On Oct. 4, 2023, ASTHO responded to a Request for Information from the U.S. House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee on the subject of improving access to healthcare and rural and underserved areas, including the island jurisdictions.
#MaskUp Campaign ASTHO and the Big Cities Health Coalition produced a public service announcement to encourage people across the country to express their compassion for others and #MaskUp. Please download, share, and encourage others to do their part to protect the community from the pandemic. website no
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.
On Sept. 22, 2021, ASTHO announced the launch of Public Health Review Morning Edition, a daily on-demand newscast that covers the latest trends, news, and breakthroughs in public health throughout the states and territories.
ASTHO Statement on House FY20 Appropriations Bill ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, chief executive officer of ASTHO, issued the following statement applauding the House FY20 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill. “This bill sends a clear message to the American people—now is the time to invest in the agencies and programs designed to protect and promote the health of the entire population. We are encouraged by the proposed funding increases for HRSA, CDC, ASPR, SAMHSA, and other federal agencies that work directly with governmental public health. We applaud commitment to increase CDC topline funding level $921 million above FY19. This funding level is in line with ASTHO and over eighty national organizations to increase CDC’s topline funding level 22 percent by FY22. Increased investments in public health are sorely needed and the FY20 House LHHS bill will provide support for state, territorial, and local public health departments to address the ongoing opioid crisis, reduce the rates of HIV transmission, improve our data infrastructure, and provide the necessary resources to continue to address chronic disease prevention and health promotion.” “We are deeply grateful for the efforts of the House Appropriations Subcommittee, however the promise of this bill will not realized unless Congress addresses the looming sequestration cuts. We therefore strongly urge Congress to develop a bipartisan budget deal to raise the caps for non-defense discretionary spending.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
Public Health Leaders Applaud U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on E-Cigarette Use ARLINGTON, VA—State and territorial health leaders applaud the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General for issuing today’s advisory and setting strong recommendations to curb the sharp increase in youth e-cigarette use. “Today, the Surgeon General took bold action by issuing an advisory on the epidemic of youth e-cigarette use. We stand with the Surgeon General and support these recommendations calling for public spaces to be free from e-cigarette vapor and implementing strategies to make it more difficult for youth to purchase e-cigarette products,” says Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). “We applaud the administration’s aggressive steps to stop a generation of children from becoming addicted to nicotine. These recommendations echo ASTHO’s position on comprehensive tobacco control policies and are endorsed by our nation’s state and territorial public health leaders. We look forward to working with states and communities throughout the country to implement these measures.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
ASTHO Urges Swift Approval of Bipartisan Budget Deal ARLINGTON, VA—The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) applauds the bipartisan budget deal to increase funding for non-defense discretionary programs in FY20 and FY21. “We are grateful to Congress and the Administration for working collaboratively to develop a bipartisan budget deal to end sequestration permanently for discretionary programs. We implore Congress to swiftly approve this bill,” says ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser. “Increased investments in public health are sorely needed. State, territorial, and local public health departments face continued challenges addressing the ongoing opioid crisis, reducing rates of HIV transmission, improving data infrastructure, and providing the necessary resources to continue addressing chronic disease prevention and health promotion. We look forward to working with Congress to ensure robust allocation for critical public health programs in FY20 and beyond.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
The ASTHO-Mason Collaborative for Applied Public Health Practice will increase access to public health education and training through student fellowships, innovative curriculum, applied practice and policy research, and academic and continuing education programs for public health students and professionals.
State and Territorial Health Leaders Applaud Bipartisan Work to Pass an FY20 Appropriations and Extenders Bill ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, chief executive officer of ASTHO, issued the following statement applauding the bipartisan and bicameral extenders and FY20 appropriations bills. “Our nation’s governmental public health leaders applaud congressional leaders for prioritizing public health funding, increasing the age to purchase tobacco products from 18 to 21, and extending Medicaid funding for two years for the U.S. territories. ASTHO worked tirelessly throughout the year advocating for these initiatives and Congress listened. We especially commend congress for increasing the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) funding level by $636 million above FY19. This increase is in line with ASTHO and nearly 100 national organizations who have called on Congress for a 22 percent overall increase to the CDC budget by the Fiscal Year 2022—a goal we are well on the way to reaching with continued support in Washington. "This increased investment in public health is sorely needed. The FY20 bill will support state, territorial, tribal and local governmental public health departments to address the ongoing opioid crisis, reduce the rates of HIV transmission, improve our data infrastructure, and provide the necessary resources to continue to address chronic disease prevention and health promotion. "We encourage swift enactment of these legislative proposals and are grateful to public health champions who support the public health community’s 22 by FY22 campaign. We look forward to working collaboratively with Congress and the Administration in the new year to further address both continuing and emerging public health crisis increased the vaping epidemic plaguing our youth by advocating for evidence based proposals such as banning flavored tobacco products and enacting comprehensive tobacco control legislation.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
Panel of State Public Health Officials Testify on Lung Disease Outbreak WASHINGTON—Today, four state health officials are testifying on a panel before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations about the public health impacts of youth e-cigarette use and the current lung disease outbreak. The panel includes: Joneigh Khaldun, chief deputy director for health and chief medical executive, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Elizabeth Tilson, state health director and chief medical officer, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Lee Norman, secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Monica Bharel, commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Public Health The hearing, “Sounding the Alarm: The Public Health Threats of E-Cigarettes,” will provide members of Congress the opportunity to examine causes of the ongoing vaporizer-linked lung disease outbreak. “State and territorial public health agencies are taking a leading role in implementing strong action to protect consumers from the harms of e-cigarette use,” says Michael Fraser, CEO of ASTHO. “We are pleased that Congress highlighted their critical work today. We strongly urge Congress and the administration to take steps to strengthen oversight of e-cigarettes, increase investments in research and prevention, and to better understand health effects associated with their use, and provide increased funding for tobacco education and cessation programs.” For more information and to read the state health officials’ testimony, visit the committee’s website. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
ASTHO Commends the Surgeon General Advisory about Marijuana Use on the Developing Brain ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, Chief Executive Officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), issued the following statement in response to the Surgeon General’s advisory on marijuana use and its impact on the developing brain: “State and territorial public health officials commend the Surgeon General’s announcement today. We strongly encourage pregnant and breastfeeding women, parents, and youth to learn more about the risks associated with marijuana products by consulting with their health care provider. ASTHO supports the Surgeon General’s request for additional research on the health impacts of marijuana use. A strong evidence base rooted in science will allow state and territorial health agencies to effectively fulfill their responsibility to promote and protect the public’s health. We also strongly encourage increased investments in substance abuse and misuse prevention programs, public awareness initiatives, and health care provider education programs centered on marijuana use.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
ASTHO Files Amicus Brief in Michigan Case, Argues Against Criminally Charging Health Officials During Major Public Health Crises ARLINGTON, VA—Last week, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) filed an amicus brief with the Genesee District Court in Michigan asserting that criminal prosecutions of health officials based on their professional judgment and decisions will weaken governmental public health’s ability to respond during health emergencies and present additional risks to the public. The court case is the first of its kind where a standing health official has been criminally charged for an alleged failure to notify the public regarding an outbreak of Legionnaire’s disease in Genesee County in 2014 and 2015. The outcome of this case is of great interest to ASTHO and its members who are concerned that the threat of criminal sanctions based on a health official’s professional, discretionary decisions will endanger public health. “We are very alarmed by this case, and the fact that a health official can be criminally charged to this extent for doing his job, especially during a public health crisis, is not right,” says John Wiesman, president of ASTHO and secretary of health at the Washington State Department of Health. “ASTHO’s board has carefully considered the allegations in the case. As public health officials, our decisionmaking does not fit within a one-size-fits-all model, but rather includes a thoughtful approach to limiting widespread panic, translating meaningful communication about public health risks and proper efforts to address the crisis at hand, especially when information is subject to change or incomplete.” “The outcome of this case could have an immediate chilling impact on the entire public health profession and a cascading effect on critical life and death decisions public health officials face every day,” says Michael Fraser, CEO of ASTHO. “The public must trust our public health officials to make the right decision at the right time and the fear of criminal prosecution will stymie their efforts.” The amicus brief also notes that “the basis for responsible public health communication is scientific knowledge and consensus,” and “[p]ractitioners have a responsibility to examine the quality of the available scientific information prior to performing any communication activity.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
State and Territorial Health Officials Join White House Opioid Conference ARLINGTON, VA—Today, nearly two dozen state and territorial health officials participated in a meeting at the White House, “Best Practices in Combatting the Opioid Epidemic Conference with State and Local Leaders,” to discuss national strategies with top federal officials, including Kellyanne Conway, assistant to the president and senior counselor, Veterans Affairs secretary Robert Wilkie, and Jim Carroll, deputy director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) is pleased to support the Administration’s leaders as they continue to use their platform to bring attention to the complex and multifactorial issue that is plaguing our nation. The meeting included conversations with all sectors of government, including state and territorial health officials, Medicaid directors, public safety directors, mayors, judges, sheriffs, and many others for sharing best practices in addressing the epidemic. Discussion topics included leveraging federal resources to support responses to the opioid epidemic, addressing the social costs of opioid misuse, and combatting drug trafficking. Additionally, the White House presented on its upcoming Prescription Drug Take-Back Day. “I’m very pleased that our state and territorial health officials had a seat at the White House’s table with key federal leaders,” says Michael Fraser, ASTHO CEO. “It is important that their voices be heard. Solving this epidemic requires dialogue among state, local, and federal leaders and we thank the Administration for providing the opportunity for us to be part of this conversation today.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
ASTHO Statement on Rise in National Sexually Transmitted Disease Rates ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), issued the following statement in response to new preliminary findings released today from CDC indicating that the United States is seeing a significant increase in STD rates. “We’re facing new and reemerging challenges as the nation’s STD rate continues to rise. Public health officials are particularly concerned with the resurgence of syphilis—including congenital syphilis—and the emerging threat of antibiotic-resistant gonorrhea. State health agencies are working hard on the frontlines to fight rising rates of infection through STD prevention strategies with limited resources. We know for a fact that these strategies work and are effective. Unfortunately, we haven’t seen the right level of investment in this space—and the record STD rates are a testament to that fact. Federal resources account for nearly half of all state and territorial health department funding. But in the past 15 years, STD prevention funding at CDC has decreased by $21 million. This translates into less resources for state and territorial health agencies to carry out their critical work in STD prevention. Health agencies across the United States are committed to working in collaboration with national partners like CDC, healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to find integrated solutions in stemming the tide of rising STD rates. If we are to avoid the overwhelming costs—both health and economic—of these preventable infections, investing in state and territorial health agencies is essential.” For more information and resources for combating STDs, visit www.astho.org/std. ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate website yes
ASTHO Statement on the Bipartisan Opioid Crisis Response Act ARLINGTON, VA—Michael Fraser, CEO of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), issued the following statement in response to the release of the Opioid Crisis Response Act of 2018, a bipartisan package to address the opioid epidemic. “The Senate’s Opioid Crisis Response Act will further support our nation’s state and territorial health agencies’ progress in addressing one of the worst public health crises our nation faces today. Specifically, the bill will help support the ongoing work of preventing addiction by authorizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to further support state prescription drug monitoring programs; improve data collection, analysis, and dissemination; and create an interagency task force to identify, prevent, and mitigate the effects of trauma on infants, children, youth, and their families.” “These are good steps forward. While this bill is comprehensive in its approach, it does not include enough provisions to support community-based public health programs that prevent individuals from misusing opioids and other substances in the first place, which is the best way to end our nation’s epidemic. Primary prevention needs to be a core component in future legislation and we look forward to working with congressional leadership to incorporate state needs and priorities in future bills.” “We are especially concerned about the return of sequestration next year. In FY20, non-defense discretionary funding is slated to receive a $55 billion cut from current levels. Unless Congress implements a budget deal to address this near-term fiscal challenge, the promises of this legislation will not be realized. In addition to authorizing new programs, Congress also must prioritize appropriating resources to implement them.” ASTHO Press Release Boilerplate 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!
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 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 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.