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How the Civil Rights March on Washington Embodied Key Public Health Tenets astho, association of state and territorial health officials, civil rights march on Washington, public health, national day of service, martin luther king jr, collective action, health equity, social determinants, united states, african Americans, dream speech, lincoln memorial, jobs and freedom, august 28 1963, improving health, washington for jobs, john lewis, student nonviolent coordinating committee, social determinants of health, coretta scott king, national days, health inequalities, civil rights leader, civil rights activists, dr martin luther king, nonviolent coordinating committee sncc, people are born grown, nobel peace prize Melissa Lewis What we can learn about public health best practices from the March on Washington. Every year on the third Monday of January, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday as a federal holiday and recognize his life, legacy, and contributions as one of the most prominent civil rights leaders and activists of our generation and nation’s history. It is the only federal holiday that has also been designated as a National Day of Service to encourage Americans to take action and continue to uplift Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity by volunteering to improve their communities. I remember learning about tolerance, equality, and citizenship in school when discussing the March on Washington and hearing snippets of Dr. King’s fiery “I have a Dream Speech.” The message galvanized the civil rights movement and the nation. And it wasn’t just the largest civil rights demonstration on record at the time; it was a powerful example of civil disobedience and sent a message of hope for a dream deferred for Black Americans and a bold stand against injustices. On Aug. 28, 1963, more than 250,000 Americans attended the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom (“the March"). And while it is one of the most celebrated speeches in our history, there are key elements of that day that were overshadowed but are still relevant today and serve as a call to action for public health professionals to reflect on as we continue to honor Dr. King’s legacy and serve our communities. Learn from the Past to Inform the Future The success of the March highlights the value of learning from the past and acknowledging history as an essential step to addressing equity. The original concept of the March on Washington came from A. Phillip Randolph, a labor leader and civil rights activist who planned previous marches on the nation’s capital in the 1940s to pressure the White House to address discrimination in the military. To avoid these large-scale marches, President Roosevelt passed an executive order prohibiting discrimination in the defense industry, and President Truman desegregated the U.S. Armed Forces. Although these marches were cancelled, the threat of well-organized demonstrations highlights their importance as a tool for change that informed planning for the March. Similarly, the critical timing of the 1963 march was strategically determined to help advocate for the passage of the Civil Rights Act. During the speech, Dr. King reminded Americans about “the fierce urgency of now.“ It was the 100th anniversary of the abolishment of slavery and Black Americans were still unable to realize the American dream; they were still being oppressed, terrorized and experiencing structural discrimination. As we work to embed equity into our daily operating practices, this reminds us that moving beyond rhetoric and taking action are critical to transformational change. Take Collective Action and Form Collaborations/Coalitions for Changemaking The March is an example of the impact of successful collective action. The leaders of the major civil rights organizations worked together to organize the march. Dr. King and Mr. Randolph aligned their interests to plan the March. Other influential multi-racial coalitions and organizations participated, which underscores the importance of engaging communities; they organized, supported, and advocated for the March and the stalled Civil Rights legislation. Health professionals from the Medical Committee for Civil Rights—a group sponsored by major national membership associations for doctors, nurses, dentists, and social workers—protested for change and justice to address the conditions that impact poor health outcomes. The March on Washington mirrors the marches that took place across the country to protest the murder of George Floyd in 2020. It’s a reminder to the public health field of our social justice roots and that we are also members of the communities that we seek to improve. Value Inclusion and Center Intersectionality Bayard Rustin, a brilliant strategist and organizer, was the chief architect of the March and an openly gay man. He faced criminalization and public attacks from opponents and members within the major civil rights organizations. This did not deter Dr. King's appreciation for Rustin’s work, nor his ability to be successful. Due to his sexual orientation, Rustin’s principal role in the march has been nearly erased from history. The role of women in the planning and execution of the March was also paramount to its success. However, women were not given leadership roles, or the opportunity to have prominent speaking roles by meeting organizers. Some of the prominent women who contributed to the planning of the March on Washington were Dorothy Height, a civil rights activist known as the “Godmother of the Movement” and President of the National Council of Negro Women, and Anna Arnold Hedgeman, a civil rights activist and politician who was the only woman on the planning committee. Both Mr. Rustin and the women faced double oppression, but their significant impact on the March and the movement emphasizes the importance of diversity and inclusion. As public health professionals, we must recognize that communities and individuals have multiple intersecting and overlapping identities and apply those considerations when developing and implementing interventions. Address the Social Determinants to Advance Health Equity Most importantly, the March on Washington underscores the importance of expanding our understanding of what creates health and addressing the community conditions—the social determinants of health (SDOH) that impact health outcomes. The March’s focus was not limited to racial equality but extended to economic justice and other social issues. More than 60 years ago, Dr. King and other leaders sounded the alarm on addressing the differences in the SDOH to achieve optimal health for all and create thriving communities. Speakers presented a list of 10 demands addressing the need for a living wage, desegregation, voting rights, employment protections, adequate housing and education, and workforce job placement and training. Public health leaders continue to carry the torch the speakers from the March on Washington lit over 60 years ago. Their persistence to uphold health equity as a primary public health initiative may be considered an act of civil disobedience, but if the consequence is improving health for all Americans, isn’t it worth the risk? website yes

This post explores the importance of including maternal and child health considerations in infectious disease emergency preparedness and response in states, territories, and freely associated states.

Upgrading how public health and healthcare systems share data.

From the Chief Medical Officer: Public Health Approaches to Healthy Aging and Brain Health ASTHO, association of state and territorial health officials, healthy brain initiative, department of medicaid, astho technical packages, health equity, alzhiemers association, cognitive functionality, cognitive decline, healthy aging module, strategic plan, community partnerships, department of health, alzheimers and dementia, public health agencies, healthy aging, behavioral risk factor surveillance system, brain health, hbi road map module, public health, mississippi road map , risk reduction, risk factors, health agencies, states and territories, technical package, disease and related dementias, healthy brain initiative hbi, state and local road map Marcus Plescia Blog | ASTHO Chief Medical Officer on Healthy Aging and Brain Health Over the last five years, I have witnessed the gradual deterioration of my mother’s cognitive abilities. She had a brilliant career working until the age of 80, as a speech and dialect coach for stage theater productions in Chicago and then New York. Her early symptoms were moderate but significant enough to prompt her retirement, and she has gradually become more dependent on my stepfather and separated from a once thriving social and professional network. It has been a sad and challenging situation, and I have learned a lot about the limitations of clinical medicine and the importance of social, legal, and supportive services in managing and supporting this condition. Cognitive impairment has become an increasingly prevalent public health challenge and a condition that has involved many of us, both professionally and personally. Approximately 16.6% of individuals age 65 and older have cognitive impairment, and this proportion will grow as this portion of the US population increases. The impact on our systems and society will be profound. Fortunately, while some aspects of cognitive impairment are not controllable, prevention and risk-reduction efforts can be very effective. There is a great deal that public health leaders can do to address cognitive impairment and mitigate the pain and suffering associated with these conditions. ASTHO’s Healthy Aging Portfolio I am proud of the initiative and leadership our staff at ASTHO have taken to develop and support jurisdictions to address many public health issues associated with healthy aging. I encourage you to review these materials: The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI), developed by the Alzheimer’s Association and CDC, is a partnership promoting the recognition of brain health as a core public health issue. The initiative translates data into public health interventions, increases awareness of cognitive health, facilitates partnerships, and supports populations with high burdens Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. Their flagship product is the HBI Road Map. The HBI Road Map Module assists public health agencies by familiarizing them with the Road Map and guiding them through identifying resources to support HBI recommendations. The ASTHO Technical Packages on older adult health is a curated group of evidence-based interventions that, taken together, sustain substantial improvements related to a risk factor or health outcome. Approaches include expanding paid family and sick leave, supporting health community design, and promoting fall prevention and mobility. The Healthy Aging and Older Adult Health Policy Statement details the prioritization of dementia risk reduction efforts and policy recommendations, many of which parallel HBI’s work. The Healthy Aging Module builds a foundational understanding of the importance of healthy aging as a public health priority, explains the role of public health in aging healthily, and highlights steps that agencies can take toward creating an Age-Friendly Public Health System. Updating the HBI Road Map with Risk Reduction, Equity CDC and the Alzheimer’s Association recently worked with partners and subject matter experts to update the Healthy Brain Initiative: State and Local Road Map for Public Health—a framework for public health agencies to promote brain health through 24 actionable strategies. I served on the leadership team of this process, and ASTHO convened listening sessions that helped identify strengths and challenges of implementation, guiding changes in the subsequent edition. The Road Map provides health officials with a variety of resources. For example, the Road Map presents data on the public health impact of dementia, increasing understanding and helping with prioritizing actions. It also includes key questions to orient planning efforts. Other resources include an implementation guide to advise on execution, an evaluation tool to monitor impact, and briefs about brain health-related issues like caregiving. The Road Map can be tailored by health officials to their unique situation and priorities. For example, if health officials are looking to strengthen partnerships, the Road Map outlines a list of potential partners to consider, as well as case studies from other states working on similar goals. The updated version of the Road Map also highlights the importance of health equity and community partnerships. It stresses the need to engage with communities at highest risk for dementia and include culturally responsive language, since dementia disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic Americans. Call to Action It gives me great satisfaction that ASTHO has taken a lead in helping prioritize and address healthy aging across the life course, with a focus on prevention and risk reduction. I hope that Health Officials can begin to use their health authority and public health influence to expand public health programming and planning in this area. As research and medical advancements emerge policy, data, and infrastructure will be needed to address this issue that is challenging, but increasingly hopeful. website yes

Fortunately, looking at the ASTHO Directors of Public Health Preparedness (DPHP) peer group and seeing the great work of public health emergency preparedness and response programs across the nation, we recognize that there is much to be celebrated this month—but also much more work that needs to be done.

In 2021 ASTHO contracted with Lead for America to place eight fellows in state health departments to support these efforts and provide administrative functions.

This video highlights how public health leaders can navigate the legislative process.

It’s time to grab a pumpkin spice latte, a warm blanket, and get cozy with a good book—check out ASTHO's 2023 staff recommendations.

This blog describes how Palau's health ministry collaborated with its community to design indicators to better measure health equity in its jurisdiction.

State efforts to reduce firearm injury and death with safe storage policies.

An ASTHO blog that discusses workforce frameworks to inspire and sustain well-being with evidence-based guidance, policies, and structures.

Health agencies can help individuals losing access to Medicaid smoothly transition to new coverage.

Strategic federal legislative efforts to stem the U.S. fentanyl crisis.

Take a look at ASTHO’s 10 most popular public health resources from 2023.

Learn about efforts in New York and Florida to prevent the spread of congenital syphilis.

How states are building sustainable health equity programs.

Learn how access to risk appropriate care can improve the health of mothers and infants in the US.

Public Health’s Silent Defender: Cybersecurity ASTHO, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, Public health, health sector coordinating council, strategic preparedness, preparedness and response, ASPR, HHS, cybersecurity, cyber attack, health data, public health data, hack, cyber threat, patient care, healthcare system, hospital data, disabled systems, information technology, department of health and human services, patient data, medical devices, public health trends, health information, patient safety, ransomware attack, federal government, sector risk management, critical infrastructure, medtech pharma, infrastructure security, mandatory reporting, mitigating attacks, cybersecurity video, cybersecurity resource, HICP, health industry cybersecurity practices Jennifer Jean-Pierre ASTHO | Learn the importance of cybersecurity to public health and hear strategies for public-private cyber partnerships. In August of 2022, a cyberattack took the Fremont County Department of Health offline for 30 days—and health systems continue to be a top target of similar attacks. In this conversation, Brian Mazanec and Greg Garcia share how health systems can prepare for and prevent cyber attacks. Hear strategies for public-private cyber partnerships, easy wins every health agency can take, and how cyber attacks have evolved—and dramatically increased—in recent years. Show Notes Interviewer Jennifer Jean-Pierre, Director, Content Development and Communications, ASTHO Guests Greg Garcia, Executive Director, Healthcare Sector Coordinating Council Brian Mazanec, PhD, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director, Office of Security, Intelligence, and Information Management, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Interview Transcript-Blog - Public Health’s Silent Defender: Cybersecurity website yes

CDC Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, 2022: Resources for Decision-Makers In 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released the updated Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain (2022 Clinical Practice Guideline). These educational resources, developed by ASTHO with support from CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, aim to enhance decision-makers’ understanding of the scope and purpose of the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline. Summary of Updates The 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline updates and replaces the 2016 CDC Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain, leveraging new data to provide evidence-based recommendations for prescribing opioid pain medication for acute, subacute, and chronic pain. This resource summarizes what’s new within the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline. Access the Summary of Updates   What It Is vs. What It's Not The 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline aims to inform patient-centered decision-making between patients and clinicians. The recommendations are not intended to be implemented as absolute limits for policy or practice across populations by organizations, health care systems, or government entities. This resource is intended to increase understanding of the intended use of the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline. Access What It Is vs. What It's Not   Key Messages for Decision-Makers The 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline provides voluntary recommendations for clinicians that are intended to be flexible to support, not supplant, individualized patient-centered care. This resource summarizes the purpose and audience of the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline and why and how it was developed. Access Key Messages for Decision-Makers   Further Considerations for Decision-Makers Decision-makers, including legislators, licensing boards, payers, and other regulatory bodies, have an opportunity to examine current laws, regulations, and policies and ensure that they reflect and provide flexibility for clinicians to address the multiple complexities and nuances of individualized patient care for patients, as discussed in the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline’s guiding principles and recommendations. This resource highlights some of the key policy considerations in the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline. Access Further Considerations for Decision-Makers   Health Equity Considerations To reduce health inequities, disparities in access to and utilization of pain care must be addressed. This resource outlines considerations for promoting health equity when interpreting the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline recommendations. Access Health Equity Considerations for Opioid Therapy website yes False

The Catalyst Center for Firearm Injury Prevention will take action to address firearm injury and death as a public health issue using evidence-based and equity-driven public health approaches.