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Public Health Leaders Note Great Progress in National Adult Smoking Rate Reduction, But More Needs to be Done ARLINGTON, VA—New data from CDC’s 2017 National Health Interview indicates that smoking rates among U.S. adults have hit an all-time low, with only 13.9 percent indicating they smoked last year. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) believes that these findings represent a major public health success, but more work needs to be done, as cigarette smoking is responsible for almost 500,000 deaths each year and the toll of tobacco use on heart disease and cancer alone has resulted in extensive human suffering.  For the past five decades, national public health leaders and state and territorial health departments have worked diligently to implement evidence-based practices and policies to curb tobacco use. ASTHO is pleased to see the positive results of these public health efforts, including evidence-based interventions such as smoke-free workplace policies, laws that increase the tobacco purchase age to 21, and state quitlines to help smokers quit, and increasing the cost of tobacco products. “Tobacco control is widely recognized as a priority by state public health leaders across the nation. State leaders have led the way by enacting evidence-based interventions that have made a difference,” says John Wiesman, president of ASTHO and secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health. “However, we must address other tobacco related issues, such as e-cigarettes and vaping, and disparities like the high rates of tobacco use among individuals with behavioral health conditions, and challenge aggressive marketing practices targeting youth and minority communities where there is a greater prevalence of smoking, particularly those from lower income groups.” Continued tobacco control funding and implementation of evidence-based tobacco control policies are still needed at the state and territorial level. Cigarette smoking continues to be the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, but funding has been reduced from longstanding sources like tobacco taxes and Master Settlement agreement revenues. States are now on the front lines of reducing youth access to tobacco products and e-cigarettes that encourage addiction to nicotine. “While these declines are certainly encouraging, the battle is far from over,” says Nicole Alexander-Scott, president-elect of ASTHO and director of the Rhode Island Department of Health. “Big Tobacco continues to shamelessly target youth and lower income communities with their dangerous, highly addictive products. We cannot stop fighting until every single person has an equal opportunity to breathe free and thrive, no matter what ZIP code they live in, and no matter their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, level of education, level of income, or insurance status. Together, we absolutely can make this happen.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Nation’s Health Officials Very Concerned About the Public Health Impact of Family Separations at the U.S.-Mexico Border ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, chief executive officer of ASTHO, issued the following statement today in response to the current federal actions to separate children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. “Our nation’s health officers are extremely concerned about the policy of separating children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. All children should have the opportunity to thrive in safe, stable, and nurturing environments. Separating children from their parents exposes them to one of the most serious adverse events imaginable. We know this can have a lasting, long-term impact on the developing brain and the future social and emotional health and well-being of these children.  As a non-partisan, consensus-based association of state and territorial public health leaders, ASTHO supports efforts to prevent adverse childhood experiences and encourages policies that promote the health of children and families. Relationships developed in early childhood are the foundation for lifelong health and, as our colleagues from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association have noted, these separations interrupt these bonds and may lead to serious consequences for children who do not heal from this trauma. We are very concerned that this policy will have serious long-term, deleterious effects on children who are not reunited quickly with their caregivers and we call upon the President and Congress to resolve this matter immediately. Partners and stakeholders from various perspectives and political affiliations agree that the time is now to change the family separation policy. In all cases, any adverse consequences of policy must always be balanced by a good that is equal or greater. On that basis, there is little justification for the harm that this practice is inflicting. There are surely more humane ways to resolve immigration policy and enforce our nation’s immigration laws than separating parents and children. ASTHO urges the Administration and members of Congress to reconsider the current policy in the interest of protecting and promoting the health and well-being of families.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO and Safe States Alliance Respond to Rising Injury Deaths Among Children and Adolescents ARLINGTON, VA—Today, CDC released a report showing that injuries, suicides, and homicides are leading to more deaths among children and young adults in the United States. “After several years of progress in reducing injury deaths among 10 to 19 year-olds in the United States, this alarming upturn in deaths caused by motor vehicle crashes, suicides, and drug overdoses demonstrates that significant challenges remain,” says John Wiesman, president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health. “Preventing injuries and violence is a top priority for our nation’s health departments. ASTHO and the Safe States Alliance are committed to strengthening the capacity of state and territorial health departments to effectively advance these efforts.” While summer is the time of year when injuries among children dramatically increase, health departments are working year-round to create safe and healthy communities. “We urge Congress to invest in effective prevention programming. Expanding the CDC’s Core State Violence and Injury Program, for example, would provide necessary resources to health departments to ensure the safety and protection of all people, especially our youngest citizens,” says Rich Hamburg, executive director of the Safe States Alliance.  “As public health leaders, we find the 56 percent increase in suicides between 2007 and 2016 to be wholly unacceptable,” adds Wiesman. “To address this serious issue and save lives, we need to consider the role of mental and behavioral health and how to better integrate these principles within the governmental public health and healthcare systems. We must intensify our efforts to prevent these tragic deaths and direct greater investments toward childhood injury and suicide prevention programs.” In light of these findings, continued assessment, vigilance, and resources are needed to put proven prevention strategies into practice to save lives and prevent lifelong disability for America’s children. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate Safe States Alliance Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Member and West Virginia Health Commissioner Rahul Gupta Testifies on Nation’s Opioid Epidemic ARLINGTON, VA—Rahul Gupta, commissioner and state health officer at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Bureau for Public Health, testified today on the nation’s opioid epidemic before the United States House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The hearing, “A Sustainable Solution to the Evolving Opioid Crisis: Revitalizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy,” provided members of Congress the opportunity to discuss reauthorizing the Office of National Drug Control Policy to elevate evidence-based initiatives to combat the current opioid crisis.  The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is pleased Congress continues to address the greatest public health threat facing Americans today. The nation’s state and territorial health agencies are on the front lines combating the current substance misuse, addiction, and drug overdose crisis and it is vital that Congress and the Administration support efforts to end the epidemic. “I am grateful for the opportunity to represent West Virginia and discuss the twin challenges of overprescribing opioids for pain and the growing use of heroin, often adulterated with fentanyl. West Virginia continues to experience the highest rate of overdose fatalities in the nation and is also enduring a surge in the rate of neonatal abstinence syndrome,” says Gupta. “Collectively, states and territories recognize the opioid crisis as a public health emergency. To develop sustainable solutions to this contemporary challenge we need authentic national leadership, expanded access to evidence-based treatment, and increased focus on primary prevention strategies to avert drug use and misuse before it starts. I will continue to work tirelessly in my state to address those areas, but we rely on a strong partnership with the federal government. To implement these solutions, it is critical that we take a comprehensive, science-driven approach that combines the efforts of federal, state, and local agencies, along with other organizations and industries. The hearing today was a very important first step in that process.”  For more information on the hearing, visit the committee's website. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Statement on President Trump's Plan to End the Opioid Epidemic and Address America's "Crisis Next Door" ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO, issued the following statement on President Trump’s Initiative to Stop Opioid Abuse and Reduce Drug Supply and Demand. “The president’s plan demonstrates important leadership for this critical public health issue and contains vital measures states and territories can take to address the opioid misuse and addiction epidemic that is plaguing our nation. We believe the President is serious about implementing the recommendations of his commission, many of which will strengthen the capacity of state health agencies to address the problem. These include increasing availability of overdose reversal medications, improving linkages between state prescription drug monitoring programs, and assuring that federal health programs expand evidence-based treatment and recovery services. The focus on expanding access to medication assisted treatment will greatly assist state and territorial health departments in their efforts to get more Americans evidence-based treatment and access recovery services. We look forward to continued conversations with the Administration and Congress about how to further efforts to provide evidence-based public health approaches to preventing opioid misuse and addiction, including the proposed media campaign and other public health messaging to prevent drug use. It is our hope the Administration will continue to emphasize the critical role state, territorial, and local public health departments play in addressing this issue. As the President noted in his speech today, preventing individuals from using opioids or other illicit substances in the first place is the best way to end our nation’s epidemic. State and territorial health agencies are on the front lines of responding to the current crisis of substance misuse, addiction, and drug overdose.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Statement on FDA’s Announcement to Reduce Nicotine in Cigarettes ARLINGTON, VA—ASTHO’s chief medical officer, Marcus Plescia, issued the following statement on FDA’s announcement to reduce nicotine in cigarettes:  “We are pleased that FDA is seeking public comment on a potential product standard to lower nicotine in cigarettes to make them less addictive. This is an important and aggressive intervention to address the tragic burden of tobacco use in this country. The highly addictive qualities of nicotine have led to the premature death and suffering of millions of Americans by making cigarettes hard to quit. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) looks forward to commenting on the proposed rule and we hope FDA will move forward with regulating the nicotine content of combustible cigarettes to prevent disease and save lives attributed to tobacco use.”  ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Statement on Resignation of CDC Director ASTHO Statement on Resignation of CDC Director Fitzgerald ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) president and executive director issued the following statements in response to the announcement on the resignation of CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald: “We respect Dr. Fitzgerald’s decision to step down from her role as CDC director and understand the difficult choice she had to make,” says Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO. “While her tenure was a brief six months, Dr. Fitzgerald created momentum for improving the health of our nation, specifically around her agency’s role in fighting infectious disease and promoting health security, addressing the opioid epidemic, combating this year’s deadly flu season, and bringing a public health perspective to early childhood development in a new way for CDC. ASTHO stands ready to support the future CDC director, whom we hope has the same depth of experience in leading a state, local, or territorial public health agency. It is also our hope that a new director will continue to value state and territorial public health leaders as primary partners in the implementation of CDC’s work. We know these kinds of changes can be disruptive to an agency that is already underfunded and works around the clock to protect us from our nation’s gravest health threats.” “As public health officials, we uniquely understand that the role of CDC director is critical to protecting and promoting the health and well-being of the American people above all other interests,” says John Wiesman, ASTHO’s president and secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health. “We hold Dr. Fitzgerald in great esteem for her many contributions as Georgia’s health commissioner, where she spearheaded efforts to reduce childhood obesity and promote early brain development, laying the foundation to help people enjoy longer and healthier lives. We accept her decision to step down, and we look forward to working closely with CDC’s next director to continue advancing the work of our nation’s top public health agency.”   ASTHO is supportive of HHS Secretary Alex Azar’s announcement of Anne Schuchat as the interim CDC Director. “Dr. Schuchat’s experience working in the field and at CDC headquarters gives her the perspective one needs to understand the breadth, scope, and importance of the agency,” Fraser says. “We look forward to working with her during her tenure as interim director.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

New ASTHO Profile Report Offers Comprehensive Look at Nation's Health Agencies ASTHO Profile Report Volume 4 Offers Comprehensive Look at Nation's Health Agencies ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) released the ASTHO Profile of State and Territorial Public Health, Volume Four (Profile), a comprehensive report that takes an in-depth look at state and territorial health agencies, including funding levels, agency priorities, and governmental public health workforce. The Profile reveals important trends, challenges, and developments across public health agencies in the states, U.S. territories, and freely associated states, including a decreasing public health workforce, prioritization of chronic disease, and increased resource sharing. “State and territorial health agencies do incredible work to promote population health and the span of activities described in this report is impressive,” says Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO. “Reliable and comprehensive data is one of the best ways to demonstrate the value of public health to policymakers, researchers, public health practitioners, and the public.” The report reveals that 25 percent of the public health workforce could be lost to retirement by 2020, leaving a dramatic gap in the nation’s ability to protect the public’s health. Bolstered succession planning and recruitment efforts are essential to prepare the workforce for the next public health crisis. While state health agency total revenue has remained relatively stable over time, demands are ever increasing and as a result these agencies are working to maximize limited resources through collaboration and partnership. The number of states sharing resources with other states on a continuous, recurring (nonemergency) basis increased substantially, from 9 percent in 2012 to 27 percent in 2016. The report also reiterates the many public health services provided by the health department, including but not limited to emergency preparedness, maternal and child health, food inspections, and clinical care. State health agencies most frequently reported chronic disease prevention as a top priority, reflecting the larger public health goal to reduce the burden of chronic disease in the United States. This report was developed with support from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. To learn more about the Profile report, visit www.astho.org/profile. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Statement on Media Reports Regarding “Banned Words” at CDC ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO, issued the following statement on recent media reports regarding “banned words” at CDC: “It is critical that public health professionals use science and evidence to make informed decisions to improve the health of the population. Today, ASTHO sent a letter to Acting HHS Secretary Eric Hargan expressing that science must remain the bedrock of policies formulated at HHS. Public health professionals should be empowered by both the Administration and Congress to use the language necessary to convey the importance of their work to the public, policymakers, and other stakeholders. We are encouraged by CDC Director Brenda Fitzgerald’s clarification that there are no ‘banned’ words at CDC and we look forward to continued collaboration across HHS to implement scientifically-sound, evidence-based best practices at the state and territorial levels.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

Health Officials Encourage Flu Shots to Protect Pregnant Women and Infants ARLINGTON, VA—Flu season has arrived in the United States and with influenza activity on the rise, being vaccinated against the flu for people six months and older remains the best line of defense to prevent illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths caused by influenza. This is particularly true for older adults, children under five, and pregnant women. However, many people do not receive an annual flu shot, even though they have been shown to offer significant public health benefits. New CDC data show that two-thirds of pregnant women are not protected against flu. As the 2017-2018 flu season gains momentum, health officials are recommending that pregnant women talk to their healthcare provider about getting a flu shot to protect them and their babies throughout the flu season. Peak flu activity in the United States most often occurs from December through February, but can last as late as May.  While it is best to get a flu shot before the start of influenza season, vaccinations received later may still provide protection. With early data pointing to a moderately severe flu season, getting vaccinated is more important than ever. “It’s not too late to get vaccinated,” says Randall W. Williams, an obstetrician/gynecologist and director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. “Many state health departments, working with local healthcare providers and other partners, have robust influenza vaccination campaigns underway and are working hard to scale up efforts to protect mothers and babies from the flu.” State and territorial health departments play an integral role in ensuring access to vaccines, providing public education on vaccine preventable diseases, and galvanizing community partners and healthcare provider to improve vaccination rates. These efforts and partnerships are needed to encourage the population to take the initiative to get vaccinated and to ensure access to the more than 148 million vaccines that have been distributed across the country. CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends flu shots for all women who are or will be pregnant during the flu season. Pregnant women are at increased risk of complications due to the flu. Changes in the immune system, heart, and lungs make a pregnant woman more susceptible to influenza. ASTHO partnered with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Nurse Midwives to create a suite of resources that public health professionals and healthcare providers can use to educate and promote influenza vaccination among pregnant women. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

New Opioid Reports Support ASTHO Call for Increased Investment in Prevention ARLINGTON, VA—Two reports released this week highlight the continued need for additional resources to combat the national opioid epidemic. A report released by Trust for America’s Health estimates that deaths from drugs, suicide, and alcohol combined are projected to increase 41 percent nationwide in the next 10 years without additional investment in prevention. Additionally, the White House’s Council of Economic Advisors reports that the economic cost of the opioid epidemic has been underestimated, with the true cost now projected at $504 billion—six times more than originally thought. “The cost of this crisis is staggering—not only in terms of dollars, but also in terms of the suffering, loss, and grief sustained by our nation’s families,” says ASTHO Executive Director Michael Fraser. “Investments in treatment and prevention are what is needed to turn the tide on this epidemic. We urge Congress to act swiftly to fund the many important priorities identified in the President’s Commission report as soon as possible, with a special emphasis on preventing substance misuse and addiction. “While we applaud the administration for bringing national attention to the opioid crisis, more investment in public health prevention is needed. State and territorial health agencies are partners on the front lines of this epidemic, but they won’t be able to maintain momentum without additional investment in evidence-based prevention programs. You don’t end an epidemic without preventing it. We must ramp up efforts now so that public health professionals at the state and local levels can continue to compile data, connect providers, communities, and patients, and innovate to better understand overdose hot spots and save lives.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

New Guidelines Highlight Public Health Role in Promoting Heart Health ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) agrees the updated blood pressure guidelines published this week by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology may lead to more Americans diagnosed with hypertension. However, health officials are optimistic that these new guidelines will help decrease mortality from heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States, since the lower threshold means that high blood pressure will be identified and addressed earlier. The new guidelines indicate high blood pressure should be treated at 130/80 rather than 140/90. “Hypertension is often framed as a clinical issue, but public health plays a crucial role in raising hypertension awareness, encouraging healthy lifestyle changes, and supporting people to monitor their blood pressure in the community setting,” says Michael Fraser, ASTHO’s executive director. Health departments help form important linkages between physicians and community programs to serve populations at high risk for cardiovascular disease and promote institutional changes to make treatment more effective. Increasingly, health departments support changes that help individuals manage and control their blood pressure in community settings. They also collect and monitor population data to identify trends and areas of greatest need. Most importantly, they play a unique role in providing and ensuring support for population-wide behavior changes to both prevent and control high blood pressure.  Since 2013, ASTHO’s Heart Disease and Stroke Learning Collaborative has transformed the way state and territorial public health departments approach hypertension and chronic diseases. ASTHO has worked with public health leaders in 25 states, the District of Columbia, the Republic of Palau, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands to develop, expand, and sustain efforts to improve hypertension prevention, detection, and control. To learn more about how states and territories are working to combat hypertension, view ASTHO’s Tools for Change website. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

State Health Officials Commend Public Health Emergency Declaration to Address Opioid Epidemic ARLINGTON, VA—Members of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) joined President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump today at the White House for a meeting declaring the nation’s opioid crisis a public health emergency.  “While emergency declarations are normally reserved for natural disasters or infectious disease outbreaks, the President’s announcement recognizes the work that states and territories are already undertaking to address the crisis and will allow for increased collaboration and coordination of regional and federal assets across the country for an even more effective response,” says John Wiesman, ASTHO president and secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health. “We hope the public health emergency declaration, combined with future additional federal investments in substance abuse treatment and prevention, will lead to fewer deaths and better health for all Americans.” State and territorial health officials have been at the frontlines of this crisis working to address the many facets of the epidemic. Six states have already declared emergencies in their jurisdictions: Alaska Arizona, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Virginia. “While federal leadership has been working hard in partnership with states to address this crisis, many states have taken executive and legislative action to address the epidemic including implementing new laws and regulations around prescribing and providing additional funding for treatment services and evidence-based public health interventions to prevent substance misuse in the first place,” says Michael Fraser, ASTHO’s executive director. “The federal emergency adds to the work that states and territories have been doing in many different ways across the country.” Treating and preventing substance use disorders and addiction is very complex. “Opioid addiction is challenging because many people first become addicted when receiving the medications through the healthcare system. Addiction is not a moral failing on the part of the individual; it is a health condition we must address in healthcare and across all sectors as a society at the national, state, and community levels,” says Jay Butler, ASTHO’s immediate past president and chief medical officer for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. “Addiction is treatable and, more importantly, preventable with appropriate evidence-based interventions. The declaration today will help us respond even more effectively to the loss of life and devastating impact of substance misuse and addiction.” ASTHO, in partnership with the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors (NASADAD), recently released a framework on public health responses to the opioid crisis that was developed to assist health officials in combating the epidemic. As federal agencies and Congress look to implement their response to this public health emergency, ASTHO urges national leaders to provide additional resources focusing on both treatment and prevention of addiction. “This is a crisis we ultimately are not going to arrest—or treat—our way out of; instead, we have to prevent our way out of this,” adds Fraser. “Like any public health emergency, addressing this problem calls for important steps to prevent the disease in the first place. We hope that the President and First Lady’s attention to the opioid epidemic will help us focus on both treatment and prevention. That is the work of public health, and states and territories are committed to mustering all resources available to end this epidemic.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

John Wiesman Named ASTHO President ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) announced the appointment of John Wiesman, secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health, as ASTHO’s new president, effective Sept. 21. “I am thrilled to serve as president of this amazing organization and to help tackle the many public health challenges facing our country,” says Wiesman. “ASTHO is a non-partisan public health powerhouse and I look forward to working with states and territories to further achieve optimal health for all.” Wiesman has served as secretary of health for the Washington State Department of Health since April 2013. During his career, Wiesman has transformed health departments from providing individual clinical services to implementing policies, systems, and environmental changes that make healthy choices easier and less expensive. In Washington state, he is working to create the healthiest next generation, end AIDS, reduce suicide deaths, and identify and fund foundational public health services across the state.  Wiesman is a native of Wisconsin and has worked in four local public health departments in Washington and Connecticut. He started his public health career in Connecticut in 1986 and was in one of the first groups trained to provide HIV counseling and testing. He earned his Doctorate of Public Health in public health executive leadership from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2012. He received a Master of Public Health in chronic disease epidemiology from Yale University in 1987 and his Bachelor of Arts degree in biology from Lawrence University in Wisconsin in 1983. “We are extremely honored to have Dr. Wiesman serve as our new president. He has a breadth of experience, he is a wonderful mentor, and he walks the talk,” says Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO. “As a local health department director, he understands the urgent need to address specific community health problems and his statewide perspective as secretary gives him the point of view an ASTHO president needs to inform national policy on behalf of states. I am truly excited to work with and learn from John in the year ahead.” Other ASTHO leaders elected at the meeting include Nicole Alexander-Scott, director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, who will serve as president-elect, and Gerd Clabaugh, director at the Iowa Department of Public Health, who will serve as secretary-treasurer.  ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

State and Territorial Health Leaders Commend Selection of Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald for CDC Director ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) commends the Administration for nominating Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald to serve as director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Fitzgerald has served as commissioner and state health officer of the Georgia Department of Public Health since 2011, directing the state’s 18 public health districts and 159 county health departments and overseeing various state public health programs. “Brenda comes to the job with experiences as a successful leader in public health and healthcare” says Dr. Jay Butler, ASTHO president and chief medical officer for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. “Her accomplishments in Georgia and her many contributions to ASTHO are a testament to her commitment to promote, protect, and improve the health of all Americans. Her perspectives gained from clinical practice as well as serving as chief of a state public health agency will be crucial to her success as director of our nation’s premiere public health agency.” Fitzgerald currently serves as president-elect of ASTHO, is a board-certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist, and has practiced medicine for more than three decades. She was in private practice before being tapped by Gov. Nathan Deal in 2010 to be part of his transition team, and then was ultimately selected to lead the Georgia Department of Public Health in 2011. As state health official, Fitzgerald has undertaken many state public health initiatives including launching the “Talk with me Baby” initiative to encourage increased language development among Georgia babies; leading a statewide, multi-faceted childhood obesity initiative, called the Georgia Student Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) Initiative, which took Georgia’s childhood obesity rate from second highest in the nation to 17th in just five years; and coordinating efforts across the state during the Ebola virus disease epidemic and protecting Georgia residents from the Zika virus through a Zika Awareness Campaign. “Dr. Fitzgerald’s first-hand experience working at the frontlines of public health and dealing with real-time health emergencies make her an ideal leader for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,” says Dr. Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO. “Her collaborative approach to addressing both infectious disease and chronic health issues will serve the CDC well. We look forward to supporting her in this new role and working with CDC leadership well into the future to protect all Americans from health threats and promote optimal health for all.” Fitzgerald holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from Georgia State University and a Doctor of Medicine degree from Emory University School of Medicine. She completed post-graduate training at the Emory-Grady Hospital in Atlanta and held an assistant clinical professorship at Emory Medical Center. As a Major in the U.S. Air Force, Fitzgerald served at the Wurtsmith Air Force Strategic Air Command Base in Michigan and at the Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, D.C. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

State and Territorial Health Leaders Commend Nomination of Dr. Jerome Adams for U.S. Surgeon General ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) commends the Administration for nominating Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Jerome Adams to the position of U.S. Surgeon General. Adams has served as commissioner of the Indiana State Department of Health since 2014, where he oversees the public health protection and laboratory services, health and human services, healthcare quality and regulatory, and tobacco prevention and cessation commissions. “The Administration has nominated a true public health leader to serve as U.S. Surgeon General,” says Dr. Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO. “Dr. Adams understands the healthcare landscape, has first-hand experience dealing with serious public health issues, and will be a strong advocate for state public health, bringing a unique and valuable set of skills to the nation’s healthcare system. His knowledge of public health challenges and opportunities as Indiana State Health Commissioner will serve our nation well in the months and years ahead.” As a member of ASTHO, Adams has worked nationwide to address public health issues, including the challenges presented by the current opioid crisis. His clinical acumen combined with strong clinical and community-based experience make him a uniquely qualified candidate for the nation’s top physician. “Our nation needs a strong, experienced, and articulate public health champion, and Jerome is the right person at the right time to serve as our Surgeon General,” says Dr. Jay Butler, ASTHO president and chief medical officer for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. “This nomination recognizes his state and national leadership experience, his broad perspective, and his clinical expertise—he brings all this to the very important job of Surgeon General.” Adams earned a B.S. in biochemistry and a B.A. in biopsychology at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. He has been a researcher at medical schools in both the Netherlands and Zimbabwe and has worked under Nobel Prize winner Dr. Tom Cech. He earned his Medical Doctorate at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and his Masters of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley.  He has been an active member of ASTHO, including representing ASTHO at the American Medical Society House of Delegates and participating in national initiatives to address significant public health challenges. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

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