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Health Officials and Attorneys General Convene to Discuss Legal and Public Health Solutions to Opioid Epidemic ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the National Attorneys General Training and Research Institute, a branch of the National Association of Attorneys General, held an inaugural three-day summit with health officials and attorneys general on Nov. 14-16 to promote coordination across public health, law enforcement, and medical professionals to address opioid abuse and misuse, an epidemic that claims the lives of 78 people each day and has now become one of the nation’s most urgent public health threats. At the meeting, health officials and attorneys general discussed the importance of working together to change the conversation about people with substance use disorders, and the need to move from punitive approaches toward compassionate, evidence-based treatment. Health and law enforcement officials are intensifying efforts to improve prescribing practices, apply effective regulatory and enforcement measures, and eliminate stigma and misconceptions about individuals who seek addiction treatment. “We need to reframe the conversation about addiction, from one about bad choices and moral failings to one about chronic health conditions that affect the brain,” says Jay Butler, ASTHO president and chief medical officer for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. “Together, public health and law enforcement officials have a critical role to play in ending this epidemic that continues to devastate our families and communities.” ASTHO’s 2017 President’s Challenge, led by Butler, centers around public health approaches to preventing substance misuse and addictions. Through the challenge, ASTHO will unite and rally state health officials, affiliates, and other cross-sector partners to take action on this critical and urgent public health issue within states and communities. State health officials will work to expand primary prevention efforts in their states to educate consumers, prescribers, families, policymakers, and other partners about opioid use, and address risk factors in communities to reduce demand for drugs and other addictive substances. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and Office of National Drug Control Policy Director Michael Botticelli also delivered remarks on Monday, calling for greater integration of substance use disorder services into the healthcare system so that addiction can be treated with the same precision and urgency as other health conditions like diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. Nationally recognized experts and thought leaders from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the American Medical Association, and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health also described federal and state policy options, strategies for engaging medical professionals, and promising community-based prevention initiatives. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes

ASTHO Awards Public Health Leaders for Outstanding Service ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) honored public health leaders with several awards this week at its 2017 Annual Meeting in recognition of their outstanding service and dedication to improving state and territorial public health.  “On behalf of ASTHO, I am truly honored to present this year’s awards to a group of individuals who bring transformative leadership to the field of public health and embody a genuine desire to improve our nation’s health. Their accomplishments have made a difference in the lives of others, and we are inspired by their commitment to lead with compassion, integrity, and perseverance,” says ASTHO Executive Director Michael Fraser. The 2017 ASTHO awardees include:  Georges Benjamin, MD, executive director of the American Public Health Association Ed Thompson 2017 Lifetime Achievement Medal With over 35 years of experience in public health as a physician, state health official, and executive director of the American Public Health Association, Benjamin has inspired countless public health leaders and has been named among the 100 most influential people in healthcare. Michael Botticelli, executive director of the Grayken Center for Addiction Medicine at Boston Medical Center ASTHO 2017 Presidential Meritorious Service Award Botticelli, former director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, was the first person to hold this position while also in long-term recovery from a substance use disorder. Vivek Murthy, MD, 19th Surgeon General of the United States ASTHO 2017 Presidential Meritorious Service Award As surgeon general, Murthy created initiatives to tackle our country’s most urgent public health issues, including the first-ever Surgeon General’s report issuing a call to action on addiction as a chronic illness. Tom Frieden, MD, former director of CDC National Excellence Award On the national level, Frieden, who served as director of CDC from 2009-2017, led work to end the Ebola epidemic and control the largest outbreak of drug-resistant tuberculosis in the United States, among other initiatives. J. Patrick O’Neal, MD, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Health State Excellence Award On the state level, O’Neal brings a great deal of medical and military experience to the public health community, greatly enriching ASTHO’s mission and the health of all Georgians. Paul Jarris, MD, chief medical officer for the March of Dimes ASTHO Alumni 2017 Award As a nationally recognized expert in healthcare policy, clinical quality initiatives, public health, and disease prevention and wellness, Jarris used his expertise to serve as commissioner of health at the Vermont Department of Health from 2003-2006 and ASTHO executive director from 2006-2016. Rep. Tom Cole, chair, House Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations Subcommittee 2017 ASTHO Legislative Champion Award Cole was elected to Congress in 2002 and is currently serving in his eighth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. Cole has been supportive of important public health initiatives, such as the CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness program. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, ranking member, House Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee 2017 ASTHO Legislative Champion Award DeLauro is the Congresswoman from Connecticut’s Third Congressional District. DeLauro spearheaded bipartisan legislation to raise awareness of gynecologic cancers and the WISEWOMAN program, and has supported food safety measures, youth tobacco use prevention, and mental health and substance abuse prevention. Edward Ehlinger, MD, commissioner of health for the Minnesota Department of Health Arthur T. McCormack 2017 Award In addition to directing the work of the Minnesota Department of Health, Ehlinger formerly served as ASTHO president, where he exemplified his dedication to advancing the important work of public health and improving health for all. Keith Yamamoto, MPA, deputy director of the Hawaii Department of Healt Noble J. Swearingen 2017 Award Yamamoto, a key member of ASTHO’s Senior Deputies Committee, has provided critical guidance and expertise in state and territorial public health leadership. In addition, ASTHO presented its 2017 Vision Awards and the de Beaumont Foundation PH WINS: Research to Action Model Policies and Practices Challenge Awards. ASTHO congratulates the 2017 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