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The impact of the COVID-19 response on the public health workforce has been profoundly felt by employees and the agencies they serve. Across the country, unplanned leadership transitions, early retirements, and personnel scale-ups have all impacted who the workforce is and what they do day-to-day. Many of those who have remained are feeling depleted and battered. In order to support and build the public health system the country needs, we need data specific to governmental public health.

ASTHO Recognizes Georgia’s Public Health Champions ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is honoring 15 Georgians who are world-renowned public health leaders during an event today hosted by Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and supported in part by the Healthcare Georgia Foundation and the CDC Foundation. Each of these outstanding “Georgia Giants in Public Health” honorees is being recognized for their leadership and dedication to improving the lives and well-being of not just communities in Georgia, but across the nation and around the world. “I am not sure every Georgian knows the rich history of public health that Atlanta has served to nurture, but they should be proud of Georgia today,” says Michael Fraser, ASTHO’s executive director. “This state is home to leaders that helped end smallpox, eradicated Guinea worm, developed the national strategy to control HIV/AIDS, cut tobacco use to record lows, reduced health disparities, and established global immunization programs. In short, the work of these committed Georgia Giants has improved the lives of millions—even billions—worldwide. For that, our nation is truly grateful and our leaders are here today in Atlanta to share our thanks and recognize Georgia’s many contributions to public health.” As ASTHO celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, we reflect on how Atlanta-based institutions like the CDC have shaped generations of public health leaders, contributing to ASTHO’s legacy and commitment to advancing the important work of public health. The Georgia’s Giants in Public Health awards honor transformational state and territorial government leaders and alumni, along with those working at the federal level and with non-governmental organizations to protect and promote our nation’s health. The Georgia Giants in Public Health honorees include: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter. James W. Curran, MD, MPH, for his many contributions to disease prevention and epidemiology, as well as his leadership in the field of HIV/AIDS research and outreach. Michael P. Eriksen, ScD, for his contributions to tobacco control, social and behavioral science, and urban and global health. Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, for her leadership as commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health, directing the state’s 18 public health districts and 159 county health departments. William H. Foege, MD, MPH, for his many achievements as a champion of child survival and development, as well as contributions to domestic and international health policies, disease eradication and control, and reducing the impact of smallpox. Tom Frieden, MD, MPH, for his numerous achievements in a career dedicated to public health, including leadership as CDC director. Jeffrey P. Koplan, MD, MPH, for his many achievements in epidemic intelligence and infectious disease. Judith Monroe, MD, for her many contributions and continued focus on strengthening public-private partnerships, as well as her leadership as chief executive officer of the CDC Foundation, director of CDC’s Office for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support, and her service as a state health official in Indiana and president of ASTHO. Gary Nelson, PhD, for his many contributions to health improvement and healthy aging, as well as his leadership in cancer prevention and control. David A. Ross, ScD, for his pioneering career in public health informatics, as well as his leadership as chief executive officer for the Task Force for Global Health and director of the Public Health Informatics Institute. David Satcher, MD, PhD, for a career dedicated to public health, including numerous contributions in disease prevention and multicultural health disparities, and leadership as the 16th Surgeon General of the United States, assistant secretary for health at HHS, and CDC director. C. Wade Sellers, MD, MPH, for his distinguished public health career, as well as the career of his grandfather, Thomas Fort Sellers, who served as director of the Georgia Department of Public Health from 1948 to 1960, where he developed the tool for rapid diagnosis of rabies. Louis W. Sullivan, MD, for his efforts to enhance health literacy and advance healthy behaviors, as well as his leadership as the 17th HHS secretary and founding dean of the Morehouse School of Medicine. Phillip L. Williams, PhD, for his many achievements in research and toxicology, as well as his leadership as founding dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia. “It is truly wonderful to have an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of Georgia’s public health champions,” says Brenda Fitzgerald, MD, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health and ASTHO’s president-elect. “The men and women honored here inspire us all as they continue to transform public health. I am privileged to serve as the public health commissioner in a state with such incredible resources and leadership.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Awards Public Health Leaders for Outstanding Service ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) honored public health leaders with several awards this week at its 2017 Annual Meeting in recognition of their outstanding service and dedication to improving state and territorial public health.  “On behalf of ASTHO, I am truly honored to present this year’s awards to a group of individuals who bring transformative leadership to the field of public health and embody a genuine desire to improve our nation’s health. Their accomplishments have made a difference in the lives of others, and we are inspired by their commitment to lead with compassion, integrity, and perseverance,” says ASTHO Executive Director Michael Fraser. The 2017 ASTHO awardees include:  Georges Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association Ed Thompson 2017 Lifetime Achievement Medal With over 35 years of experience in public health as a physician, state health official, and executive director of the American Public Health Association, Benjamin has inspired countless public health leaders and has been named among the 100 most influential people in healthcare. Michael Botticelli, executive director of the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine at Boston Medical Center ASTHO 2017 Presidential Meritorious Service Award Botticelli, former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, was the first person to hold this position while also in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder. Vivek Murthy, MD, 19th Surgeon General of the United States ASTHO 2017 Presidential Meritorious Service Award As surgeon general, Murthy created initiatives to tackle our country’s most urgent public health issues, including the first-ever Surgeon General’s report issuing a call to action on addiction as a chronic illness. Tom Frieden, MD, former director of CDC National Excellence Award On the national level, Frieden, who served as director of CDC from 2009-2017, led work to end the Ebola epidemic and control the largest outbreak of drug-resistant tuberculosis in the United States, among other initiatives. J. Patrick O’Neal, MD, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health State Excellence Award On the state level, O’Neal brings a great deal of medical and military experience to the public health community, greatly enriching ASTHO’s mission and the health of all Georgians. Paul Jarris, MD, chief medical officer for the March of Dimes ASTHO Alumni 2017 Award As a nationally recognized expert in healthcare policy, clinical quality initiatives, public health, and disease prevention and wellness, Jarris used his expertise to serve as commissioner of health at the Vermont Department of Health from 2003-2006 and ASTHO executive director from 2006-2016. Rep. Tom Cole, chair, House Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Subcommittee 2017 ASTHO Legislative Champion Award Cole was elected to Congress in 2002 and is currently serving in his eighth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Cole has been supportive of important public health initiatives, such as the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness program. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member, House Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee 2017 ASTHO Legislative Champion Award DeLauro is the Congresswoman from Connecticut’s Third Congressional District. DeLauro spearheaded bipartisan legislation to raise awareness of gynecologic cancers and the WISEWOMAN program, and has supported food safety measures, youth tobacco use prevention, and mental health and substance abuse prevention. Edward Ehlinger, MD, commissioner of health for the Minnesota Department of Health Arthur T. McCormack 2017 Award In addition to directing the work of the Minnesota Department of Health, Ehlinger formerly served as ASTHO president, where he exemplified his dedication to advancing the important work of public health and improving health for all. Keith Yamamoto, MPA, deputy director of the Hawaii Department of Healt Noble J. Swearingen 2017 Award Yamamoto, a key member of ASTHO’s Senior Deputies Committee, has provided critical guidance and expertise in state and territorial public health leadership. In addition, ASTHO presented its 2017 Vision Awards and the de Beaumont Foundation PH WINS: Research to Action Model Policies and Practices Challenge Awards. ASTHO congratulates the 2017 award winners for demonstrating excellence in public health leadership and working tirelessly to protect and promote our nation’s health. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Receives Telework Achievement Award ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) today received a “Telework Achievement Award” from Arlington Transportation Partners’ Champions program, which recognizes businesses in Arlington, Virginia for their commitment to transportation programs that make it easy for individuals to travel to and from work and home. ASTHO is dedicated to providing employees the opportunity to work remotely and participate in public transportation methods—including walking, biking, and transit—via an organization-wide telework policy. ASTHO provides equal benefits for parking and transit, facilities for active commuters, and a pre-tax transit benefit. “Teleworking allows for both reduced commute time and reduced stress from congestion in the Washington, D.C. area, ultimately leading to staff being more productive and living healthier lives,” says Diane Coontz, ASTHO’s chief of organizational performance and staff development. “ASTHO supports employees finding work-life balance with various health and wellness benefits and opportunities.” Since 2006, ASTHO’s Workplace Wellness Program has implemented evidence-based strategies to support employee health.  The program has launched several initiatives including a smoke-free meetings policy, a healthy foods policy, weekly walks, community events, and a physical fitness challenge. For more information, view ASTHO’s Worksite Wellness web page or ASTHO’s transportation policy guides. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

On Aug. 3, 2022, ASTHO and the de Beaumont Foundation announced the 2021 PH WINS findings. They provide a unique snapshot of the state and local government public health workforce.

On Nov. 2, 2022, ASTHO announced the launch of PublicHealthCareers.com, a new website for job seekers in the field.

Michigan Court Decision on Health Official's Case is Bad for Public Health ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), issued the following statement today in response to a Michigan court's decision to proceed with the prosecution of a sitting health official for decisions made in notifying the public about an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in Genesee County in 2014 and 2015: "We are very disappointed that the court decided to allow the prosecution against Nick Lyon to proceed to trial. ASTHO firmly believes criminally charging a public health official for deaths related to an outbreak sets a dangerous precedent for leadership and decisionmaking during a public health crisis. The ultimate goal among our nation's state and territorial health officials is to protect the health and well-being of their constituents. State health officials and their leadership teams are trained to make thoughtful, scientific, and data-driven decisions, while limiting undue public panic. As this case moves forward to trial, ASTHO will continue to articulate the serious ramifications and lasting impact the court's decision will have on our profession as a whole." ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Anne Zink (Chief Medical Officer, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services) and Larry Lewis (licensed psychologist and executive coach) speak on the importance of celebrating “small wins”—tangible stories of progress that can sustain the public health workforce in an otherwise trying time.

The experts on today’s episode make the case for how a robust public health workforce could have changed the trajectory of the pandemic response, but also explain why we can reimagine what a strong public health workforce requires as we enter into pandemic recovery.

Leading a governmental health department is a complex job during the best of times, but particularly so during a pandemic when leaders must navigate every step carefully. In this episode, our guests introduce and discuss a concept called "polarity thinking," which invites leaders to embrace situations or problems from the opposing perspectives, or "poles."

ASTHO Communications Trainings ASTHO has collaborated with a former New York Times journalist with over two decades of experience to offer three media training videos that can be viewed at your convenience. The 12-minute recordings cover media interview best practices, space preparation and interview tactics, and digital strategies and best practices. Reach out to media@astho.org with any questions. website no