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An issue that public health wrestles with is how to combat racism as we would any other public health emergency. ASTHO’s board of directors has declared structural racism a public health emergency. And health equity is the number one priority in ASTHO’s strategic plan, which means our staff will prioritize equity work as we support all aspects of our members’ technical assistance and capacity building needs.

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In this episode of Public Health Review, we speak with Michael Fraser about his profound legacy as CEO, celebrate ASTHO’s extraordinary achievements under his tenure, and wish him well in his new position at the College of American Pathologists.

In honor of ASTHO’s 80th anniversary, a leadership panel—including CEO Michael Fraser, President Anne Zink, Past President Nirav Shah, and Idaho Commissioner of Health Elke Shaw-Tulloch—discusses the unique role ASTHO plays in the public health landscape.

Every year, ASTHO performs an annual environmental scan to identify these policy and programmatic priorities. The most recent scan occurred from June 2019 to May 2020. Through ongoing collection of data from a variety of sources—including state and territorial health improvement plans and strategic plans, documentation of discussion topics from ASTHO’s weekly calls with state and territorial health officials, requests for technical assistance, and subject matter expert input on trends and issues emerging in the field. These priorities will be ASTHO’s “2021 resolutions” as we enter a new year.

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

On Nov. 13, 2024, ASTHO announced the launch of the Innovation Advisory Council.

Harris plans to focus presidency on building public trust in our work and advancing collaboration between state and territorial public health agencies

Readout of CDC/ASTHO/CSTE/APHL Call Regarding Avian Influenza Preparedness ARLINGTON, VA—On Friday, Nirav D. Shah, CDC’s Principal Deputy Director, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, Director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, and Dr. Vivien Dugan, Director of CDC’s Influenza Division, met with members of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE), and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) to discuss avian influenza planning. CDC officials emphasized that, although the risk to the public remains low, the agency wants state public health officials to be prepared to respond. CDC recommended that state public health officials engage with their state veterinarians and agriculture department officials to ensure that they have up-to-date operational plans to respond to avian influenza at the state level. For example, CDC emphasized the importance of having plans in place to quickly test and provide treatment to potentially impacted farm workers following positive results among cattle herds. CDC also encouraged state health officials to communicate about any challenges they are facing. ASTHO, CSTE, and APHL members support CDC’s recommendations and look forward to continuing their partnership with their state agriculture counterparts, as well as CDC and other federal agencies, as part of their preparedness efforts. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

On Feb. 26, 2024, ASTHO's CMO issued a statement in response to several measles outbreaks currently occurring in the United States.

On January 16, 2024, ASTHO and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) at Morehouse School of Medicine unveiled the latest cohort of 15 mid-to-senior level governmental public health professionals selected for the Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) program.

On December 11, 2023, ASTHO announced the release of the 2024 Legislative Prospectus Series, which provides an overview of anticipated policies and potential evidence-based interventions for policymakers, public health professionals, and others preparing for the upcoming legislative sessions.

On October 31, 2023 ASTHO announced the approval of one new and four updated health policy statements.

On Oct. 4, 2023, ASTHO, CDC, the Center for Law and Social Policy, and Mental Health America released a framework for public health leaders with effective strategies to improve mental health and prevent suicide for all people, in every community in the settings where they live, learn, work, and play.

ASTHO Leaders Selected for de Beaumont Foundation’s 40 Under 40 in Public Health ARLINGTON, VA—Today, the de Beaumont Foundation announced its 40 Under 40 in Public Health class of 2023, a national recognition for leaders changing the field of public health. One state health official, an ASTHO staff member, and three Diverse Executive Leading in Public Health (DELPH) scholars were selected for the list. The recognition acknowledges the achievements of exceptional public health professionals and highlights ASTHO's role in cultivating visionary leaders. ASTHO-affiliated selections include: Paula Tran, state health officer and administrator, Division of Public Health, Wisconsin Department of Health Service. ASTHO staff member Alicia Justice, senior director, Programmatic Health Initiatives and Strategy DELPH scholar Dr. James Bell III, state assistant administrator, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. DELPH scholar Heather Pangelinan, director, Public Health Services, Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation DELPH scholar Dr. Eric Tang, public health medical officer, STD Control Branch, California Department of Public Health “I’m thrilled to see ASTHO leaders once again represented on the de Beaumont Foundation’s 40 Under 40 in Public Health list," says ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser, PhD. "This honor showcases their commitment to fostering healthier communities and driving positive change on a national scale." “The professionals chosen for the 40 Under 40 in Public Health Class of 2023 demonstrate the determination, commitment, innovation, and resilience of the public health field,” said Brian C. Castrucci, DrPH, president and CEO of the de Beaumont Foundation, which launched the program in 2019. “Their work is strengthening communities and improving lives, and I look forward to following their careers and learning from them.” The nominees represent 21 states and one territory and were selected by a distinguished panel of public health leaders and de Beaumont Foundation staff. It is the third installment of the list, which launched in 2019. The nominees come from a diverse range of backgrounds and professional roles. The 40 Under 40 list also honors nine other state health department staff members, including: Kara Buru, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Shelly Choo, Maryland Department of Health Shamaree Cromartie Jones, Virginia Department of Health Mallory Cyr, Association of Maternal Child Health Programs Jervelle Fort, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control Stacey Kallem, Philadelphia Department of Public Health Carolyn Rhodebeck, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Katrina Saphrey, Virginia Department of Health, Crater Health District Julian Watkins, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Learn more about the 40 Under 40 in Public Health honorees. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Legal Mapping Center Launches Maps of Harm Reduction Policies to Prevent Overdose ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) today announced the launch of its new legal mapping center aimed at highlighting policies that may prevent overdose and help fight the opioid epidemic. With the overall goal of reducing the nation’s overdose rates, the center created maps that visualize the national policy landscape of overdose prevention centers and laws supporting community distribution of naloxone and fentanyl test strips. "Public health leaders can use these maps to identify strategies that we know lead to reductions in overdose rates," says Michael Fraser, PhD, chief executive officer of ASTHO. "I am excited about how this new resource will help our members understand the policy landscape and identify policies they may need to help stop the opioid epidemic." The two maps, created using MonQcle, a legal mapping software by the Center for Public Health Law Research at Temple University Beasley School of Law, are part of ASTHO’s support of state and territorial overdose prevention efforts. The first, cross-sectional map visualizes state laws supporting harm reduction efforts at a specific point in time. The second map is a longitudinal map and visualizes which jurisdictions considered legislation to create overdose prevention centers across a period. Each map is accompanied by the research protocol ASTHO staff followed to identify the laws and legislation included in the resource. Additionally, each map provides links to the state law or legislation referenced, a tool for public health leaders and policymakers to find laws in other jurisdictions that may help prevent overdose. "Policy is a powerful tool available to state officials looking to address the overdose crisis," says Maggie Davis, ASTHO’s director of state health policy. "This resource compiles hundreds of laws across the country that support public health efforts to prevent overdose, which public health leaders can use to inform their policy goals for future legislative sessions." Learn more about ASTHO’s recommendations for state and territorial health officials and agencies to reduce overdose rates through policy interventions from a recent Journal of Public Health Management & Practice article. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate article yes

On July 27, 2023, ASTHO announced it has been selected as a 2023 Power of Associations Gold Award winner for its Partnering for Vaccine Equity initiative, and a 2023 Power of Associations Silver Award winner for its Disability and Preparedness Specialist Program.

Public Health Officials Stand Ready to Implement White House Xylazine Response Plan ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) CEO Michael Fraser, PhD, made the following statement regarding the White House release of the Fentanyl Adulterated or Associated with Xylazine Response Plan to address this emerging drug threat to the United States: "ASTHO welcomes the Office of National Drug Control Policy’s release of a coordinated federal response to address this emerging drug threat to the United States. Xylazine, a non-opioid veterinary tranquilizer not approved for human use, has infiltrated the illicit drug supply across the country and threatens to increase overdose and worsen outcomes for people who use drugs. This National Response Plan outlines a path forward for state health agencies to redouble existing overdose prevention strategies with an expanded focus to improve testing; expand data collection; implement evidence-based prevention and harm reduction and treatment strategies; and build capacity among providers. We applaud the Administration’s plans to coordinate these efforts across key federal partners, and we look forward to supporting state-level implementation of these strategies. ASTHO and our members are committed to ensuring the health and well-being of the public and stand ready to apply these strategies to this emerging threat. Preventing and mitigating harms related to the combination of fentanyl and xylazine will require us all to work together to establish a comprehensive response encompassing prevention, monitoring, harm reduction, and treatment strategies." ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

On June 14, 2023, ASTHO announced that the organization's daily newscast, Public Health Review Morning Edition, earned a Bronze Anvil Award of Commendation Trophy from the Public Relations Society of America.

On May 11, 2023, ASTHO announced it had filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of North Carolina asserting that a public health official must be empowered to take quick action to protect the public health and safety of their residents and should not be liable for economic damages experienced by businesses subject to a public health order.