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ASTHO Awards Public Health Leaders and Agencies for Service BETHESDA, MD—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) presented several awards during its 2019 Annual Meeting and Policy Summit this week to commend public health leaders and agencies for their service and dedication to improving our nation’s health. “We’re pleased to recognize this distinguished group of health professionals and agencies,” says Elke Shaw-Tulloch, state health officer at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, past ASTHO president, and chair of ASTHO's Nominations, Awards, and Membership Committee. “The excellence we highlight today touches millions of lives and represents just a small sample of our nation’s dedicated public health professionals, who continuously strive to promote the public’s health and well-being.” The 2019 ASTHO awardees include: John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH, Secretary of Health, Washington State Department of Health Arthur T. McCormack Award Dr. Wiesman has served as Washington state’s health official since 2013 and currently co-chairs the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Under his leadership, the Washington State Department of Health is spearheading the End AIDS Washington program, developing the Healthiest Next Generation initiative, identifying and funding foundational public health services, implementing the governor’s executive order to reduce suicide and prevent firearm injuries and deaths, and addressing the public health impacts of climate change. Stephanie C. Williams, RNP, MPH, Senior Deputy, Arkansas Department of Health Noble J. Swearingen Award As deputy director for public health programs at the Arkansas Department of Health, Ms. Williams oversees and guides the work of the agency’s four operational centers: Health Advancement, Health Protection, Local Public Health and Public Health Practice. She also oversees the state public health laboratory and the state offices of Health Communication and Minority Health. Ms. Williams also advises and assists the state health official in setting policy and programmatic direction for the department and serves as state health official in his absence. Janae Price, MPH, Senior Epidemiologist, Illinois Department of Public Health State/Territorial Excellence in Public Health Award Ms. Price served the Illinois Department of Public Health from April 2016 to March 2019 as a member of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. She led or co-led more than five nationally-funded statewide projects, ten committees or workgroups, and numerous complex multi-year projects. Price’s contributions led the health agency to strengthen its chronic disease epidemiology capacity by integrating evaluation and performance monitoring for chronic disease programs, developing critical partnerships, improving data collection and reporting quality, and using innovative methods to assess public health needs. Paul K. Halverson, DrPH ASTHO Alumni Award Dr. Halverson served as the state health official for the Arkansas Department of Health from 2005-2013. He oversaw the development of Arkansas’ statewide trauma system, which has become a model for other states, and he greatly enhanced the effectiveness of the Arkansas Public Health Preparedness Program and the Arkansas Public Health Laboratory. As a state health official, Dr. Halverson was a mentor to many new state health officials and a trusted colleague to his peers. After transitioning to his position as founding dean of the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health, he has remained active as an ASTHO alumnus, serving as president of the ASTHO Alumni Society. Increasing Immunization Capacity in Texas Emergency Responder Facilities—Texas Department of State Health Services ASTHO Vision Award, First Place, Category A (Programs ≥ $250,000) ASTHO recognizes Texas Department of State Health Services for its work raising immunization rates for Texas emergency responders. Implementation of the New York State Prevention Agenda 2013-2018—New York State Department of Health ASTHO Vision Award, Second Place, Category A (Programs ≥ $250,000) ASTHO recognizes New York State Department of Health’s for its work developing a six-year state health improvement plan, which aims to make New York the healthiest state. Developed in collaboration with the Ad Hoc Committee to Lead the Prevention Agenda and more than 140 statewide organizations, the plan identifies New York’s most urgent health concerns and recommends ways statewide organizations and local health departments, hospitals, and partners from the health, business, education, and nonprofit sectors can work together to address them. Office of Grants Management—Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation ASTHO Vision Award, First Place, Category B (Programs less than $250,000) ASTHO recognizes the Northern Mariana Islands Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation for establishing the Office of Grants Management to improve coordination of the administration of all of the health agency’s federal programs and external funds. The office was created to oversee the financial and record keeping aspects of the annual grant-making process for the corporation and its divisions for all grants received or awarded. It also collaborates closely with all program managers to streamline and improve grant applications, implementation, administration, compliance, performance, and reporting requirements on all grants. Local and Tribal Public Health System Improvement Program—Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services ASTHO Vision Award, Second Place, Category B (Programs less than $250,000) ASTHO recognizes Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services for its efforts to improve Montana’s local and tribal public health infrastructure. As part of this work, the health agency has strengthened partnerships between the healthcare sector and public health agencies; accelerated the use of the Public Health Accreditation Board’s national standards for public health practice by state, local, and tribal public health agencies; and strengthened local boards of health. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Panel of State Public Health Officials Testify on Lung Disease Outbreak WASHINGTON—Today, four state health officials are testifying on a panel before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations about the public health impacts of youth e-cigarette use and the current lung disease outbreak. The panel includes: Joneigh Khaldun, chief deputy director for health and chief medical executive, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Elizabeth Tilson, state health director and chief medical officer, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Lee Norman, secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Monica Bharel, commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health The hearing, “Sounding the Alarm: The Public Health Threats of E-Cigarettes,” will provide members of Congress the opportunity to examine causes of the ongoing vaporizer-linked lung disease outbreak. “State and territorial public health agencies are taking a leading role in implementing strong action to protect consumers from the harms of e-cigarette use,” says Michael Fraser, CEO of ASTHO. “We are pleased that Congress highlighted their critical work today. We strongly urge Congress and the administration to take steps to strengthen oversight of e-cigarettes, increase investments in research and prevention, and to better understand health effects associated with their use, and provide increased funding for tobacco education and cessation programs.” For more information and to read the state health officials’ testimony, visit the committee’s website. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Commends the Surgeon General Advisory about Marijuana Use on the Developing Brain ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), issued the following statement in response to the Surgeon General’s advisory on marijuana use and its impact on the developing brain: “State and territorial public health officials commend the Surgeon General’s announcement today. We strongly encourage pregnant and breastfeeding women, parents, and youth to learn more about the risks associated with marijuana products by consulting with their health care provider. ASTHO supports the Surgeon General’s request for additional research on the health impacts of marijuana use. A strong evidence base rooted in science will allow state and territorial health agencies to effectively fulfill their responsibility to promote and protect the public’s health. We also strongly encourage increased investments in substance abuse and misuse prevention programs, public awareness initiatives, and health care provider education programs centered on marijuana use.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Urges Swift Approval of Bipartisan Budget Deal ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) applauds the bipartisan budget deal to increase funding for non-defense discretionary programs in FY20 and FY21. “We are grateful to Congress and the Administration for working collaboratively to develop a bipartisan budget deal to end sequestration permanently for discretionary programs. We implore Congress to swiftly approve this bill,” says ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser. “Increased investments in public health are sorely needed. State, territorial, and local public health departments face continued challenges addressing the ongoing opioid crisis, reducing rates of HIV transmission, improving data infrastructure, and providing the necessary resources to continue addressing chronic disease prevention and health promotion. We look forward to working with Congress to ensure robust allocation for critical public health programs in FY20 and beyond.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Member and Delaware Health Official Karyl Rattay Testifies on Nation’s Opioid Epidemic ARLINGTON, VA—Karyl Rattay, MD, MS, director and state health officer at the Delaware Division of Public Health, testified today on the Administration’s response to the drug crisis before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The hearing, “The Trump Administration’s Response to the Drug Crisis, Part II,” continues the committee’s examination of national drug control efforts by ONDCP, including efforts to expand access to treatment for substance use disorder. “The opioid epidemic continues to evolve, and it remains a deadly and complicated issue. Fentanyl is now driving an alarming increase in deaths. In addition, many states are seeing emerging drug patterns and trends with methamphetamine, cocaine, and benzodiazepines, often in combination with opioids, and continue to face challenges with alcohol misuse and addiction. Addiction is plaguing our country, impacting individuals, families, schools, the workplace, and entire communities. We must address this like a chronic disease and apply evidence-based strategies to prevent addiction. Additionally, we must further expand access to effective treatment and ensure that the systems in place are engaging, comprehensive, coordinated, integrated, high-quality, and person-centered. In this respect, we need to redouble our efforts to meet people where they are in their communities, provide immediate connection to treatment following an overdose, and ensure a warm hand-off no matter the setting. We must also focus on saving more lives with naloxone and preventing the spread of infections with proven approaches like syringe service programs,” says Rattay. “Collectively, states, territories, and local health departments recognize the opioid crisis as a complex issue,” Rattay continued. “Our efforts to combat the issue cannot be accomplished without the support of federal grants. It is very important that Congress provide sustained and predictable federal funding so that states and territories can build infrastructure to combat and prevent addiction. Our work includes not only saving lives but improving the lives of people impacted by the disease of addiction.” For more information about the hearing, visit the committee’s website. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Statement on House FY20 Appropriations Bill ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, chief executive officer of ASTHO, issued the following statement applauding the House FY20 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. “This bill sends a clear message to the American people—now is the time to invest in the agencies and programs designed to protect and promote the health of the entire population. We are encouraged by the proposed funding increases for HRSA, CDC, ASPR, SAMHSA, and other federal agencies that work directly with governmental public health. We applaud commitment to increase CDC topline funding level $921 million above FY19. This funding level is in line with ASTHO and over eighty national organizations to increase CDC’s topline funding level 22 percent by FY22. Increased investments in public health are sorely needed and the FY20 House LHHS bill will provide support for state, territorial, and local public health departments to address the ongoing opioid crisis, reduce the rates of HIV transmission, improve our data infrastructure, and provide the necessary resources to continue to address chronic disease prevention and health promotion.” “We are deeply grateful for the efforts of the House Appropriations Subcommittee, however the promise of this bill will not realized unless Congress addresses the looming sequestration cuts. We therefore strongly urge Congress to develop a bipartisan budget deal to raise the caps for non-defense discretionary spending.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Walgreens and Rite Aid Make Good Public Health Move on Raising Age to Purchase Tobacco, but More Is Needed ARLINGTON, VA—Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health and president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), issued the following statement after Walgreens and Rite Aid announced plans to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products to 21 in drugstores across the country. “Limiting tobacco sales to those 21 and older is an important step in the right direction for national drugstore chains. ASTHO strongly urges these companies to now explore additional steps they can take, such as prohibiting sales of all tobacco products, including e-cigarettes. Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death and disease in the United States and is a major contributor to high rates of premature birth. Worse yet, because of Big Tobacco’s shameless marketing and sales strategies, rates of use are highest in low-income neighborhoods and among people with substance use disorders and those experiencing other behavioral health challenges. It is critical that we work collaboratively with industry leaders, government officials, and the public to prevent anyone from becoming addicted to tobacco in the first place, with a special focus on youth. We need to ensure that every single person in every community has an equal opportunity to breathe free and thrive." ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Supporting Governmental Public Health Should be a Congressional Priority Says Dr. Nathaniel Smith at Today’s House Appropriations Hearing ARLINGTON, VA—Nathaniel Smith, MD, MPH, director and state health officer for the Arkansas Department of Health and president-elect of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), testified today before the House Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to discuss the importance of Congress providing enhanced resources for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, Health Resources and Services Administration, and other federal agencies to improve our nation’s health. “Governmental public health agencies work everywhere, every day to protect and improve the health of the entire U.S. population. Our work is often invisible and sometimes it is only in a crisis when the value and importance of sustained investment in public health becomes apparent. These crises unfortunately happen all too often – the current measles and hepatitis A outbreaks, the obesity and opioid epidemics, and many others, highlight the important work of disease prevention and health protection at the core of public health’s mission,” says Smith. “ASTHO urges Congress to sustain and increase funding for federal public health agencies so that state, local, tribal and territorial health departments can continue and enhance their work to prevent drug overdoses, save lives through chronic disease prevention, prepare for and respond to disasters and public health emergencies, combat infectious disease, and prevent and remediate environmental health hazards.” For more information about the hearing visit the committee’s website. To read Dr. Smith’s full written testimony, visit ASTHO’s website. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

State and Local Health Officials at the Capitol to Urge Congress to Prioritize Funding for Public Health ARLINGTON, VA—Over 80 state, local, and territorial health officials from across the country will meet with members of congress on Capitol Hill together on March 13, 2019. The aim of their visits is to share the critical need to sustain investments in public health agencies that protect and promote the health of all Americans and prevent sequester cuts in the FY20 budget. This is the first-time members of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the National Association of County & City Health Officials (NACCHO) will combine their annual Hill Days to show a collective voice for governmental public health at the Capitol. Public health leaders are concerned about the impact of the potential $55 billion cut to non-defense discretionary spending that will happen in FY2020 if Congress does not act to prevent it. ASTHO and NACCHO strongly urge Congress to work in a bipartisan manner to raise FY2020 budget caps and provide needed funding for non-defense discretionary programs, and support increasing CDC’s budget 22 percent by FY22. “Our entire governmental public health system is strained. My colleagues are on the ground dealing with several measles outbreaks, the opioid epidemic, and natural disaster recovery, all while continuing the core work of disease prevention—especially at the community level. Unfortunately, we are consistently underfunded and must do more with less. As a nation, we must do better and prioritize investing in public health,” says Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, ASTHO president and director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “Every person and every community should have the opportunity to be as healthy as possible. As part of ASTHO’s President’s Challenge, additional federal resources will help equip health officials to mobilize community-led, place-based collectives to improve the way we live, work, and play.” “In the decade since the Great Recession, public health departments have lost about a fifth of their workforce due to funding issues and recovery has been slow at best. We see the impact of these resource losses on the health and well-being of our communities every day. In so many areas of public health, we know what works, but we don’t have the resources to ensure that all Americans, no matter where they live, have access to the same basic public health infrastructure, services, and protections,” says Kevin Sumner, NACCHO president and health officer/director for the Middle-Brook Regional Health Commission. “So much of our public health system operates silently in the background. By joining together on Capitol Hill, we will amplify our voice and spread the message of the importance of governmental public health in all sectors.” For more information on ASTHO’s advocacy priorities, visit http://www.astho.org/Advocacy-Materials. For more information about the President’s Challenge, visit http://www.astho.org/ASTHO-Presidents-Challenge/2019. For more information on NACCHO’s advocacy priorities, visit https://www.naccho.org/uploads/downloadable-resources/flyer_legislativeagenda_2019.pdf. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate NACCHO Boilerplate website yes

Current Measles Outbreaks Should Alarm Every American and Highlight the Critical Importance of Vaccination Programs ARLINGTON, VA—John Wiesman, DrPH, MPH, secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health and immediate past president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) testified today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) on the growing number of infectious disease outbreaks impacting the country. The hearing, “Vaccines Save Lives: What Is Driving Preventable Disease Outbreaks?” provided members of Congress the opportunity to discuss the current measles outbreaks affecting several states, along with children’s health and vaccinations and significant gaps in public health funding for programs to address preventable outbreaks. “Every American should be alarmed by the current measles outbreaks occurring in many states. Measles is an entirely preventable disease and we must redouble our efforts as a nation to spread the truth that vaccines save lives and address parental concerns about vaccinating their children,” says Wiesman. “No one should live in fear of contracting this disease and it is part of my mission as a public health official to protect the lives of American people. I am deeply grateful to the Senate HELP Committee for bringing broader awareness to the importance of vaccinations and better understanding the current gaps that exist in the public health system. Addressing these outbreaks will require a strong and coordinated response from federal, state, and local governments.” Wiesman recently authored an op-ed citing concerns about the nation’s public health system, which has suffered as a result of chronic underfunding as the population continues to grow. We are constantly reacting to crises rather than working to prevent them, Wiesman says. ASTHO and 80 other organizations are requesting Congress to raise CDC’s budget 22 percent by 2022 to address growing public health threats, including support for state and territorial vaccination programs, in order to protect our nation’s health system. For more information and to read Wiesman’s testimony, visit the committee’s website. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Public Health Leaders Applaud U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on E-Cigarette Use ARLINGTON, VA—State and territorial health leaders applaud the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General for issuing today’s advisory and setting strong recommendations to curb the sharp increase in youth e-cigarette use. “Today, the Surgeon General took bold action by issuing an advisory on the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use. We stand with the Surgeon General and support these recommendations calling for public spaces to be free from e-cigarette vapor and implementing strategies to make it more difficult for youth to purchase e-cigarette products,” says Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). “We applaud the administration’s aggressive steps to stop a generation of children from becoming addicted to nicotine. These recommendations echo ASTHO’s position on comprehensive tobacco control policies and are endorsed by our nation’s state and territorial public health leaders. We look forward to working with states and communities throughout the country to implement these measures.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Statement on Public Notification of Legionella Outbreaks ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) issued the following statement today regarding the role of public health officials in notifying the public about complex infectious disease outbreaks, particularly as states continue to deal with Legionella outbreaks. “As leaders of state and territorial public health agencies charged with promoting and protecting the health of our jurisdictions, we are keenly aware that decisions on whether and when to notify the public of infectious disease outbreaks are complex. There is no national standard concerning the timing of public notification to prevent the spread of Legionella. Health officials must instead rely on the facts of the specific outbreak situation, assess the risks and benefits of notification, and consider other factors to determine the appropriate course of action to reduce harm, protect health, and save lives. The most urgent priorities in managing Legionella outbreaks are identifying those who have been potentially exposed and mitigating the environmental sources of infection. Both priorities require health authorities to provide immediate guidance to the facility where the outbreak is occurring. Public notification is, therefore, often not an urgent priority, particularly when there is no ongoing risk to the public and health agencies are actively working with facilities on how to (1) identify and notify anyone potentially exposed and at risk for illness and (2) implement potential remedial measures. The decision to issue public notification also involves carefully considering the potential ramifications of acting on preliminary or incomplete information, which could lead to unnecessary and burdensome protective actions being taken and result in erosion of trust in the public health authority. Decisions regarding public notification of Legionella outbreaks should be thoughtfully made by qualified, experienced public health professionals and should be informed by a solid understanding of the epidemiology of the disease and the particular characteristics of each individual outbreak setting. We strongly assert that public health officials should not be subjected to civil penalties or criminal charges for decisions made in good faith using available information and informed by sound public health science and practice.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Launches Public Health Podcast Series ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) announced today the launch of Public Health Review, a podcast series featuring in-depth conversations with state and territorial health officials, national public health leaders, government officials, and other subject matter experts about the nation’s most pressing public health issues.  The series highlights leaders who are working to promote wellness and prevent disease, injury, and premature death for all Americans. Public Health Review will capitalize on current public health issues as a platform for discussion, offering timely and thoughtful perspectives on the value of public health.  “I am thrilled that my fellow colleagues, federal partners, and other public health leaders will be able to share their leadership experiences and impactful stories from working on the frontlines. Whether we’re working in urban centers or more rural areas, we are all in a position to teach and to learn,” says Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, ASTHO president and director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “Each podcast episode will feature interesting and illuminating discussions with health officials and other leaders on emerging topics. We’re excited that ASTHO’s podcast will serve as a forum for these critical conversations.” The Public Health Review podcast is available for listeners on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Google Play Music, Spotify, or via ASTHO’s website. Recent episodes available now feature discussions on several topics, including the opioid epidemic, sexually transmitted diseases, telehealth, early brain development, antimicrobial resistance, suicide prevention, and healthy and resilient communities, and more.  For more information, visit ASTHO's podcast webpage. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

State and Territorial Health Officials Join White House Opioid Conference ARLINGTON, VA—Today, nearly two dozen state and territorial health officials participated in a meeting at the White House, “Best Practices in Combatting the Opioid Epidemic Conference with State and Local Leaders,” to discuss national strategies with top federal officials, including Kellyanne Conway, assistant to the president and senior counselor, Veterans Affairs secretary Robert Wilkie, and Jim Carroll, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is pleased to support the Administration’s leaders as they continue to use their platform to bring attention to the complex and multifactorial issue that is plaguing our nation.  The meeting included conversations with all sectors of government, including state and territorial health officials, Medicaid directors, public safety directors, mayors, judges, sheriffs, and many others for sharing best practices in addressing the epidemic. Discussion topics included leveraging federal resources to support responses to the opioid epidemic, addressing the social costs of opioid misuse, and combatting drug trafficking. Additionally, the White House presented on its upcoming Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. “I’m very pleased that our state and territorial health officials had a seat at the White House’s table with key federal leaders,” says Michael Fraser, ASTHO CEO. “It is important that their voices be heard. Solving this epidemic requires dialogue among state, local, and federal leaders and we thank the Administration for providing the opportunity for us to be part of this conversation today.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Recognizes State, Territorial, and National Leaders in Public Health ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) presented several awards during its 2018 Annual Meeting this week to commend public health leaders for their service and dedication to improving our nation’s health. “On behalf of ASTHO, I am pleased to recognize this distinguished group of public health professionals who continuously strive to promote health and well-being in communities across the country,” says Karen McKeown, state health officer at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and ASTHO past president and chair of ASTHO’s Nominations, Awards, and Membership Committee. “We admire their commitment to raising the bar and ensuring that state and territorial health agencies play an active role in creating the conditions that allow us all to be healthy. We are grateful for the work of these dedicated individuals and for their contributions to the field of public health.” The 2018 ASTHO awardees include: Anne Schuchat, MD, Principal Deputy Director, CDC Ed Thompson Lifetime Achievement Medal Schuchat has been CDC’s principal deputy director since September 2015 and has played key roles in CDC emergency responses including the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, the 2003 SARS outbreak in Beijing, and the 2001 bioterrorist anthrax response. Upon completing 30 years of service in 2018, Schuchat retired from the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service at the rank of Rear Admiral. Karyl Rattay, MD, MS, Director of the Delaware Division of Public Health Arthur T. McCormack Award Rattay leads over 600 employees as state health officer and director of the Delaware Division of Public Health. As a board-certified pediatrician, Rattay has practiced pediatrics for nearly 14 years. Between 2001-2004, she served as a senior public health advisor to the U.S. Surgeon General and HHS Assistant Secretary of Health. Joan Duwve, MD, MPH, Associate Dean for Practice, Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health Noble J. Swearingen Award Duwve is the Associate Dean for Practice at the Indiana University Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health in Indianapolis and the former chief medical officer at the Indiana State Department of Health. Duwve was a private practice family physician for 11 years. Prior to medical school, she served in the Peace Corps and worked in international public health in North Africa and the Middle East. Grant Baldwin, PhD, MPH, Director, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, CDC Injury Center National Excellence in Public Health Co-Award Baldwin began his career at CDC in September 1996. In his nearly 10 years of leadership at the Injury Center, he has helped raise the profile of motor vehicle injury prevention and scaled up CDC’s response to the prescription drug overdose epidemic. He has also advanced the work in older adult fall prevention and CDC’s efforts in the prevention of traumatic brain injury. Patricia Mitchell, MPH, Deputy Director, Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, CDC Injury Center National Excellence in Public Health Co-Award Mitchell joined CDC’s Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention as deputy director in March 2014. After over 20 years in the agency’s diabetes division, Mitchell quickly got up to speed on pressing and high priority unintentional injury prevention topics, including opioid overdose, traumatic brain injury, transportation safety, and older adult falls. Jennifer Clarke, MD, MPH, FACP, Medical Programs Director, Rhode Island Department of Corrections State Excellence in Public Health Award Clarke led a treatment program for opioid addiction launched by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections, which was associated with a significant drop in post-incarceration drug overdose deaths and, ultimately, resulted in an overall drop in overdose deaths statewide. The first-of-its-kind program screens all Rhode Island inmates for opioid use disorder and provides addiction treatment medications for those in need. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) 2018 Legislative Champion Award Blunt was elected to the United States Senate in 2010. He serves on the Appropriations Committee; the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee; the Select Committee on Intelligence; and the Senate Rules Committee. Before serving in Congress, he was a history teacher, a county official, and in 1984 became the first Republican elected as Missouri’s Secretary of State in more than 50 years. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) 2018 Legislative Champion Award Serving as a member of Senate Democratic leadership since 2007, Patty has established herself as a tireless and effective leader on education, transportation, budget issues, port security, healthcare, women, and veterans’ issues. She is currently Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Terry Dwelle, MD, FAAP ASTHO Alumni Award Dwelle served as the state health officer for the North Dakota Department of Health from 2001-2016. He was previously the clinical director for the Indian Health Service clinic at Fort Totten, an assistant professor of pediatrics, an infectious disease consultant, and a medical missionary to Central and East Africa. Dwelle is the founder and director of the North Dakota Public Health Training Network and serves as the alumni society representative on the ASTHO Board of Directors. de Beaumont Foundation ASTHO Partner Award The de Beaumont Foundation’s mission is to strengthen and transform public health in the United States. The foundation improves the effectiveness and capacity of local and state health departments through research, collaboration, and strategic grantmaking. Texas Department of State Health Services Model Policies and Practices Challenge Winner ASTHO, in partnership with the de Beaumont Foundation, recognizes Texas’ health department for its grand rounds program, an organization-wide strategy that encourages thought-provoking conversations around the science of public health. Since its inception in 2008, the program has hosted 132 presentations and engaged nearly 25,000 learners on topics ranging from human trafficking to food access/insecurity and Zika to illegal pain clinics.    San Francisco Department of Public Health Model Policies and Practices Challenge Winner ASTHO, in partnership with the de Beaumont Foundation, recognizes San Francisco’s health department for its trauma informed systems model, designed to create a healing public health system of care that fosters wellness and resilience for everyone in the system. In addition, ASTHO presented its 2018 Vision Awards to the Texas Department of State Health Services, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Tennessee Department of Health, and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. <!--Learn more about their award-winning programs here.--> ASTHO congratulates the 2018 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 Launches National Campaign to Support Healthy Communities, Aligning with NACCHO and the U.S. Surgeon General ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) announced this week the launch of a multi-year initiative to build healthier and more resilient communities across the country. The challenge, “Building Healthy and Resilient Communities,” will be led by ASTHO’s president and director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, in partnership with the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) and aligned with the U.S. Surgeon General’s focus on community health and economic prosperity. The challenge calls on state, territorial, local, and tribal health officials to align strategic investments and promote community-driven, place-based solutions to empower communities to be as healthy as possible, reduce health disparities, and stimulate economic development. Examples of such initiatives include Rhode Island’s Health Equity Zones, Purpose Built Communities in Georgia, the Fort Worth Blue Zones Project, and Live Well San Diego. Activities to support the challenge will center on creating opportunities for health officials to mobilize community advocates and partners towards making lasting systems and policy changes that improve living conditions at the community level. Using this platform, ASTHO and its partners, along with NACCHO and the U.S. Surgeon General, will connect public health officials with business leaders, policymakers, and other cross-sector stakeholders to shift investments to promote sustainable, equitable community development. “Health officials have a critical role to play ensuring that everyone in every community has an equal opportunity to be as healthy as they can be, regardless of their zip code,” says Dr. Alexander-Scott. “My vision is for ASTHO, along with NACCHO and the U.S. Surgeon General, to empower all public health leaders to build stronger, more connected communities that have the assets and resources they need to create the conditions for success to be as healthy as possible. By funding and implementing sustainable strategies that are tailor-made for each community, we can amplify the community’s voice and transform public health for generations to come.” “America’s greatest assets are its communities, so we should turn to them more often,” says VADM Jerome Adams, MD, MPH. “We have the best healthcare system in the world, yet life expectancy in the United States is lower than in many other high-income countries. State and local health officials know their communities best and should be inspired to change the community environment to make sure that healthy behaviors are easy behaviors that are available to everyone.” “We’re pleased to lead this challenge with ASTHO and recognize there are great synergies between state and local health officials that will allow us to be successful in equipping and encouraging communities to think more strategically about health at the community level,” says Kevin Sumner, MPH, NACCHO president and health officer for the Middle-Brook Regional Health Commission in New Jersey. View ASTHO’s President’s Challenge for more information. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Statement on the Bipartisan Opioid Crisis Response Act ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), issued the following statement in response to the release of the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018, a bipartisan package to address the opioid epidemic. “The Senate’s Opioid Crisis Response Act will further support our nation’s state and territorial health agencies’ progress in addressing one of the worst public health crises our nation faces today. Specifically, the bill will help support the ongoing work of preventing addiction by authorizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to further support state prescription drug monitoring programs; improve data collection, analysis, and dissemination; and create an interagency task force to identify, prevent, and mitigate the effects of trauma on infants, children, youth, and their families.” “These are good steps forward. While this bill is comprehensive in its approach, it does not include enough provisions to support community-based public health programs that prevent individuals from misusing opioids and other substances in the first place, which is the best way to end our nation’s epidemic. Primary prevention needs to be a core component in future legislation and we look forward to working with congressional leadership to incorporate state needs and priorities in future bills.” “We are especially concerned about the return of sequestration next year. In FY20, non-defense discretionary funding is slated to receive a $55 billion cut from current levels. Unless Congress implements a budget deal to address this near-term fiscal challenge, the promises of this legislation will not be realized. In addition to authorizing new programs, Congress also must prioritize appropriating resources to implement them.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Statement on Rise in National Sexually Transmitted Disease Rates ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), issued the following statement in response to new preliminary findings released today from CDC indicating that the United States is seeing a significant increase in STD rates. “We’re facing new and reemerging challenges as the nation’s STD rate continues to rise. Public health officials are particularly concerned with the resurgence of syphilis—including congenital syphilis—and the emerging threat of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. State health agencies are working hard on the frontlines to fight rising rates of infection through STD prevention strategies with limited resources. We know for a fact that these strategies work and are effective. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the right level of investment in this space—and the record STD rates are a testament to that fact. Federal resources account for nearly half of all state and territorial health department funding. But in the past 15 years, STD prevention funding at CDC has decreased by $21 million. This translates into less resources for state and territorial health agencies to carry out their critical work in STD prevention. Health agencies across the United States are committed to working in collaboration with national partners like CDC, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to find integrated solutions in stemming the tide of rising STD rates. If we are to avoid the overwhelming costs—both health and economic—of these preventable infections, investing in state and territorial health agencies is essential.” For more information and resources for combating STDs, visit www.astho.org/std. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Health Officials Seek Sustained Investments to Protect Moms and Babies ARLINGTON, VA—Health officials say a new CDC study on Zika-associated birth defects is a stark reminder that emerging infectious diseases constitute a persistent threat to our nation’s health security. Given the higher rate and broader spectrum of disabilities associated with Zika during pregnancy, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) urges policymakers to direct continued resources to monitor the impact of Zika on mothers and babies. According to the largest report to date on health outcomes among babies in the U.S. territories one year or older, 1 in 7 have been diagnosed with health problems possibly caused by exposure to Zika. The report also presents new information on neurological conditions seen in infants affected by Zika—even those who appeared healthy at birth. “State and territorial public health departments are working with healthcare providers to collect and report medical information, share clinical guidance, and raise awareness about the risks of Zika,” says John Wiesman, president of ASTHO and secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health. “To continue this and respond to both ongoing and emerging disease threats, we need sustained investments in the U.S. Zika Pregnancy and Infant Registry to strengthen our nation’s health security capabilities.” The height of the Zika outbreak has passed, but it remains a threat to mothers and babies who are especially vulnerable to infectious diseases and birth defects that can result from these infections during pregnancy. While the full extent of long-term health problems caused by Zika remains unknown, state and territorial health departments play a critical role in monitoring the health and developmental outcomes of children affected by many different types of infectious diseases and conditions, such as pandemic influenza, prenatal opioid exposure, and congenital syphilis. Unfortunately, funding to safeguard the public’s health has fluctuated drastically over time, dictated by emergency responses to specific disease events. “We urge Congress to provide at least $10 million to support initiatives to address emerging threats to mothers and babies. This will allow CDC to continue collaborating with state, tribal, territorial, and local health departments to monitor mothers and babies impacted by Zika and other infectious diseases,” says Michael Fraser, chief executive officer of ASTHO. “We need adequate resources in place so that we’re prepared for the next public health emergency.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Files Amicus Brief in Michigan Case, Argues Against Criminally Charging Health Officials During Major Public Health Crises ARLINGTON, VA—Last week, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) filed an amicus brief with the Genesee District Court in Michigan asserting that criminal prosecutions of health officials based on their professional judgment and decisions will weaken governmental public health’s ability to respond during health emergencies and present additional risks to the public. The court case is the first of its kind where a standing health official has been criminally charged for an alleged failure to notify the public regarding an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in Genesee County in 2014 and 2015. The outcome of this case is of great interest to ASTHO and its members who are concerned that the threat of criminal sanctions based on a health official’s professional, discretionary decisions will endanger public health. “We are very alarmed by this case, and the fact that a health official can be criminally charged to this extent for doing his job, especially during a public health crisis, is not right,” says John Wiesman, president of ASTHO and secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health. “ASTHO’s board has carefully considered the allegations in the case. As public health officials, our decisionmaking does not fit within a one-size-fits-all model, but rather includes a thoughtful approach to limiting widespread panic, translating meaningful communication about public health risks and proper efforts to address the crisis at hand, especially when information is subject to change or incomplete.” “The outcome of this case could have an immediate chilling impact on the entire public health profession and a cascading effect on critical life and death decisions public health officials face every day,” says Michael Fraser, CEO of ASTHO. “The public must trust our public health officials to make the right decision at the right time and the fear of criminal prosecution will stymie their efforts.” The amicus brief also notes that “the basis for responsible public health communication is scientific knowledge and consensus,” and “[p]ractitioners have a responsibility to examine the quality of the available scientific information prior to performing any communication activity.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes