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Two rising health trends are negatively affecting women’s health across the United States: maternal mortality (death from pregnancy or delivery complications) and severe maternal morbidity (mental and physical health consequences from a pregnancy or delivery.) Maternal mortality review committees (MMRCs) are one of the best ways to gather information on why pregnancy-related deaths occur and how to prevent them. Studies show that MMRCs can reduce maternal mortality by 20-50% since they examine the underlying causes of maternal mortality, use data to identify gaps in care, and inform a focused approach to prevent deaths and reduce disparities.

After years of advocacy, ASTHO and our partners are celebrating the recently signed Consolidated Appropriations Act.

Celebrating Black HER-STORY astho, association of state and territorial health officials, black history month, her stories, black history, african american women, president gerald ford, american life and history, frederick douglass, african american woman, united states, carter g woodson, american women, african american history, celebrate black history, washington dc, african american life, virginia hamilton, black history month celebration, african american, study of african american, history month, civil war, black women, black people, rosa parks, harriet tubman, mae jemison, Phillis Wheatley, Shirley Chisholm Kimberlee Wyche Etheridge Celebrating Black Women's Historic Contributions. I grew up proud to know that I am the product of generations of planning, sacrifice and prayers, and that I represent the wildest dreams of my ancestors.  I look at the world from the shoulders of all of generations of women who walked this earth for centuries before me. Their stories, their trials and tribulations were not in the history books I was given in school. Instead, their words have been passed down from generation to generation through their stories—her stories. The word "history" can be broken down into two parts: His and Story. History is said to be written often from the viewpoint of the powerful who control the pen, and the narrative. Stories are often scribed from the author’s viewpoint and crafted in a way to make the protagonists look good, sometimes at all costs. When we study history, it is important to read between the lines to get the full story and to learn what we may not be taught, or what we are sometimes taught misleadingly.    With roots dating back to 1915, author and historian Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, setting the foundation for Black History month. Nationally we look to February as a time dedicated to focusing on uplifting Black history and encouraging all to learn and celebrate the many important contributions made by African Americans that have shaped this country. This year, 2023, I want to focus not just on Black history, but on Black Her-Story, highlighting five of the many impactful contributions made by African American women that have changed the course of America and sculped my life. Sadly, too many of us do not know their names. In most cases, they live in the margins of our history books, and if we take the time to learn we will see how Her Stories have truly shaped our collective History.   Harriet Tubman (Born: 1882, Died: March 20, 1913). Enslaved from birth in Maryland, she escaped to freedom, but returned nearly 20 times to free family members and others.  She never gave up and she never lost a single person.  Harriet Tubman taught me to always reach back to bring others forward. Through mentorship programs, teaching medical students, and pipelining initiatives, the term, “play it forward” is a mantra that I live by.   Phillis Wheatley (Born: May 8, 1753, Died: Dec. 5, 1784). Born in West Africa and enslaved at the age of eight, young Phillis was privileged to learn to read and write, accomplishing something for which many had lost their lives. Her intellect and passion for her studies, lead her to poetry and in 1773, she became one of the first African American women publish a poetry volume in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Phillis Wheatly taught me the power of words and what a coveted privilege it was then—and is now becoming again—to be free to pick up a book and read. Many science fiction books describe societies where knowledge is limited and controlled, hiding history and sometimes the truth of the present.  Studying Phillis Wheatley’s poetry, helped to teach me to read between the lines. Mae Jemison (Born: October 17, 1956). Known by some as the first Black American woman astronaut, a physician, a leading scientist, and an advocate for girls' education in the United States, Mae Jemison joined NASA in 1987, and served aboard the space shuttle Endeavor in 1992. Her story taught me that the sky is not the limit, and to never let anyone “put you in a box.” As a fellow medical doctor, my work in the creation of an annual Girls Powered by S.T.E.A.M. (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) event has changed the trajectory of many middle school girls of color who had never been shown their potential.     Shirley Chisholm (Born: Nov 30, 1924, Died: Jan. 1, 2005). In 1972, she was the first Black woman to run to win the bid for presidential nomination in any major party.  An activist in her home state of New York, she was also the first Black woman to serve in Congress. Shirley Chisholm taught me that my voice counts, and if you do not like something, advocate to change it. I added a public health degree to my medical degree because I did not like the health outcomes I was seeing as a physician, and I had a responsibility to use my voice to change the health trajectory of others whose voices had been silenced by bias, prejudice and racism. Rosa Parks (Born: Feb 4, 1913, Died: Oct. 24, 2005). Well trained and well prepared, in 1955, Rosa Parks did not get up. An activist during the Alabama civil rights movement in the 1930’s, she was involved in the planning of the famous bus boycott. Her planned actions started the 381-day Montgomery Bus Boycott, which eventually desegregated that city's public transit. Ms. Parks taught me to hold firm.  Knowing she was going to get arrested; she did not waver in her determination to bring to light the injustices she had been working to end. The boycott did not end in a week or a month.  It lasted over a year. We have adopted a now or never mentality.  Change takes time and patience can be a true virtue. Sometimes you must keep your eyes on the prize to experience success.  We have not achieved health equity yet, and I know my job is not done. I do not know if it will take another year, or another decade, but believing in the outcome sets the path for success.   Each day, additional women teach and inspire me. There is no job description of who one may learn from, no pedigree of worthiness to be a Her-story maker. Today is tomorrow’s history. I have no idea how my actions now may influence someone in the future. Celebrate the past, embrace the present and dream for those who will follow in your footsteps. Happy Black Her-Story month. Black history is American history. Make sure your read between the lines and check out what is hidden in the margins.  Not just for 28 days, but every day. Knowledge knows no calendar. article yes

This post highlights three strategies health department leaders can explore to reduce staff stress and burnout in the office: quiet spaces, art on display, and allowing pets in the office.

In the November 2020 election, voters in several states cast their ballots on proposals related to the use of legal and illicit drugs. These ballot proposals influence key public health issues such as tobacco control, substance use prevention and treatment, and mental health—many of them implemented by state health agencies. This post contains a brief summary of the proposals on ballots around the country.

Anticipating a rapid deployment of COVID-19 vaccines as they are authorized, the CDC developed COVID-19 Vaccination Program Operational Guidance in collaboration with state and local jurisdictions to outline how each jurisdiction will make an authorized vaccine widely available. In addition to the operational plans, there is a legal framework of federal and state laws supporting the distribution and administration of the FDA-authorized vaccines.

As we celebrate National Rural Health Day this year, we are reminded of how important telehealth can be for public health and healthcare. Telehealth can minimize challenges faced by rural patients and communities—such as transportation, provider shortages, etc.—manage volume, increase the quality of healthcare, and lower overall costs by reducing readmissions and avoidable emergency department visits. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that access to reliable broadband is still a challenge and is a key social determinant of health for rural Americans.

As a truly historic year comes to an end, many public health policy issues received a considerable amount of attention in 2020. Subjects such as the pandemic that will live on in infamy, racial health disparities, and the future of the Affordable Care Act, are just a few of the major health issues that took center stage on Capitol Hill this year.

The 2020 holiday season is coinciding with a nationwide surge of COVID-19 cases. With great concern that holiday travel to see loved ones may exacerbate community spread of the virus, many states are increasing public health measures before the winter holiday season. As of November 16, 2020, 13 states and D.C. had a quarantine requirement for out-of-state travelers. The U.S. territories also have instituted travel restrictions to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Each year the U.S. battles seasonal influenza, leaving millions of people sick, hospitalized, or worse. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, it is crucial for all eligible individuals to receive a flu vaccine to help reduce the likelihood of contracting both flu and COVID-19.

On Dec. 3, the International Day of People with Disabilities commemorates disability rights and brings awareness to essential issues for those with disabilities by promoting the “well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society.” While the ADA laid a critical foundation for disability rights, the work to ensure equitable access to services and needs continues, including access to state and local emergency preparedness and response activities like crisis communication, access to resources, allocation of vaccine and other medical countermeasures, and transportation.

As public health officials lead the pandemic response, clear direction-setting in every state and territories is vital to assure our planning and implementation is fair and focused on those most at need. These are not entirely unprecedented times—1918 pandemic flu killed almost 700,000 Americans. Even then, despite increasing understanding of respiratory disease transmission, many leaders—including public health leaders—downplayed the pandemic and refused to take effective steps to limit large gatherings and encourage mask wearing. Changing behavior, or introducing new social norms, was as difficult then as it is now. We have to learn from history if we are to effectively respond to our present reality.

I think we all welcomed 2021 with open arms as we look to put the worst of 2020 behind us. We have all been through a lot—we have lost family members and friends to COVID-19, we have seen public health officials harassed and maligned, we sheltered-in-place, stayed home, and radically altered our day-to-day schedules, we have witnessed protests over police brutality and racial discrimination, and we have lived through (and still are living through) a presidential transition unlike any other. Despite all the challenges, turmoil, and changes wrought by 2020, the work of state and territorial public health continues. What is on our ASTHO horizon as we greet this new year and the opportunities and challenges it presents? Here are a few things on my mind as I look toward the future.

If there is any word to describe 2020 it is “unprecedented,” with the work of health agencies front and center since COVID-19 emerged in the U.S. But as we approach Public Health Thank You Day and the Thanksgiving season, ASTHO wants to send a special appreciation to our entire state and territorial public health workforce. We have been so impressed by your tireless work to address COVID-19 in your jurisdictions and you have wowed us all with your dedication and commitment to the work of health protection and improvement. Thank you all for all you do to keep your communities healthy!

States have largely dismissed weakening policies, but legislatures are likely to continue considering vaccine-related bills, which may allow public health leaders to work collaboratively toward improving vaccination rates and bolster the positive impact vaccines have on population health.

A mid-session legislative update on five of ASTHO's top 10 public health state policy issues to watch in 2023: data privacy and modernization, reproductive health, health equity, strengthening public health agencies, and immunization.

This interview is part of ASTHO’s Leadership Trailblazers series, which shares outstanding public health leaders’ inspirations, motivations, and accomplishments. This post features Micky Tripathi, PhD, MPP, of the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology at HHS.

An ASTHO blog article about how to communicate with care to staff about telework policies with the shift of the pandemic.

As the conversation about the importance of mental health continues to unfold, health agencies have a critical role to play in supporting positive mental health outcomes through nutrition support and food assistance programs.

After decades of underinvestment, health departments received increased funding for disease intervention services, strengthening the existing workforce, and providing opportunities to expand workforce capacity.