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Concrete, evidence-based recommendations for supporting employee mental health in the workplace from the American Psychological Association.

A brief article on considerations around in-person and virtual worksites from the American Psychological Association.

This legislative alert provides an update on the latest FY25 continuing resolution.

Policy & Advocacy Association of state and territorial health officials, astho, advocacy and policy, state and territorial health officials, public health agencies, federal government affairs, state health policy, public health policy, public health policies, public health officials, public health appropriations, public health programs, public health advocate, public health practice, public health legislation, states and territories, health policy, public health issues, public health leaders, public health lawyers, policy research and analysis, legislative tracking and analysis ASTHO’s federal and state government experts provide our members with guidance and education on public health policy development and legislation. ASTHO works closely with state and territorial health officials to shape laws, regulations, and administrative actions that drive improvement in governmental public health agencies. We ensure that decisions affecting our nation’s health and well-being incorporate the insights of state and territorial leaders. Our efforts include developing policy statements, legislative and legal analyses, technical assistance, and capacity-building activities. Our policy and advocacy work follows two critical paths: website

This in-depth brief includes practical recommendations on mental health excellence in the workplace from the American Psychology Association.

Federal Government Affairs Engaging in Government Affairs for Public Health Access timely information about public health related policies, and tap into the legislative and advocacy expertise of ASTHO’s Government Affairs team. ASTHO offers personalized legislative and advocacy expertise to our members. Additionally, ASTHO helps prepare them to provide testimony before Congress or participate in congressional briefings. We also provide congressional leaders and their staff with timely and relevant information regarding public health activities in their respective jurisdictions to guide their consideration of public health related policies. website

This resource from Public Health Training Center is a collection of micro-learnings and resources for building and cultivating resilience at various levels.

2024 Legislative Alerts website

ASTHO Legislative Prospectus | Prevention 2023 state legislative action on mental health.

Policy Trends Shaping Healthy Food and Chronic Disease in 2026 Policy Trends Shaping Healthy Food & Chronic Disease in 2026 Learn about policy trends shaping healthy food and chronic disease in 2026, such as regulating ingredients and modifying SNAP. A growing focus on links between nutrition and public health outcomes is driving legislative efforts across the country, with states actively responding to rising rates and the cost of chronic disease. As state legislatures consider ways to combat chronic diseases, they are also implementing policies aimed at addressing the food environment by introducing and enacting bills that regulate ultra-processed foods (UPFs), adjust SNAP benefits, and improve access to healthy food. Regulating Food Ingredients and Ultra-Processed Foods While efforts to define and regulate UPFs are still in development at the federal level, several states have decided to move forward with legislation targeting the use of specific artificial dyes and chemical preservatives in food products. West Virginia enacted HB 2354, prohibiting the sale or manufacturing of any food containing a list of specified dyes and certain preservatives. Similarly, Vermont is considering H 260, and New York is considering companion bills S 1239/A 1556. These bills aim to ban the manufacture, sale, or distribution of food containing a core group of chemicals (e.g., potassium bromate, propylparaben, and Red 3). Meanwhile, North Carolina introduced HB 440, which would prohibit additional color additives and ban the sale of food products containing nine specific dyes and chemicals. Pennsylvania introduced HB 1134, which focused on warning labels and would require foods with dyes Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, or Yellow 6 to include a label that states, “This product contains synthetic colors, which may have an adverse effect on activity and attention in children.” Leg Prospectus-2026 - CD - CA Restricting Ingredients in School Meals While previous years have focused on access to school meals, a growing wave of recent state legislation aims to eliminate UPFs, synthetic dyes, and chemical preservatives from children's diets. Several states have enacted or advanced bans on specific chemical additives in school meals: Utah’s HB 402 and Virginia’s HB 1910 prohibit schools from offering food containing common food dyes (Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Red 3, Red 40, Yellow 5, and Yellow 6) or certain preservatives like potassium bromate and propylparaben. Similarly, Texas enacted SB 314 prohibiting specific additives in free or reduced-price school meals and SB 25, which mandates warning labels and expands state nutrition curriculum. In addition, other jurisdictions have introduced but not passed numerous bills proposing similar restrictions including South Carolina's HB 4339, which would prohibit certain additives in school meals. Modifying SNAP SNAP is the nation's largest federal food assistance program, providing benefits to low-income households. While the program is federally funded and administered by USDA through its Food and Nutrition Service, individual state agencies operate and manage eligibility and distribution. Since SNAP is governed by federal law, states must obtain a USDA waiver to implement changes that deviate from the federal rules. Several states are exploring waivers to limit the use of SNAP funds for purchasing candy and sweetened beverages or soft drinks, with Arkansas (SB 217), Idaho (HB 109), and Texas (SB 379) having passed legislation. Arkansas's new law requires the Department of Human Services to request a waiver to exclude candy and soft drinks, and reapply annually if denied. This dual ban was also the subject of bills introduced in Wyoming (HB 323) and South Carolina (HB 4061). Indiana (HB 1486) considered broader restrictions on “accessory foods,” aiming to prohibit the use of SNAP benefits for items like chips, energy drinks, sweetened beverages, soft drinks, and prepared desserts while New Jersey (A 5697/S 4348) introduced a narrower set of proposed restrictions, focused on soft drinks (including soda and sugary/sweetened beverages). Expanding Detection and Coverage for Chronic Diseases In response to high chronic disease rates — including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses — states are enacting and proposing legislation focused on treatment coverage, awareness, and prevention. Several states are directly addressing obesity and pre-diabetes by mandating insurance coverage. Colorado (SB 25-048) enacted legislation requiring large group health plans to cover treatment for obesity and pre-diabetes, including medical nutrition therapy and metabolic/bariatric surgery. In Nevada, AB 555 caps patient cost-sharing for a 30-day supply of insulin for people with state-regulated commercial health plans. To aid early detection of diabetes, New Hampshire (SB 102), Louisiana (SB 26), and Florida (SB 958) enacted new laws requiring the creation of informational materials on Type 1 diabetes risk factors, warning signs, and screening available to students and parents. To reduce financial barriers to necessary cancer screenings, several states have enacted bills to mandate insurance coverage and/or lower the cost of diagnostic breast exams and supplemental testing. Virginia (HB 1828), Florida (SB 158), and Oklahoma (HB 1389) have enacted bills to limit or lower the cost of such breast imaging. Meanwhile, Colorado enacted HB 25-296, clarifying that health insurers cover medically necessary diagnostic and supplemental breast imaging that goes beyond routine screening. Looking Ahead ASTHO expects state and territories to continue advancing legislative proposals that focus on the prevention of chronic diseases and access to healthy foods in 2026. Future legislative action may include: Establishing policies to address food insecurity and promote access to nutritional foods by targeting food deserts. Exploring policy and leadership options to discourage the consumption of high-sugar drinks. Developing and adopting standards for healthy food procurement policies for state agencies and public institutions to increase the demand for nutritious products. Continuing to enact insurance coverage mandates for comprehensive chronic disease screenings and treatment. OE22-2203 PHIG article yes

ASTHO Legislative Prospectus | Previewing 2023 state legislative actions to increase health equity.

In-depth analysis on state health policy surrounding immunization. This is part of ASTHO's annual legislative prospectus series.

ASTHO Legislative Prospectus | Previewing 2023 state legislative actions to build public health infrastructure.

Policy Trends Shaping Public Health Funding and Administration in 2026 Policy Trends Shaping Public Health Funding in 2026 Learn about policy trends shaping public health funding and administration in 2026, including increased funding for behavioral health and other areas. Decades of underinvestment in the nation’s public health system have impacted agencies’ ability to respond to health challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the fragility of a chronically under-resourced sector tasked with responding to a global emergency. While public health has received influxes of funding through the CARES Act and American Rescue Plan Act over the last five years, both were temporary injections of funding in response to COVID-19. There have been efforts to provide longer term funding for public health improvements through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant and the Prevention and Public Health Fund, but this funding faces an uncertain future: There have been multiple reductions in federal funding to the Prevention and Public Health Fund since its creation in 2010. Moreover, state public health agencies are preparing for the possibility of federal funding being reduced or cancelled. This, coupled with balanced budget requirements, is driving states to explore ways to improve their public health investments while bolstering infrastructure — focusing on health departments’ core services, and ensuring access to quality public health programs at the state and local levels. Increased Funding for Public Health In 2025, 47 states enacted or will enact budget bills. While overall nationwide funding for public health in FY26 was roughly equivalent to FY25, at least half of the state health departments had some form of increased funding (e.g., Medicaid, provider reimbursement rates, and specific public health initiatives and programs). For example: Behavioral Health: Colorado SB 25-206 included a $1.6 million increase in funding to provide behavioral health services in primary care settings. Certification: Illinois SB 2510 includes a $6 million increase to support licensing, inspecting, and certifying health care facilities for compliance with state and federal regulations. Maternal and Child Health: Georgia HB 68 provided a nearly $3 million increase in funding to expand a pilot program that provides home visits in at-risk and underserved communities during pregnancy and early childhood. Rural Health: Arizona’s budget bills include $4 million to expand access to health care through the development of rural medical residency programs. School-Based Health Centers: Delaware HB 225 appropriates funding to develop school-based health centers in elementary schools with more than 90% of students classified as low-income, multilingual learners, or underrepresented minorities. Leg Prospectus-2026 - Funding - Rural Health Improved Public Health Administration Several states passed legislation restructuring their public health systems. Nevada enacted SB 494, dividing the previous Department of Health and Human Services into two separate agencies. The bill gives the new health agency, called the Nevada Health Authority, the authority to oversee health programs (e.g., Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program), manage health care compliance and consumer health services, and develop policy that improves health care access and cost efficiency. Hawaii’s HB 1120 formally gives the Department of Health the authority to prevent, address, and abate any issues that pose a threat to public health and/or environmental health, such as toxic materials, vector-borne diseases, and climate change. More than half of U.S. state health agencies are decentralized or largely decentralized, meaning many public health services are provided by city, county, or regional health departments that are separate from the state health agency. In 2025, at least two states enacted legislation enhancing local health departments’ abilities to provide core public health services: Utah SB 172 requires the Department of Environmental Quality to enter into cooperative agreements with local health departments to prevent and respond to potential health and safety threats from the environment. It also establishes a governance committee of state and local health department personnel to evaluate proposed policy changes affecting local health departments and ensure allocated resources meet the minimum performance standard. Washington HB 1946 modifies the membership requirements for local health boards, allowing federally recognized tribes with reservation or trust lands in the board’s jurisdiction to have members on the board. It also allows urban Indian organizations recognized by the Indian Health Service that provide services within that jurisdiction to have members. Looking Ahead ASTHO anticipates states and territories will continue considering and adopting legislation to provide state funding for public health and improve public health infrastructure, including those that: Create contingency plans or rainy-day funds in the event of reduced federal funding. Establish partnerships with neighboring states to share health data. Promote sharing services and resources within local health departments. Leverage regionalization as a tool to consolidate and share scarce public health resources. Adapt the funding and management of public health grants to ensure efficiency. Improve public health data systems to promote greater efficiency. OE22-2203 PHIG article yes

2023 Legislative Prospectus Series As part of our comprehensive State Health Policy portfolio, ASTHO provides an annual legislative prospectus—a series of briefs summarizing upcoming legislation proposals that impact public health from across the states and territories. The legislative prospectus series anticipates trends in public health law for the next year and provides a short review for public health professionals and legislators alike to help bring them up to speed in time for upcoming legislative sessions. This page contains an archive of the 2023 Legislative Prospectus entries. website no

ASTHO Statement on President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2018 Budget ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO, issued the following statement on President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2018 budget, “A New Foundation for American Greatness”:  “ASTHO acknowledges that the president’s FY18 budget prioritizes some state and territorial public health needs, however, we are extremely concerned about the significant proposed cuts to HHS and its operating divisions including CDC, HRSA, SAMHSA, FDA, and other federal agencies. We should be advancing our investments in prevention and public health, but this budget signals a retreat from key health programs including public health security, emergency preparedness, and chronic disease prevention. State and territorial health agencies are already facing many challenges in the current fiscal environment and will not be able to make up the federal funding reductions. Federal resources account for an average of nearly half of all state and territorial health department funding. The FY18 budget reduces or outright eliminates many vital public health programs. Many states and territories have already prepared to cut programs, layoff staff, and undergo major reorganizations within their health agencies. ASTHO opposes the proposal to eliminate the Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant, which is replaced with the “America’s Health Block Grant,” a new program to address chronic disease prevention. The Prevent Block Grant is a critical source of funding for states and territories. The potential loss of this funding, even with the proposed America’s Health Block Grant, will slow our progress in addressing state health priorities. We appreciate that the Administration sought ways to reduce administrative burden on states and increase flexibility in this budget. We all agree that we must identify efficiencies in program implementation and administration. However, these changes should be made with careful consideration to ensure sustained and robust support for the work of preparedness, response, and prevention. It is through preparedness, health promotion, and disease prevention activities, the core work of state and territorial health agencies, that we will truly realize savings in our healthcare system. It is far more effective to prevent illness than to treat it. States and territories need continued federal support for these population health efforts if we are to see long-term improvements in health and reduced spending on healthcare. We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to secure sustained funding for all state and territorial public health agencies and our federal partners to ensure a truly great foundation for our nation’s health and well-being.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Vital Public Health Programs will be Eliminated with Passage of AHCA ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO, issued the following statement on the American Health Care Act: “With today's vote in Congress, ASTHO is deeply concerned about the uncertainty of prevention and public health activities supported by the Affordable Care Act and provisions which may be repealed—and not replaced—in the AHCA. Specifically, the AHCA eliminates the Prevention and Public Health Fund, which is used by every state and territory to support vital public health programs that promote health, prevent disease, and allow for rapid response to emerging public health threats. The fund will be fully eliminated if the AHCA passes the Senate vote, and any remaining funds will be rescinded at the end of fiscal year 2018. This “penny-wise pound foolish” move will eliminate funding for core prevention and public health programs and lead to increased costs to the healthcare delivery system in the future. With CDC set to lose nearly $1 billion in resources to prevent disease and promote health currently in the Prevention and Public Health Fund, we must come up with alternative solutions to provide states and territories with the support they need to keep their citizens healthy and safe. Preventing disease and promoting health is the only way we are going to reverse our nation’s lagging health outcomes. Eliminating the Prevention and Public Health Fund is a critical mistake. Fiscally-strapped states and territories will not be able to make up the difference. Sustained prevention and public health investments are needed to protect all Americans from new and emerging infectious diseases, disasters, and chronic health threats.”  ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Health Officials Intensify Zika Prevention Efforts ARLINGTON, VA—State and territorial health officials are redoubling prevention efforts to address the serious public health threats associated with Zika virus and to protect the health of mothers and babies. Yesterday, CDC published an analysis of nearly 1,300 pregnant women with evidence of Zika infection, per data reported by 44 states to the U.S. Zika Pregnancy Registry in 2016. About 1 in 10 pregnant women with confirmed Zika had a fetus or baby with birth defects. In light of these findings, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) calls for continued resources to support an aggressive, long-term governmental public health response to Zika, including laboratory, epidemiological, and surveillance capacity, vector control, and public awareness and education campaigns. With most of the women in the study acquiring Zika infection during travel to an area where Zika was present, all jurisdictions within the United States must remain on alert and prepared due to travel-related cases and sexual transmission. Also, with warmer weather and mosquito season approaching, CDC’s new Vital Signs report highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and sustained measures to prevent and manage cases of Zika, diagnose patients, increase lab capacity and vector control, and coordinate Zika-related birth defects surveillance activities, especially in parts of the United States where local transmission through the bite from the specific mosquito capable of carrying the Zika virus is possible. “Public health has a long history of combatting and eradicating mosquito-borne diseases, but ensuring robust epidemiological and laboratory infrastructure across the governmental public health system is critical to stay ahead of the spread of Zika virus,” says Brenda Fitzgerald, ASTHO president-elect and commissioner and state health officer of the Georgia Department of Public Health. “In Georgia, for example, we have limited geographic mosquito surveillance and vector control capabilities. That causes particular concern about the 63 counties at higher risk of Zika transmission due to their dense populations, high rates of poverty, and large numbers of females of reproductive age.” State, territorial, and local health departments play an active role in determining the risk of ongoing local transmission through enhanced surveillance and vector control activities. Health departments, together with healthcare professionals, laboratory experts, and disease control specialists, are working nonstop to protect Americans from Zika and other emerging health threats. Strong collaboration among state and local partners is critical to protecting pregnant women against Zika and connecting affected families with medical, social, and community resources. ASTHO urges sustained investments in public health funding to give state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments the resources needed to pursue a broad range of strategies to prevent Zika virus. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Celebrates National Public Health Week ASTHO Celebrates National Public Health Week 2017 ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) joins the American Public Health Association (APHA) to observe National Public Health Week and recognize the contributions of public health professionals to create a healthier nation. This week is an opportunity to celebrate advancements in public health and bring a renewed focus to the important role that state and territorial health departments play in promoting health, wellness, and safety in our communities. “Public health works around the clock to ensure safe food and water, prevent disease outbreaks, protect people during emergencies, and improve pregnancy and birth outcomes to give every child a healthy start,” says ASTHO Executive Director Michael Fraser. “While the work of public health often goes unseen, these advancements have had a profound influence on life expectancy, helping people live longer, healthier, and more productive lives.” Governmental public health leaders at the state, territorial, and local levels are responsible for many essential activities that keep Americans healthy and safe, including: Immunizations: Health departments manage immunization resources and direct essential activities, such as immunization registries, outreach and education, and disease surveillance. While there has been significant progress in preventing and controlling infectious diseases, new threats and emerging challenges require enhanced public health action. Maternal and Child Health: Health departments are responsible for programs that support prenatal care, well-child and school-based health services, and services for children and youth with special healthcare needs. With 11,000 infants born each day, maternal and child health services remain a core part of public health’s work. Injury Prevention: Health departments promote evidence-based policies and practices to reduce injuries and deaths, including the use of seat belts and ignition interlock devices, interventions to prevent falls among older adults, and school-based violence prevention programs. In addition, ASTHO’s 2017 President’s Challenge urges health officials and other cross-sector partners to reduce and prevent the harms associated with substance misuse and addictions. Health Promotion: Health departments help ensure broad and equitable access to evidence-based programs and services to prevent and manage chronic diseases related to heart disease and stroke, diabetes, and nutrition, physical activity, and obesity. Preparedness: Health departments prepare for and respond to all hazards, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats; natural disasters; and infectious disease outbreaks. Investments in the core public health system equip states and territories with the capacity and capabilities needed to address emerging threats, catastrophic events, and daily emergencies. Food and Water Safety: Health departments prevent serious foodborne diseases caused by E. coli, Salmonella and other pathogens, and treat drinking water to remove disease-causing contaminants. Today’s risks for food safety are evolving, given the nation’s global food supply chain, and new tracking and regulatory mechanisms are needed to prevent widespread health problems. In addition, sustained investments are needed to upgrade our nation’s aging drinking water supply infrastructure. Tobacco Control: Health departments implement policy strategies to create smoke-free communities and workplaces, restrict access to tobacco products, and promote cessation efforts. However, e-cigarettes and marijuana legalization require ongoing attention and vigilance to understand their impact on public health. ASTHO thanks our nation’s public health workforce for its dedication and continued service to protect us all from diseases, injuries, and other health threats. While these and other public health achievements have been transformative, it is important to ensure that our nation continues to be anchored by a modern and effective public health system. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Celebrates 75 Years of Public Health Leadership ARLINGTON, VA—Today the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) celebrates its 75th anniversary and recognizes the significant achievements of its members who have been at the forefront of promoting and protecting the public’s health for decades. Many defining moments make up ASTHO’s rich history, including its work supporting responses to the H1N1 pandemic, the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, the Ebola outbreak, and the proliferation of Zika virus. These events solidified ASTHO’s ability to convene and leverage an extensive network of state and territorial health officials and other partners when urgent public health challenges call for decisive leadership. “While ASTHO has been involved in virtually every significant public health crisis since the mid-20th century, the association remains focused on the long-term needs of the public health system,” says Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO. “Members must operate effectively in today’s environment, which demands greater attention to the social determinants of health, emphasizes population health, and requires an integrated, multi-sectoral approach to health—all while facing steep funding cuts to core public health services and infrastructure.” ASTHO was incorporated on March 23, 1942, with the mission of helping health officials navigate a rapidly changing public health landscape and to this day remains a strong voice in governmental public health. ASTHO’s mission is both focused and flexible: transforming public health within states and territories to help members dramatically improve health and wellness. State and territorial health officials have been exceptional leaders and champions for improving Americans’ health and well-being by preventing chronic diseases, responding to emerging health threats, safeguarding the nation’s food and water supply, and fostering innovation in our healthcare delivery system. Since 2008, each incoming ASTHO president has issued a President’s Challenge to call attention to our nation’s most pressing and unmet public health problems. Through these initiatives, state and territorial health officials have taken multifaceted approaches leading to significant policy changes in their jurisdictions resulting in lower rates of preterm birth and infant mortality, fewer prescription drug overdose deaths, and greater cross-sector leadership to promote optimal health for all. This year, ASTHO will continue to build on its successes with a focus on legislative activities, convening and supporting health officials as transformational leaders, building public health capacity, and elevating the visibility of state and territorial health agencies. ASTHO also plans to launch a virtual technical assistance series, assembling national experts for its members to address complex public health priorities, such as substance misuse and addiction. On Sept. 20-21, ASTHO will host its annual meeting and 75th anniversary celebration in Washington, D.C., recognizing the achievements of state and territorial public health agencies. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes