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Investing in Indiana’s Public Health Infrastructure Through Community-Driven Policy Change public health infrastructure, community driven policy, indiana state health commissioner, public health system, indiana department of health, outpatient facilities, technical assistance, data and information integration, emergency preparedness, child and adolescent health, legislative action, state and local elected officials, health problems, health care, health system, health departments, federal agencies, essential public health services, centers for disease control, state and local levels, health outcomes, health organization, covid-19 pandemic, health infrastructure, promoting health, public health organizations, states public health, federal funding, astho, association of state and territorial health officials Maggie Davis, Keith Coleman Indiana enacts historic public health funding through community engagement and legislative support. In April 2023, Indiana passed bill SB 4, which was a historic investment in the state's public health funding and restructuring its public health system. This case study shares how the Governor's Public Health Commission and the Indiana Department of Health approached community listening sessions, formulated recommendations, and successfully built legislative support to reform the public health system in the state. Get the Report (PDF) website yes

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

Danny Staley (alumni-NC) discusses his role as ASTHO’s Chief of Caribbean Operations and how his time as North Carolina's state health official helped him prepare for his current position.

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

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

Experts from the Washington State Department of Health discuss understanding and addressing climate and equity concerns.

With Omicron surges pushing jurisdictions to activate protocols for providing healthcare during crisis, it is important to incorporate disability inclusion into these crisis standards of care.

As states continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of crisis communications is vital. How can states provide the public with relevant, timely information? What are the essential elements of a crisis communications response?

Don't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator This ASTHO webinar explored strategies for strengthening jurisdictional capacity for public health risk communication. The panel discussion featured insights from the subject matter experts, state health department representatives, and public health leaders listed below. The session showcased best practices for communicating about trending public health threats, innovative resources for applying the latest risk communications research, and an overview of practical tools to help public health communicators effectively address crises and emergencies across diverse jurisdictions. Speakers Amanda Kwong, MPH: Director, Public Health Communications Collaborative Kelley Richardson, MPH, CHES: Communications Supervisor, Division of Public Health, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Ann Rowe: Executive Board President and Member-at-Large, National Public Health Information Coalition Kasisomayajula Viswanath, PhD: Lee Kum Kee Professor of Health Communication, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Moderator Susan Kansagra, MD, MBA (Alum-NC): Chief Medical Officer, ASTHO article yes

Opioid Epidemic Remains a Public Health Emergency ARLINGTON, VA—ASTHO President John Wiesman issued the following statement in response to Acting HHS Secretary Eric Hargan’s announcement about the renewal of the public health emergency declaration to address the opioid crisis.  “Renewing the public health emergency declaration is an important step in the right direction. However, this renewal must be coupled with resources so states and territories can scale up their public health interventions. We also hope the public health emergency can spur efforts to reduce the stigma that can be associated with substance use disorder and treatment, and fund prevention efforts with our youth and families to help end this crisis.”  “Ninety days have passed since the President first declared the opioid epidemic a public health emergency. Neither the Administration nor Congress has requested or provided additional resources to address this epidemic that is plaguing our nation. Since the initial declaration in October, nearly 4,140 people have died from opioid overdoses and 90,000 have been treated in hospital emergency departments. Congress needs to take action and increase federal support for treatment, recovery, and prevention programs.”  ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

On this episode: public health on alert as the Ebola outbreak expands in Uganda; and David Lakey, MD (alumni-TX) tells us about lessons from 2014 when the Ebola virus made its way to Dallas, Texas.

The experts on today’s episode make the case for how a robust public health workforce could have changed the trajectory of the pandemic response, but also explain why we can reimagine what a strong public health workforce requires as we enter into pandemic recovery.

This episode will focus on lessons learned from Oregon Health Authority’s cyanotoxin education and outreach efforts, and how a water contamination emergency caused by cyanotoxins can quickly become a public information emergency. Three guests from OHA will share how they used science-based health messaging as part of their risk communication strategy, and how important partnerships are in tackling cyanotoxins. In addition, OHA staff will discuss tools on the horizon to help conduct surveillance for cyanotoxins and prepare for future events.

On this episode, we speak with two public health veterans who led state health departments during times of public health uncertainty—like H1N1 and Ebola. Our guests discuss the lessons they learned during trying times, the advice they’d give the public health workforce, and their thoughts on the situation surrounding COVID-19.

This episode highlights why it's important for Congress and the Trump administration to support state, territorial, tribal, and local public health workforces as they respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This episode will focus on the burden of seasonal and pandemic flu, and highlight key planning activities and strategies that federal, state, and local public health agencies are doing to combat flu and keep communities healthy.

On March 10, 2023, ASTHO announced that several organization experts, including ASTHO staff, leadership, and former state health officials, are featured in the March issue of Health Affairs, which is focused on public health lessons during the COVID-19 pandemic.