maternal and child health a priority; there is still time to sign up for ASTHO’s webinar about ways to improve access to emergency contraception; and stay in the loop about all things happening in public health when you sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
New York Times News Article: Antibiotic Shortage Could Worsen Syphilis Epidemic
ASTHO Blog Article: Integrating Breastfeeding Into Early Childhood Nutrition Security Programs
ASTHO Brief: Increasing Access to Breastfeeding Resources for Mothers Who Are Incarcerated
ASTHO Webinar: Leveraging State Health Departments to Improve Access to Emergency Contraception
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Hear from the experts who participated in an ASTHO online briefing on the coming RSV season; Sophia Durant, ASTHO’s Analyst of Family and Child Health, says access to emergency contraception is a health equity issue; and an ASTHO virtual session explores explore the potential of artificial intelligence in public health.
ASTHO Video: State Health Officials Share Preparations for Upcoming Respiratory Virus Season
ASTHO Webinar: Leveraging State Health Departments to Improve Access to Emergency Contraception
ASTHO Webinar: Artificial Intelligence in State and Territorial Public Health
Bethany Alcauter, Director of Research and Public Health Programs at the National Center for Farm Worker Health, is focused on local action when it comes to rural health infrastructure; an ASTHO online briefing discussed the coming RSV season; and this episode marks the second anniversary of the ASTHO newscast and features the first newscast interview with Dr. Nirav Shah, Principal Deputy Director of the CDC.
National Agricultural Worker Health Program: Combating Covid-19
Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, outlines ASTHO’s new Public Health Legal Mapping Center tool aimed to highlight policies that may prevent overdose; Liljana Baddour, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Workforce Development, says challenges to expanding public health workforce go beyond recruiting; ASTHO’s new Project ECHO: Overdose Fatality Investigative Techniques aims to improve reporting; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Legal Mapping Center Launches Maps of Harm Reduction Policies to Prevent Overdose
ASTHO Webpage: Workforce Policy Spotlight: Successfully Raising FTE Caps in Rhode Island
ASTHO Webpage: Creating Effective Virtual Trainings for Medical Examiners and Coroners
ASTHO Newsletter
Omar Khalid, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce Development, explains the expansion of ASTHO’s Public Health – Hope, Equity, Resilience, and Opportunity (PH-HERO) initiative; Erin Laird, ASTHO’s Director of Emerging Infections, says preventing infections among dialysis patients is an important public health issue; ASTHO has a new report on the Suicide, Overdose, Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Capacity Assessment tool; and a new ASTHO blog article explains how to build capacity to address suicide, overdose, and adverse childhood experiences.
ASTHO Webpage: Funding & Collaboration Opportunities
CDC: Making Dialysis Safer For Patients Coalition
ASTHO Webinar: Making Dialysis Safer for Patients Coalition
ASTHO Webpage: Island Areas Resource
ASTHO Webpage: Building Capacity to Navigate the Prevention of Suicide, Overdose, and Adverse Childhood Experiences
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, shares the current COVID-19 status and a look ahead into the coming seasons; Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO president elect and the Commissioner for Public Health for the Commonwealth of Kentucky, outlines the goals of a new ASTHO policy statement on health and social service system alignment; an ASTHO brief details Pennsylvania’s new tool to streamline STI reporting; and sign up for ASTHO’s webinar about maintaining Patient Access to Care in Rural America.
CDC: COVID Data Tracker
ASTHO: Health and Social Service System Alignment to Improve Population Health and Reduce Disparities Policy Statement
ASTHO Webpage: Improving STI Treatment Reporting Forms: Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Innovative Approach
ASTHO Webpage: Maintaining Patient Access to Care in Rural America
ASTHO President Dr. Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, says policy is the biggest challenge facing public health data modernization; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, explains the Senate’s Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill for 2024.
ASTHO: Public Health Data Modernization Policy Statement
Victoria Pless, ASTHO’s Assistant Director of Social and Behavioral Health, explains recommendations states can use to reduce overdoses; Stephany Strahle, with ASTHO’s Family and Child Health team, says updating public health surveillance systems to include diverse data can better address the root of inequities; and sign up for ASTHO’s legislative alert emails.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice: Reducing Overdose Through Policy Interventions: ASTHO's Recommendations for State and Territorial Health Officials and Agencies
ASTHO Webpage: Linking Datasets to Address Racial Equity in Maternal and Child Health Outcomes
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Melissa Magstadt, Cabinet Secretary for the South Dakota Department of Health, says healthcare must meet patients where they live; Ali Maffey, ASTHO’s Vice President of Social and Behavioral Health, explains approaches to making mental healthcare more accessible; Adrianna Evans, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, shares the award-winning Disability and Preparedness Specialist Program which aimed to promote inclusivity for people with disabilities; ASTHO is hiring a Vice President of Finance; and an ASTHO blog explains Rhode Island’s success in raising their Full Time Employee cap.
South Dakota Department of Health: Immunizations & Vaccinations
White House Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Takes Action to Make it Easier to Access In-Network Mental Health Care
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Earns Two National Awards for Public Health Program Innovation
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Webpage: Workforce Policy Spotlight: Successfully Raising FTE Caps in Rhode Island
Geetika Nadkarni, ASTHO’s Director of Chronic Infectious Disease, shares the award-winning Partnering for Vaccine Equity project which aims to increase vaccinations among diverse communities; Meredith Sussman, Vaccine Equity Project Coordinator for the Palmetto Community Action Partnership, says the vaccine equity project has made new collaboration possible; Kai Tao, Co-founder and Principal of Impact and Innovation for Illinois Contraceptive Access Now; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletters.
ASTHO Webpage: Partnering with Community Action Agencies Can Improve Trust in Vaccines
Palmetto Community Action Partnership
ASTHO Webpage: Connecting Your Communities to Family Planning Coverage
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Adrianna Evans, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, outlines how public health ethics committees help guide preparedness; Kurell Julien, Associate Director of Equity, Inclusion and Justice at Business for Social Responsibility, calls for ongoing support for equity work; ASTHO earned two national awards from The American Society of Association Executives; and ASTHO has a new webinar on access to emergency contraception.
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Earns Two National Awards for Public Health Program Innovation
ASTHO Webpage: Leveraging State Health Departments to Improve Access to Emergency Contraception
Alison Maffey, ASTHO’s Vice President of Social and Behavioral Health, explains the impact of President Biden’s proposed rule to make it easier to access in-network mental health care; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, walks through federal spending on public health ahead of Congressional August recess; ASTHO has a new virtual food safety inspection guide; and ASTHO has a blog article on the updated FDA Food Code.
White House Fact Sheet: Biden-Harris Administration Takes Action to Make it Easier to Access In-Network Mental Health Care
ASTHO Webpage: Virtual Food Safety Inspection Guide
ASTHO Webpage: The Importance of the FDA Food Code
FDA: Food Code
J.T. Lane, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation, explains recommendations to improve public health data systems; Brittany Lee, ASTHO’s Director of Family and Child Health, says public health education will play a role in accessing new over the counter contraceptive Opill; an ASTHO webinar explains how to use PRAMS data; and a new ASTHO blog article outlines how public health can support the mental health of young children and their caregivers.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Data Modernization Policy Statement
FDA: FDA Approves First Nonprescription Daily Oral Contraceptive
ASTHO Webinar: Don't Wait, Validate: Estimating Population Outcomes with PRAMS
ASTHO Webpage: Supporting Positive Mental Health in Early Childhood
Dr. Thomas Dobbs, ASTHO Alum and Dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, says growth is needed in public health to be prepared for the next pandemic; Raymond Neal, Project Director at Human Impact Partners, says health equity strategies need to become standard process; ASTHO has a toolkit to help agencies better prepare for power outages that impact life support users; and ASTHO is hiring multiple positions.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice: Preparing for the Next Pandemic or Public Health Crisis
Human Impact Partners
ASTHO Webpage: Introducing New Approaches to Enhance Power Outage Support for Life Support Users
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Andy Baker White, ASTHO’s Senior Director of State Health Policy, outlines three new policy recommendations on Public Health Legal Authority; Dr. Georgina Peacock, the Director of the Immunization Services Division in the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, says vaccine coverage among kindergarten children is at a decade low; an ASTHO blog explains how Rhode Island was able to add 28 permanent staff positions; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletters.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Legal Authority to Prevent and Mitigate the Spread of Communicable and Infectious Diseases and Other Public Health Threats
CDC: Back to School with Routine Vaccines
ASTHO Webpage: Workforce Policy Spotlight: Successfully Raising FTE Caps in Rhode Island
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Omar Khalid, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce, explains new strategies for enhancing workforce well-being and retention; Brianna Gorman, ASTHO’s Clinical to Community Connections team member, says community health workers are a key connection between policy interventions and what’s happening on the ground; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletters.
ASTHO Webpage: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice: Strategies for Enhancing Governmental Public Health Workforce Well-being and Retention
ASTHO Webpage: State Policies Bolster Investment in Community Health Workers
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Weekly email newsletters
Tracie Campbell, Senior Health Manager and the leader of Mecklenburg County Public Health Office of Violence Prevention, shares a five-year plan to reduce community violence; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, explains why the federal FY 2024 funding bill is detrimental to public health; ASTHO has a new book of communication advice for public health officials; and stay up to date by signing up for ASTHO’s Legislative alert emails.
Mecklenburg County Public Health Office of Violence Prevention: Violence Prevention
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, says public health aims to strengthen the use of antiviral COVID-19 protections in nursing homes; Priya Shah, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst of Health Improvement and Healthy Aging, shares an updated policy statement that focuses on improving older adults access to care and healthy aging; an ASTHO webinar will focus on Medicaid family planning state plan amendments and waivers; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
JAMA Network: Monoclonal Antibody and Oral Antiviral Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in US Nursing Homes
ASTHO Policy Statement: Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health Policy Statement
ASTHO Webinar: Connecting Your Communities to Family Planning Coverage
ASTHO Public Health Weekly Newsletter.
Dr. Catherine Brown, State Epidemiologist at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, explains how Massachusetts is addressing West Nile Virus found in the state; Jennifer Lee, Director of the Bureau of Tobacco Control at the New York State Department of Health, says a multifaceted approach is key to reducing tobacco and e-cigarette use; a new ASTHO blog article outlines funding options for doula care in state health agencies; and ASTHO is hiring multiple positions.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health: Mosquitoes in Massachusetts
New York State Department of Health: Help Fight the Injustice of Menthol
ASTHO Webpage: Utilizing Doula Care to Support Substance Use Disorder in the Postpartum Period
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Eric Cote, Founder of Power Outage Partners and ASTHO Consultant, explains a new tool kit that addresses the risk of power outages for those using life support devices; Dr. Katrina Piercy, Director of the Division of Prevention Science in the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion for the US Department of Health and Human Services, shares new guidelines for physical activity in older adults; a new episode of the Public Health Review podcast outlines the impact extreme weather has on public health; and sign up for ASTHO’s legislative alert emails.
ASTHO Webinar: Introducing New Approaches to Enhance Power Outage Support for Life Support Users
Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans Midcourse Report
The Public Health Review podcast: Connecting Climate Change and Health Equity in Public Health Agencies
ASTHO Webpage: Legislative Alerts
Dr. Ola Fajobi, Director of the Tobacco Surveillance, Evaluation, and Research Team for the New York State Department of Health, outlines new measures continue to decrease cigarette and e-cigarette use; Victor Poretti, Director of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection Division of Water Monitoring, Standards, and Pesticide Control, says the harmful algal blooms dashboard can help keep people informed about water quality conditions; an ASTHO webinar addresses LGBTQ+ youth health disparities; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter
New York State Department of Health: Cigarette and tobacco products tax
New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection: Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Dashboard
ASTHO Webinar: Addressing LGBTQ+ Youth Health Disparities
ASTHO Newsletter
Chrissie Juliano, the Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, says that policy changes are needed to address rising rates of gun violence; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, explains recommendations from ASTHO’s letter to Congress on drug shortages; an ASTHO blog covers how members are addressing the negative health impacts of wildfire smoke; and ASTHO has a new blog article on LGBTQ+ leadership by ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
Big Cities Health Coalition: Gun deaths continued to surge in 2021, new data shows
ASTHO RFI: Drug Shortage
ASTHO Webpage: Where There’s Fire, There’s Smoke—States Prepare for Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke
ASTHO Webpage: Be Your Authentic Self: LGBTQ+ Leadership in Public Health
Robin Matthies, ASTHO’s Director of Social and Behavioral Health, discusses the disparities facing LGBTQ+ youth, which is the topic in an upcoming ASTHO webinar; Christine Jones, Assistant Manager of the STD and HIV Section at the Minnesota Department of Health, explains the biggest challenges of slowing down the spread of STDs; an upcoming ASTHO webinar will cover how to serve people with disabilities during disaster events; and an ASTHO blog article explains the impact of Kentucky’s choice to certify public health workers.
ASTHO Webpage: Addressing LGBTQ+ Youth Health Disparities
The Minnesota Department of Health: Syphilis cases rose 25 percent in 2022 despite other STDs declining slightly, new data show
ASTHO Webpage: Lessons Learned from Guam Preparedness and Disability Integration
ASTHO Webpage: Why Kentucky Chose to Pursue Community Health Worker Certification
Pam Pontones, Deputy Health Commissioner and State Epidemiologist for the Indiana State Department of Health, shares Indiana’s plan to invest in local health departments to address community health needs; Ioana Ungureanu, ASTHO's Senior Analyst for Public and Behavioral Health Integration, says youth need access to holistic mental health services; a new ASTHO blog article reviews data and messaging around vaccine policy; an ASTHO blog article explains how pharmacists are overcoming stigma in the fight against HIV; and ASTHO is hiring multiple positions.
Indiana State Department of Health: A state investment in local public health
ASTHO Webinar: Meeting the Kids Where They Are: How the Education Sector Implements School Behavioral Health Systems
ASTHO Webpage: Using Data and Effective Messaging to Support Strong Vaccine Policy
ASTHO Webpage: Expanding Pharmacist-Prescribed HIV PrEP
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Lexa Giragosian, Analyst for Maternal & Infant Health at ASTHO, explains the improvements being made to health care for pregnant people and infants in rural areas; Ilisa Stalberg, Maternal and Child Health Deputy Director for the Vermont Department of Health, says there are treatment options for perinatal mood and an and anxiety disorders; an upcoming ASTHO webinar with Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of Health for the Vermont Department of Health, addresses the health disparities impacting LGBTQ+ youth; and a webinar held tomorrow with the National Center for School Mental Health will discuss school mental health systems.
ASTHO Webpage: Addressing the Impact of Rural Hospital Closures on Maternal and Infant Health
ASTHO Webpage: Improving Financial Access to Maternal and Infant Care in Rural Areas
Vermont Department of Health: Vermont Works to Address Growing Rate of Pregnancy-related Mental Health Disorders
ASTHO Webinar: Addressing LGBTQ+ Youth Health Disparities
ASTHO Webinar: Meeting the Kids Where They Are: How the Education Sector Implements School Behavioral Health Systems
Robert Jennings, Executive Director at the National Public Health Information Coalition, shares what to expect from this year’s National Conference on Health Communication; Nicholas Davidson, Senior Deputy for Public Health and the Director for Community Health Services for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, shares a new tool to help public health workers stay healthy; an upcoming ASTHO webinar shares the work North Carolina has done to increase access to mental health programs in schools; and ASTHO has a new article on mitigating the impact of rural hospital closures.
National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing & Media: Register
ASTHO Website: Meeting the Kids Where They Are: How the Education Sector Implements School Behavioral Health Systems
ASTHO Website: Addressing the Impact of Rural Hospital Closures on Maternal and Infant Health
This special edition revisits Episode 440 of Public Health Review Morning Edition from June 13th.
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Commissioner of Health for the Minnesota Department of Health, says public health leaders must review place-based metrics to understand health inequities; register for ASTHO’s virtual TechXpo on June 15th; Janet Hui, Senior Director of Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics at ASTHO, says TechXpo gives public health officials a chance to engage in peer-to-peer discussions about technology; diverse leaders reflect on influence in a new ASTHO blog article; and a new ASTHO webinar explains a tool to help agencies measure suicide prevention programs.
ASTHO TechXpo: Virtual Edition
Minnpost: The role of data in achieving health equity in Minnesota
ASTHO Webpage: Defining the Power of Influence for Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webinar: Showcase of the Suicide Prevention Indicator Explorer
This special edition revisits Episode 408 of Public Health Review Morning Edition from April 27th.
Dr. Nathaniel Harnett, Assistant Professor at The Harvard Medical School, discusses findings from his study connecting early childhood stress to mental health problems; Dr. Alison Cuellar, Chair of the Community Preventive Services Task Force and a Professor at George Mason University, explains how well-designed public spaces improve public health; a new ASTHO blog article explains how states can lead on mitigating the effects of climate change; and another ASTHO blog article advises leaders on navigating the return to in-person work.
MRI scans reveal disparate impact of poverty and other ‘toxic stress’ on brains of Black children
The Community Guide
States Can Lead on Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change
Communicate With Care in Your Telework Policies
This special edition revisits Episode 386 of Public Health Review Morning Edition from March 28th.
Dr. Daniel Edney, State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, discusses the dangers of Xylazine, a strong tranquilizer, and how to treat patients who have ingested it; Moses Pretrick, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Department of Health & Social Affairs (DHSA) Assistant Secretary, outlines improvements needed to increase access to care for U.S. veterans living in the territories and freely associated states; registration is now open for people interested in attending ASTHO’s upcoming Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit is happening next month in Atlanta.
Xylazine: What Health Agencies Need to Know
Island Areas 101
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum Registration
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Chief Medical Officer for Alaska Department of Health, explains best practices for building connections with the federal government; Dr. Benjamin Beard, Deputy Director of the CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, discusses Malaria cases in the United States; ASTHO has published a blog article advising health officials on Malaria; John Auerbach, Senior Vice President for Public Health at ICF, talks about growing concerns for the health of the LGBTQ community; and ASTHO has a new Webinar Series on addressing the youth mental health crisis
ASTHO webpage: Strengthening State and Federal Connections: Q&A with Anne Zink
CDC: Mosquito Home Page
ASTHO Webpage: What Health Officials Should Know About Locally Acquired Malaria Cases in Florida and Texas
Health Affairs: LGBTQ+ Health Is An Essential Component Of Public Health Equity Efforts
ASTHO Webinar Series: Leveraging Different Sectors to Address th
Arnaldo Machado, Director of Public Health Workforce Development and Resilience at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, talks about a new program that connects public health students with the workforce; ClarLynda Williams-DeVane, Deputy Secretary of Operational Excellence at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, shares her takeaways from the ASTHO Leadership Institute; Admiral Rachel Levine, the Assistant Secretary for Health for the United States Department of Health and Human Services, says it’s important to prioritize the health of LGBTQ people this year; and registration for the PHEARLESS leadership program is open until July 6 at 3:00 p.m. eastern time.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Webpage: Academic Health Department — Academic Public Health Corps
ASTHO Leadership Institute
USF Health: The PHEARLESS Initiative
Dr. Janelle Palacios, Nurse Midwife and Researcher at Kaiser Permanente, says we need better data on the health challenges facing American Indian and Alaska Native mothers and their babies; Dr. Clifford Mitchell, Director of the Environmental Health Bureau for the Maryland Department of Health, discusses advancements in Maryland’s Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program; ASTHO partners with NACCHO on a new webinar discussing the Public Health AmeriCorps program; ASTHO has a new Q&A with Palina Louangketh, Chief of the Bureau of Equity and Strategic Partnerships for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, on health equity in Idaho; and ASTHO is hiring multiple positions.
ACIMM: Making Amends: Recommended Strategies and Actions to Improve the Health and Safety of American Indian and Alaska Native Mothers and Infants
Maryland Department of Health: Lead Poisoning Prevention
Public Health Review: Data Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes for Indigenous Communities
ASTHO Webinar: Meet Public Health AmeriCorps, A Pipeline for Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Webpage: Q&A with Palina Louangketh
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
William Kassler, Chief Medical Officer for Palantir Technologies, calls for a comprehensive and collaborative approach to understanding health data; Krystle White, Manager of Health Equity Outcomes for the Gaston County Government in North Carolina, says the future of public health is in ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; Amy Rubis, Epidemiologist for the CDC Meningitis and Vaccine Preventable Diseases Branch, explains a CDC report that found an increase in Meningococcal disease among persons with HIV; and ASTHO has a new blog post on achieving better health equity metrics.
CDC Report: Notes from the Field: Increase in Meningococcal Disease Among Persons with HIV
ASTHO Webpage: What Needs to Change to Achieve Better Health Equity Metrics
Mariah Pokorny, Director of Accreditation & Reporting for the South Dakota Department Of Health, explains the importance of vital records and health statistics accreditation; Chantell Reed, Interim Deputy Director Of Operations at the Multnomah County Oregan Health Department, discusses how public health infrastructure grants impact health agencies’ community partnerships; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, shares state policies supporting therapeutic Psilocybin use; and registration is open to attend ASTHO’s tobacco endgame webinar on June 27th.
South Dakota Department Of Health: Vital Records
ASTHO Webpage: State Policies Supporting Evidence-Based Therapeutic Psilocybin Use
ASTHO Webinar: Building State Readiness for the Tobacco Endgame
Dr. John Ward, Director of the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination at the Task Force for Global Health, urges public health to address Hepatitis C in prisons; Marisa Wong, ASTHO Environmental Health team, shares Dengue tracking and new prevention options; ASTHO and the CDC developed a new tool to help agencies measure suicide prevention programs; and registration to watch the live streamed video of this year’s TechXpo on demand is open through June 30th.
The Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination : Expanding access to hepatitis C prevention, testing, and treatment in prisons
ASTHO Webpage: Dengue Preparedness in the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Webinar: Showcase of the Suicide Prevention Indicator Explorer
ASTHO: What We Learned at the Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
ASTHO: TechXpo on demand Registration
Dr. Laura Chanchien Parajon, Deputy Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Department of Health, explains how the New Mexico Health Department is working with tribal communities to improve health services; Dr. Michelle Taylor, Director of the Shelby County Tennessee Health Department, invests in a new program for public health workers’ education; and Dr. Vicki Kramer, Chief of Vector-Borne Disease Section at the California Department of Public Health, shares how to prepare and protect from mosquito-borne disease.
California Department of Public Health: Mosquitoes And Mosquito-Borne Diseases
California Department of Public Health:
Dr. Stephen Lee, Executive Director of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, shares advice for building public health programs for the LGBTQ+ community; Heather Pangelinan, Director of Public Health Services at Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, says the DELPH program helped her strengthen her advocacy; Wayne Cascio, the EPA Director of the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, explains how to prepare for wildfire smoke; and ASTHO is hiring in multiple positions.
EPA: Wildfires and Smoke
Air Now: Be Smoke Ready
ASTHO Webpage: Careers
Dr. Jonathan Mermin, Director of the CDC National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, shares how public health can better address the STI epidemic; ASTHO Alum Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Immediate Past Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and President and CEO of Sinai Chicago, explains why communication is a priority in public health; Melanie Highland, Director of the Division of Senior and Disability Services at Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, explains how the Alzheimer’s Task Force is working to support Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers; and an ASTHO webinar happening June 21st features discussion on partnerships role in improving vaccine uptake.
Daily Journal: Alzheimer’s Task Force gives recommendations
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services: Alzheimer’s State Plan Task Force
ASTHO Webinar: Partnerships for Progress: An Intro to the Vaccine Equity Project
Avia Mason, ASTHO Vice President of Leadership and Organizational Performance, explains the significance of the 2023 DELPH cohort; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director of Government Affairs, says public health emergency preparedness, data infrastructure, and more were topics on Capitol Hill this week; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, encourages public health officials to commemorate Juneteenth; and there is an upcoming ASTHO webinar on strengthening the public health workforce.
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Scholars Program Helps Grow Diverse Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webpage: Health Equity Policy Toolkit
ASTHO Webpage: Health Equity
ASTHO Webpage: Meet Public Health AmeriCorps: A Pipeline for Public Health Workforce
Dr. Edward Ehlinger, former chair of the HHS Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality, says public health needs to look beyond numbers to best serve American Indian and Alaska Native mothers and their babies; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, explains why it’s important to have an RSV vaccine available to pregnant women; Alice Schenall, Director of Cross-Sector Leadership and Facilitation for ASTHO, outlines an ASTHO blog on the Boundary Spanning Leadership Workshops; and ASTHO hosts a panel discussion on phasing out commercial tobacco products.
ASTHO Webpage: Boundary Spanning Leadership Workshops
ASTHO Panel Discussion: Building State Readiness for the Tobacco Endgame
HHS Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality: Making Amends: Recommended Strategies and Actions to Improve the Health and Safety of American Indian and Alaska Native Mothers and Infants
Dr. Susan Polan, Associate Executive Director for Public Affairs and Advocacy with the American Public Health Association, says the Policy Action Institute meeting will help public health officials address challenges; Dr. Brannon Traxler, Director of Public Health for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, reflects on the need for modernizing public health data systems; an ASTHO webinar series addresses youth mental health; and Public Health Review: Morning Edition earned a Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation Trophy from the Public Relations Society of America.
APHA: Policy Action Institute
Policy Action Institute: Registration
ASTHO Webinar Series: Leveraging Different Sectors to Address the Youth Mental Health Crisis
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Commissioner of Health for the Minnesota Department of Health, says public health leaders must review place-based metrics to understand health inequities; register for ASTHO’s virtual TechXpo on June 15th; Janet Hui, Senior Director of Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics at ASTHO, says TechXpo gives public health officials a chance to engage in peer-to-peer discussions about technology; diverse leaders reflect on influence in a new ASTHO blog article; and a new ASTHO webinar explains a tool to help agencies measure suicide prevention programs.
ASTHO TechXpo: Virtual Edition
Minnpost: The role of data in achieving health equity in Minnesota
ASTHO Webpage: Defining the Power of Influence for Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webinar: Showcase of the Suicide Prevention Indicator Explorer
JoAnne McClure, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, details a new report written to help public health leaders address rising rates of congenital syphilis; Alex Kearly, ASTHO’s Director of Medicaid and Value-Based Payment, breaks down recent direction from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services regarding social services and Medicaid dollars; an ASTHO blog article highlights the importance of proper leadership strategies when building a high-performing team; and a virtual edition of ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum is set for June 15th.
ASTHO Report: Policy Considerations for Reducing Congenital Syphilis
ASTHO Blog Article: Addressing Health-Related Social Needs through 1115 Demonstrations
ASTHO Blog Article: Three Key Leadership Strategies for Building a High-Performing Team
ASTHO Webpage: TechXpo and Futures Forum Registration
Dr. Heather Strosnider, Epidemiologist for the CDC’s Environmental Health Tracking Branch, says the Data Modernization Initiative is pivotal to advancing public health; ASTHO has planned a bonus event for those who attended TechXpo in Chicago or online scheduled for June 15th; and Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Government Affairs, discusses the public health workforce being the focus of a Congressional briefing this week on Capitol Hill.
CDC Webpage: Data Modernization Initiative
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Dr. Janelle Palacios, a member of the Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality, says there is an urgent need to improve health outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native mothers and their babies; Julia Greenspan, ASTHO Director of Infectious Disease Infrastructure and Policy, worries about rising rates of STIs in the country, but looks to policy for solutions; and Dr. Nizar Wehbi, North Dakota's State Health Officer, outlines the state’s plan to become the healthiest state in the nation.
Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality Report: Making Amends – Recommended Strategies and Actions to Improve the Health and Safety of American Indian and Alaska Native Mothers and Infants
ASTHO Report: Policy Considerations for Reducing Congenital Syphilis
ASTHO Webpage: Innovative STD Prevention and Treatment Strategies
ASTHO Webpage: Reducing STI Stigma Through Inclusive Care Strategies
ASTHO Webpage: Stay Informed
Annie Evans, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, previews an article she wrote for the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice about disability inclusion in health agencies; Carter Blakey, Deputy Director of the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in the United States Department of Health and Human Services, explains why ASTHO is a Healthy People 2030 Champion; and the Florida Department of Health has developed an algorithm to automate syphilis lab result processing.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Practicing Disability Inclusion in Health Agencies
ASTHO Brief: 10 Essential Questions for Disability Inclusion in Health Agencies
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion for Promoting Well-Being Across Lifespan
ASTHO Brief: Automated Syphilis Electronic Laboratory Processing – Effectively and Accurately Identifying Priority Syphilis Cases
Dr. Marissa Levine, Director of the Center for Leadership in Public Health
Practice at the University of South Florida, says the PHEARLESS Initiative launching today aims to bring public health and community members together; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, highlights a new interactive database that provides data about new laws that impact public health authority; Dr. Edward Ehlinger, Former Commissioner of Health for Minnesota and Former Past President of ASTHO, outlines the challenges related to the collection of public health data about American Indian and Alaska Native mothers and their babies; and sign up for ASTHO’s Legislative Alerts email list.
USF Health: The PHEARLESS Initiative
Temple University: Laws Addressing Public Health Authority to Respond to Emergencies
ASTHO Newsletter: Legislative Alerts Email List
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Deputy Coordinator of the Mpox National Response for the White House, shares steps public health leaders can take to protect against a potential rise in Mpox cases; Christina Severin, Director of Public Health Law at ASTHO, says newborn screening policies often vary by jurisdiction; ASTHO celebrates the success of a pandemic-era program to help agencies better serve people with disabilities during public health emergencies; and register for a webinar to learn how two project pilot sites that are part of ASTHO’s Vaccine Equity Project used partnerships to improve vaccine uptake.
CDC: Get Healthy and Ready for Summer | LGBT Health | CDC
ASTHO Webpage: Handle with Care: State Newborn Screening Policies
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Specialist Program Makes Lasting Preparedness Improvements for People with Disabilities
ASTHO Webinar: Partnerships for Progress: An Intro to the Vaccine Equity Project
Michael Craig, Senior Advisor for Antibiotic Resistance, Antibiotic Resistance Coordination and Strategy Unit (ARX) for the CDC, says a new online tool maps federal investment in antimicrobial resistance programs at the state, territorial, and municipal levels; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, assesses the bipartisan agreement to raise the federal debt ceiling; an ASTHO blog article explains a new tool kit Puerto Rico is using to optimize grant management practices; and you sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
CDC: Antimicrobial Resistance (AR) Investment Map
Centralizing Grant Management Functions: Puerto Rico’s Work and Vision
ASTHO Newsletter: Public Health Weekly
Dr. Palina Louangketh, Chief of the Bureau of Equity and Strategic Partnerships at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, explains how her bureau is making healthcare in Idaho more equitable; Dr. Marissa Levine, Director of the Center for Leadership in Public Health Practice at the University of South Florida, shares the goals of the PHEARLESS Initiative; Avia Maison, Vice President of Leadership and Organizational Performance at ASTHO, identifies three pillars of public health leadership in a blog article; and ASTHO has a blog on Louisiana’s decision to not certify community health workers.
USF Health: The PHEARLESS Initiative
The Pillars of Future Public Health Leadership
Why Louisiana Doesn’t Certify Community Health Workers
Neil Charvat, Director of the North Dakota Health And Human Services Tobacco Prevention and Control Program, explains the challenges of reducing the use of nicotine and tobacco products with so many options on the market; Kaitlyn Kelly, Air Quality Policy Specialist for the Washington State Department of Health, says the Washington Smoke Blog has everything you need to know about Washington air quality conditions; Palina Louangketh, Bureau Chief of Equity and Strategic Partnerships for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, talks about the challenges the one-year-old bureau faces in Idaho; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
The Washington Smoke Blog
ASTHO Newsletter: Public Health Weekly
Dr. Tammy McCoy Arballo, a clinical forensic psychologist, explains how public health leaders can improve the mental health of employees following the stress of COVID-19; Elizabeth Ruebush, ASTHO Senior Director, Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics, says partnerships play a key role in the push for data modernization; a new ASTHO blog article explains why the history of the Chicago River is important to public health; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
ASTHO Webpage: PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Blog: Turning the River Around at the Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO Newsletter: Public Health Weekly
Katherine Palm, Senior Program Analyst for Injury and Violence Prevention with the National Association of County and City Health Officials, details a new clinical fall prevention guide; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President, Government Affairs and Public Relations, explains frustrations with the ongoing debt ceiling debate; Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, takes part in an ASTHO webinar to discuss the need to preserve laws that enable agencies to protect communities; and Kimberly Henderson, Harris County Public Health Department Deputy Chief of Staff, shares advice in a new ASTHO blog article.
NACCHO: Developing the Capacity to Support Clinical Older Adult Fall Prevention
ASTHO Webinar: Protecting Public Health Authority: Law, Equity & the Public Health Workforce
ASTHO: Four Questions with Public Health Communications Expert Kimberly Henderson
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, says drug shortages are on the docket for the FDA meeting in Chicago; and today is the last day to register to attend ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum online.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Erika Akers, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Equity Corps Fellow, says the fellowship helped develop a health equity lens that she brings into her career; Wilma Alvarado-Little, New York State Health Department Associate Commissioner, takes part in an ASTHO academy about eliminating structural racism; Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, writes a blog about ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit; and registration to attend ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum online is still open.
New York State Department of Health Webpage: Greetings from the Director
ASTHO Blog Article: The World That Should Be -- Closing Remarks from ASTHO’s 2023 Health Equity Summit
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Sowmya Kuruganti, ASTHO Public Health Analyst, explains how Medicaid expansion could increase access to care for postpartum people; Sanaa Akbarali, ASTHO Senior Director of Maternal and Infant Health, says a renewed ASTHO policy statement addresses ways to prevent maternal mortality and morbidity; ASTHO has a blog on the debt ceiling negotiations in Congress; and online tickets are still available for ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum.
States Support Postpartum Health with Medicaid Expansions
Supporting Success: ASTHO's Strategies for Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Policy Statement
The Debt Ceiling Discussion Greatly Impacts Public Health
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Dr. Monica Bharel, Senior Public Health Advisor at Advanced Clinical, discusses data infrastructure needs; Dr. Michael Fraser, ASTHO CEO, says new a ASTHO guidebook will help public health leaders navigate news media requests; Pacific Island region health leaders plan to meet in June to discuss ways to control the Dengue virus; and you have one more day to purchase online tickets to ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum starting tomorrow.
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
The story of the COVID-19 vaccine, from the lab to millions of arms
Dengue Preparedness in the U.S. Territories and Freely Associated States
AJ Pearlman, Director of Public Health AmeriCorps, says the organization can provide the people to support agency infrastructure improvements; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, says there is some movement on spending bills in Congress; ASTHO plans a webinar on Wednesday, June 21st that features teams who’ve improved vaccine uptake in their communities; and ASTHO reports the number of proposals to ban flavored tobacco products in a STAT news article.
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Partnerships for Progress: An Intro to the Vaccine Equity Project
R.J. Reynolds sues California to protect ‘crisp’ cigarettes from flavor ban
Dr. Brian Anderson, Chief Digital Health Physician at the MITRE Corporation, says public health needs to make data and technology more inclusive; online tickets to attend ASTHO’s TechXpo are still available; Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, discusses Kentucky’s COVID-19 infection and death rates; an ASTHO blog article outlines the benefits of attending the TechXpo and the bonus gathering in June; and ASTHO has a news release for the TechXpo.
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Kentucky’s Covid-19 death rate lower than U.S. average when adjusted for health conditions and average ages in the states
Connection, Innovation, and Transformation at Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Technology, Workforce, Infrastructure Solutions Focus of U.S. Public Health Leaders Meeting
Dr. Kerstin Emerson, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Georgia College of Public Health, examines a new report on loneliness from Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy; Ericka McGowan, ASTHO Senior Director of Emerging Infectious Disease, tells us providers and patients prefer in-person care over telemedicine appointments; there’s still time to get an online ticket to ASTHO’s TechXpo set to begin May 23rd; and ASTHO has a blog about the benefits of community design.
New Surgeon General Advisory Raises Alarm about the Devastating Impact of the Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation in the United States
Video Telemedicine Experiences In COVID-19 Were Positive, But Physicians And Patients Prefer In-Person Care For The Future
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Accessible Community Design to Support Physical Activity and Outdoor Recreation for People of All Ages and Abilities
Avia Mason, ASTHO Vice President of Leadership and Learning, shares what attendees can expect from ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum happening next week in Chicago and online; Dr. Lily Lou, former Chief Medical Officer in Alaska and Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Illinois Chicago, outlines how a risk appropriate care model can help maternal mortality rates; Andrea O’Brien-Vives, Director of Cross-Cultural Marketing at Klick Health, discusses how meaningful community connections promote health equity; and sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Public Health Weekly Newsletter
Dr. Brannon Traxler, Director of Public Health for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, explains why South Carolina is seeing high rates of infant and maternal mortality; Dr. Eugene Toy, Gynecologist and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School, outlines how the risk-appropriate care model can reduce maternal mortality rates; Emma Talkington, ASTHO Senior Analyst of Environmental Health, shares the key issues from the 2023 State Environmental Health Directors Annual Meeting; and you can still register to attend ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo online.
Latest South Carolina Infant, Maternal Mortality Reports Reveal Alarming Trends
2023 State Environmental Health Directors Annual Meeting
How the US reports COVID data is about to change. Here's what you need to know.
Walensky Announces Departure from CDC
Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, explains an amicus brief ASTHO filed in a North Carolina court case; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, reports on progress with the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act; Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of Health at the Vermont Department of Health, says that COVID-19 has become like many other infectious diseases; and a new ASTHO report tells you how to connect Health in All Policies strategies with State Health Improvement Plans.
ASTHO statement on Amicus Brief
ASTHO Comments on the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act
WHO Declares Covid-19 Pandemic Emergency Over
Making the Connection Between Health in All Policies and State Health Improvement Plans
The public health emergency ends today; ASTHO CEO Dr. Mike Fraser says ASTHO members are prepared; Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, explains that public health is adopting emergency measures into local statute and policies; ASTHO President Dr. Anne Zink looks ahead to improve systems for those who continue to suffer from COVID-19; Dr. Brannon Traxler, Director of Public Health for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, outlines how South Carolina will handle sharing COVID-19 data following the end of the public health emergency; AJ Pearlman, Director of Public Health AmeriCorps, explains how the organization works to build up the public health workforce; Dr. Micky Tripathi, National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS, shares what COVID-19 taught public health about data management; online tickets to attend TechXpo are still available for the next two weeks; and an invitation to sign up for ASTHO’s legislative alert emails.
Alaska’s COVID-19 situation has flattened out, but what should Alaskans do if they test positive now?
AmeriCorps and CDC Award $90 Million to Public Health AmeriCorps Programs
Public Health AmeriCorps
Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight: Micky Tripathi, HHS’s Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Legislative Alerts
Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, hosts a news conference to discuss what happens when the pandemic-related public health emergency ends on Thursday; John Tagabuel, Director of Environmental Health and Disease Prevention in the Northern Mariana Islands, commends ASTHO’s Food Safety Policy Academy for their help to train his team while he works to build a local program; ASTHO is a Healthy People 2030 Champion; and ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum is happening in just a few weeks so make sure you’re connected when they take the stage.
Big Cities Health Coalition: Press Conference Highlights
ASTHO Webpage: Food Policy Guides
ASTHO Blog Article: Do Cottage Foods Really Come from a Cottage?
Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Webpage: Food Handler Certification
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Recognized as a Healthy People 2030 Champion for Promoting Well-Being Across Lifespan
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Melissa Bird, Bureau Chief for the Iowa Bureau of Health Statistics, explains why vital records accreditation is important to public health; Rachel Scheckman, ASTHO Senior Policy Analyst, says new data sharing techniques in Iowa improve care for people living with HIV; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, points out the end of the public health emergency may impact state vaccine policies; and ASTHO has a new partner spotlight with Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, President of the National Association of State Offices of Minority Health.
Vital Records/Health Statistics
Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships in Iowa
Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships in Iowa: Improving Access to Care for People Living with HIV
COVID vaccine mandate for federal workers and others is set to end May 11
Partner Spotlight: Q & A with Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, Board President of the National Association of State Offices of Minority Health
Jennifer Moss, author of The Burnout Epidemic, says self-care alone is not a solution to employee fatigue; Moss will speak at ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum later this month, where online tickets remain available; Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, outlines public health policy wins so far this year; follow legislative actions across the states and territories with ASTHO’s legislative alert emails; and a new ASTHO blog article recommends podcasts on public health.
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2023
Legislative Alerts
Seven Public Health Podcasts to Check Out
Schroeder Stribling, President and CEO of Mental Health America, says focusing on early prevention and wellness activities can improve mental health outcomes; the Public Health Review podcast has a new episode on STI care models and patient engagement; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, Former ASTHO Board President, is on the CVS Health National Health Equity Advisory Board; and ASTHO has a blog article about how the Alaska Division of Public Health uses data to improve children’s lives.
About MHA Screening
Mental Health Month Toolkit
CVS Health celebrates Minority Health Month with launch of National Health Equity Advisory Board
Reducing STI Stigma Through Inclusive Care Strategies
Leveraging Data Linkage to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences
Lindsey Myers, ASTHO’s Vice President for Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure, explains the importance of President Biden’s report on the public health workforce; Maria Gabriela Ruiz, an analyst on ASTHO’s Maternal and Infant Health team, outlines how public health officials can address the root cause of rising maternal mortality rates; the FDA updated its COVID-19 vaccine guidance; and you still have time to register online for ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum.
ASTHO Statement on President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology’s Report on Supporting the U.S. Public Health Workforce
Report To The President Supporting The U.S. Public Health Workforce
Behavioral Health: Women, Children, and Families
AMCHP Schedule
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Authorizes Changes to Simplify Use of Bivalent mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
ASTHO CEO Dr. Mike Fraser discusses the end of the public health emergency on May 11th; Dr. Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, Medical Director of the Children’s Place Child Advocacy Center in Alaska, explains how a project by the Alaska Division of Public Health uses data to prevent adverse childhood experiences; an ASTHO E-learning module explaining the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map is now available online; and ASTHO is hiring multiple positions.
Leveraging Data Linkage to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences
Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Module
Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO CEO Dr. Mike Fraser discusses the end of the public health emergency on May 11th; Dr. Cathy Baldwin-Johnson, Medical Director of the Children’s Place Child Advocacy Center in Alaska, explains how a project by the Alaska Division of Public Health uses data to prevent adverse childhood experiences; an ASTHO E-learning module explaining the Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map is now available online; and ASTHO is hiring multiple positions.
Leveraging Data Linkage to Address Adverse Childhood Experiences
Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Module
Careers at ASTHO
Shanshan Sheehy, Epidemiologist and Assistant Professor at Boston University, studies the correlation between racism and heart disease among black women; Alonza Pamplin, Communicable Disease Supervisor for the Wake County Department of Health and Human Services, discusses the importance of diverse public health leadership; a new ASTHO blog article outlines how public health can help young people struggling with mental health; and ASTHO has a new Partner Spotlight with Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, Board President of the National Association of State Offices of Minority Health.
Experiencing Racism Increases Black Women’s Heart Disease Risk, BU Research Finds
Advancing Inclusivity Through Local, Diverse Leadership
Youth Are in Crisis and We Can Help
Partner Spotlight: Q & A with Vivian Lasley-Bibbs, Board President of the National Association of State Offices of Minority Health
Maggie Davis, ASTHO Director of State Health Policy, discusses policies that have been considered or approved across the country since January; Dr. Gabriel Seidman, Director of Policy at the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine, says agencies need to move pilot data projects to full implementation status; there's still time to reserve an online seat at ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum in Chicago; and Dr. Luigi Ferrucci, Scientific Director of the National Institute on Aging at NIH, says public health leaders need to think of ways to make cities more accessible to an aging population.
2023 Legislative Session Update: Part One
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Older Americans Month 2023
Want to live to be 100? Here’s what experts recommend.
Craig Behm, President and CEO of CRISP, Maryland's Health Information Exchange, explains how technology has advanced data sharing capabilities; registration to attend ASTHO’s Tech Xpo and Futures Forum online are still available; the end of data sharing could make COVID-19 harder to control; and Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, gives an update about the debt ceiling debate in Washington.
CRISP
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
End of data sharing could make Covid-19 harder to control, experts and high-risk patients warn
Communicate With Care in Your Telework Policies
Dr. Nathaniel Harnett, Assistant Professor at The Harvard Medical School, discusses findings from his study connecting early childhood stress to mental health problems; Dr. Alison Cuellar, Chair of the Community Preventive Services Task Force and a Professor at George Mason University, explains how well-designed public spaces improve public health; a new ASTHO blog article explains how states can lead on mitigating the effects of climate change; and another ASTHO blog article advises leaders on navigating the return to in-person work.
MRI scans reveal disparate impact of poverty and other ‘toxic stress’ on brains of Black children
The Community Guide
States Can Lead on Mitigating the Effects of Climate Change
Communicate With Care in Your Telework Policies
Maggie Nilz, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst of Preparedness and Disability Integration, says preparedness is important to public health; the annual Preparedness Summit is ongoing in Atlanta; Dr. Kandi Fredere, Upstate Regional Health Director for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, says diversity makes leadership teams better; ASTHO, with support from the CDC, conducted focus groups with people involved in overdose prevention; and ASTHO has new job positions listed online.
Preparedness
2023 Preparedness Summit
Advancing Inclusivity Through Local, Diverse Leadership
Overdose Data to Action: Public Health-Public Safety Partnerships
Careers at ASTHO
Dr. Umair Shah, Washington State Secretary of Health, explains the One Health concept at the annual Preparedness Summit in Atlanta; Dr. Dylan George, Director of the CDC's Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, says building strong data connections can improve response to disease outbreaks; an ASTHO webinar addresses the relationship between mental health and breastfeeding; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit is happening now in Atlanta.
2023 Preparedness Summit
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Shades of Lactation
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
On the first day of National Infant Immunization Week, Dr. José Romero, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, discusses the importance of vaccines and the COVID-19 schedule for children; Karl Ensign, ASTHO Vice President of Territorial Support, explains plans to publish new health equity frameworks developed with Island area members; today is the final day to register online for ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit; and a new ASTHO tool provides climate and health resources.
NIIW (National Infant Immunization Week)
Immunization Schedules
For Immunization Partners
ASTHO Reports from Palau Equity Summit
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
ASTHO Climate and Health
Jenice Butler, Project Manager with the U.S Food and Drug Administration, outlines a partnership with ASTHO and others that advances food safety; an ASTHO blog article explains ASTHO’s plan to advance national retail food programs; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, walks us through the federal debt ceiling debate; registration is open for ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum; ASTHO announces Google Health as a Gold Sponsor at the Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum; and May 11th is the final day to get free rapid COVID tests.
Retail Food Safety Collaborative
Public Health Associations Band Together to Combat Foodborne Disease and Death
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Google Health: Google Cloud for State and Local Government
Time Is Running Out to Get Free Rapid Tests. Here’s How to Stock Up
Elizabeth Ruebush, ASTHO Senior Director of Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics, previews two reports to help members navigate the immunization information sharing landscape; Dr. Angelica Geter, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Business for the Black Women's Health Imperative, previews her address at ASTHO’s upcoming Health Equity Summit; Registration to attend ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit online is still open; an ASTHO blog article outlines five reasons you need to attend the Summit; and CVS Health has created a National Health Equity Advisory Board.
Data Exchange to Save Lives: IIS and HIE Relationships & The Laws Protecting Public Health Data
Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Top Five Reasons to Join ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
CVS Health celebrates Minority Health Month with launch of National Health Equity Advisory Board
Dr. Somava Saha, Founder and CEO of We in the World, shares a framework to help public health officials create health equity; Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, explains how Michigan has reduced health disparities; an ASTHO blog article discusses the role of public health disease intervention specialists in disease investigation; and ASTHO has a job website listing open positions.
Pathways to Population Health Equity- Home Page
Pathways to Population Health Equity Framework
Racial health disparities in Michigan declined according to COVID task force report
A Look at a Critical Player in Public Health, Disease Intervention Specialists
Careers at ASTHO
Elizabeth Mothershed, Deputy Associate Director of State Strategy for the CDC, says it’s important for leaders to work together on Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) programs; a new ASTHO report outlines how health department leaders can support effective HAI/AR programs; ASTHO releases two new videos on state approaches to HAI/AR programs; David C. Harvey, Executive Director at National Coalition of STD Directors, explains the importance of STI awareness; and a new ASTHO blog provides resources, programs, and policies to address the stigma associated with mental illness and suicide.
Eight Ways Health Department Leaders Can Support Effective HAI/AR Programs
How Can Health Agencies Support HAI/AR Program Alignment and Structure Reassessment?
How Can Health Agencies Support HAI/AR Staff Recruitment and Retention?
ASTHO and NCSD Issue Joint Statement on Concerning Rise in Syphilis Cases Across U.S.
On the 400th episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition, Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Senior Associate Dean at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health, identifies four strategies to restore trust in public health; Dr. Leandro Mena, the Director of the Division of STD Prevention at CDC, says new approaches can help prevent STDs; a new ASTHO blog shares community design strategies to improve population health; and ASTHO announces Amazon Web Services (AWS) as a Gold Sponsor at the Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum.
Restoring Trust In Our Nation’s Public Health System
U.S. STI Epidemic Showed No Signs of Slowing in 2021 – Cases Continued to Escalate
Accessible Community Design to Support Physical Activity and Outdoor Recreation for People of All Ages and Abilities
AWS Health and Human Services Cloud Resources: Public Health
Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Senior Associate Dean at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health, reflects on restoring trust in public health; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director of Government Affairs, tells us what to expect when Congress is back in session; ASTHO issues a statement supporting the Biden Administration's designation of Fentanyl and Xylazine as an emerging threat to the U.S.; online registration is open for ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit; and registration for ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum is still open for in person and online.
Restoring Trust In Our Nation’s Public Health System
ASTHO Statement on Biden Administration Designating Fentanyl Combined with Xylazine as an Emerging Threat to the United States
Overdose Data to Action Recipient Health Equity Needs Assessment Overview
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
For STI Awareness Week, Dr. Thomas Dobbs, former State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, discusses STI treatment and prevention; ASTHO President Dr. Anne Zink urges providers to test their patients for syphilis; a new ASTHO micro-learning translates successful STI interventions into accessible and easy-to-understand tools; Kimberly Brazwell, CEO and Founder of Kimistry, promotes the consideration of qualitative data to improve public health; and rural communities in Kansas are developing tailored solutions to health infrastructure problems.
ASTHO and NCSD Issue Joint Statement on Concerning Rise in Syphilis Cases Across U.S.
Innovative STD Prevention and Treatment Strategies
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
How Community Health Workers Are Impacting Rural Communities
Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, says registration is open for the new "40 Under 40 in Public Health" cohort which recognizes creativity and innovation in public health leaders; Michael Abbott, Associate Director of the Maine CDC Division of Environmental and Community Health, is encouraged by the EPA’s proposed PFAS drinking water standards; a new ASTHO blog article addresses reducing and preventing firearm violence; childhood food insecurity is a major public health issue in the United States; and ASTHO has new job openings.
40 Under 40 In Public Health: Nominations
ASTHO Statement on U.S. EPA’s Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
A Public Health Approach to Reducing and Preventing Firearm Violence
Integrating Breastfeeding Into Early Childhood Nutrition Security Programs
Careers at ASTHO
On the final day of National Public Health Week, Laura Holtrop-Kohl, Utah Department of Health and Human Services HEAL Public Health Nutritionist, explains the value of making nutritious food widely available; an ASTHO blog article explains how food security and good nutrition support positive mental health; Dr. Gillian Steel-Fisher, Director of Global Polling at the Harvard Opinion Research Program, says a large portion of Americans trust public health agencies; ASTHO's website, publichealthcareers.org, is an important tool in helping to rebuild the public health workforce; and ASTHO has a communications focused summer reading list for health officials.
NPHW Daily Theme: Food and Nutrition
Supporting Positive Mental Health Through Food Security and Good Nutrition
Trust In US Federal, State, And Local Public Health Agencies During COVID-19: Responses And Policy Implications
Public Health Careers
Seven Impactful Books on Communications Health Officials Should Read Front to Back
On Day Six of National Public Health Week, Dr. Alexis Travis, former Senior Deputy Director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, says accessibility accommodations must continually evolve to be effective; Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of the Trust for America’s Health, discusses the results of the organization's 2023 Ready or Not report; registration to attend ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit online is still open; and it’s STI Awareness Week.
NPHW Daily Theme: Accessibility
Ready or Not 2023: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
About STI Awareness Week
On Day Five of National Public Health Week, Elke Shaw-Tulloch, Idaho Public Health Administrator for the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare, explains the challenges facing rural health care; a new ASTHO micro-learning teaches the connection between the Healthy People 2030 framework, the Public Health Accreditation Board Standards, and health equity; ASTHO and the National Governors Association host a webinar on the future of emergency response capabilities in the new legal landscape; and ASTHO President Dr. Anne Zink joins a HIMSS panel to discuss health equity.
NPHW Daily Theme: Rural Health
Synergy of Healthy People 2030 and PHAB Standards
Webinar: Future of Emergency Response Capabilities in the New Legal Landscape
HIMSS: Views from the Top: 2023: Continuing the Journey to Health Equity
On Day Four of National Public Health Week, Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of Health at the Vermont Department of Health, says mental health must be considered if we want to advance public health; Kate Woodsome with the Washington Post discusses key points she included in an opinion article written about the nation's teen mental health crisis; ASTHO President Dr. Anne Zink and ASTHO Past President Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott discuss ways to support people working in public health; and ASTHO announces Guidehouse, a leading healthcare consulting firm, as a Gold Sponsor at the Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum scheduled for next month in Chicago and online.
NPHW Daily Theme: Mental Health
Kate Woodsome- American teens are unwell because American society is unwell
The Exodus Of State And Local Public Health Employees: Separations Started Before And Continued Throughout COVID-19
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Guidehouse Healthcare Consulting
On Day Three of Public Health Week, Kelly Cleland, Executive Director of the American Society for Emergency Contraception, says college students need access to emergency contraception and related services; a new ASTHO blog article outlines how community partnership can improve access to family planning; ASTHO CEO Dr. Mike Fraser is part of a panel to discuss ways to improve the state of the public health workforce; and there is still time to register for ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit happening this April in Atlanta and online.
NPHW Daily Themes- Reproductive And Sexual Health
Opportunities and Barriers to Contraception Access on College Campuses
The Exodus Of State And Local Public Health Employees: Separations Started Before And Continued Throughout COVID-19
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
On Day Two of Public Health Week, Rich Hamburg, Executive Director of the Safe States Alliance, discusses policies that would help reduce gun violence in America; the Public Health Foundation has a new video explaining the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP); Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, and Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, join an online discussion today about the public health workforce hosted by Health Affairs; and registration is open for ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum.
NPHW Daily Themes- Violence Prevention
Understanding the ACIP and How Vaccine Recommendations are Made in the US
Lunch and Learn: "Workforce Exodus in State and Local Public Health: The Numbers, the
Reality, and the Solutions"
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Dr. Steven J. Stack, Commissioner for Public Health with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, kicks off our coverage of National Public Health Week with a focus on how the idea of community impacts public health; Abigail Echo-Hawk, Director of the Urban Indian Health Institute, explains how indigenous data justice can lead to more meaningful policy decisions; ASTHO issues a statement supporting the EPA’s plans to address PFAS chemicals in drinking water; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, and Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, join a discussion about the public health workforce on April 4th; the PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center is now available online; and Dr. José Romero, an ASTHO alum and now Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, is featured in the ASTHO Leadership Trailblazer series.
NPHW Daily Themes- Community
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
ASTHO Statement on U.S. EPA’s Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation
Lunch and Learn: "Workforce Exodus in State and Local Public Health: The Numbers, the Reality, and the Solutions"
PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight: José R. Romero, CDC Director of NCIRD
Shannon Vance, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst, Family and Child Health, encourages ASTHO members to comment on the USDA's proposed standards for school lunch and breakfast programs; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, outlines the debt ceiling discussions happening between Congress and the White House; our coverage of National Public Health Week starts Monday; and the ASTHO Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum announces Google as a gold sponsor.
Federal Register: Child Nutrition Programs
USDA Takes Long-Term Look at Nutrition Standards
National Public Health Week Daily Themes
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
https://health.google/
Gary Lankford, Advances in Indian Health Care Program Director at the Association of American Indian Physicians, explains vaccine messaging that appeals to American Indian and Alaskan Native populations; Dr. Laura Chanchien Parajon, Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Health at New Mexico Department of Health, discusses National Doctor’s Day and her ancestral ties to primary care and public health; the ASTHO Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum announces premier sponsor Palantir; and registration is open for ASTHO’s 2023 Health Equity Summit in Atlanta, Georgia.
Public Health Review
Palantir
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, celebrates women who've held ASTHO leadership positions over the last several decades; Jamie Pina, ASTHO's Vice President of Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics, discusses the 2023 ASTHO Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum; and a new ASTHO video recognizes Dr. José Romero, Director of the CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, for his leadership in public health.
ASTHO Celebrates Women’s History Through the Decades
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight: José R. Romero, CDC Director of NCIRD
Dr. Daniel Edney, State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, discusses the dangers of Xylazine, a strong tranquilizer, and how to treat patients who have ingested it; Moses Pretrick, Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Department of Health & Social Affairs (DHSA) Assistant Secretary, outlines improvements needed to increase access to care for U.S. veterans living in the territories and freely associated states; registration is now open for people interested in attending ASTHO’s upcoming Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit is happening next month in Atlanta.
Xylazine: What Health Agencies Need to Know
Island Areas 101
Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum Registration
Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Alaska Chief Medical Officer, testifies before a House appropriations subcommittee in Washington D.C. seeking sustainable and flexible public health funding; Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, explains how health agencies can use policy as a tool to build a stronger workforce; ASTHO’s PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center offers resources to help agencies build successful teams; and a new blog article celebrates women who have made a difference in ASTHO history.
Anne Zink Testimony in Regards to Sustainable and Flexible Public Health Funding
State and Territorial Policies to Strengthen the Public Health and Healthcare Workforce
PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center
ASTHO Celebrates Women’s History Through the Decades
Cindy Long, Administrator of the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, says a new set of proposed school lunch guidelines are an important step to putting kids on a path to healthy lifestyles; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, outlined Dr. Anne Zink’s testimony to Congress yesterday in this week’s “View from Washington D.C.” report; today is World TB Day, which is an opportunity to focus on the work to end the tuberculosis epidemic that claimed 1.6 million lives worldwide in 2021; and it’s time to register for ASTHO’s TechXpo and Futures Forum which is planned for May 23rd through the 25th in Chicago.
USDA Webpage: Proposed Updates to the School Nutrition Standards
World Health Organization Webpage: World Tuberculosis Day 2023
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Carl Route Jr., Program Director for Reaching our Brothers Everywhere, says his group is on a mission to educate, equip, and empower men to increase breastfeeding rates and decrease infant mortality rates in the African-American community; Justa Encarnacion, Health Commissioner and Chief Public Health Officer for the U.S. Virgin Islands, discusses her team’s agenda for life after the pandemic; and leaders attending ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit for two days next month in Atlanta will learn how to create a movement for justice.
ASTHO Webpage: Power In Partners
Reaching our Brothers Everywhere Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Health Equity Summit – A Movement for Justice
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Deborah Stone, Behavioral Scientist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, explains that after two consecutive years of declines, U.S. suicide rates increased in 2021, nearly returning to their 2018 peak; Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer with the National Alliance on Mental Illness, outlines the unique opportunity to invest in mental health; and the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy will discuss its goals for improving maternal health outcomes on March 27th.
CDC Webpage: Suicide Prevention
CDC Webpage: Notes from the Field: Recent Changes in Suicide Rates, by Race and Ethnicity and Age Group — United States, 2021
National Alliance on Mental Illness Webpage
The Wall Street Journal News Article: More Money for Mental-Health Programs Gets Bipartisan Support in Many States
The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy Event Registration
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Alyssa Boyea, ASTHO Director for Infectious Disease Preparedness, highlights resources to help public health agencies improve their COVID-19 communication and messaging approaches; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, discusses issues related to the end of the public health emergency on May 11th; an ASTHO blog addresses breastfeeding resources for women who are incarcerated; Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for Washington State, is part of a national panel discussion about new solutions to improve bio-surveillance and data modernization in response to biothreats; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit is scheduled for April 25th and 26th.
Health Affairs News Article: Trust In US Federal, State, And Local Public Health Agencies During COVID-19: Responses And Policy Implications
ASTHO Webpage: COVID-19 Public Health Communications Resource Hub
ASTHO Brief: Increasing Access to Breastfeeding Resources for Mothers Who Are Incarcerated
ASTHO Webpage: Health Equity Summit – A Movement for Justice
Heather Tomlinson, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Immunizations, reminds us in an ASTHO blog article that there are strategies to reduce the impact of non-medical immunization exemptions; the CDC has added COVID-19 vaccinations to its immunization schedule in its latest update; and Gaafar Uherbelau, Minister of Health for the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, provides the latest updates on talks between Congress and the U.S. island areas looking to improve funding for health care in their jurisdictions.
ASTHO Blog Article: The Impact of Non-Medical Vaccine Exemptions on Childhood Vaccination Rates
The Hill News Article: CDC adds COVID vaccine to routine immunization schedule for kids, adults
ASTHO News Release: Island Health Officials Advocate to Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure During ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Meeting
Gregory Sunshine, Public Health Analyst with the Centers for Disease Control, explains how state and territorial emergency powers have shifted during the COVID-19 pandemic; and Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, tells us what Congress wants to know in her latest “View from Washington D.C.” report.
ASTHO Blog Article: New Study Published in Journal of Emergency Management Highlights Shifts in State and Territorial Emergency Powers Since the COVID-19 Pandemic
Preparedness Summit Webpage: What Is the Future of Legal Preparedness? Legislative and Judicial Trends During COVID-19 and How Changes in the Law May Impact Emergency Response Capabilities
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Brian Castrucci, CEO and President of the de Beaumont Foundation, talks about data that shows public health is on track to lose 130,000 people by 2025; an ASTHO blog article discusses how colonialism, military presence, and political influence all have had an impact on disparities in the eight territories and freely associated states; and Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, offers his opinion on how state and territorial health officials should be prominent spokespersons for health equity as well as other topics in ASTHO’s Leadership Trailblazer series.
Health Affairs News Article: The Exodus Of State And Local Public Health Employees: Separations Started Before And Continued Throughout COVID-19
ASTHO Blog Article: Overcoming Baked-In Inequities and Promoting Health Equity in the Island Areas
ASTHO Blog Article: Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight: Mark Levine, MD, Commissioner, Vermont Department of Health
Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer for Alabama Public Health, addresses the startling statistic that there have been more deaths in Alabama than births for two straight years; Nada Hassanein, Health Inequities Reporter for USA Today, writes about the nation’s congenital syphilis trend and calls attention to the lack of care for pregnant people and their newborns; ASTHO has a webinar at the end of the month to help attendees learn how to leverage the community perinatal workforce as a strategy to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality; and ASTHO has several job opportunities you can apply for.
Alabama.com News Article: Alabama had more deaths than births in 2022 as effects of COVID linger on
USA Today News Article: 'Time to sound the alarm': Surge in babies born with syphilis draws attention to lack of care
ASTHO Webpage: Leveraging the Community Perinatal Workforce to Reduce Maternal Morbidity and Mortality
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, says workforce data indicates public health agencies could lose nearly 130,000 employees by 2025; J.T. Lane, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Population Health and Innovation, says agencies can learn about the latest technology innovations at ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo; and an ASTHO blog article discusses how the organization partnered with the Ohio Department of Health to include people living with disabilities in preparedness planning.
Health Affairs News Article: The Exodus Of State And Local Public Health Employees: Separations Started Before And Continued Throughout COVID-19
deBeaumont Webpage: Public Health Turnover Threatens Community Health and Safety
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
ASTHO Blog Article: Ohio Includes Stakeholders of All Abilities in Public Health Planning
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Alec Tyson, Associate Director of Research at Pew Research Center, explains the results of a recent poll that confirms the challenges public health agencies had communicating pandemic decisions; Emily Dore, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Klick Health, hopes attendees will leave an ASTHO webinar with ideas to help them better reach Gen Z audiences; and Devon Page, ASTHO Government Affairs Analyst, says the House is moving ahead with plans to understand how the federal government and the states have managed their COVID-19 money.
Pew Research Center Webpage: Lack of Preparedness Among Top Reactions Americans Have to Public Health Officials’ COVID-19 Response
ASTHO Webpage: Cultivating Gen Z as Partners for Healthier Communities – Part 2
ASTHO Blog Article: Cultivating Gen Z as Partners for Healthier Communities
ASTHO Blog Article: Hearing the Hill
ASTHO Webpage: Newsroom
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, works through the numbers of President Biden’s proposed budget to evaluate the impact on public health funding and programs in this week’s 'View from Washington D.C.' report; and leaders from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services explain the goal behind the agency’s interactive online COVID-19 funding dashboard.
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Webpage: COVID-19 Funding Dashboard
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Thomas Dobbs, former State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health and now dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, urges agencies that fund local public health programs to eliminate the barriers that can get in the way of lifesaving work; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, says justice and health equity are the focus of ASTHO’s 2023 Health Equity Summit planned for April; and an ASTHO blog article examines what it takes to lead at this moment in public health.
Health Affairs News Article: Getting Government To Work For Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Health Equity Summit - A Movement for Justice
ASTHO Blog Article: Exploring the Effect of Public Health Crises on Health Equity Leadership
Alec Tyson, Associate Director of Research at the PEW Research Center, previews a survey of Americans’ views of public health officials and their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, discusses meetings ASTHO members had with members of the Biden Administration during their visit to Washington D.C. this week; and ASTHO is hiring for several positions.
Pew Research Center Webpage: Lack of Preparedness Among Top Reactions Americans Have to Public Health Officials’ COVID-19 Response
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Jonathan Levy, Chair of the Department of Environmental Health with the Boston University School of Public Health, has new research that says white people in Massachusetts now are more likely to die from COVID than black or Hispanic people in the state; Morgan Zialcita, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, discusses the agenda for ASTHO’s 2023 Health Equity Summit in Atlanta in late April; in a blog article Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Health Equality and Diversity, details a week-long trip to Honduras; and an ASTHO brief examines the need for better data about people living with disabilities.
Boston Globe News Article: COVID is still killing people every day. But its main victims have changed
ASTHO Webpage: Health Equity Summit – A Movement for Justice
ASTHO Blog Article: An American Public Health Physician in Honduras
ASTHO Brief: Better Defining Disability Will Make Data More Inclusive and Usable
Amber Williams, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Leadership & Organizational Performance, says ASTHO members have a busy schedule of meetings with Biden Administration and Congressional officials in Washington, D.C. this week; Parker Beene, ASTHO Senior Policy Analyst, says at least 10 states and Guam have introduced legislation to impose their own limits on the sale of flavored tobacco and nicotine products; an ASTHO blog article examines how Xylazine is infiltrating the drug supply and being mixed with other illicit substances, leading to an increase in overdose deaths; and learn how to partner with Gen Z advocates in a webinar planned for March 13th.
ASTHO News Release: Island Health Officials Advocate to Strengthen Healthcare Infrastructure During ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Meeting
ASTHO Blog Article: Recent Federal and State Actions to Limit Flavored Tobacco Products
ASTHO Blog Article: Xylazine - What Health Agencies Need to Know
ASTHO Webpage: Cultivating Gen Z as Partners for Healthier Communities - Part 2
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, previews the work ahead in Congress and ASTHO’s public health policy agenda in the first installment of the View from Washington D.C. report; Alex Wheatley, ASTHO Assistant Director of the Island Support Team, says island officials have a packed agenda in Washington next week to engage policymakers working in the Administration and Congress; and ASTHO’s Fiscal Year 2024 Public Health Appropriations Book is now available.
ASTHO Webpage: Fully Fund the Renegotiated Compacts of Free Association and Reduce Compact Impact in U.S. Territories and States Policy Statement
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Governmental Public Health Appropriations Book FY24
Alex Wheatley, ASTHO Assistant Director of the Island Support Team, says there is an urgent need to approve agreements that continue funding for health programs in several island nations; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs & Public Relations, prepares to kick off a new report on the newscast called ‘The View from Washington D.C.’; and Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, discusses the elimination of the X waiver and how it is a win for public health.
ASTHO Webpage: Fully Fund the Renegotiated Compacts of Free Association and Reduce Compact Impact in U.S. Territories and States Policy Statement
Politico News Article: Farewell to the X waiver
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, outlines the role of public health in addressing the challenges of long COVID; Katie Moran McCabe, Lead Law and Policy Analyst with the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University, says more than 1,500 bills to change public health authority have been introduced in state legislatures over the last two years; and ASTHO is hiring for several open positions.
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer: Leadership Considerations for Long COVID
Temple University Webpage: The Policy Surveillance Program
Temple University Webpage: Legislators Introduced More Than 1,500 Bills To Change The Authority Of State And Local Health Agencies And Executive Officers During 2021 And 2022 Legislative Sessions
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, writes about problems impacting public health, such as underfunding, bureaucracy, and inadequate administrative support, in an article for Health Affairs; Omar Khalid, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce Development, says ASTHO has a new online resource hub to help agencies build resilience among members of their workforce; and five years ago today, ASTHO delivered the first episode of the Public Health Review podcast.
Health Affairs News Article: Getting Government To Work For Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Public Health Review Podcast: The Epidemic of Epidemics: Opioids, Part I
Dr. Daniel Edney, State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, has studied the data in Mississippi’s latest Maternal Mortality Report and says the rates are unacceptable; Heather Tomlinson, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Immunizations, explains in a new blog article how members can defend vaccination requirements to their state lawmakers; and there is only one day left to apply to be part of the next cohort enrolled in ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
AP News Article: Maternal deaths and disparities increase in Mississippi
ASTHO Blog Article: Building Vaccine Confidence Among State and Territorial Legislatures
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Sameer Vorha, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, is taking note of the disparities laid bare by COVID-19 in a new guest column written for the Chicago Sun-Times; Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer for CVS Health, celebrates her first year on the job; and ASTHO has a blog article asking what leaders can do to help develop resilience among the members of their teams.
Chicago Sun-Time News Article: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic can make Illinois healthier than ever
LinkedIn Blog Article: A Look Back: My First Year as the Inaugural Chief Health Equity Officer at CVS Health
ASTHO Blog Article: Resiliency Within the Workforce
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Kinetra Joseph, Campaign Director for the CDC Foundation, says the Foundation’s Live to the Beat initiative has had a successful first year; Dr. Christopher King, Dean of the Georgetown University School of Health, spent much of his career studying issues affecting historically marginalized and disenfranchised communities and is using that lens to look at COVID-19 impacts; and an ASTHO report guides readers through challenges and steps associated with developing health equity standards and measures.
Live to the Beat Campaign Webpage
ASTHO Report: Measuring Health Equity for Planning and Performance Improvement
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Robin Matthies, ASTHO’s Director for Public and Behavioral Health Integration, encourages ASTHO members to review a CDC report that says teen girls in the U.S. are in crisis; Harold Gil, a graduate of ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program, was inspired by the program to open his own informatics business; today is your last chance to get a seat in this afternoon’s Insight and Inspiration event; and ASTHO has a few job openings that you can apply for today.
CDC Webpage: Youth Risk Behavior Survey
ASTHO Blog Article: The Return on Investment of Time Spent on Your Own Leadership Development
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Dr. Christopher Rizzo, Senior U.S. Medical Director for Sanofi, is working on a passive immunization for RSV that could help protect young infants from the virus; Lana McKinney, ASTHO Senior Policy Analyst for State Health Policy, encourages ASTHO members to ask their lawmakers to support the life-saving tools of CPR techniques and AED devices; and the deadline to apply for ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program is Feb. 28th.
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policies Promote the Importance of Defibrillators and CPR
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Scott Rivkees, Professor of Practice of Health Services, Policy and Practice at the Brown School of Public Health, writes about the impact of denialism on public health in a guest column published in Washington D.C.’s Hill newspaper; Gaafar Uherbelau, Palau Minister of Health and Human Services, says the 2023 Palau Health Summit will focus the discussion on the importance and impact of health equity; in an ASTHO blog article, Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge pays homage to five of the many impactful contributions made by African American women that have changed the course of America; and there’s still time to apply for ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
The Hill News Article: Denialism is seeping into legislation and undermining public health
ASTHO Blog Article: Celebrating Black HER-STORY
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, offers his colleagues some advice in a new ASTHO video about improving public health through data and communication; Dr. David Grossman, Vice President for Social Health and Equity at Kaiser Permanente, shares news about a new financial commitment the company has made to its recently created Center for Gun Violence Research and Education; an ASTHO Blog Article discusses five black women who made “herstory” and today inspire the life and work of ASTHO’s Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge; and ASTHO’s latest Insight and Inspiration event is coming up on Wednesday, February 22nd.
Kaiser Permanente News Release: Kaiser Permanente Commits $25 Million to Center for Gun Violence Research and Education
ASTHO Webpage: Leading through a Pandemic – Teamwork and Crisis Communication
ASTHO Blog Article: Celebrating Black HER-STORY
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, State Health Director and the Chief Medical Officer for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, is optimistic about the FDA’s proposal to use an individual risk assessment when deciding who can or cannot donate blood; Sanaa Akbarali, ASTHO Senior Director for Maternal and Infant Health, helped write an article the Journal of Perinatology about work done in the field and policies in place to support pregnant people; and you can monitor changes in public health policy across the country if you sign up for ASTHO’s legislative alert emails.
U.S Food and Drug Administration News Release: FDA Proposes Individual Risk Assessment for Blood Donations, While Continuing to Safeguard U.S. Blood Supply
Journal of Perinatology Article: Maternal and neonatal risk-appropriate care: gaps, strategies, and areas for further research
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Claire Hannan, Executive Director of the Association of Immunization Managers, is worried some who previously supported bills to prevent mandatory COVID vaccinations now might try to also weaken school vaccination requirements; Abe Kulungara, ASTHO Senior Director of Environment Health, says ASTHO is part of a collaborative to promote retail food safety that will focus on developing a national strategy for adoption of the latest editions of the FDA food code; and Dr. Christopher King, Dean of the Georgetown University School of Health, is helping the school shift the nation’s focus from medical care to health care.
Association of Immunization Managers Webpage: AIM Statement on School and Child-Care Vaccination Entry Requirements
ASTHO News Release: Public Health Associations Band Together to Combat Foodborne Disease and Death
Georgetown University Webpage: School of Health
Dr. Jim McDonald, New York State Acting Health Commissioner, says partnerships with people in local communities are key to the state's response to the opioid crisis; Siman Qaasim, Health Equity Administrator for the Arizona Department of Health Services, says Arizona’s mobile COVID-19 vaccine program has vaccinated 150,000 people; a new ASTHO blog talks about how state and territorial health officials can re-establish trust; and you can learn more about managing toxic stress in a new ASTHO Insight and Inspiration event planned for Wednesday, Feb. 22nd.
WETM News Article: NYS DOH reports increase in overdose deaths from 2020
Arizona Department of Health Services News Release: ADHS mobile program brings COVID-19 vaccines and boosters to Arizonans
ASTHO Blog Article: Rebuilding Trust in Public Health Through Effective Communications
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
Claire Pendergrast, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Health Improvement and Healthy Aging, has new research outlining five key strategies ASTHO members can use to promote healthy aging in their jurisdictions; Dr. Katelyn Jetelina, an epidemiologist, created an email newsletter that strives to keep public interest aimed at public health; and ASTHO is hosting a webinar titled “Vaccine Equity: Combating COVID-19 Misinformation” on February 13th.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Supporting Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health: The Role of State and Territorial Health Agencies
Your Local Epidemiologist Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Vaccine Equity Combating COVID-19 Misinformation
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Richa Ranade, ASTHO's Senior Director for Overdose Prevention, says it's encouraging to hear President Joe Biden prioritize solutions to the opioid epidemic in his State of the Union address; Dr. Christopher King, the first dean of Georgetown University’s new School of Health, will use his lived experience to raise up the next generation of diverse public health leaders; and Rad Cunningham, Senior Epidemiologist at the Washington State Department of Health, offers a simple strategy for departments looking to connect climate change and health equity approaches.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Welcomes President Biden’s Call to Beat the Opioid and Overdose Epidemic
Georgetown University Medical Center News Release: Georgetown University Announces Dr. Christopher King as Inaugural Dean for School of Health
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review Podcast
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Ernia Hughes, Director of the Office of Health Center Investment Oversight with the Health Resources and Services Administration, says her organization hopes to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates with grants to more than 1,400 community health centers nationwide; Sana Chehimi, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Prevention Institute, explains how a new campaign was designed to offer new solutions to violence that plagues many communities; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Alaska Chief Medical Officer, calls tuberculosis a "silent endemic disease that continues to linger"; and ASTHO is recruiting for several open positions.
Big Cities Health Coalition Webpage: Community Safety Campaign
Health Resources and Services Administration Webpage: FY 2023 Expanding COVID-19 Vaccination Awards
Alaska News News Article: Alaska tuberculosis surge prompts debate over training and treatment strategies
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, says the Community Safety Campaign is about making sure people who live in communities have livable wages, and affordable and safe housing; Carolyn McCoy, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, shares how ASTHO is keeping a close eye on changes in leadership on committees that direct public health policy and funding; ASTHO’s Immediate Past President Dr. Nirav Shah will attend the President’s State of the Union address tonight in Washington D.C. as he gets ready to become the Principal Deputy Director at the CDC; and ASTHO’s latest Insight and Inspiration event is coming up on Wednesday, February 22nd.
Big Cities Health Coalition Webpage: Community Safety Campaign
Local Today News Article: Dr. Shah is attending State of the Union as he prepares for his new federal role
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
Julie Wernau, Health and Science Reporter at The Wall Street Journal, has spent the last year reporting on the opioid crisis and offers some advice for public health; Shannon Vance, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Family & Child Health, says the difficulty of finding quality, affordable childcare only increased during the pandemic; and ASTHO’s next webinar will help you discover a more equitable approach when working with people living with disabilities.
The Wall Street Journal News Article: Fentanyl Test Strips on the Dance Floor? Partygoers Face New Reality
ASTHO Blog Article: States Increasing Supports for Early Childhood Programs
ASTHO Webpage: Disability Etiquette Competence and Inclusion Training
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dawn Skaggs, the Emergency, Disaster and Climate Resilience Specialist at World Institute on Disability, will help lead an ASTHO training event on Monday that will ask attendees to develop more equitable approaches in their work to support people living with disabilities; Chris Taylor, ASTHO Director for Infectious Disease Outbreak Response & Recovery, says ASTHO has produced a series of resources to help members better care for their teams as they recover from the trauma of the pandemic; and ASTHO tracks developments in public health policy and reports them in legislative alert emails which you can sign up for today.
ASTHO Blog Article: Building a Culture of Care: Art, Quiet, and Animal Therapy
ASTHO Webpage: Disability Etiquette Competence and Inclusion Training
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Julie Wernau, Health and Science Reporter at The Wall Street Journal, says drug use sites face many hurdles even if they have local permission to operate; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, tells the Associated Press that her members are anxious to understand how the fall spike in respiratory illness will be impacted by plans to end COVID authorities; and public health professionals still dealing with the stress and trauma of the pandemic could find help in a conversation planned on Wednesday, Feb. 22nd.
The Wall Street Journal News Article: Fentanyl Test Strips on the Dance Floor? Partygoers Face New Reality
Associated Press News Article: How will life change once the COVID-19 emergency ends?
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration with Dr. Kemia M Sarraf
Julie Wernau, Health and Science Reporter at The Wall Street Journal, has been reporting on the opioid crisis for more than a year but says it’s still a difficult story to write; Andy Baker-White, ASTHO Senior Director of State Health Policy, says ASTHO members are working to prepare for the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency declarations; and sign up for the Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
The Wall Street Journal News Article: Fentanyl Test Strips on the Dance Floor? Partygoers Face New Reality
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Devon Page, ASTHO Government Affairs Analyst, says ASTHO wants to work with both parties in Congress to find common ground for the good of public health; Arnold Bogis, ASTHO Senior Analyst and Research Associate, tells us why Buffalo, New York needs an emergency management office; and Carolee Cooper, an Environmental Health Program Specialist with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, explains how Idaho is promoting awareness during National Radon Action Month.
The Buffalo News Webpage: Another Voice – Buffalo needs an emergency management office
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Webpage: Radon
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, is keeping an eye on the budget wrangling taking place on Capitol Hill; Ashley Cram, with ASTHO, explains how ASTHO members are working to help people in rural communities maintain access to telehealth; members of an FDA advisory panel support a proposal to move to a single annual vaccine dose for COVID-19 strains; and ASTHO’s next Insight and Inspiration series is Wednesday, Feb. 22nd.
ASTHO Blog Article: Telehealth and Licensure Policies Improving Healthcare Access for Rural Communities
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration with Dr. Kemia M Sarraf
Dr. Christine Bean, Chief Learning Officer at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, talks about recruiting candidates into laboratory positions on ASTHO’s new jobs website, publichealthcareers.org; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, gives his take on the FDA proposing a once-a-year COVID-19 regimen for immunizations; and Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, announces ASTHO has new funding from the FDA to advance retail food safety initiatives and reduce foodborne illness.
PublicHealthCarrers.org Webpage
Maine Public Radio Webpage: Dr. Nirav Shah prepares to leave Maine CDC for top federal post—and answers your public health questions
ASTHO News Release: Public Health Associations Band Together to Combat Foodborne Disease and Death
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control, reflects on his work in the state of Maine as he readies for his next job as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's number two in charge; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, tells the Washington Post he thinks an annual COVID-19 vaccine is more likely to be accepted by the public than more frequent shots; and Dr. Esther Muna, CEO for the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in the Northern Mariana Islands, says the new Medicaid law will allow people to avoid traveling thousands of miles to get treatment.
Maine Public Radio Webpage: Dr. Nirav Shah prepares to leave Maine CDC for top federal post—and answers your public health questions
FDA Webpage: Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee January 26, 2023 Meeting Announcement
ASTHO Blog Article: Bringing the U.S. Territories Closer to Medicaid Equity
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Shannon Stokley, an Epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, talks about another drop in childhood vaccination rates; Tiara Smith, a Program Analyst for Environmental Health with the National Association of County and City Health Officials, explains a mentorship program for agencies looking for help with their retail food regulatory programs; graduates of ASTHO’s public health leadership training program write about leadership in a new blog article; and ASTHO has several job openings.
PEW Webpage: Child Vaccination Rates, Already Down Because of COVID, Fall Again
NACCHO Webpage: Retail Program Standards Mentorship Program
National Environmental Health Association Webpage: NEHA-FDA RFFM Grant Program Home
ASTHO Blog Article: The Return on Investment of Time Spent on Your Own Leadership Development
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Caroline Brunton, Program Officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, talks about the National Day of Racial Healing first celebrated by the Foundation seven years ago; Dr. Brannon Traxler, Director of Public Health with the South Carolina Department of Health & Environmental Control, tells us how her organization’s improved data surveillance and sharing has helped in the fight against misinformation; and since ASTHO tracks public health policy across the states and territories, you can get the information as well by signing up for legislative email alerts.
W.K. Kellogg Foundation Webpage
Heal Our Communities Webpage: National Day of Racial Healing
Kaiser Health News Webpage: Public Health Agencies Try to Restore Trust as They Fight Misinformation
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Nancy Messonnier, Dean of the UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health, says there's still a need for sustained investment in public health three years after the pandemic; Beth Giambrone, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, explains how economic hardship can cause many problems for children; and find a link to sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Webpage: Nancy Messonnier named dean of Gillings School of Global Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: States Stepping Up to Support Families and Reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health, is establishing connections between climate change, environmental justice, and health equity; Dr. David Gifford, Chief Medical Officer at the American Health Care Association, says the American Rescue Plan has helped jurisdictions respond to pandemic-related needs; and registration for ASTHO’s third annual TechXpo and Futures Forum opens on February 1st.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review Podcast
The White House Webpage: American Rescue Plan
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Dr. Nancy Messonnier, Dean of the University of North Carolina Gillings School of Global Public Health, reflects on the COVID-19 pandemic with her unique perspective as a top CDC official at the time; Dr. John Wiesman, former Washington State Secretary of Health, examines many of the concerns that the pandemic exposed in our health systems; and ASTHO leaders talk about the organization’s support for its members during the pandemic in a podcast episode celebrating ASTHO’s 80th anniversary.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Webpage: Nancy Messonnier named dean of Gillings School of Global Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review Podcast
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Carolyn McCoy, ASTHO Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, shares the good news that Congress has addressed Medicaid funding concerns that have plagued the U.S. territories for years; Dr. Jay Butler, former ASTHO President, is thinking about the pandemic’s lessons from his post as Deputy Director for Infectious Disease at the CDC; and ASTHO is hiring several open positions.
ASTHO Blog Article: Bringing the U.S. Territories Closer to Medicaid Equity
ASTHO Blog Article: Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight: Jay Butler, CDC Deputy Director for Infectious Disease
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Immediate Past President, will leave his job as director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to take the number two position at the CDC; Joya Coffman, ASTHO Senior Advisor for Performance Improvement and Change Management, says equity in racial healing and reconciliation is a top priority at ASTHO; ASTHO’s CEO Mike Fraser and Senior Vice President Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge hope the new year will bring more racial healing; and an episode of the Public Health Review podcast details how South Carolina has done thousands of food safety inspections online since the pandemic began in 2020.
ASTHO Blog Article: Make 2023 a Year of Racial Healing and Understanding
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review
Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, reflects on the importance of Dr. King’s message to people working in public health; Shatoria Townsend, ASTHO Senior Analyst for the Maternal Infant Health Team, says incarcerated people need lactation education and support just like everyone else; and learn how to navigate personal conflict in the executive space during a webinar planned for Jan. 18th.
ASTHO Blog Article: Make 2023 a Year of Racial Healing and Understanding
ASTHO Webpage: Breastfeeding and Incarceration
ASTHO Webpage: Navigating Personal Conflict in the Executive Space
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Montrece McNeill Ransom, Director of the National Coordinating Center for Public Health Training at the National Network of Public Health Institutes, previews her upcoming ASTHO webinar to help diverse professionals navigate personal conflict in the executive space; ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program is seeking its next cohort of applicants; and ASTHO’s third annual TechXpo and Futures Forum is planned for May 23rd through 25th.
ASTHO Webpage: Navigating Personal Conflict in the Executive Space
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, talks about the increasing focus on COVID-19 boosters for those living in nursing homes and other care settings; Alex Kearly, Director of Medicaid and Value-Based Payment, discusses Medicaid leadership’s renewed emphasis on equity; recent graduates of ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health weigh in with their thoughts on leadership; and public health leaders can learn how to navigate personal conflict in the executive space during a webinar set for Jan. 18th.
ASTHO Webpage: Impacting Social Determinants of Health Through Managed Care Contracts
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services News Release: HHS Approves Groundbreaking Medicaid Initiatives in Massachusetts and Oregon
ASTHO Blog Article: Elevating Community Voices Through Health Equity Leadership
ASTHO Webpage: Navigating Personal Conflict in the Executive Space
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, says public health agencies are increasing the focus on COVID-19 boosters for those living in nursing homes and other care settings; Alex Kearly, ASTHO's Director of Medicaid and Value Based Payment, explains Medicaid policies will emphasize equity; recent graduates of ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health weigh in with their thoughts on leadership; and public health leaders can learn how to navigate personal conflict in the executive space during a webinar set for Jan. 18th.
ASTHO Webpage: Impacting Social Determinants of Health Through Managed Care Contracts
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services News Release: HHS Approves Groundbreaking Medicaid Initiatives in Massachusetts and Oregon
ASTHO Blog Article: Elevating Community Voices Through Health Equity Leadership
ASTHO Webpage: Navigating Personal Conflict in the Executive Space
Dr. Meredith Li-Vollmer, Risk Communication Manager for the Seattle and King County Public Health Department, says polling data helped agencies better understand community attitudes and opinions during the pandemic; Shalini Nair, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Infectious Disease, looks at how states and territories are getting creative as they try to get more people vaccinated against the flu; registration for ASTHO’s third annual Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum opens on Feb. 1st; and ASTHO has released its list of the top ten public health issues to watch in the new year.
National Public Health Information Coalition Webpage: NPHIC Podcast
ASTHO Blog Article: Evidence-Based Policies Reduce Flu-Related Illness and Death
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Dr. Kimberly Martin, a President’s Postdoctoral Scholar at the University of California San Francisco, says black people likely avoid COVID-19 vaccines because of their distrust of the healthcare system; Antonnette Merur, Chief of Nursing for the Palau Ministry of Health, says diabetes impacts everyone living in the Pacific Island nation of Palau; ASTHO plans two webinars later this month - on Jan. 18, ASTHO will help attendees navigate personal conflict in the executive space; and on Jan. 19, a separate panel discusses lactation education and support for incarcerated people.
National Library of Medicine Webpage: Current health care experiences, medical trust, and COVID-19 vaccination intention and uptake in Black and White Americans
CDC Webpage: The U.S. Public Health Service Syphilis Study at Tuskegee
ASTHO Webpage: Navigating Personal Conflict in the Executive Space
ASTHO Webpage: Breastfeeding and Incarceration
Dr. Denise Johnson, Acting Secretary of Health for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, says effective reproductive health policies strengthen communities; Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, says jurisdictions should advocate for policies that defend against the negative public health impacts of climate change; ASTHO accepts applications for its next group of public health professionals to take part in the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health Program; and you can sign up for an ASTHO email that allows you to learn about exciting events planned in the new year.
ASTHO Webpage: 2023 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Rachael Banks, Public Health Director for the Oregon Health Authority, says policymakers need to address the problem of synthetic nicotine; Dr. Scott Harris, State Health Officer for the Alabama Department of Public Health, says stigma often gets in the way of reaching and treating people with HIV; registration for ASTHO’s third annual Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum opens February 1st; and ASTHO’s Breastfeeding Learning Community enters the final year of a five-year project focused on improving policy and sharing best practices in 16 states.
ASTHO Webpage: 2023 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
ASTHO Brief: Breastfeeding Equity Through Community Engagement
Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont Department of Health's Commissioner of Health, discusses the opioid crisis in America and the policies his state has employed to save lives; Alicia Justice, ASTHO Senior Director of Programmatic Health Equity Initiatives and Strategy, helps members assess their approach to health equity policies; Arthur San Agustin, Director of the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services, says the omnibus spending bill now before Congress would help U.S. territories avoid a crisis known as the Medicaid cliff; and Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, reminds us that a new Congress means new interest in pandemic-related programs.
Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, discusses the purpose of the organization’s annual legislative series which identifies the top 10 public health issues to watch in the new year; Dr. Dan Edney, State Health Officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, says workforce capacity is critical to public health success; Brent Ewig, Chief Policy and Government Relations Officer for the Association of Immunization Managers, published a book with Fraser titled: Vaccinating America – The Inside Story Behind the Race to Save Lives and End a Pandemic; and ASTHO is making plans to host its third annual Public Health Tech Expo and Futures Forum in May.
ASTHO Webpage: 2023 Legislative Prospectus Series
American Public Health Association Webpage: Vaccinating America
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo and Futures Forum
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, is getting set to work on key public health policy issues with a new Congress taking office in a few weeks; Rachel Scheckman, ASTHO Senior Policy Analyst, says if we want to end the HIV epidemic we will need to enact policies that reduce or eliminate stigma; and according to a new survey, 19 of 41 state and territorial health agencies say they have programs to address public health impacts of climate change.
ASTHO Blog Article: Policies that Reduce Stigma are Critical to Ending the HIV Epidemic
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Report: Climate Change Adaptation Activities and Needs in US State and Territorial Health Agencies
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Kathryn Mishkin, Head of the Office of Data Science and Mission Strategy with the March of Dimes, discusses the rise in preterm birth in the United States; Emma Carlson, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Environmental Health, says mold and mosquitos are two of the hazards public health agencies must deal with following a hurricane; ASTHO has a report about climate change and environmental justice; and ASTHO has announced its top 10 public health policy issues to follow in 2023.
March of Dimes Webpage: 2022 March of Dimes Report Card
March of Dimes Webpage: Policy and Advocacy
ASTHO Blog Article: Responding to Environmental Health Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Report: Climate Change and Environmental Justice: A Snapshot of Jurisdiction Activities
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2023
Brent Ewig, ASTHO Chief Policy and Government Relations Officer, marks the second anniversary of COVID-19 vaccines this week; Jamie Pina, ASTHO Vice President of Public Health Data Modernization, says states and territories are taking action to improve public health data; and The Change Management Series is the latest eLearning opportunity from ASTHO.
ASTHO Webpage: 2023 Legislative Prospectus Series
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO Change Management eLearning Course
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Lindsey Myers, ASTHO Vice President for Social and Behavioral Health, discusses the growing mental health crisis, and options available to public health leaders looking to help people; Jazmyn Covington, ASTHO Director of Maternal and Infant Health, reminds us that breastmilk is good for babies when they’re sick; and as part of ASTHO's Public Health – Hope, Equity, Resilience, and Opportunity initiative, the organization highlights some ways leaders can practice showing gratitude.
CDC Webpage: Breastfeeding and Caring for Newborns if You Have COVID-19
CDC Webpage: Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV)
CDC Webpage: Breastfeeding
ASTHO Blog Article: Building a Culture of Care: Showing Appreciation for Your Public Health Team
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Brent Ewig, Chief Policy and Government Relations Officer for the Association of Immunization Managers, is tracking legislative attempts to weaken local immunization laws; Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, CDC Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, says the nation’s experience with HIV has helped inform the Mpox response; and learn how to align the goals of your public health and state Medicaid agencies in a new webinar planned for today at 3 p.m. eastern time.
ASTHO Webpage: Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships in Virginia
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, discusses the significance of ASTHO’s 80th anniversary; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO’s Immediate Past President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, reflects on his time as ASTHO’s President, which overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic; and changes may be on the way to the WIC food package approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
National WIC Association News Release: Broad Support for USDA Effort to Enhance Access to Healthy Foods for WIC Families
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Sidnie Christian, ASTHO Analyst for Infectious Diseases, calls attention to the public health impacts of hurricanes; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, discusses the organization turning 80 years old this year; and ASTHO recently hosted a call with the Climate Change Collaborative to discuss initiatives, capacity, and challenges related to climate change and environmental justice.
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for and Responding to Infectious Disease Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Report: Climate Change and Environmental Justice: A Snapshot of Jurisdiction Activities
Dr. Munisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, explains how the agency’s Mpox response benefitted from its COVID-19 experience; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, says vaccination rates in Alaska are better in Alaskan Native communities than they are in the rest of the state; ASTHO is working with the National Community Action Partnership and five agencies in the Partnering for Vaccine Equity project; and learn how to align the goals of your public health and state Medicaid agencies in a new webinar planned for Tuesday, December 13th.
SFGATE News Article: How fighting COVID prepared CT health officials for monkeypox
ASTHO Blog Article: Partnering with Community Action Agencies Can Improve Trust in Vaccines
ASTHO Webpage: Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships in Virginia
Leslie Fowler, Prevention Program Manager with the Wyoming Department of Health, discusses the challenges of reaching people with STI information and services; Shalini Nair, Senior Analyst for Infection Disease for ASTHO, says five community action agencies are working with ASTHO to improve vaccine uptake among racial and ethnic minority groups, and for people living in rural areas; and an ASTHO blog article encourages public health leaders to work closely with Gen Z to generate public health messaging that resonates with young audiences.
Wyoming Department of Health Webpage: Sexually Transmitted Infections an Increasing Concern in Wyoming
ASTHO Blog Article: Partnering with Community Action Agencies Can Improve Trust in Vaccines
ASTHO Blog Article: Cultivating Gen Z as Partners for Healthier Communities
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Kim Martin, ASTHO’s Director of Immunization, reminds us that vaccines this winter are more important than ever as we recognize National Influenza Vaccination Week; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, discusses the announcement that ASTHO is one of three to win CDC grant funding that aims to help jurisdictions build public health infrastructure over the next five years; and Alex Kearly, ASTHO Director of Medicaid and Value Based Payment, says members can learn how to align their state Medicaid agencies with the goal to end the HIV epidemic in a new webinar scheduled for December 13th.
CDC Webpage: 2022 NIVW Digital Media Toolkit
ASTHO News Release: Three National Public Health Associations Will Support Historic Opportunity to Build Public Health Infrastructure
ASTHO Webpage: Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships in Virginia
Amber Williams, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Leadership and Organizational Performance, talks about the organization’s annual winter retreat happening this week in San Diego; Lexa Giragosian, Analyst for Maternal and Infant Health with ASTHO, discusses how states and territories are taking action to address a mental health crisis among adolescent girls; and ASTHO has a report detailing the risks and possible responses to disruptions in access to opioid prescriptions.
ASTHO Blog Article: School-Based Strategies are Crucial to Supporting Adolescent Girls’ Mental Health
ASTHO Report: Responding to Disruptions in Access to Opioid Prescriptions: A Guide for State Health Departments and Their Partners
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Amber Williams, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Leadership & Organizational Performance, discusses the CDC’s announcement that ASTHO will receive significant funding to help public health agencies address key infrastructure needs; Brent Ewig, Chief Policy and Government Relations Officer for the Association of Immunization Managers, says there are two main communication challenges facing his members right now; and an ASTHO blog article explains that during a hurricane's aftermath, health agencies must take steps to prevent infectious disease spread.
ASTHO News Release: Three National Public Health Associations Will Support Historic Opportunity to Build Public Health Infrastructure
National Public Health Information Coalition Webpage: NPHIC Podcast
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for and Responding to Infectious Disease Threats Following Hurricanes
Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, CDC Director of the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, discusses the ongoing HIV epidemic on World AIDS Day; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, says newly announced money from the CDC will allow his organization to “fully engage and support” state and territorial agencies as they prepare for the next pandemic; Dr. Morgan McDonald, Interim Health Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health, describes how Tennessee is planning to spend $230 million on new health resiliency projects in the Volunteer state; and Susan Best, Program Manager for the Division of Food and Lead Risk Assessment with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, explains how South Carolina has done more than 42,000 restaurant inspections online.
World AIDS Day Webpage
World Health Organization News Release: WHO recommends new name for monkeypox disease
ASTHO News Release: Three National Public Health Associations Will Support Historic Opportunity to Build Public Health Infrastructure
CDC News Release: CDC Awards More Than $3 Billion to Improve U.S. Public Health Workforce and Infrastructure
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Beth Kallmyer, Vice President of Care and Support at the Alzheimer’s Association, discusses National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month; Dr. Morgan McDonald, Interim Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health, examines plans to award $230 million in grants to help improve health resiliency in the state; ASTHO members in hurricane-prone areas of the country are sharing lessons learned with those looking to improve their storm response plans; and we conclude our month-long recognition of Public Health Thank You Day with one last thankful note.
Alzheimer’s Association Webpage
Tennessee Department of Health News Release: Gov. Lee Announces $230 Million in Health Resiliency Grants to Transform Care & Services In Tennessee
ASTHO Blog Article: Responding to Environmental Health Threats Following Hurricanes
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Ann Abraham, ASTHO Chronic Disease Prevention Analyst, discusses the need for tobacco control staff members to stay informed of the latest policies in this area; Crystal Rommen, Director of Louisiana Families for Vaccines, says vaccine advocates are gearing up for the new year; and in recognition of Public Health Thank You Day, we say thank you to people working in the field.
ASTHO Blog Article: Jurisdictions Moving Many ASTHO Essential Tobacco Control Policies Forward
Science and Families Engaging Communities Coalition and Action Fund Webpage
Dr. Christopher Jones, Acting Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, discusses new guidelines that are meant to give providers more flexibility when it comes to treating pain with opioids; Brandi Hight Bank, Vice President for Public Health & Policy at Klick, explains the best ways to communicate with people in their late teens and early twenties; and we preview an ASTHO blog that addresses the tobacco policy.
CDC News Release: CDC Releases UPDATED Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain
ASTHO Webinar: Reaching Gen Z: Engaging Young Audiences in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Be In The Know
Dr. Christopher Jones, Acting Director of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, discusses new guidelines that are meant to give providers more flexibility when it comes to treating pain with opioids; Brandi Hight Bank, Vice President for Public Health & Policy at Klick, explains the best ways to communicate with people in their late teens and early twenties; and we preview an ASTHO blog that addresses the tobacco policy.
CDC News Release: CDC Releases UPDATED Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain
ASTHO Webinar: Reaching Gen Z: Engaging Young Audiences in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Be In The Know
Becky Christensen, Founder and Campaign Director for Science and Families Engaging Communities Coalition and Action Fund, discusses protecting public access to vaccines; Kinetra Joseph, Campaign Director for the CDC Foundation, explains the organization’s “Live to the Beat” campaign; and in recognition of Public Health Thank You Day we continue to say thank you to people working in the field.
Science and Families Engaging Communities Coalition and Action Fund Webpage
Live to the Beat Webpage
CDC Foundation News Release: CDC Foundation Launches “Live to the Beat”: A National Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Campaign Created for the Black Community, By the Black Community
Live to the Beat Webpage: Community Ambassadors Network Interest Form
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, discusses how the organization’s 150th anniversary was celebrated at its annual meeting held recently in Boston; Joan Adam, Secretary of the South Dakota Department of Health, says the pandemic created opportunities to develop stronger partnerships with the nine federally recognized tribes in the state; an ASTHO blog article outlines four steps public health leaders can take to improve their crisis communications; and in recognition of Public Health Thank You Day, we continue to say thank you to people working in the field.
American Public Health Association Webpage
Indian Health Service Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Four Things Public Health Leaders Can Do to Improve Crisis Communications
ASTHO Webpage: Be In The Know
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President and Chief Medical Officer of the Alaska Department of Health, shares some encouraging words to celebrate Public Health Thank You Day; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, appreciates the significance of Public Health Thank You Day, but says we shouldn’t limit our thanks to a single day; and Beth Giambrone, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, says all 50 states and Washington D.C. have cottage food laws in place, noting some are considering changes.
ASTHO Blog Article: Do Cottage Foods Really Come from a Cottage?
Susan Best, Program Manager for the Division of Food and Lead Risk Assessment with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, discusses the implementation of virtual restaurant inspections; Devon Page, ASTHO Government Affairs Analyst, examines how the midterm elections will affect public health; ASTHO members can learn strategies to ensure reproductive health care is responsive to diverse populations in a webinar planned for Tuesday, November 29th; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 21st.
ASTHO Blog Article: Environmental Health Innovations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
ASTHO Brief: Virtual Food Safety Inspections During the COVID-19 Pandemic
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Video: DHEC COVID-19 DHEC Virtual Food Safety Check
ASTHO Blog Article: The Midterm Elections’ Effect on Public Health
ASTHO Webinar: Providing Culturally Responsive Reproductive Healthcare
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, discusses the important role states and local jurisdictions have in removing flavored tobacco products, including menthol, from the market; Tamira Moon, ASTHO’s Director of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, explains how ASTHO staff members are taking part in conversations about race during online sessions called health equity circles; Anna Bartels, ASTHO Director of Clinical to Community Connections, celebrates National Rural Health Day; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 21st.
ASTHO Blog Article: From the Chief Medical Officer – Key Takeaways from National Menthol Conference
Great American Smokeout Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Health Equity Circles Promote Racial Healing and Understanding in the Workplace
ASTHO Blog Article: State Offices of Rural Health Address Health Equity Through Collaboration
National Rural Health Day Webpage
Dr. David Lakey, former Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, discusses the Texas response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak as a wave of Ebola cases in Uganda expands; Robert Gottlieb, a GIS Data Analyst for the Indiana Department of Health, says GIS technology can help public health agencies improve their response; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 21st.
GIS Day Webpage
Dr. Emily Mosites, Senior Advisor on Special Populations for the CDC, discusses lessons learned from work done during the pandemic to help people experiencing homelessness; Heather Krasna, Associate Dean of Career Services at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, highlights ASTHO’s new website, publichealthcareers.org, which serves as a one-stop shop for job listings and other information related to work in the field; Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, former director of the Washington D.C. Department of Health, has a new job; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 21st.
CDC Webpage: Homelessness & Health
Oxford Academic Webpage: The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Training on Homelessness for Public Health Providers Webpage
National Library of Medicine Webpage: Public Health Lessons Learned in Responding to COVID-19 Among People Experiencing Homelessness in the United States
ASTHO News Release: New Website Helps Public Health Job Seekers Nationwide
PublicHealthCareers.org
GW Today News Article: Former D.C. Official, an Expert in Health Equity, to Hold First of 14 New Endowed Professorships
Dr. Judy Monroe, CDC Foundation President and CEO, announces ASTHO as one of the winners of the 2022 Fries Prize for Improving Health; Ericka McGowan, ASTHO Senior Director for Emerging Infection Disease, discusses a new CDC report about racial and ethnic disparities in flu severity and vaccination coverage; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, says Alaskan Native communities in her state have led the development of vaccine equity solutions that have helped keep communities healthy; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 21st.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Awarded 2022 Fries Prize for Improving Public Health During COVID-19
CDC Webpage: Vital Signs: Influenza Hospitalizations and Vaccination Coverage by Race and Ethnicity—United States, 2009–10 Through 2021–22 Influenza Seasons
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
In a special edition of the newscast, we celebrate Veterans Day with thoughts from two veterans working in public health: Keith Reed, Oklahoma Commissioner of Health, is a registered nurse and a colonel in the Oklahoma Air National Guard and Dr. Edward Simmer, South Carolina’s Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, is a Navy veteran with more than 30 years in the military. Also, we get another thankful note in celebration of the upcoming Public Health Thank You Day on Monday, November 21st.
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Kerry Wyss, ASTHO’s Director of Environmental Health, outlines a new report about the value of a Health in All Policies approach to public health; Ali Aslam, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Environmental Health, discusses how grantmakers can incorporate a Health in All Policies and equity-centered approach into requests for proposals and notice of funding opportunities; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, comments about concerns over the winter flu, RSV, and COVID season in a November 4th report in the Washington Post; ASTHO lists available job openings; and Public Health Thank You Day is coming up on Monday, November 21st.
ASTHO Report: The Value of Health in All Policies
ASTHO Brief: Incorporating Health in All Policies – Tips for Grantmakers
The Washington Post News Article: CDC warns of tough winter as flu, RSV and covid collide
ASTHO News Release: State Health Officials Urge Families to Take Preventive Measures During Current Respiratory Virus Surge
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Caitlin Langhorne Griffith, ASTHO’s Director of Behavioral Health, unveils a new public health tool known as SPACECAT, or Suicide, Overdose and Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Capacity Assessment Tool; Talyah Sands, ASTHO Director of Health Improvement, discusses a new article written for the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice about a project to help agencies in Georgia better coordinate their work on behalf of older adults; ASTHO has won the 2022 Fries Prize for the organization’s contribution to improving public health; and Public Health Thank You Day is coming up on Monday, November 21st.
ASTHO Webpage: SPACECAT
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Webpage: Improving Older Adult Health by Operationalizing State Plans on Aging and Health Improvement
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Awarded 2022 Fries Prize for Improving Public Health During COVID-19
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, releases a statement addressing the response to a spike in respiratory infections; Dr. Jose Romero, Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the CDC, addresses the latest concerns about the rise in respiratory infections across the country; Jeanne Ayers, former State Health Officer for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and now the Executive Director for Healthy Democracy Healthy People, explains the connections between voting and public health on the eve of the Nov. 8th election; JoAnne McClure, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, has a blog article summarizing steps some states and territories are taking to stem the rising tide of overdose fatalities; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 21st.
ASTHO News Release: State Health Officials Urge Families to Take Preventive Measures During Current Respiratory Virus Surge
Healthy Democracy Healthy People Webpage: Health & Democracy Index
ASTHO Blog Article: Harm Reduction Policies Can Prevent Overdose Fatalities
Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the State of Washington, discusses a settlement with three companies the state says played a key role in driving the opioid epidemic; Donna Levin, Director of Act for Public Health, discusses the legal landscape of public health in a new ASTHO Trailblazer interview; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 21st.
Washington State News Release: AG Ferguson – Half-billion dollars to fight opioid epidemic will start flowing Dec. 1
ASTHO Blog Article: Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight: Donna Levin, Act for Public Health Project Director, Network for Public Health Law
The Network for Public Health Law Webpage
Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, discusses concerns with RSV infections and the triple threat that comes with treating those cases at the same time people are getting sick with the flu and COVID-19; Dr. Mark Starr, Deputy Director of Environmental Health for the California Department of Public Health, tells us about One Health Day; and Monday, November 21st is Public Health Thank You Day.
One Health Commission Webpage
One Health Day Webpage
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President-Elect and Kentucky Public Health Commissioner, discusses Kentucky’s new online system to report foodborne illnesses; Ankur Jain, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics, examines a violence prevention model developed in Cardiff Wales and founded on data that is beginning to attract interest in the United States; ASTHO is hiring an Assistant Controller, a Director of Workforce Development, and an Advisor of Public Health Infrastructure; and Monday, November 21st is Public Health Thank You Day.
Kentucky Food Safety Reporting Webpage
Northern Kentucky Tribune News Article: Kentucky launches new food safety reporting website aimed at increasing public health and protection
ASTHO Report: Health Agency Implementation Guidance: Cardiff Model for Violence Prevention
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Karl Ensign, ASTHO’s Vice President for Territorial Support, discusses the idea behind the Island Areas Workgroup, which is celebrating one year of connecting territories, freely associated states, and federal partners; ASTHO is making the case to include island areas in federal public health data sets; Dr. David Goodman, Team Lead for the Maternal Mortality Prevention Program at the CDC, responds to a new CDC report that says more than 84 percent of pregnancy-related deaths that occurred between 2017 and 2019 were preventable; and Public Health Thank You Day is Monday, November 21st.
ASTHO Webpage: Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Webpage: Health Equity
ASTHO Report: Including Island Areas in Federal Public Health Datasets
CDC Webpage: Pregnancy-Related Deaths: Data from Maternal Mortality Review Committees in 36 US States, 2017–2019
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Jeanne Ayers, Executive Director of Healthy Democracy Healthy People and an ASTHO alum, discusses the impact of voting on public health; Grace Lee, Senior Analyst for Infectious Disease Infrastructure and Policy, authored a blog article about the increase of healthcare-associated infections; ASTHO members are taking action to help breastfeeding parents adapt to barriers created by the pandemic; and ASTHO tracks legislative and policy developments in Washington and across the states and territories as part of regular legislative alerts that you can sign up for.
Healthy Democracy Healthy People Webpage
Healthy Voting Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: States and Territories Strengthening Infection Prevention and Control Policies
ASTHO Brief: Supporting Breastfeeding and Maternal Mental Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Katie Capelli, an Epidemiologist in the Office of Health Crisis Response at the Delaware Division of Public Health, discusses a new public service campaign to promote a positive, drug free, lifestyle to youth across the state; Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for the Washington State Department of Health, attends an event with Vice President Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator Patty Murray, and Governor Jay Inslee where green energy buses for several school districts in the state were announced; agencies looking to reflect the social determinants in upcoming Medicaid Managed Care contracts can check out a new ASTHO resource now online; and stay in the know with ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly email newsletter.
Delaware.gov Webpage: DPH Announces #MyReasonWhyDE Youth Campaign
ASTHO Webpage: Impacting Social Determinants of Health Through Managed Care Contracts
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Margret Cooke, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, says the CDC has selected her state to develop one of five Pathogen Genomics Centers of Excellence in the country; there are new and updated Women's Prevention Services Initiative recommendations created by The Health Resources and Services Administration; and Heather Sebero, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Social and Behavioral Health, discusses how public health policy can benefit from good storytelling.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health Webpage: Massachusetts to establish New England Pathogen Genomics Center of Excellence
ASTHO Blog Article: Understanding the Updated Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines
Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, discusses the state’s new Facing Suicide VT campaign, which focuses on encouraging people to discuss the issue of suicide; ASTHO is working with states and territories to highlight the importance of partnering with the autism community on emergency preparedness; there is still time to get a seat in this afternoon’s Insight and Inspiration event; and ASTHO is hiring to fill several positions.
Facing Suicide VT Webpage
Health Vermont News Release: Vermont Launches Initiative to Reduce Rising Number of Suicides
ASTHO Blog Article: Partnering with the Autism Community on Inclusive Emergency Preparedness
Insight and Inspiration Webpage
Careers at ASTHO Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Claire Pendergrast, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Health Improvement and Healthy Aging, discusses a survey of healthy aging policy actions enacted across the states and territories; Dr. LeQuandra Nesbitt, former Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, considers the relationship between social sciences and decision making in a recent panel hosted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine while Dr. Erica Pan, California State Epidemiologist, explains how Stanford helped her state study real-time connections between COVID-19 policies and their impact on case rates; the National Academy of Medicine welcomes ASTHO alum Dr. Rachel Levine to its ranks; and ASTHO’s Insight and Inspiration event is Wednesday afternoon, but you can still sign up.
ASTHO Blog Article: States Using Policy to Reduce Dementia’s Disease and Fiscal Impact
ASTHO Webpage: Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Module
CDC Webpage: National Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Series
ASTHO Webpage: Homepage
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Webpage: Societal Experts Action Network (SEAN): Fall 2022 Symposium
National Academy of Medicine Webpage: National Academy of Medicine Elects 100 New Members
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration – Conversations for Public Health Leaders
Dr. Carlton Thomas, a gastroenterologist in San Diego, discusses a recent CDC report on monkeypox which he says is an argument in favor of communicating on mobile apps and other platforms that are familiar to people in at-risk communities; Kyle Gasaway, ASTHO Analyst for Leadership Development, explains how a Simon Sinek master trainer will help you discover the why to your public health work; ASTHO has a tip sheet that could help implement an equity-centered approach to the RFP process; and learn how to tell better success stories in a webinar set for Tuesday, October 25th.
CDC Webpage: Monkeypox Signs and Symptoms
ASTHO Brief: Incorporating Health in All Policies: Tips for Grantmakers
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webpage: Telling Effective Success Stories
In a special episode of the newscast, Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, explains the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices decision earlier this week. The committee voted Thursday to add pediatric COVID-19 vaccines to the CDC’s immunization schedule for children.
ASTHO News Release: Statement from ASTHO on COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Dawn Skaggs, Emergency, Disaster, and Climate Resilience Specialist for the World Institute on Disability, promotes a new Public Health Emergency Planning Toolkit to help agencies better serve people living with disabilities during emergencies; Lillie Seals, Director of Practice Transformation at the National Community Action Partnership, says members of the Partnering for Vaccine Equity Project had a productive meeting recently; Alaska, New Mexico, and Montana are working to deliver better perinatal care to people in American Indian and Alaskan Native communities; and there is less than a week to sign up for ASTHO’s Insight and Inspiration event planned for next Wednesday, October 26th.
ASTHO Report: Public Health Emergency Planning Toolkit
ASTHO Blog Article: Partnering with Community Action Agencies Can Improve Trust in Vaccines
ASTHO News Release: New ASTHO Program Aims to Increase Equity in Adult Immunization
ASTHO Brief: Strengthening Risk-Appropriate Care in American Indian and Alaska Native Communities
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
Margaret Jaco Manecke, the Director of Practice Improvement at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, is looking for public health professionals to join the Council’s next annual learning community; an ASTHO work group recommends improvements to national guidelines governing cancer cluster investigations; Geetika Nadkarni, ASTHO’s Director of Chronic Infectious Disease, provides an update on members of the Partnering for Vaccine Equity Project meeting recently to review their progress; and state and territorial Directors of Public Health Preparedness are meeting in Nashville this week to discuss disability inclusion, the strategic national stockpile and managing service disruptions.
Behavioral Training Health Institute Webpage
Behavioral Health Training Institute for Health Officials Request for Applications Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Partnering with Community Action Agencies Can Improve Trust in Vaccines
ASTHO News Release: New ASTHO Program Aims to Increase Equity in Adult Immunization
ASTHO Brief: Recommendations for Updating CDC/CSTE Cancer Cluster Investigation Guidelines
Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, says oversight of COVID-19 spending might increase if midterm elections lead to change in U.S. House leadership ; Heidi Westermann, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health Systems and Planning, says two new training modules are available to help ASTHO members learn to visualize data and incorporate quality improvement in their planning processes; a team effort in the U.S. Virgin Islands is helping leaders improve the way they manage important federal grant funding; and an ASTHO blog article from three scholars enrolled in ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program looks at building a culture of belonging through leadership.
ASTHO Blog Article: Midterm Elections: Predictions on Congressional Priorities for Upcoming Session
ASTHO Webpage: Data Visualization for Performance Improvement Learning Series
ASTHO Webpage: Quality Improvement Learning Series
ASTHO Blog Article: How the U.S. Virgin Islands is Improving Federal Grants Management
ASTHO Blog Article: Building a Culture of Belonging Through Leadership
Joanne Pearsol, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce Development discusses the debut of ASTHO’s new public health jobs website, publichealthcareers.org; an ASTHO blog article assesses Tennessee’s progress on Opioid Use Disorder throughout its maternal and child health population; there is a little more than a week left to sign up for ASTHO’s Insight and Inspiration event on October 26th; and ASTHO outlines accessible communication strategies in a blog article.
Public Health Careers Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Job Posting
ASTHO Blog Article: Tennessee’s Successes Combatting Opioid Use Disorder: A Q&A with Elizabeth Harvey
ASTHO Webinar: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded: COVID-19 Vaccination and the d/Deaf Community
Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, is joined by local public health directors to discuss public interest in the new COVID-19 booster; ASTHO is working with the National Community Action Partnership and five Community Action Agencies in the Partnering for Vaccine Equity project; Dr. Reem M. Ghandour, Director, Division of Epidemiology, Maternal and Child Health Bureau at the Health Resources and Services Administration, talks about the new National Survey of Children’s Health that is now online; and Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, is one of the Hartford Business Journal’s 2022 Power 25 Health Care honorees.
Big Cities Health Coalition Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Partnering with Community Action Agencies Can Improve Trust in Vaccines
Health Resources and Services Administration Webpage: National Survey of Children's Health
Hartford Business Journal Article: 2022 Power 25 Health Care: Dr. Manisha Juthani
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, talks about an article he helped author in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, which discusses the work public health did in response to the pandemic; Bea Martinez, Southern Coordinator for the Office of Community Health Workers with the New Mexico Department of Health, addresses efforts to help improve the health of Hispanic communities; ASTHO publishes a blog about how state and territorial health officials are working to address privacy concerns associated with mental healthcare and telehealth; and ASTHO has a report to help states and territories address the danger kids face with lead in their drinking water.
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: A Pandemic Success Story: Distribution and Administration of COVID-19 Vaccines
National Hispanic Heritage Month Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Addressing Privacy Concerns of Using Mental Healthcare via Telehealth
Children’s Environmental Health Day Webpage
ASTHO Report: Going Beyond Regulatory Compliance for Lead Testing in Water
Caroline Brazeel, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Population Health and Innovation, discusses two demonstration waivers, one which allows Oregon to provide housing assistance to some people enrolled in Medicaid, that were approved by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Scott Shone, ASTHO’s new representative to the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ Advisory Committee on Heritable Disorders in Newborns and Children, says he’s ready to keep ASTHO members informed about the panel’s work; ASTHO has three employment opportunities you might consider; and ASTHO has booked a Simon Sinek master trainer for a new Insight and Inspiration event scheduled for Wednesday, October 26th.
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Webinar: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, explains what it will take to convince more people to get the new COVID-19 booster shot; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser attends a White House Summit on Indoor Air Quality today; Priya Shah, an ASTHO Analyst for Health Improvement and Healthy Aging, discusses ways ASTHO members can integrate healthy aging principles into their policies and programs; and the ASTHO Maternal and Infant Health team is hosting a conversation on home visiting this afternoon.
ASTHO Webpage: Integrating Healthy Aging into Public Health
ASTHO Webinar: The Home Visiting Impact
Alicia Justice, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Programmatic Health Equity Initiatives and Strategy, talks about the Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health project, also known as STRETCH; Danny Staley, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Public Health Practice and Programs, explains how communication is a critical part of hurricane planning, response, and recovery; ASTHO’s next Insight and Inspiration event is set for October 26th; ASTHO’s Maternal and Infant Health team is hosting a webinar on the impact of home visiting on October 11th; and ASTHO’s most popular content for the last quarter was released as part of yesterday’s Public Health Weekly email, so make sure you sign up.
CDC Foundation Webpage: Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) Initiative
STRETCH Initiative Framework Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders
ASTHO Webinar: The Home Visiting Impact
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Leandro Mena, Director of the Division of STD Prevention at the CDC, discusses the latest preliminary data that counts 2.5 million reported cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis last year; Reyna Olaguez, Executive Director of South Kern Sol, explains how her organization is helping to vaccinate people in underserved communities; two members of ASTHO’s family and child health team are talking about their work on a podcast; and get more news like this in ASTHO’s Public Health weekly email newsletter.
CDC Webpage: Preliminary 2021 STD Surveillance Data
South Kern Sol Webpage: Vibrant Celebration Showcases Oaxaca’s Culture, Traditions, COVID-19 Education in Taft.
Maternal Health Learning and Innovation Center Webpage: Maternal Health Innovation Podcast: Season 2
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Brian Dittmeier, Senior Director of Public Policy for the National WIC Association, discusses ways to modernize the WIC program; Ali Hard, Senior Policy Advisor for Strategic Initiatives at the USDA, says states have more flexibility to work with infant formula manufacturers, which means more options for families enrolled in WIC programs; Allison Budzinski, Trauma and Resilience Coordinator for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, explains how ASTHO’s School Behavioral Health Learning Community has been critical to Wisconsin’s work to improve youth mental health; and sign up for ASTHO’s next Insight and Inspiration event on Wednesday, Oct. 26th.
Health.gov Webpage: White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
USDA Webpage: USDA Extends Flexibility that’s Helping Manufacturers, States get Formula to WIC Families
ASTHO Blog Article: Improving School Workforce Capacity to Address Youth Mental Health
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Judy Monroe, President and CEO of the CDC Foundation, says public health could learn a lot from America’s space agency; Joshua Berry, ASTHO’s Director of Chronic Disease Risk Factors, discusses ways that ASTHO remains focused on providing members with the information they need to keep communities heart healthy; Judy Persichilli, New Jersey Health Commissioner, has been honored with her name on the building where she works; and ASTHO will release its latest Best Of newsletter on Thursday, but the only way to see it is to sign up for the Public Health Weekly email.
STAT Opinion Article: Public health agencies: learn from NASA about regaining the public’s trust
CDC Webpage: Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
Million Hearts Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser reflects on last week’s White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO Immediate Past President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, makes a seasonal vaccine pitch during a recent appearance on a Maine Public Radio call-in show; Jessica Frain, a school mental health consultant with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, explains how Wisconsin education and public health officials are working together to give frontline staff the tools and training to better serve students dealing with mental health challenges; and ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly newsletter is a great resource for everything going on in public health.
White House Webpage: Biden-Harris Administration National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health
Maine Public Radio Webpage: Maine CDC director Nirav Shah addresses the state of the pandemic, boosters, flu and more
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Webpage: Resilient Wisconsin
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Annie Evans, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, talks about two tools that examine the needs of people living with disabilities who suffer disproportionate impacts of disasters; Dr. Kristina Box, State Health Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health, discusses the importance of businesses as pandemic messengers; since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many states are now utilizing data visualization tools to create interactive maps; and make plans to learn about Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle Framework during an online discussion planned for Wednesday, October 26th.
Annie Evans, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, talks about two tools that examine the needs of people living with disabilities who suffer disproportionate impacts of disasters; Dr. Kristina Box, State Health Commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health, discusses the importance of businesses as pandemic messengers; since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many states are now utilizing data visualization tools to create interactive maps; and make plans to learn about Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle Framework during an online discussion planned for Wednesday, October 26th.
Dr. Sharon Hoover, Co-Director of the National Center for School Mental Health, describes how students are wrestling with mental health challenges; Stephen Massey, Director of the Health Action Alliance, discusses a playbook to guide businesses looking to get ready for the next public health emergency; and ASTHO has gathered examples of policies members have developed to promote emergency preparedness work.
Health Action Alliance Webpage
Pandemic Preparedness Plan Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: State, Territorial Health Policies Strengthening Emergency Preparedness Efforts
Dr. Sharon Hoover, Co-Director of the National Center for School Mental Health, describes how students are wrestling with mental health challenges; Stephen Massey, Director of the Health Action Alliance, discusses a playbook to guide businesses looking to get ready for the next public health emergency; and ASTHO has gathered examples of policies members have developed to promote emergency preparedness work.
Health Action Alliance Webpage
Pandemic Preparedness Plan Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: State, Territorial Health Policies Strengthening Emergency Preparedness Efforts
Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, discusses a White House summit he attended in recognition of National Recovery Month; Mike Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO is heading to the White House for the bipartisan Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health; Danielle Droppers, Regional Health Equity Coalition Program Manager at the Oregon Health Authority, explains several new regional health equity coalitions Oregon is creating to give communities a stronger voice on public health matters; public health leaders continue to engage with communities uncertain about vaccines; and make plans now to join ASTHO’s latest Insight and Inspiration event on Wednesday, October 26th.
The White House Press Release: Readout of White House Recovery Month Summit
The White House Press Release: FACT SHEET – Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Actions and Funding to Address the Overdose Epidemic and Support Recovery
Oregon Health Authority Press Release: OHA Establishes Four New Regional Health Equity Coalitions
ASTHO Blog Article: A Conversation on Vaccine Confidence with the Washington State Department of Health
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, discusses a White House summit he attended in recognition of National Recovery Month; Mike Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO is heading to the White House for the bipartisan Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health; Danielle Droppers, Regional Health Equity Coalition Program Manager at the Oregon Health Authority, explains several new regional health equity coalitions Oregon is creating to give communities a stronger voice on public health matters; public health leaders continue to engage with communities uncertain about vaccines; and make plans now to join ASTHO’s latest Insight and Inspiration event on Wednesday, October 26th.
The White House Press Release: Readout of White House Recovery Month Summit
The White House Press Release: FACT SHEET – Biden-Harris Administration Announces New Actions and Funding to Address the Overdose Epidemic and Support Recovery
Oregon Health Authority Press Release: OHA Establishes Four New Regional Health Equity Coalitions
ASTHO Blog Article: A Conversation on Vaccine Confidence with the Washington State Department of Health
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Assistant Commissioner for the Health Equity Bureau with the Minnesota Department of Health, details a report that examined maternal deaths from 2017 to 2018; an ASTHO blog article explains how states and the federal government have taken steps to improve health outcomes for pregnant people; Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, explains a new report to help agencies better serve pregnant people and infants during a crisis; and ASTHO examines the value of primary care offices in a conversation with Alisa Druzba, the Chair of the Primary Care Office National Committee.
Minnesota Department of Health News Release: First-ever Minnesota maternal mortality report reveals opportunities to prevent maternal deaths
ASTHO Blog Article: Leveraging State and Federal Policy to Reduce Maternal Illness and Death
ASTHO Webpage: Considerations for Maternal Child Health Policies and Public Health Emergencies
ASTHO Webpage: National Preparedness Month Webinar Series
ASTHO Blog Article: State Primary Care Offices Expand Access to Care and Improve Health Equity
Dr. Brooke Cunningham, Assistant Commissioner for the Health Equity Bureau with the Minnesota Department of Health, details a report that examined maternal deaths from 2017 to 2018; an ASTHO blog article explains how states and the federal government have taken steps to improve health outcomes for pregnant people; Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, explains a new report to help agencies better serve pregnant people and infants during a crisis; and ASTHO examines the value of primary care offices in a conversation with Alisa Druzba, the Chair of the Primary Care Office National Committee.
Minnesota Department of Health News Release: First-ever Minnesota maternal mortality report reveals opportunities to prevent maternal deaths
ASTHO Blog Article: Leveraging State and Federal Policy to Reduce Maternal Illness and Death
ASTHO Webpage: Considerations for Maternal Child Health Policies and Public Health Emergencies
ASTHO Webpage: National Preparedness Month Webinar Series
ASTHO Blog Article: State Primary Care Offices Expand Access to Care and Improve Health Equity
Dr. Jim McDonald, Medical Director for the New York State Department of Health, discusses the discovery of polio in wastewater in at least two NY counties; Carolyn McCoy, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, explains legislation moving to reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; a new ASTHO report highlights hiring practices that support states integrating community health workers into their workforce throughout the COVID-19 response; and ASTHO has two resources available to help you address contraception equity and accessibility in your jurisdiction.
USA Today News Article: New York declares emergency after finding more poliovirus in wastewater, urges vaccinations
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Federal Home Visiting Reauthorization Bill Moves Forward
ASTHO Report: Hiring Practices That Support State Integration of Community Health Workers
ASTHO Press Release: Equitable and Accessible Contraception Access Highlighted in Special Issue of AJPH Sponsored by ASTHO
ASTHO Brief: Reproductive Health Services Expanded During Pandemic but Inequities Persist
Dr. Jim McDonald, Medical Director for the New York State Department of Health, discusses the discovery of polio in wastewater in at least two NY counties; Carolyn McCoy, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, explains legislation moving to reauthorize the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program; a new ASTHO report highlights hiring practices that support states integrating community health workers into their workforce throughout the COVID-19 response; and ASTHO has two resources available to help you address contraception equity and accessibility in your jurisdiction.
USA Today News Article: New York declares emergency after finding more poliovirus in wastewater, urges vaccinations
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Federal Home Visiting Reauthorization Bill Moves Forward
ASTHO Report: Hiring Practices That Support State Integration of Community Health Workers
ASTHO Press Release: Equitable and Accessible Contraception Access Highlighted in Special Issue of AJPH Sponsored by ASTHO
ASTHO Brief: Reproductive Health Services Expanded During Pandemic but Inequities Persist
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President-Elect, discusses the new COVID-19 booster designed to protect against the latest variants; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, explains the need to bring health care and public health closer together in an ASTHO blog article; Carolyn Wester, Director of the Division of Viral Hepatitis with the CDC, looks at a new CDC report that says not enough people diagnosed with Hepatitis C receive timely treatment; and The National Center for Healthy Housing and Regional Asthma Management and Prevention has released a new report to support home-based asthma services.
ASTHO Blog Article: A Q&A with Anne Zink, ASTHO’s New President
CDC Webpage: New CDC Data Reveal Less Than a Third of People Diagnosed with Hepatitis C Receive Timely Treatment
National Center for Healthy Housing Webpage: Unlocking the Power of Home-Based Asthma Services: Model Health Benefit Packages
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Steven Stack, ASTHO President-Elect, discusses the new COVID-19 booster designed to protect against the latest variants; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President, explains the need to bring health care and public health closer together in an ASTHO blog article; Carolyn Wester, Director of the Division of Viral Hepatitis with the CDC, looks at a new CDC report that says not enough people diagnosed with Hepatitis C receive timely treatment; and The National Center for Healthy Housing and Regional Asthma Management and Prevention has released a new report to support home-based asthma services.
ASTHO Blog Article: A Q&A with Anne Zink, ASTHO’s New President
CDC Webpage: New CDC Data Reveal Less Than a Third of People Diagnosed with Hepatitis C Receive Timely Treatment
National Center for Healthy Housing Webpage: Unlocking the Power of Home-Based Asthma Services: Model Health Benefit Packages
ASTHO Webpage: Be in the Know
Dr. Jonathan Purtle, Associate Professor at New York University's School of Global Public Health, discusses an ASTHO report on preventing adverse childhood experiences; Lisa Peterson, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Preparedness, talks about ASTHO’s webinars for National Preparedness Month; Stephen Massey, Director of the Health Action Alliance, previews a pandemic preparedness summit; and ASTHO is planning a discussion of the Simon Sinek Golden Circle framework during a new Insight and Inspiration event set for Wednesday, October 26.
ASTHO Report: State/Territorial Policy Considerations for Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
ASTHO Webinar: National Preparedness Month Webinar Series
Pandemic Preparedness Summit Registration
ASTHO Insight and Inspiration Webpage
Dr. Jonathan Purtle, Associate Professor at New York University's School of Global Public Health, discusses an ASTHO report on preventing adverse childhood experiences; Lisa Peterson, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Preparedness, talks about ASTHO’s webinars for National Preparedness Month; Stephen Massey, Director of the Health Action Alliance, previews a pandemic preparedness summit; and ASTHO is planning a discussion of the Simon Sinek Golden Circle framework during a new Insight and Inspiration event set for Wednesday, October 26.
ASTHO Report: State/Territorial Policy Considerations for Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
ASTHO Webinar: National Preparedness Month Webinar Series
Pandemic Preparedness Summit Registration
ASTHO Insight and Inspiration Webpage
Lance Gregory, Environmental Health Division Director with the Virginia Department of Health, discusses Septic Smart Week and the demand for the agency’s Septic and Well Assistance Program; Joel Cantor, Director of the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy, explains a project to study population health concerns in New Jersey; and this week is also Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
ASTHO Blog Article: Promoting Successful Onsite Wastewater Treatment Programs
Health IT Analytics Webpage: NJ Launches Statewide Population Health Data Project
Rutgers Center for State Health Policy Webpage: Integrated Population Health Data Project
Falls Free Checkup Webpage
Lance Gregory, Environmental Health Division Director with the Virginia Department of Health, discusses Septic Smart Week and the demand for the agency’s Septic and Well Assistance Program; Joel Cantor, Director of the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy, explains a project to study population health concerns in New Jersey; and this week is also Falls Prevention Awareness Week.
ASTHO Blog Article: Promoting Successful Onsite Wastewater Treatment Programs
Health IT Analytics Webpage: NJ Launches Statewide Population Health Data Project
Rutgers Center for State Health Policy Webpage: Integrated Population Health Data Project
Falls Free Checkup Webpage
Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, and new ASTHO President-Elect, discusses the role and the pandemic’s impact on public health; Chris Taylor, ASTHO’s Director of Infectious Disease Outbreak Response and Recovery, tells how public health leaders can help their employees recover from pandemic fatigue; and Michael Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO, is in the news talking about COVID-19’s health debt.
ASTHO Blog Article: Building a Culture of Care: Leadership in Public Health Agencies
The Nation’s Health Article: As public health does double duty, everyday work falls behind
Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, and new ASTHO President-Elect, discusses the role and the pandemic’s impact on public health; Chris Taylor, ASTHO’s Director of Infectious Disease Outbreak Response and Recovery, tells how public health leaders can help their employees recover from pandemic fatigue; and Michael Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO, is in the news talking about COVID-19’s health debt.
ASTHO Blog Article: Building a Culture of Care: Leadership in Public Health Agencies
The Nation’s Health Article: As public health does double duty, everyday work falls behind
Dr. Jamila Perritt, President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, discusses the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis; Emma Talkington, ASTHO Environmental Health Analyst, explains why ASTHO has released a proclamation calling attention to the work agencies have done to ensure safe onsite wastewater treatment systems; and Anna Bradley, State Health Improvement Plan Coordinator for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, discusses her work to incorporate health equity into her department’s plans.
White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis Webpage
United States Environmental Protection Agency Webpage: SepticSmart Week
Dr. Jamila Perritt, President and CEO of Physicians for Reproductive Health, discusses the White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis; Emma Talkington, ASTHO Environmental Health Analyst, explains why ASTHO has released a proclamation calling attention to the work agencies have done to ensure safe onsite wastewater treatment systems; and Anna Bradley, State Health Improvement Plan Coordinator for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, discusses her work to incorporate health equity into her department’s plans.
White House Blueprint for Addressing the Maternal Health Crisis Webpage
United States Environmental Protection Agency Webpage: SepticSmart Week
Joanne Pearsol, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce Development, discusses a new careers website helping people and organizations connect; Mike Fraser, ASTHO’s Chief Executive Officer, joined an online news conference to discuss a White House proposal that would provide billions in emergency funding for the Monkeypox response; a report in the American Journal of Public Health found that only 19 of 41 state and territorial health agencies responding to a survey last year said they had a climate and health program; and the first class of scholars in ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program graduated this week.
Public Health Careers Webpage
The American Journal of Public Health Webpage: Adapting by TheirBootstraps – State and Territorial Public HealthAgencies Struggle to Meet the MountingChallenge of Climate Change
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: 2021-2022 DELPH Cohort
Joanne Pearsol, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce Development, discusses a new careers website helping people and organizations connect; Mike Fraser, ASTHO’s Chief Executive Officer, joined an online news conference to discuss a White House proposal that would provide billions in emergency funding for the Monkeypox response; a report in the American Journal of Public Health found that only 19 of 41 state and territorial health agencies responding to a survey last year said they had a climate and health program; and the first class of scholars in ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program graduated this week.
Public Health Careers Webpage
The American Journal of Public Health Webpage: Adapting by TheirBootstraps – State and Territorial Public HealthAgencies Struggle to Meet the MountingChallenge of Climate Change
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: 2021-2022 DELPH Cohort
Rachael Banks, Public Health Director for the Oregon Health Authority Division of Public Health, discusses the results of a new study exploring the connections between climate change and youth mental health; Rebecca Fronberg, Program Manager at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, talks about how ASTHO has provided $75,000 in grants to help create lactation spaces in 52 businesses around the state; and an ASTHO blog article reminds members that it’s always a good time to work on building relationships with federal elected officials.
Oregon Health Authority Webpage: Climate Change and Youth Mental Health
Utah Department of Health Webpage: Breastfeeding at Work
ASTHO Blog Article: How Health Officials Can Build Relationships with Members of Congress
Rachael Banks, Public Health Director for the Oregon Health Authority Division of Public Health, discusses the results of a new study exploring the connections between climate change and youth mental health; Rebecca Fronberg, Program Manager at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services, talks about how ASTHO has provided $75,000 in grants to help create lactation spaces in 52 businesses around the state; and an ASTHO blog article reminds members that it’s always a good time to work on building relationships with federal elected officials.
Oregon Health Authority Webpage: Climate Change and Youth Mental Health
Utah Department of Health Webpage: Breastfeeding at Work
ASTHO Blog Article: How Health Officials Can Build Relationships with Members of Congress
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO’s New Board President and Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, looks at the year ahead and the work she hopes to continue; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, discusses the White House request for emergency monkeypox funding; and you're invited to sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly newsletter.
ASTHO News Release: Anne Zink, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Alaska Department of Health, Announced as ASTHO’s 80th President
National Coalition of STD Directors Webpage: National Monkeypox Working Group Letter Voices Support for White House Monkeypox Request
ASTHO Webpage: Newsletters
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO’s New Board President and Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, looks at the year ahead and the work she hopes to continue; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, discusses the White House request for emergency monkeypox funding; and you're invited to sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly newsletter.
ASTHO News Release: Anne Zink, MD, Chief Medical Officer for Alaska Department of Health, Announced as ASTHO’s 80th President
National Coalition of STD Directors Webpage: National Monkeypox Working Group Letter Voices Support for White House Monkeypox Request
ASTHO Webpage: Newsletters
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO’s Outgoing Board President, reflects on his time leading the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic; ASTHO has a new webinar series to help you prepare for a public health emergency; and make sure you are among the first to know what’s going on in Washington D.C. and in state capitols across the nation with ASTHO public health legislative alerts.
ASTHO Webpage: National Preparedness Month Webinar Series
ASTHO Webpage: Newsletters
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO’s Outgoing Board President, reflects on his time leading the organization during the COVID-19 pandemic; ASTHO has a new webinar series to help you prepare for a public health emergency; and make sure you are among the first to know what’s going on in Washington D.C. and in state capitols across the nation with ASTHO public health legislative alerts.
ASTHO Webpage: National Preparedness Month Webinar Series
ASTHO Webpage: Newsletters
ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser previews his State of ASTHO address to members meeting this week in Atlanta; Mark Miller, Vice President of Communications for the de Beaumont Foundation, says when it comes to restoring trust in public health, there are no shortcuts; and you can sign up to receive ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly newsletter.
STAT News: Restoring trust in public health – There are no shortcuts
Amazon: Talking Health – A New Way to Communicate About Public Health
ASTHO Public Health Weekly newsletter
ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser previews his State of ASTHO address to members meeting this week in Atlanta; Mark Miller, Vice President of Communications for the de Beaumont Foundation, says when it comes to restoring trust in public health, there are no shortcuts; and you can sign up to receive ASTHO’s Public Health Weekly newsletter.
STAT News: Restoring trust in public health – There are no shortcuts
Amazon: Talking Health – A New Way to Communicate About Public Health
ASTHO Public Health Weekly newsletter
Jill Miller, Interim Deputy Director, Family Health Services, Alameda County Public Health Department, shares how she learned new leadership skills as a scholar in ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; ASTHO surveys digital tools agencies used to conduct contact tracing investigations during the COVID-19 pandemic; a pair of training modules is available to help ASTHO members learn to visualize data and incorporate quality improvement into planning processes; and you can sign up to receive ASTHO’s legislative alerts via email.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Announces Next Cohort of Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Public Health Reports: Digital Tools Adopted by Public Health Agencies to Support COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing
ASTHO E-Learning: Data Visualization for Performance Improvement Learning Series
ASTHO E-Learning: Quality Improvement Learning Series
ASTHO Legislative Alerts
Jill Miller, Interim Deputy Director, Family Health Services, Alameda County Public Health Department, shares how she learned new leadership skills as a scholar in ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; ASTHO surveys digital tools agencies used to conduct contact tracing investigations during the COVID-19 pandemic; a pair of training modules is available to help ASTHO members learn to visualize data and incorporate quality improvement into planning processes; and you can sign up to receive ASTHO’s legislative alerts via email.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Announces Next Cohort of Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Public Health Reports: Digital Tools Adopted by Public Health Agencies to Support COVID-19 Case Investigation and Contact Tracing
ASTHO E-Learning: Data Visualization for Performance Improvement Learning Series
ASTHO E-Learning: Quality Improvement Learning Series
ASTHO Legislative Alerts
AJ Pearlman, Director of Public Health AmeriCorps, shares the organization’s plan to get more people into public health positions across the nation; ASTHO explains legal considerations for agencies working to vaccinate people against Monkeypox; Shelby Rowell, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Clinical to Community Connections, explains a project to help states and territories leverage funding to address food insecurity; and ASTHO encourages you to sign up for its Public Health Weekly newsletter emails.
Public Health AmeriCorps
ASTHO Blog Article: Legal Considerations for Scaling Monkeypox Vaccination Efforts
ASTHO Blog Article: Using Your Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Food Insecurity
ASTHO White Papers: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Housing and Food Insecurity
ASTHO Public Health Weekly Newsletter
AJ Pearlman, Director of Public Health AmeriCorps, shares the organization’s plan to get more people into public health positions across the nation; ASTHO explains legal considerations for agencies working to vaccinate people against Monkeypox; Shelby Rowell, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Clinical to Community Connections, explains a project to help states and territories leverage funding to address food insecurity; and ASTHO encourages you to sign up for its Public Health Weekly newsletter emails.
Public Health AmeriCorps
ASTHO Blog Article: Legal Considerations for Scaling Monkeypox Vaccination Efforts
ASTHO Blog Article: Using Your Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Food Insecurity
ASTHO White Papers: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Housing and Food Insecurity
ASTHO Public Health Weekly Newsletter
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-Elect and Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, says new CDC life expectancy data sounds an alarm for public health and the nation; ASTHO shares how public health leaders can help their teams recover from the pandemic; Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio, shares tips with public health communicators meeting in Atlanta last month; and ASTHO lists several job openings.
ASTHO Blog Article: Building a Culture of Care – Leadership in Public Health Agencies
Website: Center of Science and Industry
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Public Health Weekly Newsletter
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-Elect and Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, says new CDC life expectancy data sounds an alarm for public health and the nation; ASTHO shares how public health leaders can help their teams recover from the pandemic; Dr. Frederic Bertley, President and CEO of the Center of Science and Industry in Columbus, Ohio, shares tips with public health communicators meeting in Atlanta last month; and ASTHO lists several job openings.
ASTHO Blog Article: Building a Culture of Care – Leadership in Public Health Agencies
Website: Center of Science and Industry
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Public Health Weekly Newsletter
Heather Sebero, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Social and Behavioral Health, discusses the alarming mental health crisis impacting young people across the country; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-Elect and the Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, examines a new CDC report that says life expectancy in the U.S. has dropped; the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for public health to build partnerships; and ASTHO legislative alerts are the best way to monitor important policy and budget decisions happening around the nation.
CDC Webpage: Mental Health, Suicidality, and Connectedness Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policies to Improve Youth Mental Health and Reduce Suicides
The New York Times News Article: U.S. Life Expectancy Falls Again in ‘Historic’ Setback
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health and Housing Partnerships: Lessons from New York and Rhode Island
Heather Sebero, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Social and Behavioral Health, discusses the alarming mental health crisis impacting young people across the country; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-Elect and the Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska, examines a new CDC report that says life expectancy in the U.S. has dropped; the COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the need for public health to build partnerships; and ASTHO legislative alerts are the best way to monitor important policy and budget decisions happening around the nation.
CDC Webpage: Mental Health, Suicidality, and Connectedness Among High School Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic — Adolescent Behaviors and Experiences Survey, United States, January–June 2021
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policies to Improve Youth Mental Health and Reduce Suicides
The New York Times News Article: U.S. Life Expectancy Falls Again in ‘Historic’ Setback
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health and Housing Partnerships: Lessons from New York and Rhode Island
Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, Innovation Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, discusses a new way to get more generic Naloxone to people who need it; Colorado works with six counties to respond to the challenges of suicide and overdose; Dr. Greg Holzman, former State Medical Officer at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, helps Wisconsin revive its Public Health Council as part of ASTHO’s Senior Leader Reserve Corps; and ASTHO encourages listeners to subscribe to its Public Health Weekly newsletter.
The Washington Post News Article: It’s about to get easier to access affordable naloxone
Remedy Alliance for the People Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: How Strong Partnerships Improved Colorado's Suicide And Overdose Prevention Strategy
Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, Innovation Fellow at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Gillings School of Global Public Health, discusses a new way to get more generic Naloxone to people who need it; Colorado works with six counties to respond to the challenges of suicide and overdose; Dr. Greg Holzman, former State Medical Officer at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, helps Wisconsin revive its Public Health Council as part of ASTHO’s Senior Leader Reserve Corps; and ASTHO encourages listeners to subscribe to its Public Health Weekly newsletter.
The Washington Post News Article: It’s about to get easier to access affordable naloxone
Remedy Alliance for the People Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: How Strong Partnerships Improved Colorado's Suicide And Overdose Prevention Strategy
Dr. Susan Kansagra, North Carolina State Health Officer and Assistant Secretary for Public Health, discusses disparities in the Monkeypox response; Meredith Alexander, Senior Analyst for Performance Excellence, explains how the Senior Leader Reserve Corps can assist ASTHO members looking for extra help with a project; and ASTHO’s new Speakers Bureau is ready to help you find an expert for your next event.
ASTHO Webpage: Senior Leader Reserve Corps
Deborah Backman, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Maternal and Infant Health, calls attention to policies in place to protect breastfeeding during National Breastfeeding Month; Dr. Gary Anthone, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Public Health for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, discusses the importance of National Immunization Awareness Month; for International Overdose Awareness Day, ASTHO has a video highlighting work Colorado has done to address this concern; and ASTHO is hiring for several open positions.
ASTHO Blog Article: Strategic Policies Protect Breastfeeding in Workplaces and Schools
CDC Webpage: Immunization Schedules
CDC Webpage: National Immunization Awareness Month
ASTHO Blog Article: How Strong Partnerships Improved Colorado's Suicide And Overdose Prevention Strategy
CDC Webpage: International Overdose Awareness Day Partner Toolkit
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Dr. Gillian SteelFisher, Director of Global Polling for the Harvard Opinion Research Program, reveals what polling tells us about public interest in COVID-19 booster shots; Kim Martin, ASTHO’s Director of Immunization, says National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time for public health agencies to talk to their communities about vaccines; and ASTHO's new Speakers Bureau has several public health leaders available to join your next event.
CDC Webpage: National Immunization Awareness Month
ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
Dr. Gillian SteelFisher, Director of Global Polling for the Harvard Opinion Research Program, reveals what polling tells us about public interest in COVID-19 booster shots; Kim Martin, ASTHO’s Director of Immunization, says National Immunization Awareness Month is the perfect time for public health agencies to talk to their communities about vaccines; and ASTHO's new Speakers Bureau has several public health leaders available to join your next event.
CDC Webpage: National Immunization Awareness Month
ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
In a special edition of the newscast, Connie Moon Sehat, a Researcher at Large with Hacks and Hackers, discusses an AI project that will help organizations evaluate and respond to social media misinformation and disinformation. The conversation took place while attending the 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media, hosted by the National Public Health Information Coalition and the CDC.
NPHIC Webpage: 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
Analysis and Response Toolkit for Trust Webpage
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, discusses a letter CEO Mike Fraser sent to the White House this week seeking additional funding to respond to the Monkeypox outbreak; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, says the pandemic has prepped his department and others for the Monkeypox outbreak; and ASTHO has a new speakers bureau.
ASTHO Webpage: Letter to the White House Requesting Funding For a National Monkeypox Response
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Relations, discusses a letter CEO Mike Fraser sent to the White House this week seeking additional funding to respond to the Monkeypox outbreak; Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, says the pandemic has prepped his department and others for the Monkeypox outbreak; and ASTHO has a new speakers bureau.
ASTHO Webpage: Letter to the White House Requesting Funding For a National Monkeypox Response
Dr. Gillian SteelFisher, Director of Global Polling for the Harvard Opinion Research Program, reflects on her latest survey gauging public reaction to seasonal flu vaccines; Paula Tran, State Health Officer for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, discusses the work Dr. Greg Holzman is doing to revamp the state’s Public Health Council as part of ASTHO’s Senior Leader Reserve Corps; an ASTHO report examines how flexible funding from the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant program supports innovation; and an ASTHO Blog Article says public health agencies have learned a lot about emergency preparedness during their response to COVID-19.
ASTHO Webpage: Senior Leader Reserve Corps
ASTHO Report: Flexible Funding to Support Public Health Innovation
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for the Next Infectious Disease Threat
Dr. Gillian SteelFisher, Director of Global Polling for the Harvard Opinion Research Program, reflects on her latest survey gauging public reaction to seasonal flu vaccines; Paula Tran, State Health Officer for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, discusses the work Dr. Greg Holzman is doing to revamp the state’s Public Health Council as part of ASTHO’s Senior Leader Reserve Corps; an ASTHO report examines how flexible funding from the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant program supports innovation; and an ASTHO Blog Article says public health agencies have learned a lot about emergency preparedness during their response to COVID-19.
ASTHO Webpage: Senior Leader Reserve Corps
ASTHO Report: Flexible Funding to Support Public Health Innovation
ASTHO Blog Article: Preparing for the Next Infectious Disease Threat
Ian Williams, Incident Manager for the CDC's COVID-19 Response, discusses the latest changes to public pandemic guidance; Lillian Colasurdo, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health Law and Data, reflects on the first-ever convening of those public health law professionals; Dr. Karen Smith, California’s former State Health Officer, discusses her experiences communicating during crisis events in an ASTHO Blog Article; and ASTHO is hiring to fill several open positions.
CDC Webpage: Summary of Guidance for Minimizing the Impact of COVID-19 on Individual Persons, Communities, and Health Care Systems — United States, August 2022
ASTHO Webpage: State Health Policy
Public Health Law Practitioners Convening Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Communicating Through Crises: Advice from a Public Health Leader
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Careers
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO’s President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, commends CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky for wanting to improve the CDC’s mission; Rachel Scheckman, an ASTHO Senior Policy Analyst, discusses a new microlearning available to help people with questions about the HIV epidemic in the United States; and an ASTHO blog article explains how Medicaid, WIC, and SNAP programs can be leveraged to address different aspects of hunger and food insecurity.
ASTHO Webpage: ASTHO HIV 101 & Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States
ASTHO Webpage: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address Housing and Food Insecurity
Dylan George, Director of Operations for the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics with the CDC, discusses trying to evaluate the factors that could drive more COVID-19 infections in the fall as kids return to school; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, tells us about Monkeypox concerns as students head back to colleges and universities; and ASTHO has a new Speaker’s Bureau ready to help you book a speaker for your next event.
COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub Webpage
CDC Webpage: COVID-19 Forecasting and Mathematical Modeling
ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
In a special edition of the newscast, Glen Nowak, the former Media Relations Chief for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses a back-to-basics approach to effective public health communication, during an interview at the 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media, hosted by the National Public Health Information Coalition and the CDC.
NPHIC Webpage: 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
In a special edition of the newscast, Dr. Khalilah LeGrand, the Interim Chief of Staff for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, discusses how the pandemic has impacted public health communications while attending the 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media, hosted by the National Public Health Information Coalition and the CDC.
NPHIC Webpage: 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
Dylan George, the Director of Operations for the Center for Epidemic Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics with the CDC, discusses what could happen with COVID-19 infection rates in the fall and winter; Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, previews a new ASTHO report addressing maternal child health policy considerations during public health emergencies; ASTHO’s process for setting legislative priorities is outlined in a new blog article; and ASTHO highlights three job openings this week.
COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub Webpage
CDC Webpage: COVID-19 Forecasting and Mathematical Modeling
Public Health Law Practitioners Convening Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Advocating for Success: ASTHO’s Federal Legislative Priorities
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, discusses a project to survey recent changes in laws governing public health authority; Dr. Harry Chen, the former Commissioner of Health for Vermont, tells us about some of the lessons learned concerning the collection and use of public health data during the pandemic; Shelbi Davis, ASTHO’s Senior Climate Change Analyst, says lack of funding and competing priorities are keeping many agencies from doing more to address the public health impacts of climate change in a Pew Stateline article; and you can still sign up to attend the 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media starting today.
The Policy Surveillance Program Webpage: Sentinel Surveillance of Emerging Laws Limiting Public Health Emergency Orders
Temple University Webpage: Nearly Half Of All States Have Now Passed Laws Limiting Authority To Respond To Public Health Emergencies
PEW Stateline Article: Public Health Agencies Lack Money to Combat Climate Threats
NPHIC Webpage: 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses the plan to stretch monkeypox vaccine supplies by giving smaller doses; Arjun Srinivasan, Associate Director for Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Programs with the CDC, explains a CDC special report that says cases of antimicrobial resistant infections are rising again and COVID-19 is getting the blame; and Denise Octavia-Smith, Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers, tells us community health workers are diverse and proven members of the public health workforce.
ASTHO Press Release: Statement from ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH on Monkeypox Outbreak in U.S.
CDC Webpage: COVID-19 Reverses Progress in Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance in U.S.
CDC Webpage: 2022 SPECIAL REPORT – COVID-19 U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance
ASTHO Blog Article: A Grassroots Leader’s Vision for the Future Community Health Workforce
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses the plan to stretch monkeypox vaccine supplies by giving smaller doses; Arjun Srinivasan, Associate Director for Healthcare Associated Infection Prevention Programs with the CDC, explains a CDC special report that says cases of antimicrobial resistant infections are rising again and COVID-19 is getting the blame; and Denise Octavia-Smith, Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers, tells us community health workers are diverse and proven members of the public health workforce.
ASTHO Press Release: Statement from ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH on Monkeypox Outbreak in U.S.
CDC Webpage: COVID-19 Reverses Progress in Fight Against Antimicrobial Resistance in U.S.
CDC Webpage: 2022 SPECIAL REPORT – COVID-19 U.S. Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance
ASTHO Blog Article: A Grassroots Leader’s Vision for the Future Community Health Workforce
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses the challenges posed by the monkeypox outbreak and admits the evolving strategy can be tough to communicate; Devon Page, an ASTHO Government Affairs Analyst, breaks down Congressional actions impacting public health, including the question of more funding for Monkeypox; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, joined the ASTHO team as a Senior Executive Consultant in part to be a helpful voice on health equity issues for her colleagues around the states and territories; and some of the most familiar voices in public health are now available to speak at your next event as part of ASTHO’s Speaker’s Bureau.
ASTHO News Release: Statement from ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH on Monkeypox Outbreak in U.S.
ASTHO Blog Article: A Not-So-Sleepy Summer: Q&A with ASTHO Federal Government Affairs
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Congressional Summer Wrap-Up
ASTHO News Release: Former Rhode Island Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Joins ASTHO as Senior Executive Consultant
ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses the challenges posed by the monkeypox outbreak and admits the evolving strategy can be tough to communicate; Devon Page, an ASTHO Government Affairs Analyst, breaks down Congressional actions impacting public health, including the question of more funding for Monkeypox; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, joined the ASTHO team as a Senior Executive Consultant in part to be a helpful voice on health equity issues for her colleagues around the states and territories; and some of the most familiar voices in public health are now available to speak at your next event as part of ASTHO’s Speaker’s Bureau.
ASTHO News Release: Statement from ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH on Monkeypox Outbreak in U.S.
ASTHO Blog Article: A Not-So-Sleepy Summer: Q&A with ASTHO Federal Government Affairs
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Congressional Summer Wrap-Up
ASTHO News Release: Former Rhode Island Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Joins ASTHO as Senior Executive Consultant
ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
Winfred Rawls, ASTHO’s Director for Preparedness and Evaluation, explains a project that will lead to the development of a clearinghouse with information to help public health agencies get ready for the next crisis; Andrea Flinchum, State HAI Prevention Program Manager with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, discusses dialysis getting new attention from a coalition working to make the treatment safer for patients; an ASTHO brief outlines several areas where inequities in reproductive health services still exist; and public health leaders can assess and improve their leadership skills with the DiSC Personality Assessment.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Innovations Catalog
CDC Webpage: Making Dialysis Safer For Patients Coalition
ASTHO Brief: Reproductive Health Services Expanded During Pandemic but Inequities Persist
ASTHO Blog Article: How the DiSC Personality Assessment Can Strengthen Public Health Leadership
Winfred Rawls, ASTHO’s Director for Preparedness and Evaluation, explains a project that will lead to the development of a clearinghouse with information to help public health agencies get ready for the next crisis; Andrea Flinchum, State HAI Prevention Program Manager with the Kentucky Department for Public Health, discusses dialysis getting new attention from a coalition working to make the treatment safer for patients; an ASTHO brief outlines several areas where inequities in reproductive health services still exist; and public health leaders can assess and improve their leadership skills with the DiSC Personality Assessment.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Innovations Catalog
CDC Webpage: Making Dialysis Safer For Patients Coalition
ASTHO Brief: Reproductive Health Services Expanded During Pandemic but Inequities Persist
ASTHO Blog Article: How the DiSC Personality Assessment Can Strengthen Public Health Leadership
Dr. James McDonald, Medical Director in the Office of Public Health for the New York State Department of Health, says the monkeypox response in New York follows the data and social determinants; a new ASTHO report about mosquitos highlights the work U.S. territories and freely associated states face as they attempt to control them and the diseases they carry; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, ASTHO’s Senior Executive Consultant, talks about her new role; ASTHO reports on legislative actions aimed at making sure kids get at least one healthy meal each day; and ASTHO has job openings in several areas of the organization.
ASTHO Report: Public Health Confronts the Mosquito: Special Considerations for United States Territories and Freely Associated States
ASTHO Blog Article: States Serving Up Healthy Eating Policies
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, discusses the state’s plan to help schools deal with COVID-19 this fall and how it is different than past years; the CDC has a website for back-to-school public health information; Aashna Panjwani, ASTHO’s Analyst for Social and Behavioral Health, says a recent survey of 66 jurisdictions shows how they’re working to include health equity considerations into overdose surveillance and prevention efforts; and it was a year ago tomorrow that we produced our first episode of this newscast.
Fox 61 News Article: State announces COVID back-to-school guidelines, relaxes protocols for 2022-2023 school year
CDC Webpage: Back to School – Parent Involvement is Key
CDC Webpage: DOSE Dashboard: Nonfatal Overdose Data
CDC Webpage: SUDORS Dashboard: Fatal Overdose Data
CDC Webpage: Drug Overdose Deaths Rise, Disparities Widen Differences Grew by Race, Ethnicity, and Other Factors
Joanne Pearsol, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce Development, says the PH WINS survey shows many public health workers remain committed to their work despite the way they’ve been treated during the pandemic; Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, wants elected leaders to put the PH WINS findings into action; the results of a survey asking public health agencies to report their ability to respond to climate change and extreme weather events are available now; and there's still time to offer comments about a new road map for the Healthy Brain Initiative scheduled to come out later this year.
ASTHO Press Release: The Public Health Workforce in the COVID-19 Era: Survey Results Characterize their Work, Needs, Roles, and Satisfaction
de Beaumont Foundation Webpage: 2021 Findings
ASTHO Brief: Climate and Health Capacity Survey – 10 Key Takeaways
ASTHO Report: Climate and Health Capacity Survey
Alzheimer’s Association Webpage: Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map
Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of Trust for America’s Health, discusses the organization’s latest report addressing the impact of chronic underfunding on the nation’s public health system; Illinois, Tennessee, New Jersey, and others are thinking of ways to use COVID-19 relief funding to help those living with disabilities; Dr. Denise Johnson, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health, reflects on hundreds of public health professionals learning more about health equity at an ASTHO summit held online last month; and ASTHO has a new speaker’s bureau ready to help you find a speaker for your next public health event.
Trust for America’s Health Webpage: The Impact of Chronic Underfunding on America’s Public Health System: Trends, Risks, and Recommendations, 2022
ASTHO Blog Post: States Leverage COVID-19 Relief Funding to Improve Accessibility for People Living With Disabilities
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
Dr. Brian Castrucci, de Beaumont Foundation President and CEO, discusses the concerning results of the latest PH Wins Survey of nearly 45,000 public health workers across the nation; ASTHO is teaming with the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs to educate public health professionals about the 9-8-8 suicide prevention hotline and the Help-4-Moms hotline in a webinar on August 17th; the Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center’s Crisis Hotline has experienced high call volumes since the start of the pandemic; and ASTHO and the New York University School of Global Public Health have created a new resource for teams working to prevent adverse childhood experiences.
de Beaumont Foundation Webpage: New Data and Dashboards – PH WINS Survey of Public Health Workers
de Beaumont Foundation Webpage: 2021 Findings
Webinar Registration: Making the Call for MCH: Exploring the Maternal Mental Health Hotline and the 988 Crisis Lifeline
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Press Release: HHS Launches New Maternal Mental Health Hotline
ASTHO Blog Post: Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center: A Pandemic Lifeline
ASTHO Report: State/Territorial Policy Considerations for Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences
Dr. Laura Parajon, the Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Health for the New Mexico Department of Health, discusses a new CDC survey of more than 26,000 people working in public health that says public health workers are suffering; Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition, tells us about the 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing, and Media starting on August 16th; Colorado and Maine participated in an ASTHO and CDC project to build capacity in state suicide and opioid overdose prevention programs; and ASTHO is hiring for several key positions.
CDC Webpage: Symptoms of Mental Health Conditions and Suicidal Ideation Among State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Public Health Workers — United States, March 14–25, 2022
NPHIC Webpage: 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
ASTHO Brief: Successes from the Suicide and Opioid Overdose Prevention Public Health Initiative
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Dr. Elizabeth Tilson, North Carolina’s State Health Director, discusses vaccine uptake among children and why she believes North Carolina has been able to have one of the highest rates in the southeast; Julia Greenspan, ASTHO’s Director of Infectious Disease Infrastructure and Policy, details why she is concerned about ever-increasing rates of sexually transmitted infections across the U.S.; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, the former Rhode Island Health Director, has joined ASTHO as a Senior Executive Consultant; and ASTHO celebrates the final month of summer 2022 with a reading list of fiction and non-fiction titles.
ASTHO Webpage: STD Roadmap: What you need to know about your STD program
ASTHO Blog Post: STDs Rising Nationally, CDC Says
ASTHO Webpage: Innovative STD Prevention and Treatment Strategies
ASTHO News Release: Former Rhode Island Health Director Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Joins ASTHO as Senior Executive Consultant
ASTHO Blog Post: 2022 ASTHO Summer Reading List
Chris Taylor, Director of Infectious Disease Outbreak Response & Recovery at ASTHO, reflects on the Monkeypox outbreak now in its third month here in the United States; Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition, discusses an upcoming meeting of public health communicators in Atlanta later this month; ASTHO posts a blog article that makes the case for having a personal brand; and Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President, takes questions about ego, waffles, and political ambitions in an article published in Down East.
NPHIC Webpage: 2022 National Conference on Health Communication, Marketing and Media
ASTHO Blog Article: Taking Time to Develop Professional Branding as a Public Health Leader
Down East Magazine Article: Nirav Shah Is Ambivalent About His Celebrity (and Uncommonly Curious and Deliberate About Everything Else)
Dr. Laura Parajon, Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Health at the New Mexico Department of Health, discusses a new internship program that helps students understand why they might have an interest in a public health career; Eric Cote, an ASTHO Consultant, explains the importance of making plans to help people using ventilators or other medical equipment in a power outage; ASTHO examines how emergency operations centers across the country went online during the pandemic in a new brief; and another ASTHO brief details how public health teams in Oklahoma used an organizational framework to plan and implement new harm reduction programs.
ASTHO Blog Article: Building Innovative Public Health Internship Programs: A Q&A with Laura Parajón
ASTHO Brief: Leveraging the HHS emPOWER Program to Enhance Power Outage Planning
ASTHO Brief: When the Power Fails: Helping Life-Support Equipment Users
ASTHO Brief: Lessons Learned from Moving to Virtual/Hybrid EOCs in the COVID-19 Response
ASTHO Brief: Boundary Spanning Leadership Model Strengthens Oklahoma Harm Reduction Programs
Dr. Laura Parajon, Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Health at the New Mexico Department of Health, discusses a new internship program that helps students understand why they might have an interest in a public health career; Eric Cote, an ASTHO Consultant, explains the importance of making plans to help people using ventilators or other medical equipment in a power outage; ASTHO examines how emergency operations centers across the country went online during the pandemic in a new brief; and another ASTHO brief details how public health teams in Oklahoma used an organizational framework to plan and implement new harm reduction programs.
ASTHO Blog Article: Building Innovative Public Health Internship Programs: A Q&A with Laura Parajón
ASTHO Brief: Leveraging the HHS emPOWER Program to Enhance Power Outage Planning
ASTHO Brief: When the Power Fails: Helping Life-Support Equipment Users
ASTHO Brief: Lessons Learned from Moving to Virtual/Hybrid EOCs in the COVID-19 Response
ASTHO Brief: Boundary Spanning Leadership Model Strengthens Oklahoma Harm Reduction Programs
Dr. Evan Mallen, an ORISE Fellow with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says cities and states need to adapt plans and programs to changes in climate that impact public health; Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer at the Louisiana Department of Health, says Louisiana’s Perinatal Quality Collaborative is having early success helping pregnant and postpartum people who struggle with opioid use; ASTHO leaders write in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice about steps public health teams could take to get ready for a possible surge in COVID-19 cases in the fall; and ASTHO publishes a blog article outlining strategies to address caregiver stress that can reduce the possibility of negative parenting and adverse childhood experiences.
CDC Webpage: CDC's Climate and Health Program
CDC Webpage: Extreme Heat Exposure: Access and Barriers to Cooling Centers — Maricopa and Yuma Counties, Arizona, 2010–2020
National Library of Medicine Webpage: Compound Climate and Infrastructure Events: How Electrical Grid Failure Alters Heat Wave Risk
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Webpage: Sustained Management of COVID-19: Doing More of What Works to Control Future Surges
ASTHO Blog Article: State and Territorial Caregiver Wellness Policies May Reduce Adverse Childhood Experiences
Belinda Danielson, Access Supervisor with the State of Hawaii Department of Health, discusses the launch of the new national 9-8-8 hotline for mental health services; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, tells us about the COVID-19 vaccine approval for young children and why uptake remains extremely low; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit 2022 is today.
CDC Webpage: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
Belinda Danielson, Access Supervisor with the State of Hawaii Department of Health, discusses the launch of the new national 9-8-8 hotline for mental health services; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, tells us about the COVID-19 vaccine approval for young children and why uptake remains extremely low; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit 2022 is today.
CDC Webpage: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
This special edition revisits a popular episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition from April 20th.
Dr. Bruce Perry offers encouragement for the public health workforce; Dr. Gillian SteelFisher explains how public health leaders might use the information from her latest national survey; ASTHO alum Dr. Joneigh Khaldun from Michigan is in the ASTHO Trailblazer Spotlight this week; and ASTHO announces a new Speakers Bureau. ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration Series ASTHO Article: Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight - Joneigh Khaldun, Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer of CVS ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
Nick Davidson, Senior Deputy for Public Health with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, discusses the CDC’s plan to invest almost four billion dollars in public health capacity, workforce, and data upgrades; Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer for the Louisiana Department of Health, examines steps the Louisiana Legislature’s taking that are critical to the early success of the Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative; and Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, says attendees will benefit from the chance to gather for the ASTHO Health Equity Summit 2022 this Wednesday, July 27.
CDC Webpage: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, previews the goals of next Wednesday’s Health Equity Summit 2022; Dr. Lorraine Backer, Senior Environmental Epidemiologist at the National Center for Environmental Health with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses the dangers of high levels of cyanotoxins both in the water and the air; and a new ASTHO brief examines the benefits and challenges of meeting with business owners online for virtual inspections of water systems, restaurants, and body art businesses.
ASTHO Webpage: Addressing Structural Racism Priority for Public Health Officials During ASTHO Health Equity Summit
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
CDC Webpage: Cyanotoxins in Air Study
CDC Webpage: Healthy Swimming
CDC Webpage: Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)-Associated Illness
ASTHO Brief: Environmental Health Innovations During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Annie Evans, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, discusses the results of an 18-month project that placed disability and preparedness specialists in jurisdictions across the states and territories; John Clymer with the Community Preventive Services Task Force discusses the group's latest report to Congress; Dr. Amy Ladley, the State Perinatal Quality Program Manager for the Bureau of Family Health in Louisiana, says most birthing hospitals in the state are supporting new initiatives to help pregnant and postpartum people struggling with opioid use; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit 2022 is next Wednesday, July 27th.
NACCHO 360 Conference Webpage
ASTHO Webpage: Disability Inclusion
The Community Guide Webpage
The Community Guide Webpage: 2021 Annual Report to Congress
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
Bruno Pigott, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency, calls attention to new drinking water guidance that considers exposure to PFAS chemicals from all sources of exposure; Margret Cooke, Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, discusses a steep increase in opioid related overdose deaths; ASTHO has job openings for people interested in a career in public health; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit 2022 is next Wednesday, July 27th.
EPA Webpage: EPA Announces New Drinking Water Health Advisories for PFAS Chemicals, $1 Billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding to Strengthen Health Protections
EPA Webpage: Drinking Water Health Advisories (HAs)
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
Dr. Carlos Oronce, an Advanced Health Services Research Fellow at the Greater Los Angeles VA Healthcare System, discusses the challenges of COVID-19 being exacerbated by a lack of good data; Dr. Joseph Kanter, State Health Officer for the Louisiana Department of Health, says health departments in southern states are on the lookout for West Nile Virus; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit 2022 is set for Wednesday, July 27th
Louisiana Department of Health Webpage: LDH surveillance finding high numbers of mosquitoes infected with West Nile virus
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
Margret Cooke, Commissioner for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, reflects on new preliminary data showing possible improvement this year for opioid-related overdose deaths; Dr. Amy Ladley, the State Perinatal Quality Program Manager for the Bureau of Family Health in Louisiana, discusses a relatively new effort working with 47 of Louisiana’s 49 birthing hospitals on at least one of four initiatives to improve care for pregnant and postpartum people struggling with opioid use; ASTHO and the de Beaumont Foundation have been working on the latest version of the PHWins survey and the results are due out in just a few weeks; and ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit 2022 is coming up on Wednesday, July 27th.
Mass.gov News Release: Massachusetts Rate of Opioid-Related Overdose Deaths Increased 8.8 Percent in 2021 Compared to 2020
Mass.gov News Release: Massachusetts responds to the opioid epidemic
Partners for Family Health Louisiana Webpage: Louisiana Perinatal Quality Collaborative (LaPQC)
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
ASTHO Webpage: National Survey - Public Health Professionals Pushed to Limit
Daniel Dawes, Executive Director for the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, discusses a new Health Equity tracker that recently marked its first year online; ASTHO is talking about equity during its upcoming Health Equity Summit 2022 set for Wednesday, July 27th; Amelia Poulin, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Infectious Disease Outbreak Response and Recovery, elaborates on the importance of inclusive communication for contact tracers and case investigators; and ASTHO posts a new blog article examining how some jurisdictions are changing laws to allow people to modify their birth certificates to update gender markers that may be out of date.
Health Equity Tracker Webpage: One Year of Advancing Health Equity
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
CDC Webpage: Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication
ASTHO Blog Article: Jurisdictions Seek to Modernize Vital Records Systems
Sanaa Akbarali, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Maternal and Infant Health, discusses strategies to improve care for pregnant and postpartum people with opioid use disorder; ASTHO produces a special supplement for the American Journal of Public Health on equitable and accessible contraception access; ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit 2022 is less than two weeks away; and Gaafar Uherbelau, Palau’s Minister of Health, joins his colleagues in the Pacific Islands to strategize on health equity and human rights issues.
ASTHO Webpage: Supporting Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Opioid Use Disorder: An Infographic Series
ASTHO News Release: Equitable and Accessible Contraception Access Highlighted in Special Issue of AJPH Sponsored by ASTHO
ASTHO Health Equity Summit Registration
Johnny Taylor Jr., President and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, discusses how COVID-19 has forever changed the relationship between employers and their teams; Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, the Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, explains why she is leaving her job; ASTHO posts a new blog article that details twelve recommendations health agencies should consider when writing proposals for federal infrastructure funding; and it’s time to register for ASTHO’s Health Equity Summit 2022 happening Wednesday, July 27th.
WTOP News Article: Why the DC Health director is stepping down
ASTHO Blog Article: Think Big When Applying for Infrastructure Funding: 12 Recommendations for Health Agencies
ASTHO Health Equity Summit 2022 Registration
Dr. Denise Johnson, Acting Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, outlines the goals of a new task force considering the impact opioid abuse has on children in the state; Jon Rubin, Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Children, Youth, and Families, discusses the task force’s unique outlook on data; ASTHO posts a new blog article with a link to a clinician toolbox for providers who want to better understand harmful bacterial blooms that can occur in bodies of water; and ASTHO Week is underway in Arlington, Virginia for the first time in more than two years.
ASTHO Blog Article: Approaching Summer, States Ramping Up Water Protections
This special edition revisits a popular episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition from May 24th.
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, explains the Forward Together campaign; Dr. James Bell, State Assistant Administrator for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, discusses the benefits of being a graduate from the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; and Mike Fraser, CEO for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, tackles the cancer of racism in a new blog article.
Forward Together Webpage
Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Excising the Cancer of Racism
This special edition revisits a popular episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition from May 19th.
Linda Mendonca, President of the National Association of School Nurses, discusses nurses needing a break, but also wanting more input regarding school health policy; Dr. Tom Simon, the Associate Director for Science in the Division of Violence Prevention with the CDC, elaborates on a way forward among record increases in the firearm homicide rate with public health leading the way; and a new ASTHO blog article explains recent changes to HRSA’s Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines.
CDC Webpage: Vital Signs – Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates
ASTHO Policy Statement: Preventing Firearm Misuse, Injury, and Death
ASTHO Blog Article: Understanding the Updated Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines
This special edition revisits a popular episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition from May 31st. Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health, looks back on the past 13 years of her career in Public Health. She has this conversation as she prepares for the next steps in her career, and leaves us with a few words of encouragement for public health workers across the country.
This special edition revisits a popular episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition from June 6th. Chelsea Kline, Associate Director of the Center of Excellence with the Alzheimer's Association, discusses how to address dementia through the social determinants of health; Admiral Rachel Levine, the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, talks about the importance of June’s Pride month recognition; ASTHO publishes a new article that addresses the need to collect accurate race and ethnicity data and examines a CDC tool that helps target limited resources in rural and frontier areas of the country; and in a new ASTHO video discussion, two North Carolina state health officials tell how they have managed federal public health funds.
Alzheimer’s Association Webpage: Alzheimer's Association Public Health Efforts
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice Article: Strategies to Operationalize Health Equity in State and Territorial Health Departments
ASTHO Blog Article: Timely Spending: North Carolina's Approach to Efficiently Utilizing Federal Funds
This special edition revisits Episode 201 of Public Health Review Morning Edition from June 16th.
Dr. Jan Malcom, Minnesota Health Commissioner, discusses steps to ensuring health equity for people belonging to the nation’s LGBTQI+ community; and Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, elaborates on her long record of work keeping kids in Tennessee healthy.
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses the growing concern over the monkeypox virus; Ellen Pliska, ASTHO’s Family and Child Health Senior Director, details a new supplement to the American Journal of Public Health addressing work to improve access to contraception in the U.S.; and Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, says in a Governing article he agrees ASTHO members believe data systems need to be modernized.
American Journal of Public Health Webpage
Upstream USA Webpage: Delaware CAN
Governing Web Article: Public Health Struggles to Get Rid of Its Data Silos
Lindsey Myers, ASTHO’s Vice President for Social and Behavioral Health, discusses a new blog article she authored with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia about men and gun violence; Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, details the latest information about a rash of hepatitis cases among children; and public health officials in Maine want young people in their state to know how much they matter.
ASTHO Blog Article: Men and Firearms: Proven Public Health Interventions to Curb Violence
Kaiser Permanente Webpage: Leadership and innovation to prevent gun injuries and deaths
WVXU News Article: Kentucky and Indiana investigating potential hepatitis cases in children
Public Health Review Podcast: Making Sure Maine Youth Matter
Dr. Lisa Lines, Senior Health Services Researcher with RTI International, discusses a new tool built to help public health leaders measure, predict, and respond to social factors that impact population health; Kini Tinkham, Executive Director for the Maine Resilience Building Network, outlines a new program in Maine that wants to help young people feel more connected to their communities by making sure they know they matter; ASTHO posts a new blog article focused on HIV testing approaches; and ASTHO is hiring for several open positions.
RTI Webpage: Build Health Equity with Data Science – RTI Tech Talk Webinar
RTI Webpage: The RTI Rarity™ Project: Next-Generation Health Equity Measurement & Analysis
Maine Resilience Building Network Webpage – Mattering
ASTHO Blog Article: States Using Policy to Remove Barriers to HIV Testing
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Susan Laird, a health communication specialist with the CDC, discusses the need to use more inclusive communication when working with individuals or groups; Sheila Nelson, Program Manager for Adolescent Health and Injury Prevention with the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, details a plan to reduce suicide and overdose by letting young people know they matter; a new ASTHO brief outlines an effort with the CDC that will help people living with disabilities during emergencies; and ASTHO offers a summary of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act approved by the U.S. Senate late last week.
CDC Webpage: Health Equity Guiding Principles for Inclusive Communication
ASTHO Brief: Defining Disability for Syndromic Surveillance
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Senate Approves Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-Elect, reflects on the problem of burnout among health care providers; Amelia Poulin, Senior Analyst for Infectious Disease Outbreak Response and Recovery at ASTHO, discusses the importance of COVID-19 case investigators and contact tracers knowing the best way to communicate with diverse individuals and populations; ASTHO’s new blog article details a tool state planners in South Carolina used to make emergency plans more inclusive of people living with disabilities; and ASTHO is launching a new webpage with several resources for teams looking to improve their disability inclusion planning and programs.
Anchorage Daily News Opinion Article: Taking Care Of The Physicians That Take Care Of Us
ASTHO Brief: Tailoring Messages for Cross-Cultural Communication– Recommendations for COVID-19 Case Investigators and Contact Tracers
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – Meeting Needs for Disability-Inclusive Emergency Preparedness in South Carolina
ASTHO Webpage: Disability Inclusion
Dawn Berkowitz, Chair of the Tobacco Control Network Executive Committee, discusses a new policy recommendations guide released by the group; Liz Hendrix, the Policy Control Officer for the Tobacco Control Network Executive Committee details what she sees as the two most important recommendations from the guide; Ellen Pliska, ASTHO’s Family and Child Health Senior Director, details the importance of Maternal Mortality Review Committees; and ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says he hopes the new COVID-19 vaccine for young children will put parents and caregivers at ease.
Tobacco Control Network Webpage: 2022 Policy Recommendations Guide
ASTHO Brief: Using Medicaid Datasets to Measure Tobacco Use – A Review
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, Comments on COVID-19 Vaccine Approval for Children Ages Six Months to Five Years
Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri’s former Director of the Department of Health and Senior Services, joins us for a special edition of the newscast to discuss his upcoming book and the importance of listening in public health.
Dr. Jewel Mullen, Associate Dean for Health Equity in the Office of Health Equity at The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, offers her assessment of the work that still needs to be done to address Alzheimer’s and related concerns; Dr. Stephen Flores, who leads the vaccine confidence and demand work within the Immunization Services Division of the National Center of Immunization and Respiratory Disease with the CDC, explains how to drive organizational and community change; a new ASTHO blog article explains how several states are using paid family and medical leave policies as tools to reduce disparities; and an ASTHO brief examines certification for community health workers as a way to encourage more people to enter the field.
Alzheimer’s Association Webpage: Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month
ASTHO Blog Post: As Families Seek More Work / Life Balance, States Consider Leave Policies
ASTHO Brief: State Approaches to Community Health Worker Certification
Dr. Denise Johnson, Pennsylvania’s Acting Secretary of Health, explains how a statewide law permitting syringe services would give cover and funding to local programs trying to battle the opioid epidemic; Laura Edison, an epidemiologist in the Georgia Department of Public Health, says her state has tackled the overdose problem on several fronts; and ASTHO President Dr. Nirav Shah is this year’s winner of Maine’s Caregiver of the Year award presented by the Maine Hospital Association.
Bangor Daily News: Nirav Shah named Maine Caregiver of the Year
Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, and Dr. Arthur James, a retired OB/GYN and pediatrician, examine the steps required to achieve health equity in a webinar to recognize this weekend’s Juneteenth holiday.
ASTHO Webpage: Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health Resources
Dr. Jan Malcom, Minnesota’s Health Commissioner, discusses steps to ensure health equity for people in the nation’s LGBTQI+ community; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, welcomes the possibility of a COVID-19 vaccine for kids under five years old; ASTHO’s Juneteenth webinar about the impact of racism on health equity is today; and ASTHO plans a webinar about the role of transport services in the work to improve risk appropriate care.
ASTHO Juneteenth Webinar: Commemorating Juneteenth A Journey to Equity
ASTHO Webinar: The Role of Transport in Strengthening Risk Appropriate Care
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, discusses the tragedy of gun violence in America and its connection to men’s mental health; Dr. Randall Williams, Missouri’s former Health Director, talks about a book he is writing about his experiences in the position; ASTHO’s Juneteenth webinar examines the impact of racism on health equity on Thursday, June 16th; and the newscast celebrates its 200th episode since its launch last August.
Men’s Health Month Webpage: Men’s Health Week
ASTHO Juneteenth Webinar: Commemorating Juneteenth A Journey to Equity
Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, will host a discussion featuring comments from Miss Opal Lee known as the grandmother of Juneteenth, as part of a Juneteenth webinar on Thursday; Genny Grilli, Epidemiologist Supervisor at the Minnesota Department of Health, discusses food-related hepatitis outbreaks amidst reports that some strawberries are contaminated with hepatitis; and ASTHO examines legislative and legal actions focused on religious exemptions to vaccination laws as well as Congressional efforts to address the disturbing rise in child suicide cases in a pair of new blog articles.
ASTHO Juneteenth Webinar: Commemorating Juneteenth A Journey to Equity
ASTHO Blog Article: Youth Suicides and the Mental Health Crisis: What Congress Is Doing
ASTHO Blog Article: Courts Consider Whether State Vaccination Laws Must Include a Religious Exemption
Dr. Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at the WHERE, discusses vaccines and what to expect for the rest of this year as panels for both the FDA and the CDC begin discussing the COVID-19 vaccine for children under the age of five; ASTHO has a new update to its COVID-19 vaccine comparison chart; Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi State Health Officer, who is leaving his position later this summer, discusses misinformation on a local podcast; and ASTHO’s Juneteenth webinar on the impact of racism on health equity is coming up Thursday afternoon.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Webpage: Paul A. Offit, MD
ASTHO Brief: COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison
The Other Side Podcast: Dr. Thomas Dobbs discusses his tenure as State Health Officer
ASTHO Juneteenth Webinar: Commemorating Juneteenth A Journey to Equity
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses the three-step approach to combat Monkeypox in the U.S.; Dr. Jinlene Chan, Maryland’s Deputy Secretary for Public Health Services, outlines her department’s response to Monkeypox; and ASTHO plans a webinar next week to discuss the impact of racism on health equity as part of the organization’s recognition of Juneteenth.
ASTHO Juneteenth Webinar: Commemorating Juneteenth A Journey to Equity
Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont Health Commissioner, explains how public health ought to respond to a recent spate of shootings that have left dozens dead and even more injured across the U.S.; Meighan Haupt, Chief of Staff with the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, discusses how the new 988 line, a lifeline offering assistance to people considering suicide, will work; and ASTHO has a special event planned to honor Juneteenth featuring Ms. Opal Lee, known as the “grandmother of Juneteenth.”
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice Research Paper: The National Epidemic of Gun Violence: The Vermont Department of Health Response
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Webpage: 988 - Transforming Crisis Systems Resources
National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors Webpage: 988 Implementation Guidance Playbooks
ASTHO Juneteenth Webinar: Commemorating Juneteenth A Journey to Equity
Akin Demehin, Senior Director of Quality and Patient Safety Policy with the American Hospital Association, explains how hospitals are preparing for the possibility of another COVID-19 wave later this year; Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont Health Commissioner, discusses how he’s feeling about the recent rash of mass shootings across the country; ASTHO publishes a brief summarizing resources to guide agency healthy aging work; and Missouri shares on a webinar how it used population segmentation to improve COVID-19 vaccination outreach.
American Hospital Association Report: Costs of Caring
American Hospital Association Letter: AHA, Others Urge HHS To Continue Public Health Emergency
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice Research Paper: The National Epidemic of Gun Violence: The Vermont Department of Health Response
ASTHO Brief: Public Health Frameworks to Advance Healthy Aging
ASTHO Webinar Registration: Cluster Analysis for Pop. Segmentation and Outreach: A Case Study in Missouri
Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, President and CEO of the Trust for America’s Health, details a new report that offers disturbing data on the drug, alcohol, and suicide crises facing the nation; Lt. Commander Traci Murray, Assistant Regional Administrator for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, explains the benefits of ASTHO’s innovative Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; ASTHO publishes a video offering a six-step process agencies can use when planning hepatitis elimination efforts; and Dr. Jinlene Chan, Maryland’s Deputy Secretary of Public Health, cites Maryland’s COVID-19 testing team among her department's accomplishments in a new ASTHO Leadership Trailblazer article.
Trust for America's Health: 2022 Pain in the Nation Report
ASTHO Video: Planning Approaches for Viral Hepatitis Elimination
ASTHO Web Article: Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight: Jinlene Chan, Deputy Secretary, Maryland Department of Health
Chelsea Kline, Associate Director of the Center of Excellence with the Alzheimer's Association, discusses a workshop planned in July that will give public health professionals the chance to learn how to address dementia through the social determinants of health; Admiral Rachel Levine, the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, talks about the importance of June’s Pride month recognition; ASTHO publishes a new article that addresses the need to collect accurate race and ethnicity data and examines a CDC tool that helps target limited resources in rural and frontier areas of the country; and in a new ASTHO video discussion, two North Carolina state health officials tell how they have managed federal public health funds.
Public Health Center of Excellence Workshop Sign-Up
Alzheimer’s Association Webpage: Alzheimer's Association Public Health Efforts
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice Article: Strategies to Operationalize Health Equity in State and Territorial Health Departments
ASTHO Blog Article: Timely Spending: North Carolina's Approach to Efficiently Utilizing Federal Funds
Admiral Rachel Levine, the 17th Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, explains how recent negative rhetoric focused on gender identity and sexual orientation in the classroom is impacting young people; Sandy Noel, the Statewide Planning and Ending HIV Epidemic Coordinator at the Florida Department of Health, discusses the vast benefits of ASTHO’s Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; and ASTHO has a new blog article focused on improving youth mental health.
Webpage: The Trevor Project 2022 National Survey
Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Placemaking Begets Youth Sports, Promoting Healthier Communities
Lynn Gallagher, former New Mexico State Health Director, explains how a new commission created by the New Mexico Supreme Court will work to address the mental health needs of people who are in and out of the court system; Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, shares how her young son confirmed the value of a state campaign to help connect parents and their kids; and ASTHO has extended the deadline to sign up for its Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program.
New Mexico Order Establishing Commission on Mental Health and Competency
Webpage: Colorado’s Forward Together Campaign
Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Justa Encarnacion, Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health, discusses the differences and similarities in responding to COVID-19 as a territory as opposed to a state. Encarnacion also expands on the challenges the U.S. Virgin Islands have faced when it comes to vaccination.
Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health, looks back on the past 13 years of her career in Public Health. She has this conversation as she prepares for the next steps in her career, and leaves us with a few words of encouragement for public health workers across the country.
Mike Fraser, Chief Executive Officer for ASTHO, discusses the need for the continued funding of public health. Fraser also elaborates on the unique challenges they face when requesting the money and he explains where this funding would be allotted.
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, fresh off her time at the ASTHO COVID-19 Summit in Washington D.C., explains the challenge COVID-19 will present for public health officials in the coming months.
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, joins the show from the ASTHO COVID-19 Summit in Washington D.C. to discuss his expectations from the summit and the COVID-19 response going forward.
Jill Hunsaker Ryan, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, explains the Forward Together campaign; Dr. James Bell, State Assistant Administrator for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services, discusses the benefits of being a graduate from the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; and Mike Fraser, CEO for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, tackles the cancer of racism in a new blog article.
Forward Together Webpage
Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) Webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Excising the Cancer of Racism
Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee’s Health Commissioner, reflects on her time in office as she prepares to leave her position at the end of this week; Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, says her department created programs to address vaccine access and hesitancy by listening to community feedback; and ASTHO’s Dr. Kim Wyche Etheridge and Wisconsin State Health Officer Paula Tran talk about health equity in a video conversation now online.
Washington Post – Live: Health Equity Vaccines
ASTHO Q&A: Health Equity, Minority Health & COVID-19 – A Conversation with Paula Tran and Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge
Gaafar Uherbelau, the Minister of Health in Palau, discusses the COVID-19 pandemic making landfall last December; Angela Minicuci, former Communications Director for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, reflects on lessons learned from the contaminated water supplies in Flint, Michigan, and their application today; and one last reminder to register for the ASTHO Public Health TechXpo to still watch all the discussions on demand.
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
Linda Mendonca, President of the National Association of School Nurses, discusses nurses needing a break, but also wanting more input regarding school health policy; Dr. Tom Simon, the Associate Director for Science in the Division of Violence Prevention with the CDC, elaborates on a way forward among record increases in the firearm homicide rate with public health leading the way; and a new ASTHO blog article explains recent changes to HRSA’s Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines.
CDC Webpage: Vital Signs – Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates
ASTHO Policy Statement: Preventing Firearm Misuse, Injury, and Death
ASTHO Blog Article: Understanding the Updated Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines
Brian Dittmeier, Senior Director of Public Policy at the National WIC Association, tells us how public health agencies can support parents through the baby formula shortage; Lindsey Myers, ASTHO’s Vice President for Social and Behavioral Health, discusses how public health agencies can help curb gun violence; ASTHO released an infographic offering ten strategies to help schools improve their behavioral health programs.
CDC Webpage: Vital Signs – Changes in Firearm Homicide and Suicide Rates
ASTHO Policy Statement: Preventing Firearm Misuse, Injury, and Death
ASTHO Infographic: Improving Youth Behavioral Health Through School-Based Strategies
Lena Sun, National Health Reporter at The Washington Post, joined a closing panel at last week’s ASTHO Public Health Tech Expo to offer her wishlist for public health data; Paula Tran, State Health Officer for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, says leaders need to think beyond data tech if they want to make progress; ASTHO's Public Health TechXpo may be over, but you can catch recordings of the discussions and panels by registering or logging in from the Expo home page.
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO News Release: Getting Ahead of the Next Pandemic, Leaders Convene to Identify Solutions to Transform U.S. Health Data
Dr. Brian Dixon, Associate Professor at the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, says the workforce pipeline is filling up with public health students; Dr. Umair Shah, Washington Secretary of Health, explains the challenge of keeping people engaged when a crisis ends or lasts too long; and the ASTHO Public Health TechXpo may be over, but you can catch recordings of the discussions and panels by logging in from the Expo home page.
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO News Release: Getting Ahead of the Next Pandemic, Leaders Convene to Identify Solutions to Transform U.S. Health Data
Dr. David Rhew, Microsoft’s Global Chief Medical Officer, says there is technology available to help public health agencies standardize and modernize data; Mike Fraser, ASTHO CEO, notes the challenge is not with technology; Janet Hamilton, Executive Director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, says data modernization efforts must protect communities; Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, wants public health agencies to consider new solutions; Dr. Steven Stack, Kentucky's Health Commissioner, tells us his state has made great progress building its health information exchange, but it wasn’t without challenges; and there's still time to access TechXpo content even though the event is over.
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO News Release: Getting Ahead of the Next Pandemic, Leaders Convene to Identify Solutions to Transform U.S. Health Data
Dr. John Halamka, President of the Mayo Clinic Platform, kicked off the second day of ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo urging public health leaders to take advantage of what he calls a "golden period” in history; Dr. Lisa Piercey, Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Health, explains how data systems must work better together if we hope to meet the nation’s goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030; and you can still catch recordings of the discussions and panels by logging in from the TechXpo home page.
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO News Release: Getting Ahead of the Next Pandemic, Leaders Convene to Identify Solutions to Transform U.S. Health Data
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says continued federal investment can help keep the nation on the right track in the fight against the COVID-19 virus; Dr. David Rhew, Global Chief Medical Officer at Microsoft, explains how Smart Health Cards can give patients more control over their health information; and there’s still time to sign up for ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo, kicking off its second day of discussions this morning at 11 a.m. eastern time.
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO News Release: Getting Ahead of the Next Pandemic, Leaders Convene to Identify Solutions to Transform U.S. Health Data
Dr. Karen Remley, Director of the National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities with the CDC, discusses the SET-NET project to protect the health of pregnant people and their babies; Dr. Philip LoBue, Director of the Division of Tuberculosis Elimination for the CDC, puts tuberculosis infection rates into context; and the ASTHO Public Health TechXpo kicks off today, but there’s still time to sign up.
CDC Webpage: Surveillance for Emerging Threats to Mothers and Babies Network (SET-NET)
CDC Webpage: Treat TB Campaign
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO News Release: Getting Ahead of the Next Pandemic, Leaders Convene to Identify Solutions to Transform U.S. Health Data
Dr. Manisha Juthani, Connecticut’s Public Health Commissioner, explains why providers may not be prescribing COVID-19 therapeutics; ASTHO publishes a new report to help public health leaders maximize the benefits of COVID-19 therapies; Latoya Sahadeo, ASTHO’s Director of Leadership Development, says the organization is accepting applications for the second class of scholars in the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program; and there’s still time to register for ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo starting tomorrow online.
ASTHO Brief: Maximizing the Benefit of COVID-19 Therapeutics: Considerations for State Public Health Officials
ASTHO Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO News Release: Getting Ahead of the Next Pandemic, Leaders Convene to Identify Solutions to Transform U.S. Health Data
ASTHO TechXpo Sponsor: RTI International
ASTHO TechXpo Sponsor: Deloitte
ASTHO TechXpo Sponsor: Optum
ASTHO TechXpo Sponsor: RSM
Tamyra Porter, a partner at Guidehouse, explains a project to improve disease surveillance; Sara Robinson, an epidemiologist working for the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, spends a lot of time warning people about the dangers of ticks; and ASTHO announces several new sponsors for next week’s Public Health TechXpo – SAS Institute, OpiSafe, Color Health, STC Health, and MicKinsey and Company.
Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention: Vectorborne School Curricula
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
TechXpo Sponsor: Guidehouse
TechXpo Sponsor: SAS Institute
TechXpo Sponsor: OpiSafe
TechXpo Sponsor: Color Health
TechXpo Sponsor: STC Health
TechXpo Sponsor: McKinsey and Company
Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota’s former health commissioner, reacts to the Harvard poll that says most people trust their public health department; Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s state health officer, explains a new ASTHO report that outlines eight ways health department leaders can support effective programs to address healthcare associated infections; and ASTHO welcomes three new sponsors to its Public Health TechXpo next week – careMESH, WellSky, and Google Health.
ASTHO Report: Eight Ways Health Department Leaders Can Support Effective HAI/AR Programs
ASTHO Website: Public Health TechXpo
TechXpo Silver Sponsor: careMESH
TechXpo Silver Sponsor: WellSky
TechXpo Silver Sponsor: Google Health
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, defends public health authority after a recent federal court ruling tossed the requirement for masks on public transportation; Dr. Harry Chen, Vermont’s former health commissioner, discusses President Biden’s comments on mental health during his State of the Union speech earlier this year; ASTHO publishes a new Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight article on Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Google’s Chief Medical Officer; and ASTHO announces new sponsors for its TechXpo set for May 10-11 online. AMA Conversation with ASTHO CMO, Dr. Marcus Plescia
ASTHO Blog Article: Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight – Karen DeSalvo, Chief Health Officer of Google
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo
Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s State Health Officer, discusses how states and territories are on alert for cases of hepatitis and adenovirus in children; Dr. Jose Romero, Arkansas’ Secretary of Health, is worried about increasing cases of tuberculosis, especially among children; ASTHO has a new blog article on state responses to the growing problem of tick-borne diseases; and ASTHO invites public health officials to attend a webinar featuring a simulation planning tool that helps agencies simulate vaccination, triage and screening during public health emergencies.
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health Confronts the Tick
ASTHO Webinar Registration: Public Health Preparedness - POD SimPLER
Ioana Ungureanu, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Public and Behavioral Health Integration, discusses a new ASTHO report outlining 10 high-level strategies to improve behavioral health for kids in schools; Angela Minicuci, the former Communications Director for the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services during the Flint water crisis, tells us why listening is so important; and J.T. Lane, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Population Health and Innovation, explains how ASTHO’s Public Health TechXpo attendees will be able to apply what they learn from the conference.
ASTHO Report: Improving Youth Behavioral Health Through School-Based Strategies
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo
ASTHO Press Release: Mental Health in Schools
J.T. Lane, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Population Health and Innovation, tells us who is on the agenda to speak during the Public Health TechXpo event set for May 10th and 11th online; Laura Pegram, Director of Drug User Health at the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, details a new resource to help public health agencies improve the way they share data; ASTHO publishes a new blog article about how some early childhood development programs adjusted to meet pandemic obstacles; and tomorrow is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day with a goal of getting people to turn in their expired, unused, or unwanted prescription drugs.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Tech Xpo
ASTHO/NASTAD Report: Cross-Jurisdictional Data Sharing
ASTHO Blog Article: Some Early Childhood Development Programs Stalled, Others Flourished During Pandemic
United States Department of Justice News Release: DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day set for April 30, 2022
Controlled Substance Public Disposal Locations
J.T. Lane, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Population Health and Innovation, explains how public health has a unique opportunity to modernize its data systems to prepare for the next crisis in a preview of the upcoming Public Health TechXpo; Ioana Ungureanu, ASTHO’S Senior Analyst for Public and Behavioral Health Integration, discusses how ASTHO and a national group of educators are working to identify strategies to help lower stress in young people; Isolation and quarantine orders are reviewed in a new ASTHO blog article; and Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health in Washington, joins a panel discussion today on the impact of the pandemic on the public health workforce.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Tech Xpo
ASTHO Webinar Registration: Improving Youth Behavioral Health Through School Based Strategies
ASTHO Blog Article: Isolation, Quarantine, and Public Health Authority Beyond the Pandemic
GovExec webpage: Health Summit
Dr. Leslie Dauphin from the CDC discusses the nation’s public health workforce and the way forward; Emi Chutaro, Executive Director of the Pacific Island Health Officers Association, offers details of a new study to better understand how to address non-communicable diseases in island jurisdictions; and the first ever conference on public health and dementia caregiving is set for June 14th and 15th in Minneapolis.
CDC Webpage: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems
PIHOA Study: PCDC/PIHOA Regional NCD Response Evaluation
Conference Registration: The Public Health Opportunities and Challenges of Dementia Caregiving
The Trust for America’s Health unveils a new program to give agencies credit for their work promoting healthy aging; ASTHO delivers a report and hosts a webinar later this week detailing strategies to improve youth behavioral outcomes; two public health professionals enrolled in a new leadership program share their experiences in an ASTHO blog article; and the ASTHOS Public Health Expo has a new gold sponsor, Guidehouse Health.
Trust for America’s Health Webpage: AFPHS Recognition Program
ASTHO Webinar: Improving Youth Behavioral Health Through School Based Strategies
ASTHO Webpage Article: Sharing Your Unique Voice: Leadership Presence in Public Health
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Tech Xpo
Dr. Erica Pan, California’s State epidemiologist, outlines the next phase of California’s COVID-19 response; Dr. Nicole Bhave, a cardiologist at the University of Michigan, discusses the cardiac effects of COVID-19 that continue to plague some patients; and the pandemic health emergency is extended for another 90 days.
The California SMARTER Plan
Washington Post Article: Five months post-covid, Nicole Murphy’s heart rate is still doing strange things
Route Fifty Article: Why Pandemic Food and Medicaid Benefits Could Soon an End
Andy Baker-White, ASTHO’s Senior Director for State Health Policy, discusses the impact of this week’s federal court ruling striking down the mask requirement for people using public transportation; Phillip Talboy, Senior Advisor with the CDC’s Division of TB Elimination, examines the drop in tuberculosis cases in 2020 and emphasizes the importance of TB awareness among providers; ASTHO publishes a blog article detailing how the Louisiana Department of Health launched a mentorship program during the pandemic; and we link ASTHO’s statement on environmental health policy in recognition of Earth Day today!
Public Health Communications Collaborative: Answers to Tough Questions
Public Health Communications Collaborative: Talking Points and Answers to Tough Questions
CDC Webpage: Tuberculosis Data and Statistics
CDC Communications Campaign: Think. Test. Treat TB
ASTHO Blog Article: Louisiana Department of Health Mentorship Program Thriving During COVID Response
ASTHO Statement: Environmental Public Health Policy Statement
Dr. Bruce Perry, psychiatrist and author, tells public health leaders how they can help their frontline workers manage stress caused by the pandemic; ASTHO has a new blog article that lists seven workforce trends to watch for in the coming years; Aline Stone, Georgia’s Alzheimer’s and Related Dementia Coordinator, says a pilot project led by ASTHO and the Trust for America’s Health helped her agency and the state’s public health team find new ways to work together; and HLN Consulting signs on as a silver sponsor for this year’s ASTHO Public Health Tech Xpo.
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration Series
ASTHO Blog Article: Seven Trends Will Shape the Future Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Public Health Tech Xpo
Webpage: HLN Consulting
Dr. Bruce Perry offers encouragement for the public health workforce; Dr. Gillian SteelFisher explains how public health leaders might use the information from her latest national survey; ASTHO alum Dr. Joneigh Khaldun from Michigan is in the ASTHO Trailblazer Spotlight this week; and ASTHO announces a new Speakers Bureau.
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration Series
ASTHO Article: Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight - Joneigh Khaldun, Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer of CVS
ASTHO Webpage: Speakers Bureau
Dr. Mark Levine, Commissioner of Health at the Vermont Department of Health, explains how the COVID BA.2 sub-variant is being received by people in his state; Caroline Brazeel, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Population Health and Innovation, tells us why it’s important that all public health agencies respond to ASTHO’s 2022 Profile of State and Territorial Public Health; ASTHO publishes a new blog article explaining how some members are building or expanding their community health worker programs; and there’s still time to register for ASTHO’s second annual Public Health Tech Xpo starting three weeks from today, on May 10th.
ASTHO Profile of State and Territorial Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: States Continue Efforts to Build and Strengthen Community Health Workforce
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Tech Xpo
Dr. Gillian SteelFisher, Deputy Director of the Harvard Opinion Research Program, says a recent poll finds most U.S. adults think public health agencies are important to their communities; Richard Quartarone, a health communicator in the CDC’s Immunization Division, emphasizes the importance of trust in public health programs; ASTHO suggests the focus on COVID-19 immunizations provides an opportunity to rethink other vaccination efforts; and there’s a new ASTHO report on the findings of two panels in January considering the impact of disasters on public health.
Public Health Speaks Podcast Episode: Richard Quartarone
ASTHO Blog Article: Reframing the Public Health Approach to Adult Immunizations
ASTHO Report: Lessons on State Resilience and Vulnerability to Complex Disasters
Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, explains the critical need to hire hundreds of epidemiologists in public health departments nationwide; Richard Hamburg, Executive Director of the Safe States Alliance, outlines the vision for a national injury and violence prevention program; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, discusses equity as part of a panel hosted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and ASTHO prepares to recognize women and nutrition in March.
Big Cities Health Coalition: Report – Cities Need to Increase Number of Epidemiologists
Safe States Alliance: Blueprint for a National Injury and Violence Prevention Program
CMS YouTube: Black Health and Wellness – Building a More Equitable Health Care System
Dr. Leandris Liburd, the CDC’s Chief Health Equity Officer, talks about her job and the work underway to improve health equity in the U.S.; ASTHO has a new blog article reporting an increase in several categories of STDs across the nation; Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana State Health Commissioner, says revised Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines help to ensure patients receive consistent advice about their care regardless of the provider they see; and Washington Post National Health Reporter Lena Sun will join a panel discussion at this year’s ASTHO Public Health Tech Expo planned for next month.
CDC Webpage: Health Equity
CDC Webpage: STD Awareness Week
ASTHO Blog Article: STD’s Rising Nationally
HRSA Webpage: Women’s Preventive Services Guidelines
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health TechXpo
Jessica Baggett, ASTHO’s Director of COVID-19 Response, explains the strategies included in ASTHO’s new COVID-19 management plan; Dr. John Hellerstedt, Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services, says COVID-19 has led to an uptick in congenital syphilis; ASTHO shares a new blog article detailing new USDA school lunch standards; and ASTHO reports how several members have used GIS and data visualization to support their public health work.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Plan to Support Sustained Management of COVID-19 Response
ASTHO Report: Sustained Management of COVID-19
CDC Webpage: STD Awareness Week
ASTHO Blog Article: Changes to School Nutrition Programs Helping Curb Pandemic-Related Impacts
ASTHO Report: Integrating Environmental Health and Electronic Health Information Using GIS Tools
Nathaniel Counts with the non-profit Mental HeaIth America explains the effort to redefine health to include a consideration of mental wellness, as we conclude our seven-part series of conversations with public health leaders in recognition of National Public Health Week 2022; Kay Matthews, founder of the Shades of Blue Project, says public health leaders can help break down barriers to maternal mental health by funding grassroots groups working with people in need; ASTHO has compiled a report listing the steps members can take to support programs to prevent health care associated infections; and the CDC and the Alzheimer’s Association will host a webinar to discuss the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act and highlight programs funded by the 2018 law.
APHA Webpage: National Public Health Week 2022
Website: Shades of Blue Project
ASTHO Report: Eight Ways Health Department Leaders Can Support Effective HAI/AR Programs
CDC Webinar: Public Health and Dementia – The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act
Dr. John Balbus, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, explains the connection between weather and population health as part of our celebration of National Public Health Week; ASTHO’s Caroline Brazeel says work starts today on the 2022 Profile of State and Territorial Public Health; ASTHO publishes a new blog article offering an update on federal and state guidelines for delivery of behavioral health via telehealth technology; and Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris discusses the future of telehealth on a new episode of the Public Health Review podcast now online. APHA Webpage: National Public Health Week
ASTHO Toolkit: Extreme Weather and Climate Readiness
ASTHO Blog Article: Joining Forces to Advance Resiliency to Complex Disasters
ASTHO Blog Article: United for One Health
ASTHO Profile of State and Territorial Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: State, Federal Policies Increase Virtual Access to Behavioral Health Care
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast: Public Health’s Role in Telehealth
Joan Adam, South Dakota’s Secretary of Health, discusses the health equity gap as part of our recognition of National Public Health Week; Dr. Jose Montero, Director of the Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support at the CDC, outlines steps taken to address vaccine equity; ASTHO publishes a blog article noting health equity is the organization’s number one priority; and Delaware provides emergency and crisis training to people who assist those living with disabilities. APHA Webpage: National Public Health Week
ASTHO Legislative Prospectus: Health Equity
ASTHO Report: Advancing Health Equity Through Immunization
ASTHO Infographic: 10 Key Actions to Improve Immunization Uptake and Advance Health Equity – Community Engagement
ASTHO Blog Article: Equity Will Come Standard at ASTHO
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – Delaware Stands Up a Functional Assessment Service Team
Dr. Denise Johnson, Pennsylvania’s Physician General, tells us why health is a human right, as we continue our examination of the themes for this year’s National Public Health Week; Kay Matthews, founder and executive director of the non-profit Shades of Blue Project, explains how personal health challenges can quickly become public health problems; HHS has a website offering guidance and resources for responding to a variety of emergencies and crisis; and ASTHO reminds listeners to register for this year’s Public Health Tech Xpo planned for May 10th and 11th.
APHA Webpage: National Public Health Week
HHS.gov Webpage: Countries Experiencing Conflict – Healthcare Preparedness and Response Resources
Website: Shades of Blue Project
ASTHO Public Health Tech Xpo Webpage
Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana’s State Health Officer, explains the importance of collaboration and resilience in public health; ASTHO considers two states with children’s cabinets in a new blog article now online; and CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky answers questions from high school students, including one about building an inclusive and encouraging community for young females interested in STEM careers.
APHA Webpage: National Public Health Week
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Launches Resiliency Program to Support Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Blog Article: Building Capacity and Dedicating Field Staff to Address Substance Use Disorders During COVID-19
ASTHO Blog Article: Children’s Cabinets in Minnesota and Iowa Share Successes and Challenges
ASTHO Blog Article: Leadership Trailblazer Spotlight – CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky
Dr. Laura Parajon, New Mexico’s Deputy Secretary of Health, reacts to the findings of the new PH WINS survey and tells us how we can begin to support and rebuild frontline teams; Dr. Jose Montero, Director of the Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support at the CDC, says the new Pathways to Population Health Equity Framework is an adaptation of one used in health care and business; ASTHO reports on its work to develop strategies states and territories can follow to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity in a new article published in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice; and leaders in the Pacific Islands describe how they have held the COVID-19 virus at bay the last two years.
APHA Webpage: National Public Health Week
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Policy Watch 2022 – Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Webinar: Pathways to Population Health Equity
Journal of Public Health Management & Practice: Supporting Success – ASTHO’s Strategies for Reducing Maternal Mortality and Morbidity
ASTHO Podcast: COVID-19 in the Pacific – What We’ve Learned and Where We’re Going
Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, says health equity impacts every public health consideration; the 2022 Preparedness Summit begins in Atlanta; data collection for the 2022 ASTHO Profile of State and Territorial Public Health gets underway Monday, April 11th; and Dr. Brian Castrucci, CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, says the polling that indicates people support public health often doesn’t provide an accurate reading of community attitudes.
APHA Webpage: National Public Health Week
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policy Can Reduce Systemic Racism in Public Health
ASTHO Report: Achieving Optimal Health for All by Eliminating Structural Racism
2022 Preparedness Summit
ASTHO News Release: National Survey – Public Health Professionals Pushed to Limit
de Beaumont Foundation webpage: PH WINS 2021 Findings
Dr. Brian Castrucci, CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, says the results of a national survey of public health workers indicate a workforce under attack; Morning Edition shares plans to cover National Public Health Week starting next Monday; Dr. Jewell Mullen, a former state health official in Connecticut and Massachusetts, is thinking about a pilot project that helped two Georgia agencies find new ways to work together; and registration is open for ASTHO’s second annual Public Health Tech Xpo.
ASTHO News Release: National Survey – Public Health Professionals Pushed to Limit
de Beaumont Foundation webpage: PH WINS 2021 Findings
APHA Webpage: National Public Health Week
ASTHO Podcast: Public Health Review
ASTHO Public Health Tech Xpo Webpage
Caroline Brazeel, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Population Health and Innovation, explains how states and territories are preparing for the moment when millions of children could lose health care coverage as early as this summer; two professionals enrolled in a unique public health leadership program answer questions about their experience in a new ASTHO blog article; ASTHO President Dr. Nirav Shah wins an award from the American Medical Association; and ASTHO highlights Delaware and Kansas for work to address environmental public health challenges.
ASTHO Blog Article: Diversity in Public Health Leadership Has Never Been More Important
YouTube: AMA Awards for Government Service - Outstanding Career Public Servant at the State Level
ASTHO Blog Article: Implementing an Environmental Public Health Tracking Program – Challenges and Solutions
ASTHO and the de Beaumont Foundation release early results of a new survey of America’s public health workforce; ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says there are steps public health departments can take to address lagging COVID-19 vaccine uptake; Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris says telehealth is a lifeline for doctors and hospitals in rural areas; and today is National Doctors Day.
ASTHO News Release: National Survey – Public Health Professionals Pushed to Limit
FDA News Release: FDA Authorizes Second Booster Dose of Two COVID-19 Vaccines for Older and Immunocompromised Individuals
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast
Dr. Andrea Gentzke, a health scientist in the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health, reviews the findings of the latest National Youth Tobacco Survey; Jack Niedenthal, Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Republic of the Marshall Islands, explains why his jurisdiction decided to close the borders early during the COVID-19 pandemic; ASTHO plans a webinar this afternoon to introduce its new toolkit to help public health agencies assess cognitive health needs and promote healthy aging; and registration is now open for ASTHO’s second annual Public Health Tech Xpo scheduled for May 10-11 online.
CDC Webpage: Tobacco Product Use and Associated Factors Among Middle and High School Students – National Youth Tobacco Survey, United States, 2021
CDC News Release: Approximately 2.55 Million Students Reported Currently Using a Tobacco Product in 2021
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast: COVID-19 in the Pacific – What We’ve Learned and Where We’re Going
ASTHO Resource: Needs Assessment Toolkit for Dementia, Cognitive Health, and Caregiving
ASTHO Briefing: Assessing Needs Toolkit
ASTHO Public Health Tech Xpo Webpage
Dr. Leah Devlin, former ASTHO president and North Carolina state health official, reflects on ASTHO’s support for state and territorial public health leaders and the organization’s 80th anniversary celebrated today; Dr. Jamie Pina, ASTHO’s Vice President of Public Health, Data Modernization, and Informatics, says public health had a higher profile at this year’s annual HIMSS Global Health Conference; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser writes about harassment of public health officials in a new article for the American Journal of Public Health; and Dr. Bruce Perry headlines ASTHO’s first Insight and Inspiration event of the new year this afternoon at 4 p.m. eastern time.
ASTHO Webpage: Our History
American Journal of Public Health: Harassment of Health Officials – A Significant Threat
ASTHO Insight and Inspiration Series: Dr. Bruce Perry
Dr. Sonia Lee, Acting Branch Chief of the NICHD Maternal and Pediatric Infectious Disease Branch at the National Institutes of Health, explains the findings of a new study measuring the impact of mask wearing in schools; Dr. Haley Cash, an epidemiologist with the Pacific Island Health Officers Association, says public health leaders in several Pacific island jurisdictions have learned many lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic; ASTHO President Elect Dr. Anne Zink of Alaska answers questions in a new ASTHO blog article offered in recognition of Women’s History Month; and there’s still time to register for Wednesday’s Insight and Inspiration event with author and teacher Dr. Bruce Perry.
NIH News Release: Mandatory masking in schools reduced COVID-19 cases during Delta surge
Pediatrics article: School Masking Policies and Secondary SARS-CoV2 Transmission
ASTHO Public Health Review Podcast webpage
ASTHO Blog Article: Leadership Trailblazers Spotlight – Anne Zink, Chief Medical Officer of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
ASTHO Insight and Inspiration Series: Dr. Bruce Perry
Dr. Vaile Wright, Senior Director of Healthcare Innovation for the American Psychological Association, explains a new poll that shows Americans are suffering from alarming levels of stress due to COVID-19, inflation, and war in Eastern Europe; Jim Blumenstock, a retired member of ASTHO’s senior leadership team, recalls the moment at the start of the pandemic when the organization sent everyone home; HHS offers $3 billion in grants to improve public health infrastructure, workforce, and data systems; and there’s still time to register for ASTHO’s latest Insight and Inspiration event with Dr. Bruce Perry.
APA News Release: Inflation, war push stress to alarming levels at two-year COVID-19 anniversary
HHS Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems Grant Announcement
ASTHO Insight and Inspiration Series: Dr. Bruce Perry
Robin Matthies, ASTHO’s Director of Social and Behavioral Health, tells you why you don’t want to miss Dr. Bruce Perry at ASTHO’s Insight and Inspiration event next week; Dr. Wayne Cascio, Director of the Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment at the EPA, explains how his agency and ASTHO will work together on public and environmental health projects over the next five years; ASTHO offers several public health policy legislative updates in a new blog article; and Dr. Karyl Rattay, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health, discusses the women who inspire her and what she’s done to help elevate women in public health.
ASTHO Insight and Inspiration Series: Dr. Bruce Perry
ASTHO Bog Article: Joining Forces to Advance Resiliency to Complex Disasters
EPA News Release: EPA Awards Cooperative Agreement to Support States and Territories in Advancing Environmental Health
ASTHO Blog Article: 2022 Legislative Session Update – Part One
ASTHO Leadership Trailblazers Spotlight: Karyl Rattay
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, says Congress and the Administration are considering all the options to revive an emergency COVID-19 funding proposal pulled from consideration last week; Jessica Baggett, ASTHO’s COVID-19 Response Director, says ASTHO continues to serve as a resource for members seeking information to inform their pandemic response; Morgan Daven, Vice President of Health Systems for the Alzheimer’s Association, explains the findings of the 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report; and three ASTHO alums make USA Today’s 2022 Women of the Year list.
Alzheimer’s Association 2022 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report
USA Today 2022 Women of the Year
Dara Lieberman, Director of Government Relations for the Trust for America’s Health, explains the organization’s “Ready or Not 2022” report assessing states’ readiness to protect public health during emergencies; Brian Lentes, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Public Health Infrastructure, says jurisdictions are considering the best public health infrastructure models; ASTHO invites listeners to join a conversation about the public health workforce with Dr. Bruce Perry at its latest Insight and Inspiration event on March 23rd; and Assistant Secretary of Health Admiral Rachel Levine is among USA Today’s 2022 Women of the Year.
Trust for America’s Health Report: Ready or Not 2022 – Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism
ASTHO Resource: Public Health Infrastructure and Systems Improvement
ASTHO Insight and Inspiration Event: Dr. Bruce Perry
USA Today: Women of the Year 2022
Talyah Sands, ASTHO’s Director of Health Improvement, describes a new toolkit to help public health agencies assess cognitive health needs and promote healthy aging; ASTHO plans two webinars later today to explain its upcoming 2022 Profile of State and Territorial Public Health; and Equal Hope in Chicago sponsors a TikTok video contest for young people making videos about the COVID-19 vaccine.
ASTHO Resource: Needs Assessment Toolkit for Dementia, Cognitive Health, and Caregiving
ASTHO Briefing: Assessing Needs Toolkit
ASTHO Webinar: Responding to the 2022 ASTHO Profile Survey 3 p.m. EDT Event
ASTHO Webinar: Responding to the 2022 ASTHO Profile Survey 7 p.m. EDT Event
Equal Hope TikTok COVID-19 Vaccine Contest
Dr. Cathy Slemp, West Virginia’s former state health officer, reflects on President Biden’s comments about America’s opioid epidemic in his recent State of the Union address; Paul Petersen, Director of Emergency Preparedness at the Tennessee Department of Health, outlines the benefits for attendees of the upcoming 2022 Preparedness Summit in Atlanta; and the CDC Foundation continues its series of conversations about the future of public health.
President Biden’s State of the Union Address
2022 Preparedness Summit
CDC Foundation: Lights, Camera, Action summit series
Dr. Anne Marie Murphy, Executive Director of Equal Hope in Chicago, explains the work her team does to reach unvaccinated populations with COVID-19 information and vaccines; Jessica Baggett, ASTHO’s COVID-19 Response Director, shares what members are thinking about the next phase of the pandemic response; and ASTHO offers an infographic to help agencies promote breastfeeding as a way to improve early brain development for babies.
Equal Hope website
Community COVID Coalition: Social Media Assets Vaccines
Community COVID Coalition: COVID-19 and Social Media – Best Practices to Reach Your Communities
ASTHO Resource: COVID-19
ASTHO Resource: Breastfeeding Promotes Early Brain Development
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, reflects on International Women’s Day celebrated this week; Assistant Secretary for Health Admiral Rachel Levine is part of a panel discussion later today to mark Women’s History Month; and Brian Lentes, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Public Health Infrastructure, says infrastructure is defined many ways and can include the administrative and financial capabilities of an organization.
HHS Channel 1 Live Streaming: Conversation with HHS Women Leaders to Celebrate Women’s History
ASTHO Resource: Public Health Infrastructure and Systems Improvement
Dr. Anne Marie Murphy, Executive Director of Equal Hope in Chicago, discusses the work her organization is doing as part of the Community COVID Coalition project to increase vaccination rates among some young adult populations; Mike Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO, says the crisis in Ukraine is a global emergency that is closer to us that we might think; and ASTHO plans two webinars next week to provide details about its upcoming 2022 Profile of State and Territorial Public Health, where the information collected helps ASTHO better advocate for sustainable public health funding on Capitol Hill.
Equal Hope website
ASTHO Webinar: Responding to the 2022 ASTHO Profile Survey
Mike Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO, reflects on ASTHO’s history as the organization prepares to celebrate 80 years on March 23rd; Heidi Westermann, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health Systems and Planning, says ASTHO is helping Guam identify and build strong partnerships across government agencies; and Dr. Bruce Perry, a best-selling author and clinician, prepares to discuss ways to revitalize the public health workforce during a new Insight and Inspiration event scheduled for March 23rd.
ASTHO History Timeline
ASTHO Blog Article: Interagency Collaboration to Improve Business Processes in the U.S. Virgin Islands
ASTHO E-Learning: Quality Improvement Learning Series / Serie de aprendizaje de mejora de la calidad
ASTHO E-Learning: Introduction to Process Improvement
ASTHO Event: Insight and Inspiration – Monthly Conversations for Public Health Leaders in the Era of COVID-19
Geetika Nadkarni, ASTHO’s Director of Infectious Diseases, outlines a new initiative aimed at reducing disparities in vaccination rates among adult racial and ethnic minority groups and rural communities; the Community COVID Coalition adds more social media resources to its portal for public health teams working to increase vaccine uptake among several unvaccinated populations; and Mei Kwong, Executive Director of the Center for Connected Health Policy, reflects on telehealth use over the course of the pandemic.
ASTHO News Release: New ASTHO Program Aims to Increase Equity in Adult Immunization
Community COVID Coalition: Social Media Assets - Vaccines
ASTHO Public Health Review Morning Edition: Episode 118 – Selling Vaccines to Younger Adults
Community COVID Coalition: COVID-19 and Social Media – Best Practices to Reach Your Communities
Mike Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO, issues a statement offering early reaction to the Biden Administration’s new National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan; Dr. Elisha Hall, Clinical Guidelines Lead for the CDC’s Vaccine Task Force, explains the latest recommendations regarding suggested intervals for first and second doses of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines for some people; and Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, says the pandemic has everyone thinking about the social determinants of health and how to address health inequities.
ASTHO News Release: State and Territorial Health Leaders Look to Next Phase of COVID-19 Pandemic
White House: National COVID-19 Preparedness Plan
CDC: Interim Clinical Considerations for Use of COVID-19 Vaccines Currently Approved or Authorized in the United States
CDC: Interim COVID-19 Immunization Schedule for Ages 5 Years and Older
CDC: U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Product Information
ASTHO YouTube: Heart Month Q&A with Marcus Plescia
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, reacts to President Biden’s comments about public health in his State of the Union address Tuesday night; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Government Affairs, says the work ASTHO members did last week on Capitol Hill was time well spent; and Heidi Westermann, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health Systems and Planning, explains how ASTHO is teaming with government and public health officials in Guam to help improve hiring and procurement processes.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Commends President Biden’s Commitment to Protect America’s Health
ASTHO Blog Article: Interagency Collaboration to Improve Business Processes in the U.S. Virgin Islands
ASTHO E-Learning: Quality Improvement Learning Series / Serie de aprendizaje de mejora de la calidad
ASTHO E-Learning: Introduction to Process Improvement
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, says public health jurisdictions must have clear messaging when explaining the CDC’s new community-level COVID-19 metrics; Elizabeth Head, Deputy Director for Injury Prevention at the Georgia Department of Public Health, explains the benefits of a collaboration with ASTHO and the Trust for America’s Health; and ASTHO has a blog article about a new public health emergency preparedness academy in Puerto Rico.
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – Puerto Rico’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Academy
Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, explains the critical need to hire hundreds of epidemiologists in public health departments nationwide; Richard Hamburg, Executive Director of the Safe States Alliance, outlines the vision for a national injury and violence prevention program; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, discusses equity as part of a panel hosted by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and ASTHO prepares to recognize women and nutrition in March.
Big Cities Health Coalition: Report – Cities Need to Increase Number of Epidemiologists
Safe States Alliance: Blueprint for a National Injury and Violence Prevention Program
CMS YouTube: Black Health and Wellness – Building a More Equitable Health Care System
Dr. Esther Muna, Chief Executive Officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation in the Northern Mariana Islands, and Dr. Carlos Mellado, Secretary of the Puerto Rico Department of Health, deliver key policy messages during Capitol Hill visits; ASTHO offers a new blog article focused on actions jurisdictions have taken to address systemic racism in public health; and ASTHO launches a new website.
ASTHO Blog Article: State Policy Can Reduce Systemic Racism in Public Health
ASTHO Website
Molly Howell, Immunization Director at the North Dakota Department of Health, says testimonials from people impacted by COVID-19 have helped make the virus real for people with doubts about the vaccines; Chrissie Juliano, Executive Director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, says a shortage of epidemiologists has left many health departments unable to respond to a growing number of public health challenges; HHS seeks applications for $3 billion in grant proposals to improve public health infrastructure, workforce, and data systems; and ASTHO remembers a public health titan.
Big Cities Health Coalition/CSTE: Report – Cities Need to Increase Number of Epidemiologists
HHS Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems Grant Announcement
ASTHO Blog Article: Remembering Paul Farmer – When Public Health Doesn’t Back Down
Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee’s Health Commissioner, says the increased availability of oral antiviral medications doesn’t lessen the need for vaccines to fight COVID-19; Cortney Lovell, co-founder of Our Wellness Collective, says she hopes a new training program will inspire public health professionals to explore recovery peer services for people struggling with substance use; and ASTHO teams with the CDC to write an article for the Journal of Women’s Health about a program that sent field staff to five states to help pregnant and post-partum people and infants exposed to opioids and other substances.
ASTHO: Recovery Peer Services Training Program
Journal of Women’s Health: OMNI LC field placement process
Carolyn McCoy, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, shares how public health leaders will engage with Members of Congress today in virtual Hill Day meetings; Amber Williams, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Leadership and Organizational Performance, explains the excitement for ASTHO’s new PH-Hero program; and Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge introduces us to Onesimus, an enslaved African who helped save hundreds of Boston residents from smallpox in 1721.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Launches Resiliency Program to Support Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Blog Article: Who Is Onesimus?
Alex Wheatley, a Senior Analyst on ASTHO’s Territorial Support Team, explains the work Territorial members will do tomorrow during the organization’s annual Hill Day event in Washington, D.C.; Carolyn McCoy, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Federal Government Relations, outlines provisions of the Prevent Pandemics Act being drafted in the U.S. Senate; ASTHO Government Affairs Analyst Devon Page writes an update on actions in Congress; the Community COVID Coalition has a link to a new campaign webinar planned for Thursday; and ASTHO releases an updated COVID Vaccine Comparison chart.
ASTHO Blog Article: What’s Next? An Update From the Hill
Community COVID Coalition Webinar: Registration Link
ASTHO COVID-19 Comparison Chart
ASTHO announces a new resiliency program to support the strained public health workforce; Avia Mason, ASTHO’s Vice President of Learning Strategy, outlines the plan for the organization’s Washington Week gathering next week; and Cortney Lovell describes a self-guided online training that teaches ASTHO members about recovery peer services for people battling substance use. ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Launches Resiliency Program to Support Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Blog Article: A New Year, A New Plan
ASTHO: Recovery Peer Services Training Program
Elke Shaw-Tulloch, Idaho’s State Health Officer, shares her state’s approach to addressing mental health concerns; ASTHO’s Maggie Davis authors a blog article on legislative efforts impacting mental health; Carolyn McCoy, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, helps members understand the Prevent Pandemics Act under development on Capitol Hill; and ASTHO offers an online learning module to guide agencies through the CDC’s Healthy Brain Initiative Road Map Series.
ASTHO Policy Prospectus: Supporting Mental and Behavioral Health
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Policy Watch 2022 – Mental Health
ASTHO E-Learning Module: Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Module
Margret Cooke, Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health, examines the value of public health authority when responding to a public health emergency; Alison Beam, Pennsylvania’s former acting Secretary of Health, says the response forced by COVID-19 has improved services for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities in her state; and Richard Hamburg, Executive Director of the Safe States Alliance, shares the findings of a report that examines the pandemic’s impact on injury and prevention violence programs. ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: Maintaining Public Health’s Legal Authority to Prevent Disease Spread
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review Podcast
Safe States Alliance Report: Crisis Amidst COVID-19 – The State of Injury and Violence Prevention in Health Departments and Hospitals
Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, says the COVID-19 virus may be in a welcomed retreat; Dr. Joe Gaugler tells us why organizers of a new conference on dementia caregiving planned for June in Minneapolis want public health professionals to know more about the subject; and ASTHO launches a new website.
Register: The Public Health Opportunities and Challenges of Dementia Caregiving conference
Website: The Public Health Opportunities and Challenges of Dementia Caregiving conference
Julie Scofield, Project Director for the Community COVID Coalition, a project of the CDC Foundation, reports on the results of a months-long social media campaign to convince younger adults to get the COVID-19 vaccine; and Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO’s President-Elect and Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, answers a question about vaccine uptake during a panel discussion hosted by the Washington Post and moderated by national health reporter Dan Diamond. Community COVID Coalition: Social Media Assets Vaccines
Community COVID Coalition: COVID-19 and Social Media – Best Practices to Reach Your Communities
Washington Post Event: Coronavirus – Impact on Hospitals
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health State Policy Issues to Watch in 2022
Zarnaaz Bashir, ASTHO’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer, says the organization’s new strategic plan was created during and influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic; Dr. Robert Bourgeois, an occupational and environmental health expert working along the U.S. Gulf Coast, explains how difficult it is to manage pandemic health protocols in a remote work environment, like an off-shore drilling rig; and we look forward to Dr. Anne Zink’s comments about COVID-19’s impact on hospitals during a panel discussion hosted by the Washington Post. Dr. Zink is ASTHO's President-Elect and Alaska's Chief Medical Officer.
ASTHO Blog Article: A New Year, A New Plan
Dr. David Adinaro, New Jersey’s Deputy Commissioner for Public Health, evaluates the state of the nation’s public health data and information infrastructure; Dr. Joseph Gaugler, Director of the BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving at the University of Minnesota, promotes a new conference on dementia for public health professionals; and Alison Beam, Pennsylvania’s former Acting Secretary of Health, describes a COVID-19 vaccination clinic model her team developed with a Philadelphia hospital partner for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: Data Modernization and Privacy Protections
Register: The Public Health Opportunities and Challenges of Dementia Caregiving conference
Website: The Public Health Opportunities and Challenges of Dementia Caregiving conference
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review podcast
Alan Roberson, Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, explains the growing interest in the risks of PFAS chemicals and the challenges some jurisdictions encounter when they want to do something about them; Phil Rooney with the Douglas County Health Department in Omaha, Nebraska, says it’s vital to keep a close eye on social media misinformation and disinformation and even more important to have a plan when rumors start spreading online; and David Carey, a disability advocate, says the 11th Annual African American Conference on Disabilities is for anyone interested in disability issues.
ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: PFAS – Regulating Toxic Compounds
ASDWA Webpage: PFAS
ASDWA White Paper: Lessons Learned from States and Challenges Ahead in Setting State-Level Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Standards
NPHIC Webpage: Public Health Speaks podcast
Register: 11th Annual African American Conference on Disabilities
Dr. Josh Sharfstein, a former public health official in Maryland and principal deputy commissioner at the FDA from 2009 until 2011, says continued public confusion over testing, booster doses, and medications could be improved if two federal agencies thrown into the spotlight by the COVID-19 pandemic could find a way to work more closely together; Safe States Alliance Executive Director Richard Hamburg says many public health jurisdictions have had challenges implementing equity approaches into their injury and violence prevention work; and Kristin Ahrens, Pennsylvania’s Deputy Secretary for the Office of Developmental Programs, says telehealth has been a critical tool in helping serve people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities during the pandemic.
New York Times Opinion: The CDC and FDA Can Work Better Together
Safe States Alliance: Injury and Violence Prevention Health Equity Scan
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review
Joanne Pearsol, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce Development, explains how states and territories are working to help a weary public health workforce survive the pandemic; and we share details about the 11th annual African American Conference on Disabilities happening now through February 17th.
ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: COVID-19 Pandemic Further Strains Public Health Workforce
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Policy Watch – Public Health Workforce
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health State Policy Issues to Watch in 2022
Registration Link: 11th Annual African American Conference on Disabilities
Dr. Jose Romero, a pediatrician and Arkansas’ Secretary of Health, says there’s work to be done to prepare for the possibility of a vaccine for infants and toddlers; Dr. Josh Sharfstein, a pediatrician and former health officer in Maryland who teaches health policy at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, says parents of preschoolers are the most familiar with the benefits of vaccines and tells us why that’s important; and ASTHO announces May 10-11 as the dates for this year’s virtual public health Tech Xpo event.
CNN Health: Pfizer and BioNTech seeking emergency use authorization from FDA for COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 5
ASTHO TechXpo Team email: techxpo@astho.org
Joanne Pearsol, ASTHO’s Director of Workforce Development, says more than 40,000 public health professionals responded to the latest PHWins survey; Dr. Jamie Pina, ASTHO’s Vice President of Public Health Data Modernization, offers a plan to modernize public health data; and a COVID-19 vaccine for very young children could win emergency approval from the FDA in as little as two weeks.
ASTHO webpage: PH Wins – Research to Action
Journal of Public Health Management and Practice: With Major Investments From Congress and Technology in Hand, What Will It Take to Make Public Health Data Modernization a Reality?
CNN Health: Pfizer and BioNTech seeking emergency use authorization from FDA for COVID-19 vaccine for children younger than 5
Kristin Ahrens, Deputy Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs, says the pandemic crisis ultimately will make services for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities stronger; ASTHO’s Abe Kulungara shares how states and territories have worked to improve housing conditions for people in their jurisdictions; the CDC offers a toolkit for public health professionals looking to discuss cardiovascular health during American Heart Month; and ASTHO outlines its top 10 policy issues to watch in 2022.
ASTHO: Public Health Review podcast
CDC: Healthy Homes booklet
CDC: American Heart Month Toolkits 2022
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health State Policy Issues to Watch in 2022
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, reflects on current events in the context of Black History Month, on the first day of the month-long recognition; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO’s President-elect, considers the pandemic’s lessons and what’s next for the nation; ASTHO releases its top ten list of public health policy opportunities; and a new COVID-19 vaccine comparison chart is available online.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health State Policy Issues to Watch in 2022
ASTHO Issue Brief: COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison
Jan Malcolm, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health, outlines policy steps available to limit youth access to E-cigarettes and flavored tobacco products; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser reflects on the start of Black History Month; ASTHO shares a conversation with Gail Christopher, Executive Director of the National Collaborative for Health Equity, addressing racial equity and the connections to public health; and we release details of a webinar planned for February 9th teaching attendees how to balance self-care and personal safety with their leadership duties and staff responsibilities.
ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: E-Cigarettes and Flavored Tobacco Products
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Policy Watch – E-Cigarettes and Flavored Tobacco Products
ASTHO Blog Article: Reflections on Black History Month – A Q&A with Gail Christopher and Michael Fraser
ASTHO Webinar: Public Health Leadership Under Assault
Rachael Banks, Oregon’s Director of Public Health, says the focus on immunizations during the pandemic is a perfect opportunity to expand the public health conversation. Immunizations are one of ASTHO’s top 10 policy issues to watch in 2022; Yaryna Onufrey, an ASTHO analyst for social and behavioral health, says the money from settlements of opioid lawsuits will fund a variety of opioid treatment programs and organizations in jurisdictions across the states and territories; and ASTHO announces a webinar to discuss strategies and systems to enhance breastfeeding support in communities.
ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: Immunization – A Cornerstone of Public Health
ASTHO Blog Article: States Using Settlement Fund Legislation to Enhance Response to the Opioid Crisis
ASTHO Event: Fostering Breastfeeding Equity Through Community Engagement Series
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia explains the latest thinking about how best to use case investigation and contact tracing to fight the Omicron variant; ASTHO joins several other national public health groups to issue a statement this week supporting departments should they decide to change their approach to contact tracing; ASTHO President-Elect Dr. Anne Zink says public health pivots to address current and anticipated challenges; ASTHO has released an updated version of its popular COVID-19 vaccine comparison chart; and ASTHO writes a blog listing several other public health podcasts listeners might find useful.
ASTHO Statement: The Transition Away from Universal Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for Individual Cases of COVID-19 by Public Health Agencies
ASTHO Issue Brief: COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison Chart
ASTHO Blog Article: Seven Public Health Podcasts to Follow in 2022
ASTHO and associations representing epidemiologists, counties, cities, and public health labs issue a statement supporting jurisdictions moving away from universal case investigation and contact tracing at this point in the pandemic; Dr. Ayne Amjad, West Virginia’s State Health Officer, is optimistic about the future of rural health, one of ASTHO’s top ten policy issues to watch in 2022; Governors from several states joined Washington, D.C.’s mayor at a virtual congressional hearing to discuss the latest pandemic response; and ASTHO announces job openings.
ASTHO Statement: The Transition Away from Universal Case Investigation and Contact Tracing for Individual Cases of COVID-19 by Public Health Agencies
YouTube page: House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis
ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: Rural Health – State Investment in Healthcare Infrastructure
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Policy Watch – Health Equity and Rural Health
ASTHO webpage: Careers at ASTHO
Paula Tran, Wisconsin’s State Health Officer, says it’s possible to maintain health equity priorities even as the pandemic continues to strain resources. Health equity is among the issues considered in a set of 10 ASTHO policy briefings focused on public health issues expected to be priorities this year; ASTHO has a new blog article about health equity and rural health; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO’s President-Elect, reflects on her hopes for the new year; and a webinar hosted by the Center for Homeland Defense and Security this afternoon will address the latest with the Omicron variant and planning considerations for the next phase of the pandemic.
ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: Advancing Health Equity
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Policy Watch – Health Equity and Rural Health
Center for Homeland Defense and Security webpage: Stunting the Surge – What Leaders Need to Know for 2022 Pandemic Planning
Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana’s State Health Officer, talks about fighting the HIV epidemic during the COVID-19 pandemic as ASTHO releases a set of 10 policy briefings focused on public health issues expected to be priorities this year; ASTHO offers a new blog article including information about an innovative HIV testing program; and Dr. John Wiesman offers thanks for the people battling to control the COVID-19 virus.
ASTHO Health Policy Prospectus: HIV – Ending an Epidemic
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Policy Watch – Ending the HIV Epidemic
CDC Webpage: CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline
Dr. John Wiesman, the former Secretary of Health in Washington state, gives his assessment of the nation's pandemic response since the first COVID-19 case was discovered in his state two years ago this week. He discusses what has worked, what remains a challenge, and what to do next; Katey Redmond, a public health specialist in Alaska, says the announcement of crisis standards of care in a community can cause anxiety among people living with disabilities; and ASTHO offers a blog article describing the goals of a new partnership with the EPA and the Environmental Council on States.
CDC Webpage: CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review Podcast
ASTHO Blog Article: Joining Forces to Advance Resiliency to Complex Disasters
Dr. John Wiesman, the former Secretary of Health in Washington state, reflects on the moment the first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in his state and thus the U.S.; Dr. Alexis Travis, Michigan’s State Health Officer, says it’s never too late to review and revise crisis standards of care to reflect input from vulnerable groups, including people living with disabilities; and ASTHO and NACCHO team up to report on state and local health departments who’ve implemented a “health in all policies” approach to their COVID-19 response.
CDC Webpage: CDC Museum COVID-19 Timeline
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health Review Podcast
ASTHO Blog Article: HiAP Strategy Works in States, Locally to Meet Equity Challenges in COVID-19 Response
Robin Matthies, Director of Public and Behavioral Health Integration at ASTHO, explains why it’s important to consider restorative justice approaches to discipline in schools; Andy Baker-White, ASTHO’s Senior Director of State Health Policy, says jurisdictions have policy options when promoting vaccinations among workers; and ASTHO is hiring for several open positions.
ASTHO Reports: Restorative Justice in Schools – An Upstream Approach for Addressing Inequities in the Risk of Incarceration
ASTHO Webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, provides an overview of a new ASTHO report about restorative justice in schools; Annie Evans, a senior analyst of disability integration and preparedness at ASTHO, marks the first anniversary of a program that sent disability experts to help several jurisdictions better serve people living with disabilities; and an ASTHO blog article examines two top policy issues to watch in 2022, health equity and rural health, while another rounds up the top online resources of 2021.
ASTHO Reports: Restorative Justice in Schools – An Upstream Approach for Addressing Inequities in the Risk of Incarceration
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO Policy Watch – Health Equity and Rural Health
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s Most Used Resources of 2021
ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser considers Dr. Martin Luther King’s influence on public health and his impact on the organization’s approach to equity; Dr. Alexis Travis, Michigan’s State Health Officer, tells us how the civil rights icon has influenced her work in public health; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge says Dr. King’s impact on public health remains strong; and former Washington State Secretary of Health Dr. John Wiesman explains how Dr. King’s lessons can inform our approach to health equity today and in the future.
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, outlines the organization’s 2022 federal policy agenda and tells members what they ought to expect from Washington this year; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser says public health needs to spend more time thinking about communications and messaging; and ASTHO issues a report about period poverty, a growing public health concern.
ASTHO Document: 2022 Federal Legislative Agenda
National Academy of Medicine webpage: Public Health COVID-19 Impact Assessment
ASTHO Blog Article: Period Poverty – A Growing Public Health Concern
Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition, discusses communications lessons learned during the pandemic; ProPublica journalist Caroline Chen hopes Congress reads her story about the funding public health needs to address congenital syphilis; and ASTHO announces new job openings.
Website: National Public Health Information Coalition
ProPublica Website: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.
ASTHO Webpage: Job Opportunities
Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana’s State Health Officer, explains the evolution of messaging required by the fast-moving Omicron variant during an appearance on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal morning show Monday; ProPublica journalist Caroline Chen considers the impact her story about congenital syphilis might have on the debate over funding for public health, especially in rural America; and ASTHO shares success stories of several disability and preparedness specialists working in jurisdictions across the country.
C-SPAN Washington Journal: Dr. Joseph Kanter
CDC News Release: Reported STDs Reach All-time High for 6th Consecutive Year
ProPublica Website: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – One Year Review of Disability and Preparedness Specialists Project
Caroline Chen, a journalist for the non-profit news organization ProPublica, reports on public health’s work to combat a rising number of syphilis cases in the nation; ASTHO offers a new blog article with ideas and guidance for public health planners looking to do more for people living with disabilities during times of crisis; and the CDC prepares to accept applications for its two-year, paid Public Health Associate Program.
ProPublica Website: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable.
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – When Disaster Strikes for People Living with Disabilities
CDC Webpage: Public Health Associate Program
Lawrence Gostin, law professor at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C., tells us what to expect from today’s Supreme Court hearing on two Biden Administration COVID vaccine mandates; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser says states and territories are prepared for a rush of kids seeking protection from the Omicron variant as classes resume nationwide; a new ASTHO report highlights the role immunizations can play in reducing health disparities; and ASTHO has a new online tool to help members address the need for more forensic pathologists in their jurisdictions.
ASTHO Report: Advancing Health Equity Through Immunization
ASTHO E-Learning: Forensic Pathology Workforce Shortage – Context and Considerations for Public Health
Dr. Linda Mendonca, President of the National Association of School Nurses, explains how her members are coping with students’ return to classrooms amid the threat of the Omicron variant; Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition, shares what public health communicators think has worked well during the pandemic; and ASTHO releases its list of the 10 most used member resources in 2021.
Website: National Association of School Nurses
Website: National Public Health Information Coalition
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO’s Most Used Resources of 2021
Andy Baker White, ASTHO’s Senior Director of State Health Policy, discusses immunization proposals scheduled for consideration in legislatures across the nation; Caroline Chen, a journalist writing for ProPublica, connects syphilis to the public health funding roller coaster and health care needs in rural America; and ASTHO announces new job openings.
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health State Policy Issues to Watch in 2022
ASTHO Blog Article: Proposed Vaccination Laws to Watch in the New Year
ProPublica Report: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable
ASTHO Webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
ASTHO President Dr. Nirav Shah outlines four priorities he says must be at the top of the public health agenda in 2022; John Bridgeland, Co-Founder and CEO of the COVID Collaborative, discusses recommendations for helping children who’ve lost a parent or caregiver during the pandemic; ASTHO offers a report summarizing legislative efforts taken to support HIV prevention; and we get a sneak peek into a conversation with Caroline Chen, a journalist at ProPublica, about syphilis, coming later this week.
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO President Nirav D. Shah Looks Ahead to 2022
COVID Collaborative Report: Hidden Pain
ASTHO Blog Article: State Legislative Activity Supports Federal Evidence-Based HIV Prevention Initiative
ProPublica Report: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It’s 100% Preventable
Karl Ensign, ASTHO’s Vice President of Territorial Support, shares lessons learned fighting COVID-19 in the U.S. territories; Kelly Wroblewski, Director of Infectious Disease Programs at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, says labs are following the increase in the use of at-home COVID-19 test kits; ASTHO has a new blog article detailing steps members have taken to curb housing instability in their jurisdictions; and Jim Blumenstock, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Pandemic Response and Recovery, announces his retirement.
Website: Association of Public Health Laboratories
ASTHO Blog Article: Reflections From the Field – Pacific and Atlantic Jurisdictions Remain Resolute Amid Adversity
ASTHO Blog Article: Factoring Housing Into Federal and State Policies to Improve Community Health
ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser hopes the new year signals a shift in the pandemic; Kelly Wroblewski, Director of Infectious Diseases for the Association of Public Health Laboratories, says labs are ready for whatever the pandemic brings this winter; ASTHO plans a webinar featuring it’s disability and preparedness specialists; and ASTHO has a new blog article about viral hepatitis that includes four ideas jurisdictions might consider as they make plans to slow infections.
Website: Association of Public Health Laboratories
ASTHO Webinar: Stories of Inclusion One Year of Lessons Learned from Disability
ASTHO Blog Article: Forward Focus – The Urgent Need to Address Rising Cases of Viral Hepatitis
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says even though everyone is tired of the pandemic, we can’t give up fighting the virus now; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser, along with two other public health leaders, says the pandemic has been difficult but also has offered several valuable lessons; and ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, Maggie Davis, previews ASTHO’s annual series of policy papers for member states and territories due out in January.
NPHIC webpage: Public Health Speaks podcast
ASTHO Statement: Lessons From the First Year of COVID-19 Vaccination, and What’s Next
ASTHO News Release: State and Territorial Health Officials Urge Americans to Help Stop Delta and Omicron’s Spread
ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health State Policy Issues to Watch in 2022
Eric Cote, an expert in emergency power preparedness, tells us why it’s important to know who relies on electricity for their medical devices when power is lost in a community; Stephen Heck, an ASTHO Disability and Preparedness Specialist working in South Dakota, says his time helping the state plan a new training program has been rewarding; and ASTHO publishes a fresh episode of the Public Health Review podcast about Health Equity Zones.
ASTHO Brief: Leveraging the HHS emPOWER Program to Enhance Power Outage Planning
ASTHO Brief: When the Power Fails – Helping Life-Support Equipment Users
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – When Disaster Strikes for People Living with Disabilities
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, analyzes the Build Back Better Act and looks ahead to the possibility of another continuing resolution in February; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, says Health Equity Zones turn traditional public health models upside down; Katie Lamansky, Health Program Manager for Get Healthy Idaho, says community partners appreciate the innovation that comes with Health Equity Zones; and ASTHO is hiring to fill several open positions.
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review
ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
Mike Fraser, ASTHO’s CEO, recognizes the first anniversary of a COVID-19 vaccine and discusses hesitancy; Professor Dorit Reiss, University of California Hastings College of the Law, examines the legal arguments behind a lawsuit challenging New York City’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for municipal workers; ASTHO members wrap up their first in-person conference since the pandemic started almost two years ago; and ASTHO offers a microlearning titled “Introduction to Process Improvement.”
USA Today: History made, millions saved – One year later, ‘surreal’ moments of COVID-19 vaccine debut live on
Bloomberg: New York City Must Appear in Court Over Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit
ASTHO E-Learning: Introduction to Process Improvement
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, says it’s unlikely Congress will roll back one of President Biden’s vaccine mandates; Devon Page, a government affairs analyst at ASTHO, tells us how states and territories can begin to improve transportation options for people who struggle to access medical care; Katie Lamansky, Health Program Manager for Get Healthy Idaho, says health equity zones require everyone to adjust their thinking; and ASTHO offers a training course of case investigators and contact tracers.
NPR webpage: In a largely symbolic move, the Senate votes to block Biden’s vaccine-or-test mandate
ASTHO Blog Article: Transportation, a Destination in Itself
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review podcast
ASTHO E-Learning: Making Contact – A Training for COVID-19 Case Investigators and Contact Tracers
Kim Martin, ASTHO’s Director of Immunization, tells us how an event like National Influenza Vaccination Week impacts vaccination awareness; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser says communities weary of COVID-19 cannot afford to let their guard down; and Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, explains the value of health equity zones.
ASTHO Blog Article: Flu Activity Rising – It’s Time to Get the Vaccine!
CDC webpage: National Influenza Vaccination Week
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review podcast
Claire Hannan, Executive Director of the Association of Immunization Managers, says vaccines have benefitted from the attention they’ve received during the pandemic; Jessica Baggett, ASTHO’s COVID-19 Response Director, says states and territories have work to do to prepare for the rollout of antiviral therapies, like the AstraZeneca formula given emergency use authorization by the FDA Wednesday afternoon; a new ASTHO blog article details how an interagency collaboration aims to improve business processes in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the Surgeon General has a new toolkit available to help public health agencies address online misinformation.
Association of Immunization Managers webpage: National Influenza Vaccination Week
CDC webpage: National Influenza Vaccination Week
ASTHO Blog Article: Interagency Collaboration to Improve Business Processes in the U.S. Virgin Islands
U.S. Surgeon General: A Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation
Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, a non-profit organization, debuts a media campaign sharing stories of young people suffering from Long COVID; The White House hosts a Maternal Health Day of Action event; and ASTHO is hiring for several open positions.
Webpage: Resolve to Save Lives Launches First-of-its-kind “Voices of Long COVID” Media Campaign Throughout the United States
Download webpage: Help Promote the Voices of Long COVID
The White House: Remarks by Vice President Harris at the Maternal Day of Action Summit
ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
Dr. Judy Monroe, President and CEO of the CDC Foundation, shares details of a new series of discussions considering the future of public health; Felecia Barrow, an ASTHO Disability and Preparedness Specialist working in Alabama, tells how National Guard members trained to work with the disability community helped a young woman and her family get vaccinated against COVID-19; and the non-profit Resolve to Save Lives organization debuts a media campaign sharing stories of young people suffering from “long COVID.”
CDC Foundation: Lights, Camera, Action Summit Series
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – One Year Review of Disability and Preparedness Specialists Project
Webpage: Resolve to Save Lives Launches First-of-its-kind “Voices of Long COVID” Media Campaign Throughout the United States
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says influenza and COVID-19 have a lot in common, as National Influenza Vaccination Week kicks off today; Professor James Hodge Jr., at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in Phoenix, predicts the fate of several federal vaccine mandates now held up in courts around the nation; and the CDC Foundation, ASTHO, and other groups kick off a series of conversations about the future of public health today.
CDC webpage: 2021 NIVW Digital Media Toolkit
Bio: Professor James Hodge Jr.
CDC Foundation: Lights, Camera, Action Summit Series
ASTHO leaders react to President Biden’s winter COVID-19 strategy. Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discuss booster shots, messaging, pharmacy capacity, and at-home tests; and we recognize International Day of Persons with Disabilities today with a story about Felecia Barrow, ASTHO’s Disability and Preparedness Specialist in Alabama, who shares her idea to train National Guard members how to assist people living with disabilities.
The White House webpage: President Biden Announces New Actions to Protect Americans Against the Delta and Omicron Variants as We Battle COVID-19 this Winter
ASTHO YouTube post: Public Health Leaders Discuss Omicron Variant Amid Reported U.S. Case
ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – One Year Review of Disability and Preparedness Specialists Project
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says there are more questions than answers regarding the Omicron variant now in the United States; Dr. Plescia writes in a new ASTHO blog article that the pandemic presents an historic opportunity to address health equity in the U.S.; Aika Aluc, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Maternal and Infant Health, examines the many ways states and territories have worked to advance breastfeeding and health equity in a new report; and ASTHO releases details of a new webinar series exploring breastfeeding equity.
CDC website: First Confirmed Case of Omicron Variant Detected in the United States
ASTHO Blog Article: The Historic Opportunity COVID-19 Presents to Address Health Equity
ASTHO Report: Examining State Innovations to Advance Breastfeeding and Health Equity
ASTHO Webinar Series: Fostering Breastfeeding Equity Through Community Engagement
Dr. Stephen Lee, Executive Director of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, talks about World AIDS Day and the opportunities for public health agencies; Dr. Umair Shah, Washington’s Secretary of Health, explains how personal challenges help him connect with people in his state; Dr. Mary Bassett begins work today as New York’s new commissioner of health; and ASTHO provides details of key job openings.
ASTHO Blog Article: World AIDS Day 2021 – Ending the HIV Epidemic
World AIDS Day webpage
New York State webpage: Governor Hochul Appoints Dr. Mary T. Bassett as Commissioner of the Department of Health
ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
Several ASTHO members attend a White House event in appreciation of public health workers across the states and territories. ASTHO President Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President-Elect Dr. Anne Zink, California’s Dr. Tomas Aragon, and Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt from Washington, D.C. offer comments to a national audience; Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, says vulnerable populations have a tough time advocating for investments that benefit them; and ASTHO releases a new brief scanning the work members have done to leverage telehealth services during the pandemic.
The White House YouTube page: Virtual Event – Public Health Community Appreciation Town Hall
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review podcast
ASTHO Brief: Using Lessons from the COVID-19 Response to Inform Telehealth Activities
Dr. Alexis Travis, Michigan’s Senior Deputy Director at the Department of Health and Human Services, explains her focus on caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias; Janet Hamilton, Executive Director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, shares the advice she gives her members about inconsistent funding for public health initiatives; Josh Berry, Analyst for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention at ASTHO, offers his “thankful” note to celebrate Public Health Thank You Day.
CDC webpage: Healthy Brain Initiative – Road Map for State and Local Public Health
AFA webpage: November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review Podcast
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser offers his thoughts on today’s Public Health Thank You Day celebration recognizing public health workers across the states and territories. He also previews a special event at the White House scheduled for Noon eastern time; and Stephen Lee, Executive Director of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, gives us his “thankful” note to mark the day.
ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health Thank You Day – Thoughts from ASTHO Leadership
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Clare Coleman, President and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, explains how to apply for a new round of Title X grants now available from HHS; Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, says states and territories could not have done their work without emergency COVID-19 funds, but he hopes for a different funding approach going froward; and Mylynn Tufte, former state health officer from North Dakota, delivers today’s “thankful” note.
Website: National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association
The Hill webpage: The US has reached a critical moment for birth control access
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review podcast
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser says the appointment of Dr. Rahul Gupta, the former West Virginia health commissioner, to be Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, is good news for states and territories; Chris Salyers, Director of Programs and Evaluation at the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health, explains how public health departments can support rural health initiatives; ASTHO offers two new blog articles focused on rural health policies and programs; Josh Berry, Senior Analyst of Chronic Disease Prevention at ASTHO, says states and territories can expect Big Tobacco to fight back when lawmakers return to work in January; and Dr. Alexis Travis, Senior Deputy Director at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, provides today’s “thankful” note.
White House webpage: United States Senate Confirms Dr. Rahul Gupta as Director of National Drug Control Policy
ASTHO Blog Article: National Rural Health Day – States Investing in Rural Communities
ASTHO Blog Article: Members Spotlight – Ayne Amjad and Maggie Cook-Shimanek
Webpage: National Rural Health Day
ASTHO E-Learning: Responding to Emerging Challenges in Tobacco Control
ASTHO Blog Article: Despite Major Benefits, Flavored Tobacco Regulations Face an Uphill Battle Led by Big Tobacco
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Lynn Trujillo, Secretary of the New Mexico Indian Affairs Department, explains the challenges and successes of the COVID-19 response in her state’s tribal communities; Mylynn Tufte, North Dakota’s former state health official, prepares to discuss how to lead with gratitude in tomorrow’s final Insight and Inspiration event online; ASTHO announces new job openings; and Richa Ranade, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Overdose Prevention, offers her “thankful” note as we anticipate Public Health Thank You Day next Monday, Nov. 22nd.
Webpage: National Native American Heritage Month
ASTHO webpage: Insight and Inspiration
ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Mylynn Tufte, North Dakota’s former state health official, explains the power of gratitude in advance of her Insight and Inspiration talk on Thursday, Nov. 18; Rhea Farberman, Director of Strategic Communications and Policy Research at the Trust for America’s Health, suggests communicators tell audiences that pandemic guidance can and will change; ASTHO reminds state and territorial health professionals to complete their PH Wins workforce surveys; and Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, shares a “thankful” note to celebrate Public Health Thank You Day coming up Monday, Nov. 22nd.
ASTHO webpage: Insight and Inspiration
de Beaumont Foundation webpage: Poll – Unvaccinated Americans Consider Vaccine Requirements a Greater Health Threat than COVID-19
ASTHO blog article: Understanding the Impacts of COVID-19 on the Workforce
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
The Rockefeller Foundation releases its 5th survey of Americans’ attitudes about the pandemic response; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, says every public health agency should update its Healthy People 2030 plan to reflect the pandemic’s impact on measurable goals; ASTHO and the Center for Health Care Strategies offer a report explaining how public health departments can partner with Medicaid to advance health equity goals; and ASTHO’s Maggie Davis shares her “thankful note” in advance of Public Health Thank You Day on November 22nd.
The Rockefeller Foundation website: COVID Complications – Insights and Guidance on Ongoing Pandemic Communication
Healthy People 2030 webpage: ODPHP’s COVID-19 Custom List
Center for Health Care Strategies webpage: Cross-Agency Partnerships for Health Equity – Understanding Opportunities Across Medicaid and Public Health Agencies
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy unveils a new health misinformation toolkit; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-Elect, gives parents five reasons to vaccinate their kids against COVID-19; Sami Jo Freeman, Deputy Communications Director for the Missouri Department of Health, says the state’s vaccine lottery helped combat misinformation; and Dr. Umair Shah, Washington’s Secretary of Health, tells us what he’s thankful for this month.
U.S. Surgeon General: Health Misinformation Reports and Publications
U.S. Surgeon General Document: Confronting Health Misinformation
ASTHO Video: Dr. Anne Zink - 5 Reasons to Vaccinate Kids Against COVID-19
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services webpage: Be A MO VIP
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Sen. Kalani Kaneko of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, himself a former health official, shares how military veterans from the freely associated states aligned with the U.S. cannot access their health benefits if they decide to live on the islands they call home; Dr. Lee Norman, Kansas Secretary of Health and a Colonel in the U.S. Army, tells us what he would do to improve health care for his fellow veterans; Mylynn Tufte, former state health official in North Dakota, gets set to inspire an audience on Nov. 18th; ASTHO announces new job openings; and ASTHO’s Courtney Youngbar shares a “thankful note” in advance of Public Health Thank You Day on Nov. 22nd.
Hawaii Public Radio webpage: Complicated U.S. relations Leave Veterans Without Full Health Benefits
ASTHO webpage: Insight and Inspiration series
ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Kimberly Hood, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health at the Louisiana Department of Health, explains why the state expanded its COVID-19 vaccine incentive program to include payments for kids who get the new pediatric vaccine; Sami Jo Freeman, Deputy Communications Director at the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, shares how the state’s vaccination lottery led many residents to become vaccine advocates; ASTHO publishes a new blog article about lawsuits filed against COVID-19 vaccine requirements; and ASTHO teams with other organizations to present a webinar exploring strategies to enhance supply chain resilience.
Louisiana Department of Health webpage: Shot for $100 vaccine incentive program extended to Nov. 30
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services webpage: Be A MO VIP
ASTHO Blog Article: The Shifting Legal Landscape of COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements
Webinar webpage: Avoiding Catastrophe – Strategies for Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience
Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Government Affairs, says the latest version of the Build Back Better Act includes billions for public health projects; Richa Ranade, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Overdose Prevention, explains the new HHS overdose prevention strategy; ASTHO publishes a new brief that provides an overview of policies states and territories have enacted to increase housing opportunities for people who are homeless, battling substance use disorder, or dealing with mental illness; and Clare Coleman, President and CEO of the National Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association, shares a “thankful” note with listeners.
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Congressional Democrats Release Build Back Better Act Text
HHS News Release: HHS Secretary Becerra Announces New Overdose Prevention Strategy
ASTHO Brief: Preventing Overdose and Suicide Through Housing Reform
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
A panel of ASTHO members met with journalists for a virtual news conference Thursday to discuss the new pediatric COVID-19 vaccine and the challenges involved with convincing hesitant parents to vaccinate their kids against the virus. Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-elect and Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer; Dr. Jose Romero, Arkansas’ Secretary of Health; and Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Director of the District of Columbia Department of Health each offered comments during the call.
YouTube: ASTHO Media Briefing
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, reacts to the decision to recommend approval of a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, says Health Equity Zones have helped many communities in her state weather the pandemic; ASTHO publishes a new blog article about the tobacco industry’s assault on attempts to prohibit the sale of some or all flavored tobacco products; and Jim Blumenstock, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Pandemic Response and Recovery, appreciates public health workers with a “thankful” note.
CDC webpage: COVID-19 ACIP Vaccine Recommendations
Rhode Island Department of Health webpage: Health Equity Zones Initiative
ASTHO Blog Article: Despite Major Benefits, Flavored Tobacco Regulations Face an Uphill Battle Led by Big Tobacco
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana’s State Health Commissioner, discusses the complex task of vaccinating hesitant pregnant people against COVID-19; ASTHO releases advice from community groups gathered to explore possible responses to vaccine misinformation and disinformation; Courtney Youngbar, a senior analyst on ASTHO’s Environmental Health team, shares why One Health Day is important for people and animals alike; ASTHO lists new job openings; and Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, tells us what he’s thankful for this year.
ASTHO Brief: Community Partners Offer Key Insights to Health Departments for Increasing Vaccine Confidence
CNN webpage: How to Protect Pregnant People from COVID-19
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review podcast
ASTHO Blog Article: United for One Health
CDC webpage: One Health Day
ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Dr. LaQuandra Nesbitt, Director of the Washington D.C. Department of Health, addresses the importance of answering parents’ questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children; Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, tells a national forum how his office responds to social media misinformation and disinformation; Dr. Mishka Terplan says stigma prevents pregnant people from getting treatment for substance use; and ASTHO offers a new online learning opportunity for jurisdictions looking to build a program to mitigate the risk of stigma for people who use drugs.
Center for Homeland Defense and Security webpage: The Next Season of Pandemic Response recorded session
ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review podcast
ASTHO Learning: Regrounding our Response Program Toolkit – Maryland Department of Health
Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, examines the flurry of lawsuits and court orders resulting from legislative and executive prohibitions of school masking policies; Lindsey Myers, ASTHO’s Vice President of Social and Behavioral Health, says public health departments can help kids who’ve lost a parent or grandparent to COVID-19 by pursuing a population health approach to their response; ASTHO wins the Public Policy Award from the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention; and Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, tells us what she’s thankful for this Thanksgiving season.
ASTHO Blog Article: Courts Considering Challenges to States Blocking School Mask Requirements
ASTHO Blog Article: The Children COVID-19 Left Behind – A Public Health Call to Action
APHA webpage: Public Health Thank You Day
Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, explains how public health departments can use upcoming data from the PH Wins workforce study fielded by his organization and ASTHO; Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, Director of the Ohio Department of Health, offers some not-so-scary Halloween tips for trick-or-treaters; and Dr. David Scrase, Secretary of the New Mexico Health and Human Services Department, offers Thanksgiving holiday travel advice during a virtual news conference.
de Beaumont Foundation webpage: PH Wins
Springfield News-Sun article: Trick or Treat – Ohio Shares COVID-19 Safety Tips for Halloween
Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of the American Public Health Association, discusses the key takeaways from this week’s APHA annual conference; Dr. Mishka Terplan, a nationally recognized expert in the care of pregnant and parenting people with substance use disorders, tells ASTHO members the best way to help those in crisis; ASTHO offers two resources about first responders and their work helping people with substance use disorders; and ASTHO receives the Public Policy Award from the National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention today.
APHA website: APHA 2021 Annual Meeting and Expo
ASTHO Blog Article: A New Approach to Breaking the Cycle – Creating a Shift in Emergency Medical Services to Address Substance Use Disorder
ASTHO Report: Innovations in Overdose Response
National Forum for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention website: Annual Meeting
James Blumenstock, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Pandemic Response and Recovery, shares how states and territories are preparing for the possibility of a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine; Kathy Dolan, Director of Environmental Health at ASTHO, tells us how ASTHO members can tackle climate change in their jurisdictions; and we feature three ASTHO job openings.
FDA webpage: Comirnaty and Pfizer – BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine
Center for Homeland Defense and Security webpage: The Next Season of Pandemic Response – What Leaders Need to Know this Fall and Winter
JPHMP Article: Approaching Climate Change – The Role of State and Territorial Health Agencies
ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO
Dr. Brian Castrucci, President and CEO of the non-profit de Beaumont Foundation, considers the public health workforce crisis; Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana’s State Health Commissioner, says public health departments can help reduce stigma for pregnant people with substance use disorders; ASTHO publishes a new blog article examining the growing number of legal fights over masks in schools; and a webinar to discuss leadership among the community health workforce is scheduled for next month.
New York Times: Why Public Health Faces a Crisis Across the U.S.
de Beaumont Foundation webpage: “Staffing Up” Research – Health Departments Need to Grow by 80% to Provide Basic Services
The Commonwealth Fund webpage: “It’s Really, Truly Everywhere”- How the Opioid Crisis Worsened with COVID-19
ASTHO Experts Blog Article: Courts Considering Challenges to States Blocking School Mask Requirements
ASTHO Event: Promoting Community Health Worker Leadership
Judith Persichilli, New Jersey’s Commissioner of Health, explains a data driven grassroots COVID-19 vaccination strategy that saved lives; New York Times journalist Danielle Ivory tells us how she would use the information in her story about public health if she were a state or territorial health official; and ASTHO has two new reports – one that shares the experiences and thoughts of several full-time disability and preparedness specialists working in departments across the country, and another that addresses the challenges agencies have had fully spending CDC money awarded in support of the Overdose Data to Action strategy to battle the opioid epidemic.
New Jersey Department of Health Webpage: Ambassador Initiative Provides Model Approach
New York Times: Why Public Health Faces a Crisis Across the U.S.
ASTHO Brief: Reducing Vaccine Hesitancy for People Living with Disabilities
ASTHO Reports: Federal Award Spenddown – An Analysis of Spending Challenges and Opportunities for Agencies Funded Through the Overdose Data to Action Cooperative Agreement
New York Times journalist Danielle Ivory details the feedback she and her team received from public health professionals responding to the newspaper’s survey about their work during the pandemic; ASTHO Board Member and former Minnesota health commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger frames the conversation about transportation and health equity during the first meeting of the Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus; and ASTHO joins with the CDC Foundation and others to help up to 10 state health agency teams build stronger community partnerships to achieve an improved culture of health.
New York Times: Why Public Health Faces a Crisis Across the U.S.
Webpage: The Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus
CDC Foundation Webpage: Governmental Public Health Agencies to Partner with national Nonprofits to Build Culture of Health
Danielle Ivory, a journalist for the New York Times, explains the results of the newspaper’s survey of hundreds of local public health departments; Senate budgeteers release FY 22 Appropriations bills, including a historic increase in funding for the CDC; Ramya Dronamraju, a Senior Analyst on ASTHO’s Maternal and Infant Health team, discusses ASTHO member policy responses to intimate partner violence and substance use disorders; and we follow the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices as it meets to consider the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson COVID boosters.
New York Times: Why Public Health Faces a Crisis Across the U.S.
ASTHO Legislative Alert
ASTHO Blog Article: States Explore the Relationship Between Partner Violence and Substance Use Disorders
CDC Webpage: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
Webpage: The Great ShakeOut
Stephanie Smiley, former state health officer for Wisconsin, examines the impact of social media on young people; Community COVID Coalition members release new social media animations to educate people ages 18 to 24 about vaccine safety; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser and Chuck Ingoglia, CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, commit to working together to promote the wellbeing of public health workers in a new blog article; ASTHO President Elect Dr. Anne Zink says leaders need to be intentional with positive reinforcement; former ASTHO members Dr. Rachel Levine and Dr. Joneigh Khaldun get new jobs; and ASTHO is hiring for key positions.
Webpage: Community COVID Coalition Vaccine Social Media Assets
Webpage: Community COVID Coalition Research on Vaccines
ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO and National Council for Mental Wellbeing Address Public Health Workers
ASTHO Podcast: Gratitude Amid Struggle – Celebrating Wins in the COVID-19 Response
Dr. Rachel Levine Sworn in as Assistant Secretary for Health
Webpage: CVS Health Names Dr. Joneigh S. Khaldun as Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer
ASTHO Webpage: Careers
Dr. Denise Johnson, Acting Physician General at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, discusses the upcoming flu season; Avia Mason, ASTHO Vice President of Learning Strategy, outlines ASTHO’s annual fall board meeting agenda and a new "Insight and Inspiration" conversation planned this week; and ASTHO offers blog articles about a push to maintain funding for the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) food program and building capacity to address substance use disorders.
CDC Webpage: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
ASTHO Event: Insight and Inspiration Conversation with Sebastian Junger
ASTHO Blog Article: What December Means for a Beloved Nutrition Program
ASTHO Blog Article: Building Capacity and Dedicating Field Staff to Address Substance use Disorders During COVID-19
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, talks about the importance of COVID vaccines for young children; Executive coach Larry Lewis explains the value of recognizing small victories even during a crisis; ASTHO releases nine regional reports covering ASTHO members’ work to address adverse childhood experiences; and Dr. Tomas Aragon, Director and State Public Health Officer for the state of California, offers insight in a new ASTHO Member Spotlight.
FDA News Release: FDA to Hold Advisory Committee Meetings to Discuss Emergency Use Authorization for Booster Doses and COVID-19 Vaccines for Younger Children
ASTHO: Public Health Review Podcast
ASTHO Webpage: Injury and Violence Prevention
ASTHO Member Spotlight: Tomas J. Aragon
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, addresses the state of the campaign against COVID-19; Kim Martin, ASTHO’s Director of Immunizations, says more approved booster formulas would be welcomed additions to the pandemic response; and ASTHO continues to gather workforce input for its PHWins survey.
FDA News Release: FDA to Hold Advisory Committee Meetings to Discuss Emergency Use Authorization for Booster Doses and COVID-19 Vaccines for Younger Children
CDC Webpage: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
Website: Public Health Departments Need 80,000 New Employees. But That’s Not Enough for Another Pandemic
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia forecasts this week’s FDA discussions about the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 booster shots; ASTHO President Elect Dr. Anne Zink explains the importance of recognizing small victories even while responding to the pandemic crisis; ASTHO board member and former Minnesota Health Commissioner Dr. Ed Ehlinger will address a Congressional caucus meeting next week; and we preview the Great ShakeOut earthquake exercise planned next Thursday.
FDA News Release: FDA to Hold Advisory Committee Meetings to Discuss Emergency Use Authorization for Booster Doses and COVID-19 Vaccines for Younger Children
CDC Webpage: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
Webinar Registration Webpage: Expanding Access to Transportation to Advance Healthcare
Webpage: Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus
ASTHO Resource: The Great ShakeOut
Janet Hamilton, Executive Director of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists, explains how $2 billion in CDC funds will help hospitals and healthcare facilities fight infections; Jonathan Wolfe, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Content Development and Communications, highlights the value of attending ASTHO's next Insight and Inspiration conversation on October 20th; ASTHO publishes a new blog article examining how "long COVID" has changed federal and local workplace policy; and we feature three ASTHO job openings.
CDC News Release: CDC to invest $2.1 billion to protect patients and healthcare workers from COVID-19 and future infectious diseases
Website: The Council for Outbreak Response - Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogens
ASTHO Blog Article: Long COVID causes health policy shifts across states
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration
ASTHO Webpage: Job opportunities in public health and at ASTHO
Dr. Jose Romero, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, discusses the negative impact vaccine misinformation has on efforts to protect communities of color from the COVID-19 virus; Congressman Darren Soto of Florida considers what’s next in the push for Medicaid funding in the U.S. Territories; and ASTHO publishes two resources for ASTHO members thinking about how to recruit new forensic pathologists.
Webpage: Secretary of health receives Ohtli award for COVID efforts
ASTHO Resource: Reducing forensic pathologist shortages: Visas
ASTHO Resource: Reducing forensic pathologist shortages: Funding
Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge, ASTHO’s new Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives, wraps up her first week on the job; Julia Greenspan, ASTHO’s Senior Analyst for Infectious Diseases, debuts a new set of tools to help public health teams reduce STIs; and ASTHO offers two resources to aid states and territories supporting COVID-19 contact tracing programs in schools.
ASTHO welcomes new senior vice president of health equity and diversity initiatives
ASTHO Training: Innovative STD prevention and treatment strategies
ASTHO Resource: Summarizing CDC guidance to support COVID-19 contact tracing in K-12 schools
ASTHO Resource: How health departments can work with schools to improve K-12 contact tracing programs
Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses concerns of workshop participants about the way Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) decisions are communicated; Ericka McGowan, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Emerging Infectious Disease, writes a blog article sharing seven things to know about vaccines for pregnant people; Priyanka Surio, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Public Health Data Modernization and Informatics, reviews a new report assessing data collection related to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome; and ASTHO promotes key job openings.
The National Academies Webpage: FDA EUA Workshop
ASTHO Blog Article: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and COVID-19 vaccines – Seven things to know
ASTHO Report: Strengthening health agencies’ Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome surveillance through consensus-driven data standards and practices
ASTHO Webpage: Job opportunities in public health and at ASTHO
In a special edition of the newscast, ASTHO President Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President Elect Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser, and Scott Becker, CEO of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, discuss the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) process during a workshop hosted Tuesday by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine.
The National Academies Webpage: FDA EUA Workshop
Dr. Jose Romero, a pediatrician and Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Health, discusses COVID-19 vaccines for kids and parental hesitancy; ASTHO leaders discuss the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) process during a national workshop that starts today; Avia Mason, ASTHO’s Vice President of Learning Strategy, outlines the benefits of the Insight and Inspiration speaker series; and ASTHO offers a training for contact tracers looking to improve their remote contact tracing skills.
The National Academies Webpage: FDA EUA Workshop
Pfizer News Release: Topline results for COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 to 11 years
ASTHO Webpage: Insight and Inspiration
ASTHO Resource: Making contact: A training for COVID-19 case investigators and contact tracers
Carolyn McCoy, ASTHO’s Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs, explains how an extension of Medicaid funding for U.S. Territories gives them more time to work toward a permanent policy solution; Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana’s State Health Officer and Medical Director, tells Congress public health needs federal help to rebuild its workforce; ASTHO updates the COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison Brief; and ASTHO welcomes new health officials to its ranks.
ASTHO Legislative Alert: October 1, 2021
ASTHO News Release: Top Louisiana health official outlines six requests for Congress to prevent crumbling of national public health infrastructure
ASTHO Document: COVID-19 Vaccine comparison brief
ASTHO Webpage: Member directory
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses the appropriate role of monoclonal antibodies in the COVID-19 response; ASTHO has a Q/A for public health teams who need to explain the CDC’s revised guidance for pregnant or breastfeeding individuals; Margaux Haviland, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Response Coordination, details EARTH-EX 2021, billed as the largest resilience exercise in history; and ASTHO welcomes several new state and territorial health officials to its ranks.
ASTHO Blog Article: Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and COVID-19 vaccines: Seven things to know
Webpage: EARTH EX 2021
ASTHO Webpage: Member directory
Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana’s State Health Officer and Medical Director, calls on Congress to take steps to address urgent public health workforce needs; Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health for Washington state, reminds public health leaders to keep messaging flexible during the pandemic; Scott Becker, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Public Health Laboratories, celebrates laboratory teams; and ASTHO shares a conversation with Dr. Jose Romero, Secretary of Health at the Arkansas Department of Health, about his career and experiences, marking National Hispanic Heritage Month.
ASTHO News Release: Top Louisiana health official outlines six requests for Congress to prevent crumbling of national public health infrastructure
Hybrid hearing on “Upgrading public health infrastructure: The need to protect, rebuild, and strengthen state and local public health departments.”
ASTHO Podcast: Public Health Review – The importance of crisis communications in public health
APHL Blog Article: Celebrate Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month 2021 with APHL
ASTHO Blog Article: A conversation with Jose Romero to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
Dr. Dave Dixon, a clinical pharmacist and a member of the American College of Cardiology’s Prevention Section and Leadership Council, tells us how public health teams can apply the message of World Heart Day in their jurisdictions; Joanne Pearsol, ASTHO’s Director of Leadership and Workforce, explains how the new PHWins survey of the public health workforce can help inform personnel funding decisions; ASTHO highlights three job openings; and an ASTHO microlearning helps members navigate and implement the new Healthy People 2030 report.
ACC Website: Cardiosmart.org
Webpage: PH Wins
JPHMP: Public health workforce interests and needs survey (PH Wins)
ASTHO: Job opportunities
ASTHO Learning: Preparing for Healthy People 2030
Report: Healthy People 2030
Karl Ensign, ASTHO’s Vice President for Territorial Support, discusses the potential for Congressional action to approve enhanced financial support for Medicaid services in the U.S. Territories, as a Thursday deadline nears; Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana State Health Officer and Medical Director, makes plans to offer pandemic-related testimony before Congress on Wednesday; ASTHO previews a new episode of the Public Health Review podcast exploring the importance of crisis communications during the pandemic; and we share details of an ASTHO blog article about legislative approaches to PFAS substances.
Hybrid hearing on “Upgrading public health infrastructure: The need to protect, rebuild, and strengthen state and local public health departments.”
ASTHO Blog Article: Regulating and remediating PFAS in states
Joanne Pearsol, ASTHO’s Director of Leadership and Workforce, discusses the impact the COVID-19 pandemic might have on the results of the latest PHWins survey now in the field; Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota’s former state health commissioner, explores the health of babies in the U.S. and steps states and territories can take to ensure infants are doing well, even during the pandemic; a new ASTHO blog article surveys legislative measures to ensure crisis readiness; and the CDC prepares to allocate nearly a billion dollars in grant money next month to help fight infections in hospitals and other health care facilities.
Webpage: PH Wins
JPHMP: Public health workforce interests and needs survey (PH Wins)
CDC Webpage: Infant Mortality Month
ASTHO Resource: State home visiting approaches improve early childhood outcomes and systems
ASTHO Blog Article: The importance of family engagement in breastfeeding programs
ASTHO Blog Article: Health policy tackles joint challenges of pandemic and natural disaster preparedness
CDC: CDC to invest $2.1 billion to protect patients and healthcare workers from COVID-19 and future infectious diseases
CDC Searchable Funding Table
NOTE: CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky announced late Thursday that booster shots would be available to frontline and health care workers, overruling the ACIP vote against covering those groups. This decision was announced after Morning Edition's deadline. ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia explains several votes taken by the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Thursday, including one against COVID-19 booster shots for people with occupational or institutional risks; Dr. Ed Ehlinger, former commissioner of health from Minnesota, gives his take on the state of infant health in the United States; and we report on a new ASTHO guide for states and territories considering a gap analysis to assess administrative policies and procedures.
CDC Webpage: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
CDC Webpage: Infant Mortality Month
ASTHO Resource: State home visiting approaches improve early childhood outcomes and systems
ASTHO Blog Article: The importance of family engagement in breastfeeding programs
ASTHO Resource: Guide on conducting an administrative policy assessment and gap analysis
ASTHO releases a legislative alert on the status of Congressional negotiations to extend the federal debt limit; Ray Barishansky, Deputy Secretary for Health Preparedness and Community Protection at the Pennsylvania Department of Health, considers the state of emergency preparedness efforts, twenty years after 9/11; Dr. Joshua Starr, CEO of PDK International, explains the value of constant communication with parents navigating the perils of the pandemic; and ASTHO posts a new blog article discussing the important role pharmacies play in the response to public health emergencies.
ASTHO Legislative Alert: Continuing Resolution analysis
ASTHO Article: Twenty years after 9/11 – The public health preparedness we need now
PDK International Webpage: PDK poll of the public’s attitudes toward the public schools
ASTHO Blog Article: Pharmacies are critical to pandemic planning, not just response
Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer and ASTHO President-elect, considers the potential for COVID-19 booster shots for some populations; Nick Porter, ASTHO’s Director for Environmental Health, explains how members can benefit from a new dashboard; ASTHO has fresh job openings; and a blog article provides samples of legislation expanding access to Naloxone to prevent opioid overdoses.
CDC Webpage: Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices
ASTHO Resource: Environmental health programs and services portal
ASTHO Webpage: Careers at ASTHO
ASTHO Blog Article: Increasing Naloxone accessibility to prevent opioid overdoses
Dr. Joshua Starr, CEO of PDK International, explains how polling parents of school children can inform public health messaging; Andy Baker-White, ASTHO’s Senior Director for State Health Policy, discusses the impact of new state laws rolling back authorities used to protect public health; and we highlight an ASTHO Brief examining the healthcare digital divide.
PDK International Webpage: PDK poll of the public’s attitudes toward the public schools
Kaiser Health News: Over half of states have rolled back public health powers in pandemic
ASTHO Brief: Bridging the digital divide in healthcare to improve access to care
Haley Burrous, an analyst on ASTHO’s preparedness team, explains a positive side effect of Mississippi’s in-home vaccination program; Adrienne Williams, a disability specialist working with the Mississippi State Department of Health, talks about the opportunity to expand vaccination efforts in neighborhoods; Dr. Deb Stone, a behavioral scientist and the team lead for the CDC’s suicide prevention efforts, discusses tools for ASTHO members who want to improve local suicide prevention programs; and ASTHO releases a blog article explaining how some states are adopting crisis standards of care.
ASTHO Brief: Strategies for vaccinating people who are homebased
CDC Resource: Preventing suicide - A technical package of policy, programs, and practices
ASTHO Blog Article: Scarce medical resources caused by COVID-19 lead to difficult allocation decisions
Dr. Norman Oliver, Virginia’s Health Commissioner, discusses the approach states and territories should take to funding for the public health workforce; ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia reacts to a new CDC/Trust for America’s Health report on obesity in the U.S.; and ASTHO releases the findings of its annual scan of issues important to state and territorial health agencies.
ASTHO Statement: ASTHO encourages immediate action to address the rising obesity rates in the wake of COVID-19
ASTHO: Workforce resources
ASTHO News Release: New report on the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on public health workers presents concerning data on workforce well-being
ASTHO Brief: Performance management essentials
Amelia Poulin, an ASTHO Senior Analyst for Infectious Disease Outbreak Response and Recovery, details an expanded contact tracing training curriculum for case investigators and teams doing COVID-19 work; CDC’s Dr. Lisa Grohskopf and Joynetta Kelly talk about the coming flu season and possible vaccination fatigue; and we preview an article written by Dr. Esther Muna, Chief Executive Officer of the CNMI Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation, about a looming Sept. 30th deadline for Medicaid funding in the Territories.
CDC Webpage: Influenza vaccine recommendations
CDC Webpage: Flu information for health professionals
ASTHO Training: Making contact – A training for COVID-19 case investigators and contact tracers
The Hill: Devastating decisions loom for the territories if Congress does not act by Sept. 30
Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, outlines Congressional priorities as lawmakers return to Capitol Hill; Dr. Lisa Grohskopf, with the CDC’s Influenza Division, discusses the safety of flu vaccines; ASTHO details new career openings; and a microlearning helps ASTHO members navigate the Healthy People 2030 report.
CDC Webpage: Influenza vaccine recommendations
CDC Webpage: Flu information for health professionals
ASTHO: Job opportunities
ASTHO Learning: Preparing for Healthy People 2030
Report: Healthy People 2030
Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO’s Director of Government Affairs, discusses the FDA’s move to delay a decision on marketing applications for some flavored e-cigarette products; Melissa McGrath, Chief of Staff for the Council of Chief State School Officers, explains how state education and public health officials are working to create school-focused mental health programs; and we share details of ASTHO’s next Insight and Inspiration event in October.
ASTHO News Release: Prohibiting menthol in cigarettes and cigars will improve the public’s health
ASTHO Policy Statement: Tobacco use prevention and control position statement
ASTHO Event: Insight and Inspiration series
ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser shares member feedback about President Biden’s new COVID-19 strategy; Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi’s State Health Officer, explains the pandemic’s impact on the nation’s hospitals; ASTHO issues a revised COVID-19 vaccine comparison guide; and we remind you about a crisis leadership bootcamp that’s online and available now.
White House: Path out of the Pandemic
CDC: COVID data tracker weekly review
ASTHO Resource: COVID-19 vaccine comparison
ASTHO Learning: How to be prepared to serve during COVID-19
Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, reacts to President Biden’s new COVID-19 strategy; Dr. Norman Oliver, Virginia’s Health Commissioner, discusses the network ready to administer COVID-19 booster shots; Robin Matthies, ASTHO’s Director of Social and Behavioral Health, explains a new resource to help states and territories communicate suicide and overdose risk and protective factors; and we share information about a webinar for health teams looking for ideas to improve their COVID-19 outreach to their communities.
White House: Path out of the Pandemic
ASTHO's Statement in response to the President's plan
ASTHO Infographic: Creating a shared approach to suicide and overdose prevention
Webpage: World Suicide Prevention Day
ASTHO Resource: The youth mental health crisis: States invest in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies
Webpage: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
ASTHO Event: APPLETREE COVID-19 supplemental project presentations part 2
Win Rawls, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Evaluation, explains the increased demand for interstate emergency help among states and territories and the impact on the Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC); Dr. Umair Shah, Secretary of Health, Washington state, shares his approach to crisis messaging; ASTHO releases a new article reporting on the bold steps states and territories have taken to address youth mental health needs; and we have one final reminder to sign up for today’s ASTHO event exploring preparedness lessons two decades after 9/11.
Webpage: Emergency Management Assistance Compact (EMAC)
The youth mental health crisis: States invest in suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies
Event: Two decades after 9/11
Booker Daniels, with the CDC’s Division of Public Affairs, details a new online resource to help public health professionals improve their inclusive communication skills; Kerry Wyss, ASTHO’s Director of Environmental Health, shares information about several guides created to help states and territories communicate with residential building owners and operators, and homeowners, about how to prevent Legionnaires’ Disease in their drinking water; we highlight three ASTHO job opportunities; and provide a final reminder about the 9/11 preparedness event planned for Thursday, September 9th.
CDC Webpage: Health equity guiding principles for inclusive communication
ASTHO Report: Water safety
ASTHO: Legionella communications fact sheet
ASTHO Report: Digging deeper into Legionnaires’ disease guidance needs for state and territorial health agencies
ASTHO: Job opportunities
Event: Two decades after 9/11
Lisa Peterson, ASTHO’s Director of Health and Homeland Security, reviews plans for Thursday’s event to examine preparedness twenty years after 9/11; and Dr. Pritesh Gandhi, Chief Medical Officer for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Dr. Erica Pan, the State Epidemiologist for the State of California and deputy director for its Center for Infectious Diseases, discuss the importance of strong relationships among agencies responding to a crisis.
Event: Two decades after 9/11
State health officials held a virtual news conference with journalists Thursday to address the latest in the public health response to COVID-19. Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-Elect and Chief Medical Officer for the State of Alaska; and Dr. Thomas Dobbs, State Health Officer for the State of Mississippi, discuss vaccines, the Delta variant, and the impact of cases on hospitals and health care workers.
YouTube: ASTHO Media Briefing
Event: Two decades after 9/11
Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s State Health Officer, urges residents to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus; Meredith Allen, ASTHO’s Vice President of Health Security, tells states and territories five things they need to know about the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine; and Daniel E. Dawes, Director of the Satcher Health leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, explains what applicants can expect if they apply for the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) program.
News Conference: Dr. Scott Harris (SHO-Alabama)
Blog Article: FDA’s approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Five things to know
Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Mississippi’s State Health Officer, questions vaccine misinformation; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, discusses vaccine safety on KNX NewsRadio, Los Angeles; Rhea Farberman, Director of Strategic Communications and Policy Research at the Trust for America’s Health, shares new messaging and tools to explain the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine; and ASTHO wins awards for its work to support members.
State health officials: A sixth Mississippi child dies of COVID-19
Webpage: Resource – FDA approval messaging and outreach tools
Fact sheet: Communicating about FDA approval to build confidence in COVID-19 vaccines
ASTHO’s efforts supporting state and territorial health leaders recognized with four national awards
Dr. Mark Levine, Vermont’s Commissioner of Health, outlines steps states and territories can take to address the alarming rise in the number of overdose deaths in the United States; Luke Tomsha, founder of The Perfectly Flawed Foundation, tells ASTHO members how they can help connect with those who know the most about overdose; ASTHO plans an event to examine preparedness lessons two decades after 9/11; and registration is open for an online COVID-19 bootcamp to boost your crisis leadership skills.
Website: International Overdose Awareness Day
Website: The Perfectly Flawed Foundation
Event: Two decades after 9/11
Learning: How to be prepared to serve during COVID-19
Dr. Kristina Angelo, a medical epidemiologist with the CDC, tells ASTHO members how they can help get the word out about the revised recommendations for domestic travelers; Cassandra Thompson, ASTHO’s Director of Preparedness and Disability Integration, offers tips for states and territories considering in-home vaccination programs; ASTHO and the CDC announce grants to four states working to improve pregnancy health data; and a new partnership intended to help government agencies hire staff.
CDC Webpage: Domestic travel during COVID-19
ASTHO Blog Article: Strategies for vaccinating people who are homebased
ASTHO: PRAMS announcement
ASTHO: Staff Up portal
Jim Blumenstock, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Pandemic Response and Recovery, discusses the importance of collaboration as states and territories stand up systems to verify an individual’s vaccination status; Joshua Berry, an ASTHO Analyst for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, outlines new tobacco prevention resources now available for ASTHO members; and listeners are reminded to sign up for a new leadership program for public health professionals who self-identify from an under-represented group.
Interim COVID-19 vaccination verification and requirements policy statement
Website: I COVID QUIT
Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Gerrit Bakker, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Public Health Preparedness, urges all ASTHO members to prepare for hurricanes, not just those with borders on the Atlantic coastline; Jes Lyons, ASTHO Senior Analyst of Social and Behavioral Health, offers useful advice for agencies thinking about how to braid and layer funding to maximize the impact of critical programs; and Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama’s State Health Officer, talks about vaccines in a YouTube video he recorded with his governor, the Hon. Kay Ivey.
Webpage: NWS Hurricane Preparedness 2021
Report: Braiding and layering funding for adverse childhood experiences prevention
YouTube: Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey interviews Dr. Scott Harris on COVID-19
Dr. Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, discusses responding to public concerns about COVID-19 vaccines; Daniel E. Dawes, Director of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine, encourages public health leaders from under-represented communities to sign up for a new ASTHO/Satcher leadership program; and Tequam Tiruneh, an ASTHO senior analyst of Clinical to Community Connections, talks about efforts on behalf of those living with HIV.
Document: COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison
Webpage: Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health
Daniel E. Dawes named director of Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine
Blog article: Ending the HIV epidemic: 40 years of progress
ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser discusses whether the FDA’s decision to give the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine full approval will win over people still uncertain about vaccination; ASTHO’s Senior Director for State Health Policy, Andy Baker-White, discusses changing guidance and requirements on masks in schools; and a look at ASTHO’s support for a statement urging COVID-19 vaccines for pregnant women.
FDA: FDA approves first COVID-19 vaccine
Blog post: The changing guidance and requirements on masks in schools
Statement of strong medical consensus for vaccination of pregnant individuals against COVID-19
Victoria Pless, an ASTHO Senior Analyst of Social and Behavioral Health, explores the ways states and territories have helped make youth sports safe for kids during the pandemic; Alex Mays, Senior National Program Director for the non-profit Healthy Schools Campaign, talks about the assistance her organization provides to ASTHO members; and we preview a new ASTHO blog about steps taken to help children living with disabilities make up for learning lost due to the pandemic.
Blog Post: Youth sports as a protective factor to promote resiliency
Website: Healthy Schools Campaign
Blog Post: States address pandemic-linked learning loss among students with disabilities
Microlearning: Innovative STD prevention and treatment strategies
Jim Blumenstock, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Pandemic Response and Recovery, discusses the logistics of standing up COVID-19 vaccination sites to provide booster shots; ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia ponders demand for third doses; and CDC Epidemiologist Sascha Ellington has a reminder for COVID-19 vaccinators.
CDC MMWR: Sustained effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines against COVID-19
CDC MMWR: New COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations among adults, by vaccination status
CDC MMWR: Effectiveness of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection among nursing home residents
Microlearning: School Health 101
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia considers what states and territories need to do to deliver COVID-19 booster shots starting next month; Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO President-Elect and Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer, shares her approach to school mask and vaccine messaging; and the latest update to the ASTHO COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison.
CDC: Joint statement from HHS public health and medical experts on COVID-19 booster shots
COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison
Dr. Joe Smyser, CEO of The Public Good Projects, discusses the hard work required to manage vaccine misinformation; Dr. Kimberlee Wyche-Etheridge talks about her new job as ASTHO’s senior vice president of health equity and diversity initiatives; and Avia Mason, ASTHO’s Vice President of Learning Strategy, highlights the “Insights and Inspiration” speaker series that kicks off this afternoon.
ASTHO welcomes new senior vice president of health equity and diversity initiatives
Insights and Inspiration: Monthly conversations for public health leaders in the era of COVID-19
2021 SHIEC Annual Conference webpage
ASTHO President Dr. Nirav Shah (SHO-Maine) considers the risks to watch for as states and territories administer COVID-19 booster shots to some immunocompromised people; ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia discusses the work to address expiring vaccine supplies; and ASTHO rolls out a new dashboard with data about environmental health programs and services.
CDC: COVID-19 vaccines for moderately to severely immunocompromised people
Environmental health programs and services portal
Register: Insight and Inspiration: Monthly conversations for public health leaders in the era of COVID-19
ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia discusses back-to-school mask messaging; Dr. Gillian SteelFisher of the Harvard Opinion Research Program offers help to public health teams communicating mask and vaccine requirements in schools; and ASTHO’s Amber Williams talks about the mental health of weary public health workers.
The changing guidance and requirements on masks in schools
Back to school: Parent views of COVID protection
Taking care of the public health workforce post-pandemic
New report on the mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic
ASTHO announces new SVP focused on health equity and diversity initiatives; Territorial health official Esther Muna discusses the pending Medicaid funding cliff.
News Release: ASTHO Welcomes New Senior Vice President of Health Equity and Diversity Initiatives
ASTHO Policy Statement on Structural Racism as a Public Health Issue
Permanent, Sustainable Medicaid Financing for U.S. Territories Policy Statement
Medicaid Financing for the Territories
Strategies for Vaccinating People Who Are Homebased
Funding to replace lead pipes in drinking water systems; the state of public health with ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser.
White House Fact Sheet: Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal
Do the COVID QUIT!
Insight and Inspiration series
Following public health topics at the HIMSS 21 conference this week in Las Vegas.
The Impact of Broadband Redlining on Health Equity
Public Health Review: Prevention for the Next Generation – Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences, Suicide, and Overdose
HIMSS 21 conference webpage
Dr. Nirav Shah discusses vaccine misinformation.
Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Verification and Requirements Policy Statement
Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health webpage
HIMSS 21 webpage
Every weekday morning, hear the latest public health news and expert commentary from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Public Health Review Morning Edition goes live on Tuesday, August 10th.
Tune in every weekday morning at 7 a.m. for the latest public health developments from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). Public Health Review Morning Edition launches Tuesday, August 10th.
Start your mornings with the latest public health news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). In just five minutes, hear leading health experts weigh in on breaking developments in public health.