On April 6, 2021, ASTHO released a Board-approved policy statement addressing structural racism as a necessary component in achieving optimal health for all.
On March 31, 2021, ASTHO hosted its inaugural TechXpo, the first national convening of state and territorial health officials with local and federal partners and private technology firms and tech entrepreneurs focusing specifically on the use of technology to support the COVID-19 response.
On March 18, 2021, ASTHO announced the election of its new president, Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Anne Zink, MD, chief medical officer for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, will serve as president-elect.
On Feb. 10, 2021 ASTHO and NACCHO announced the selection of 42 community multi-sector partnerships/coalitions across the country to receive over $2 million as a part of the Improving Social Determinants of Health–Getting Further Faster pilot project.
On Jan. 19, 2021, ASTHO released a statement commending President-Elect Joe Biden's nomination of Rachel Levine, MD, to serve as Assistant Secretary for Health at the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
On Jan. 15, 2021, ASTHO released a statement of support for President-Elect Joe Biden's American Rescue Plan, noting that the organization is looking forward to working collaboratively with the new administration to achieve the public health goals set forth in the plan.
On Nov. 30, 2022, ASTHO, NNPHI, and PHAB released a joint statement announcing the receipt of CDC funds as part of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant Program.
ASTHO Awarded 2022 Fries Prize for Improving Public Health During COVID-19 Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) Awarded 2022 Fries Prize for Improving Public Health During COVID-19 astho, nirav shah, association of state and territorial health officials, public health, fries prize, honor individuals organizations, identify and honor individuals, state and territorial health, nonprofit corporation incorporated, public health award programs which includes the fries prize for improving health and the elizabeth fries health education award, internal medicine, medical school, seeks to reward accomplishment, cdc foundation is honored, sarah t fries foundation, fries foundation which established, individuals organizations or institutions, 2016 the cdc foundation, territorial health officials, major accomplishments in health, greatest number, dr shah, health care, recognizes an individual, accomplishments in health improvement ASTHO awarded the 2022 Fries Prize for their contribution to improving public health. BOSTON, MA—Today, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) along with two other national public health associations, received the 2022 Fries Prize for their contribution to improving public health with an emphasis on saving and protecting lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, the most significant threat to public health in over a century. The award, presented to individuals or organizations doing the most to improve public health, was announced this morning at the American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting in Boston. Nirav Shah, MD, JD, director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention and immediate past ASTHO president, accepted the award on behalf of ASTHO. “This is an award that belongs to every public health professional who tirelessly and selflessly served their states and territories during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their efforts to protect their communities from COVID-19 infection through education, contact tracing, testing, and vaccination were unprecedented. ASTHO is humbled and honored to receive this year’s Fries award on behalf of every state and territorial public health agency in the nation.” ASTHO has played a central role in response to COVID-19 over the past few years. Through its mission to support, equip, and advocate for state and territorial health officials in their work to promote public health and well-being, the organization will continue to provide public health capacity-building and technical assistance to health authorities nationwide. “This award is a testament to the hard work of ASTHO’s members, and our partnership with local health departments across the country. It is well-deserved, and we are proud to accept it on behalf of our hardworking state and territorial public health leaders and our ASTHO team that gave so much during this historic global pandemic,” said ASTHO CEO Michael R. Fraser, PhD. “Being recognized in this way is an honor, and one which we greatly appreciate.” Also honored at today’s award presentation are Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) and the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO). The monetary award for the Fries Prize for Improving Health is $60,000, which will be distributed among the three organizations. This is the first time in its 30-year history that three organizations will be recognized simultaneously. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate Fries Foundation Boilerplate website yes
On Sept. 28, 2022 ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser, PhD, attended the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, a unique convening of advocates, lawmakers, and experts to end hunger, improve nutrition and physical activity, and reduce disparities.
On Aug. 11, 2022, ASTHO's Chief Medical Officer issued a statement of support for CDC's new COVID-19 guidelines.
On July 27, 2022, Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, joined ASTHO as a senior executive consultant. Alexander-Scott is a former Rhode Island Department of Health Director and former ASTHO President, she will support states and territories in capacity building focused on health equity.
On July 27, 2022, public health leaders will convene to advance health equity and address structural racism at ASTHO's Health Equity Summit.
Global, national and state technology, public health, and other experts convene online at ASTHO’s TechXpo May 10 and 11, 2022.
On March 29, 2022, ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser praised the Biden administration's FY23 budget request for its recognition of the importance of supporting core public health infrastructure.
On March 8, 2022, ASTHO reaffirmed its position that children five years of age and older should be vaccinated against COVID-19, as recommended by public health experts.
On March 2, 2022, ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser released a statement commending President Biden’s State of the Union pledge to protect America’s health by addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, opioid epidemic, and current mental health crisis.
On Feb. 15, 2022 ASTHO announced the launch of a new public health workforce development program, the Public Health, Equity, Resilience, and Opportunity Program (PH-HERO)—aimed to address workforce burnout, resiliency, and morale.
A joint statement on transitioning away from universal case investigation and contact tracing for individual cases of COVID-19 by public health agencies.
On June 4, 2013, The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) congratulated the health agencies in Colorado, Delaware, Maine, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Wyoming, each of whom will receive awards from the March of Dimes for reaching meaningful milestones in their efforts to reduce preterm births.
On Sept. 19, 2013 Terry Cline, commissioner of the Oklahoma State Department of Health, was elected president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) during the association's annual meeting in Orlando, Florida. John Dreyzehner, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health, was elected as secretary-treasurer at the same meeting. Jewel Mullen, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, became president-elect.