Displaying 12 results for

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.

Every year on Nov. 22, ASTHO—and countless other agencies and organizations worldwide—take a moment to acknowledge the public health workforce on Public Health Thank You Day. Like so many other days of recognition, it has become a blip on our yearly calendar. And, simply put, that’s just not enough. This year, ASTHO leadership took pen to paper to share some of our feelings, fears, and—yes, our thanks—for everything the public health workforce has always done to protect us.

As we head into Memorial Day weekend and honor the members of our armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and its freedoms, it is also important for us to give thanks to public health workers for being a shining example of what it means to lead in the face of a crisis.

ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser, PhD, and Tracey Wareing Evans, President and CEO of APHSA, sit down to discuss building a foundational family well-being roadmap amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

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!

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

On May 2, 2023, ASTHO released a statement of support for the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology’s new report and recommendations for supporting the U.S. public health workforce.

On Nov. 2, 2022, ASTHO announced the launch of PublicHealthCareers.com, a new website for job seekers in the field.

On Aug. 3, 2022, ASTHO and the de Beaumont Foundation announced the 2021 PH WINS findings. They provide a unique snapshot of the state and local government public health workforce.

Government Shutdown Puts Nation’s Health at Risk Government Shutdown in 2018 Puts Nation’s Health at Risk ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, executive director of ASTHO, issued the following statement on the federal government shutdown: “We are deeply disappointed that Congress and the Administration have failed to fund the federal government. This inaction means that 50 percent of HHS staff will be furloughed, which in turn will compromise public health professionals’ ability to rapidly respond to outbreaks, detect diseases, and provide the necessary support to state and territorial health departments. Health promotion and disease prevention activities require support from a robust federal, state, and local workforce and sustained funding. The longer the federal government is shut down, the more harmful the consequences. We strongly urge Congress and the Administration to develop a long-term budget solution so we can continue our mission with certainty and in partnership with our federal partners to improve the health and wellbeing for all.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

The executive leaders of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials and the National Council for Mental Wellbeing take a moment to collectively acknowledge the incredible efforts that public health workers have taken to address the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Lunch and Learn: Building Strategic Skills for Public Health Professionals website yes