This INSPIRE: Readiness equity approach addresses unique needs and social determinants of health to create inclusive preparedness plans, establishes partnerships throughout communities, and considers who is part of the discussions and who is missing from the table.
Explore ASTHO’s INSPIRE: Readiness Data resources—empowering public health leaders to use data for resilience and optimal health for all.
Explore INSPIRE: Readiness Communications—ASTHO’s hub for sharing public health messaging strategies, tools, and resources to strengthen preparedness.
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ASTHO's State Health Policy and Federal Government Affairs teams examine trends and developments in public health law. These pieces, collectively called Health Policy Update, are a regular feature on ASTHO's blog.
Agenda <!-- All events will be virtual and are listed in ET. Please check back often, as the agenda is subject to change. --> The 2023 Health Equity Summit: A Movement for Justice is a national convening of state and island area health officials, federal and local partners, and stakeholders committed to advancing health and racial equity. This event is designed by and for public health professionals, health equity leaders, and their partners. Attendees will have conversations that inspire action to confront health inequities’ root causes and move towards justice. Objectives: Mobilize the public health workforce and stakeholders to prioritize implementing evidence-based practices and policies directed toward advancing the health and well-being of people who have experienced historical discrimination and oppression. Recommend equity practices that are sustainable within our public health system by working alongside community members to envision a nation that supports optimal health for all. Prioritize collaboration and information sharing among state and federal health officials, partners, and stakeholders across states and jurisdictions to advance equity. <!-- Access the Agenda --> website
Insight and Inspiration: Conversations for Public Health Leaders ASTHO is honored to present Insight and Inspiration, the premier webinar series designed to motivate public health leaders as they respond to new and ongoing public health challenges. The nation’s preeminent thought leaders, authors, and strategic thinkers offer attendees strategies to further develop their leadership skills as well as ground themselves and their teams even amid crisis. This series is open to governmental public health professionals at all stages of their careers. Check out upcoming opportunities and previous session recordings below to take your leadership to the next level. website
These resources provide core insights into the rulemaking process for creating laws to advance public health.
Speakers 2023 Health Equity Summit Speakers health equity, health equity summit, health equity conference, public health speakers, health equity speakers, public health experts, health equity experts Speakers at this year's Health Equity Summit are some of the biggest names in public health and health equity. Speakers at tthe 2023 Health Equity Summit are some of the biggest names in public health and health equity. Browse through the speakers below. article
ASTHO policy statements outline positions on critical public health topics, supporting advocacy and leadership for state and territorial health agencies.
Past Event Recordings Explore our past event recordings below or take a look at our upcoming events and trainings. article
Learn about chairs of key committees in the 119th Congress, their priorities, and what may be in store for public health funding in this federal health policy update.
Learn how the Maryland Department of Health leveled up their strategic planning process to improve their critical public health work in this blog post.
Good news and bad news on tobacco use: smoking rates are down but e-cigarette use continuing rapid rise among youth. Read how states are combating the problem.
Cases of sepsis and septic shock can be prevented with strong health policies as shown in New York. Several states have taken action to enact mandatory early detection and treatment protocols.
Puerto Rico Program Supports Vulnerable Populations ASTHO Island Support Learn how Puerto Rico addresses social determinants of health and promotes equity among vulnerable populations. The Puerto Rico Department of Health’s Health Equity Program implemented an innovative initiative to support diverse institutions, with the goal of addressing social determinants of health and promoting health equity among vulnerable populations. This provided opportunities for a wide range of sectors including private non-profit organizations, universities, and hospitals. The project evolved throughout its duration, demonstrating the power of local funding and the importance of flexibility in program administration. Project Kickoff Grant Awarding and Training Process During the second request for proposal, 30 organizations expressed interest in submitting applications. However, given the detailed and rigorous rubric, six applied, of which four grants were awarded. The team scored the proposals based on the rubric, and allocated funds to support vulnerable populations such as individuals living in rural areas, people with disabilities, pregnant women, and older adults. Implementation and Best Practices Once the Health Equity Program awarded grants, they designed a detailed work plan, including key indicators for monitoring and tracking the progress of beneficiary organizations. They implemented a SharePoint-based system for the submission of reports and documentation. In addition, they held monthly meetings to ensure cohesion and effective communication among all stakeholders. This collaborative approach enabled efficient and transparent monitoring processes. “It was a collaborative process since the institutions know their populations best. We just wanted to ensure a systematic and consistent plan because these matters are crucial for project progress and monitoring.” — Miguel Cruz, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator Project Evolution The program initially funded one institution and due to its positive impact, additional opportunities emerged to provide funding for up to four additional institutions. The main topic revolved around health literacy as a strategy to reach health equity among people living in rural areas, older adults, people experiencing homelessness, individuals with functional diversity, and those experiencing a mental health challenge. These four new institutions covered the west, central, and other rural areas broadening coverage within traditionally underserved communities. Administrative Flexibility and Communication Strategies Administratively, the program had to be flexible during pre-award and award processes, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. This included revising announcements and creating plans. Additionally, the program created documentation, like templates, and provided technical assistance to clarify compliance guidelines to ensure transparency and proper use of funds. The program implemented effective communication strategies to inform institutions about funding opportunities, including announcements via mass media and the Department of Health’s official social media platforms. They also created an external technical committee as an official communication channel to evaluate proposals. For this purpose, the creation of a detailed rubric facilitated its proper, unbiased, and timely assessment. Technological Challenges and Solutions One key challenge throughout the project was the use of technology to receive, process, and manage documentation. To mitigate obstacles, a SharePoint webpage facilitated electronic documentation acquisition between each subgrantee and the program. Additionally, the program provided clear instructions and developed a Q&A guide based on the needs that various institutions identified. In case of new inquiries, the Health Equity Program also shared responses collectively to ensure all organizations received consistent information, enabling them to complete the process smoothly and with equal opportunity. Lessons Learned A final evaluation of the process revealed that anticipating challenges was key to the project’s success. However, there are still areas for improvement: One of these is the optimization of financial processes by the organizations. It is critical to submit evidence of fund use in a timely manner and ensure accuracy in reconciling invoices within the allocated period. Organizations should also align internal processes with the parameters set when they receive funds. Adhering to these parameters can streamline the process on the Department of Health's side. Although beneficiaries get an assigned accounting professional, the documentation must still go through the Fiscal Office for review. Another challenge faced by institutions was retaining participants in the training sessions provided as part of the grant. Therefore, mechanisms need to be in place to ensure active and continuous participation in future interventions. The Health Equity Program also identified the opportunity to standardize the evaluation processes for organizations. While each institution worked on diverse projects, evaluations were based on their respective work plans and progress reports. However, a standardized evaluation process could improve efficiency in future interventions. Sustainability and Recommendations Many institutions that received funds have used them as a starting point to develop larger initiatives while others have used them to develop internal resources (i.e., digital libraries, trainings). “Organizations used this funding as seed money for projects that are now receiving greater financial support. Others have developed internal resources that allow them to continue addressing key health issues. For instance, they have optimized the use of digital libraries, expanded training reach, and replicated projects funded by this grant in other municipalities.” — Miguel Cruz, PhD, Co-Principal Investigator For other agencies looking to implement similar programs, the recommendation is clear: Streamline efforts to maintain consistency and coherence. Additionally, explore other agency or office supports for fostering an organizational culture that prioritizes continuous monitoring and process improvement, emphasized Cruz, PhD. Conclusion Clear, transparent communication and flexible administration with a focus on health equity generate a positive impact on vulnerable populations — as evidenced by increased knowledge, improved participant skills, attitude changes, inclusion in services, greater technology use among older adults, and enhanced equity skills among workers. This project demonstrates how health departments can collaborate with other sectors to address social determinants and ensure equitable access to resources. article yes
State and territorial health officials gathered on Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and discuss public health priorities—learn more about Hill Day in this blog post.