Public Health Review

This episode explores how strong partnerships across state and local agencies expand adolescent access to school health services in Illinois. Guests from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Chicago Public Schools share how coordinated efforts are improving health and wellness supports for students. From district-wide initiatives like Healthy CPS to statewide infrastructure for school-based health centers, the discussion offers practical examples and lessons learned to inspire similar collaboration in other jurisdictions. This publication was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $750,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS under the PW-24-0080 Cooperative Agreement, Grant #1NU38PW000018. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Gu

In this episode, we spotlight a dynamic partnership between an Indiana local health department and Public Health AmeriCorps. Our guests — Jessica Baker, a dedicated Public Health AmeriCorps member, and Michelle Arnold, their host site supervisor — share how they became involved with the program and the impact of their collaboration. Michelle discusses the decision to host an AmeriCorps member and the valuable contributions Jessica has made, both locally and at the state health agency level. Meanwhile, Jessica reflects on their day-to-day responsibilities, motivations for joining, and future career goals. The episode wraps with practical advice for other agencies considering hosting AmeriCorps members and insights into what the supervisor hopes to see in future fellows. It offers a candid look at building the public health workforce through mentorship, service, and shared goals.   Guests Jessica Baker, MPH: Public Health AmeriCorps Member Michelle Arnold, MPH: Public Health AmeriCorps Host Site Supervisor

The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Data for Action project supports the integration of data on brain health and caregiving into public health planning efforts. State health leaders in the brain health space from Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey participated in the HBI Data for Action initiative as Cohort 1, with support from the Alzheimer’s Association and ASTHO. This episode showcases the inaugural cohort’s accomplishments. Guests Meghan Fadel: Data for Action Lead; Associate Director, Alzheimer’s Association  Elizabeth Conklin, MPH: Connecticut Data for Action Participant; Health Program Supervisor; Heart, Brain and Diabetes Health Unit; Chronic Diseases and Injury Prevention Section; Community, Family Health, and Prevention Branch; Connecticut Department of Public Health Resources CDC: Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging Data Portal Alzheimer’s Association: BRFSS and Other Data Resources Alzheimer’s Association:  E-News ASTHO: Healthy Aging and Brain Health ASTHO: HBI Road Map Module A

There are many considerations when forming and managing an office of health equity or minority health. The National Association of State Offices of Minority Health shares how agencies across the United States have overcome common challenges and benefited from having a dedicated health equity office. In addition, the United States Virgin Islands Department of Health discusses initial successes and challenges experienced while establishing their office. Finally, the California Department of Public Health, with a well-established office of health equity, shares how their office utilized health equity liaisons and supported rural/tribal communities. This podcast episode complements the recently published ASTHOReport “Establishing an Office of Health Equity or Minority Health,” which examines different approaches to sustainability.  Guests ·       Rohan Radhakrishna, MD, MPH, MS, Deputy Director and Chief Equity Officer, California Department of Public Health ·       Justa Encarnacion, RN, MBA, HCM, Health Com

Community health workers (CHWs) are frontline, public health professionals who share life experience, compassion, and cultural and value alignment with the communities they serve. They work in a range of settings under different titles, but what makes them unique is their ability to build deep trust with the people they serve based on their lived experience.   Despite robust evidence demonstrating the value of CHWs, sustainability of CHW positions and funding remains a perpetual challenge. In this episode, two industry experts with direct state public health experience discuss why it is so critical to invest in the CHW workforce as part of a health equity strategy, and share resources available to help recruit, retain, and sustain the workforce. Guests: ·       Joneigh Khaldun, MD, MPH, FACEP: Chief Health Equity Officer, CVS Health, alum–MI ·       Sherri Ohly: Co-Director, Development, Envision Resources: ·       ASTHO: CHW resources ·       Center for Community Health Alignment: CHW Model Best Practi

The landscape of public health data is changing. This episode dives into the importance of modernizing data exchange for a more efficient and effective public health system. We explore a framework that utilizes cloud services, open-source software, and open data standards to revolutionize how public health data is collected, shared, and analyzed. This innovative approach outlines tools to reduce manual effort and streamline data flow across various sources, ultimately empowering state, tribal, local, and territorial health agencies (STLTs) to improve public health outcomes. Join us as we hear national and state perspectives on data modernization initiatives, including valuable insights, experiences, and recommendations on workforce, policy, and funding to prepare for a future of cloud-based data sharing. This episode is a must-listen for public health professionals looking to harness the power of modern technologies to improve public health data exchange and ultimately, the well-being of their communities. Sp

Summary: The FDA Food Code provides an evidence-based set of best practices for retail food safety that can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses from retail food establishments. It offers a wide array of benefits that can help establish uniformity in retail food across the country, but some jurisdictions may face challenges in adopting it. There are different ways to adopt the Food Code, showcased in this podcast episode, with examples from Connecticut and the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation. Speakers: ·       Manisha Juthani, MD: Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Public Health ·       Cynthia Costa: Supervisor, Food Protection Program, Environmental Health Drinking Water Branch/Environmental Health Section, Connecticut Department of Public Health ·       Maryam Hosseini, RS/REHS: Environmental Health Manager, Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation Resources: ·       The Importance of the FDA Food Code | ASTHO ·       Helping Healthy Agencies Adopt the FDA’s Updated Food Code | Journal of Public He

The Government of Guam (GovGuam)— along with many other states, territories, and freely associated states — experience s challenges with procurement, which were illuminated by the COVID-19 pandemic response. To improve their small purchase procurement process, GovGuam invested time and resources into business process improvement (BPI), forming cross-agency leadership and project teams with key staff from the Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS), the Office of the Governor of Guam, and other government agencies to inform decisions. Learn about the benefits and challenges of their efforts, and listen to their hopes for the future. Guests ·       Arthur San Agustin: Special Assistant of Health to the Governor of Guam, Former Director of Guam DPHSS, ASTHO Alum ·       Bertha Taijeron: Program Coordinator, Guam DPHSS ·       Jon Junior Calvo: Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor of Guam Resources Grants Management Office Structure Optimization Toolkit assists in establishing and ma

The social determinants of health (SDOH)—the social, economic, and built environments in which people live, learn, work, and play—have significant impacts on health outcomes. Yet, sustainably funding initiatives that address SDOH is an ongoing challenge. In this episode, Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, assistant secretary for health at HHS, and Danielle Nelson, Senior Program Analyst at the Federal Transit Administration, discuss the federal government’s commitment to aligning investments and resources across agencies. In addition, Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, provides a practical example of how Michigan’s state health agency works collaboratively with the housing authority to ensure access to stable housing. Guests: Admiral Rachel Levine, MD: Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS Elizabeth Hertel: Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Danielle Nelson: Senior Program Analyst, Federal Transit Administration Resources: Braiding and Layering Fu

In 2016, Mike Fraser joined ASTHO as CEO. Throughout the seven subsequent years, he served as an indispensable leader, visionary, mentor, and friend—steering the organization through unprecedented challenges in public health, including the global COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the time has come to bid Mike a bittersweet farewell. In this episode of Public Health Review, we speak with Mike about his profound legacy, celebrate ASTHO’s extraordinary achievements under his tenure, and wish him well in his new position as CEO at the College of American Pathologists. Behind the Scenes: What it Takes to do COVID Testing Public Health Review Morning Edition

The One Health approach recognizes the interconnection between human and animal health and their shared environment. There is an urgent need for a One Health approach now, especially in the prevention of outbreaks, not just response. Public health agencies and the animal agriculture industry play crucial roles in One Health, along with other stakeholders. In this episode, our guests tell us how they put One Health into practice in a state health department, how health departments can connect across agencies to address One Health issues, and what falls under the One Health umbrella.    Guests  Dr. Karen Smith, MD, MPH: Founding Partner, Healthy Community Partners, Inc  J.J. Jones: Executive Director of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture  Dr. Megin Nichols DVM, MPH, DACVPM: Deputy Division Director, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, CDC  Resources  ASTHO One Health Case Studies  ASTHO One Health Webinars  ASTHO Responding to Emerging Food Safety Threats Policy Statement

Public health has a workforce problem: the demand for a new generation of public health practitioners is higher than ever, but health agencies are having a hard time filling positions, either due to funding or lack of visibility. Luckily, there are solutions to bridge fresh graduates to public health careers. In this episode of Public Health Review, Dr. JP Leider from the University of Minnesota and Dr. Heather Krasna of Columbia University spoke with ASTHO about solutions to recruit new public health professionals and the partnerships forming around that endeavor. Guests: JP Leider, PhD: Director, Center for Public Health Systems, University of Minnesota School of Public Health Heather Krasna, PhD: Associate Dean, Career and Professional Development, Columbia University School of Public Health Resources: Public Health Careers Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health

Successful overdose prevention efforts require support from public health, public safety, and community harm reduction programs. These partnerships are key to promoting sustainable and effective overdose prevention. On this episode of Public Health Review, we speak with representatives from each of these fields to discuss their perspectives, experiences, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships while also negotiating differing strategies and approaches: Brandon del Pozo, a former police officer and current assistant professor of medicine and public health at Brown University; Joy Rucker of the Black Harm Reduction Network; and Dr. Cathy Slemp, former state health commissioner of West Virginia and current vice chair of the West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance. Guests: Brandon del Pozo, PhD: Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University Joy Rucker: National Harm Reduction Consultant, JR Harm Reduction Consulting Cathy Slemp, MD, MPH (alumni-WV): Co-

ASTHO’s Essentials of Leadership and Management (ELM) training gives public health experts the skills they need to better perform their supervisory positions and support their teams. On this episode, we check in with ELM graduates in Kentucky: Shannon Rome at the Franklin County Health Department, and Elizabeth Anderson-Hoagland with the Kentucky Department of Public Health. They share how the program has improved their work and helped them grow as leaders. We also hear from ASTHO’s Avia Mason about ELM, its impact on public health practitioners, and how programs like ELM can improve organizational culture and workplace wellbeing. Guests: Shannan Rome, Health Access Nurturing Development Services (HANDS) Manager, Franklin County Health Department Elizabeth Anderson-Hoagland, Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Kentucky Department of Public Health Division of Prevention and Quality Improvement Avia Mason, Vice President of Leadership and Organizational Performance, ASTHO

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations experience profound health disparities in part due to significant social and economic barriers. Having solid data helps inform policies that can improve the systems that serve these populations and mitigate stigmas impacting the health of AI/AN mothers and infants. Centering community voices can produce more effective and equitable healthcare, reducing the disparities impacting AI/AN communities. In this episode, three experts—Ed Ehlinger (alumni-MN), a previous past president of ASTHO; Janelle Palacios, a nurse midwife and researcher; and Katelyn Strasser, administrator of the Office of Child and Family Services with the South Dakota Department of Health—discuss the Federal Advisory Committee on Infant and Maternal Mortality’s most recent report on AI/AN health outcomes and the data-focused recommendations for states and territories. Guests: ·       Edward P. Ehlinger, MD, MSP: former Minnesota Health Commissioner and past president of ASTHO ·       Jan

Maternal mortality rates are disproportionally high in the United States and still increasing. The majority of maternal deaths are preventable, indicating the need for system improvements. Equitable access to risk appropriate care improves maternal health outcomes and can be achieved by engaging providers in the process of developing and implementing risk appropriate care strategies at a state systems level. In this episode, two maternal healthcare veterans share approaches for bringing providers into the process, as well as how state health officials can promote risk appropriate care strategies and address challenges in achieving equitable risk appropriate care.  Show Notes Guests ·       Eugene C. Toy, MD, FACOG, FABFM, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical Director of ACOG Texas Levels of Maternal Care Verification Program ·       Lily Lou (alumni-AK), MD, FAAP, Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine   Resources ·       Risk Appropriate Care Stakeholder Convenings ·       Strengthening Risk-Appropriate Care in A

STIs are on the rise. Now more than ever, it is imperative to raise awareness of the current state of STIs, especially their disproportionate impact on marginalized populations. Whole person care and status-neutral approaches to STI treatment and prevention empower people to access resources and services, as well as increase engagement, outreach, and education, all of which are key components of these care models. Hear from Leandro Mena of CDC and Thomas Dobbs (alumni-MS) on the benefits of these approaches. Guests Leandro Mena, MD, MPH, Director of the Division of STD Prevention (DSTDP) in National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC Thomas Dobbs, MD, Dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi Medical Center and ASTHO Alumni  Resources ·       Innovative STD Prevention and Treatment Strategies Microlearnings ·       Blog on the rise of STIs ·       ASTHO and NCSD Joint Statement on Rise of Syphilis in the U.S. ·       Sexual

Like other vulnerable populations, American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) communities faced greater risk for complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. One such complication was ensuring that AI/AN populations had access to the vaccine. Listen to three public health experts share how they prioritized vaccine equity for AI/AN communities on the local, state, and national levels during the pandemic. Guests   Anne Zink, MD, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer for Alaska Department of Health, ASTHO President      Gary Lankford, Program Director for the Advances in Indian Health Care, Association of American Indian Physicians    Johnny Delgado, Project Director, Bakersfield American Indian Health Project    Resources   New ASTHO Program Aims to Increase Equity in Adult Immunization  Partnering with Community Action Agencies Can Improve Trust in Vaccines  Public Health and Healthcare Partner to Promote Influenza Vaccination  10 KEY ACTIONS to Improve Immunization Uptake and Advance Health Equity: Community Engagement

This podcast focuses on the Washington State Department of Health’s (WA DOH) approach to understanding and addressing climate and equity concerns. Guests discuss the need to continuously make connections between climate change and public health, the role of community engagement and partnerships in advancing these efforts, the use of existing networks to reach at-risk populations, and how to stay grounded in the public health messaging on climate change. WA DOH discusses some of its recent initiatives for engaging environmental justice communities, shares its approach for training and coordinating resiliency planning, and highlights ways the department raises awareness of the climate’s impact on health.   Resources: • WA DOH Climate and Health Web Page • WA State Environmental Justice Task Force Final Report • ASTHOReport: Climate Change and Environmental Justice: A Snapshot of Jurisdiction Activities Guests:  Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health, Washington State Department of Health Rad Cunningham,

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials was incorporated on March 23, 1942. For 80 years, ASTHO has worked to advance public health and create a healthier nation. What has that looked like in the past, and we where are we going in the years ahead? Join ASTHO’s leadership panel—including CEO Mike Fraser, President Anne Zink, Past President Nirav Shah, and Idaho Commissioner of Health Elke Shaw-Tulloch - for a discussion on the unique role ASTHO plays in the public health landscape, and how we can seize historic investments in health to create a more equitable future. Guests Mike Fraser, PhD, MS, CAE, FCPP, ASTHO CEO Anne Zink, MD, FACEP, Chief Medical Officer, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Public Health Nirav Shah, MD, JD, ASTHO Past President, Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention Elke Shaw-Tulloch, MHS, Public Health Administrator, Idaho Department of Health & Welfare Resources About Us | ASTHO Anne Zink, MD, Chief Medical Offic