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States Partner Across Sectors to Address Lead Poisoning Kayley Humm, Kerry Wyss, Ali Aslam Learn in this brief how three states are using partnerships to improve lead testing and reduce cases of lead poisoning. ASTHO partnered with the National Center for Healthy Housing (NCHH) to provide technical assistance and capacity-building support for lead poisoning prevention efforts in three state health agencies: Maryland Department of Health, North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, and Arkansas Department of Health. This brief highlights each agency’s strategies for collaborating across sectors along with accomplishments for strengthening lead poisoning prevention capacity in each jurisdiction. Many of these strategies align with those used in a health in all polices (HiAP) approach to lead poisoning prevention. State Examples Maryland Department of Health Maryland adopted a collaborative approach to prevent lead poisoning. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has an established lead poisoning prevention program that partners with the Maryland Department of the Environment. The Department of the Environment oversees the childhood lead registry and case management, while MDH focuses on lead testing regulations and Medicaid services. This partnership has been implemented across the 24 local health departments in the state. Maryland enhanced lead case management by providing staff support and tackling complex cases that require additional assistance. In addition to supporting an increase in lead case management activities and lead awareness, ASTHO funding also helped strengthen collaboration and coordination among local health departments, state agencies, and local health care providers. The MDH Environmental Health Bureau also improved efficiency by moving data from the lead registry to MDH for lead surveillance and case management. They also developed and launched sub-county lead testing data as part of their Environmental Public Health Tracking public portal. These activities align with HiAP strategies of developing and structuring cross-sector relationships, coordinating funding and investments, and synchronizing communications. North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services The North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS) made significant strides in building up the state lead program, which recently transitioned from the department of environmental quality to NDHHS. With support from ASTHO and NCHH, NDHHS developed a lead prevention website with a data dashboard, developed a lead screening questionnaire, and built collaborative partnerships. The activities in North Dakota align with the HiAP strategies of developing and structuring cross-sector relationships, synchronizing communications, and integrating research, evaluation, and data systems. Building collaborative partnerships is a key initiative for the NDHHS lead program. Already developed partnerships include stakeholders such as Health Tracks and WIC. Health Tracks developed a newsletter article for their provider network so physicians can stay up to date and aware of the lead program transition and lead testing changes, and WIC will host informational lunch and learns to raise awareness about lead testing within their network. North Dakota is also prioritizing building partnerships with tribal communities. A tribal communications plan was developed with the goal of establishing an effective communication plan between the state of North Dakota and each tribal government for lead-related events. Anticipated outcomes from the communication plan include testing for blood lead levels, conducting environmental assessments on tribal lands, and seeing if a tribal member or government is interested in hosting a lead screening event. Progress has been made with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Turtle Mountain band of Chippewa, and NDHHS is hopeful to establish intertribal meetings with all four governmental tribal representatives. Arkansas Department of Health The Arkansas Department of Health established its lead program in 2011 to support abatement of lead-based paint in residential and commercial properties. With support from ASTHO and NCHH, Arkansas has been using a data-driven approach to gain a more comprehensive understanding of lead exposure burden in the state. These activities align with the HiAP strategy of incorporating health data into decision-making and integrating research, evaluation, and data systems. The Arkansas Department of Health conducts periodic audits on its data system to support access to timely and accurate data. To improve data quality and frequency of blood lead testing reports, the health department is establishing incentive programs to encourage facilities to report cases of elevated blood lead. In addition to conducting outreach to its partners, the Arkansas Department of Health has been working to improve lead case data access and data quality through data mining efforts, case report matching, and migration to a new lead surveillance system. Arkansas has been working to modernize the current reporting system to facilitate automation and promote overall efficiency of data analysis and case identification. Conclusion The collaborative efforts of Maryland, North Dakota, and Arkansas highlight the importance of multi-sector partnerships and data sharing in addressing lead poisoning prevention and align with many of the strategies used in a HiAP approach. Each state implemented tailored strategies that sought to grow collaboration in its unique context. These initiatives highlight the importance of cross-sector collaboration in public health initiatives and may serve as valuable models for other jurisdictions. article yes

Learn how retail program standards improve retail food safety in this infographic.

In addition to PFAS exposure assessments, state and territorial health agencies may also consider the role of social stressors during the risk assessment process.

This ASTHOBrief contains three key recommendations for improving the 2013 CDC/CSTE Cancer Cluster Investigation Guidelines.

This infographic breaks down the top 10 takeaways from the 2022 Climate and Health Capacity Survey.

Environmental Public Health Prioritizing Environmental Public Health Association of state and territorial health officials, astho, environmental health, environmental public health, public health professionals, addressing climate change, environmental health directors, vector-borne disease control, vector-borne disease, climate and health, food and water safety, health in all policies, environmental health issue, environmental health policy Environmental public health is increasingly important — access resources that help care for our environment, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. ASTHO supports state and territorial health agencies in their work to protect the public’s health by addressing environmental health, or the intersection of people’s health with the environments in which they live, work, and play. Environmental health encompasses foundational factors of health like food and water safety, air quality, healthy and safe housing, and preventing disease carried by vectors like ticks and mosquitoes. Environmental health interventions can include lead prevention and surveillance, designing chemical safety standards, health inspections in food retail locations, addressing hazards from natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires, and more. ASTHO’s Environmental Health unit supports health agencies through several methods: Develop best practices and resources for health agencies to develop their own environmental public health programs. Provide temporary staffing and support fellowship programs for health agencies. Connect environmental health professionals through peer opportunities like the State and Territorial Environmental Health Directors peer network, the National Association of Vector-Borne Disease Control Officials, and the State Tribal Liaisons peer group. ASTHO also provides a comprehensive suite of actionable, capacity building resources that health departments can leverage to strengthen their environmental health programs. Explore these and more below. Related topics: Health in All Policies Tribal Health website

Food and Water Safety association of state and territorial health officials, astho, food and water safety, food safety, water safety, water preparedness, environmental public health, pfas, per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, pfas chemicals, pfas exposure, harmful algal blooms, HABs, risks of harmful algal blooms, state health, environmental agencies, foodborne disease, prevent foodborne disease, drinking water emergencies, state and territorial health agencies, drinking water emergency One of the most fundamental aspects of environmental public health is maintaining high standards of quality and care for our food and water sources. Consumers rely on safe food at home and in the retail environment, so food safety inspections are key to ensuring adequate food safety. Partnerships between local and state health agencies, departments of agriculture, and federal food safety agencies create a framework for a safer food system. Threats to drinking water as well as recreational water hazards come in many forms, with significant sources including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), cyanobacteria, Legionella, and other waterborne contaminants. Strengthening wastewater surveillance programs and overall water infrastructure aids states in protecting the public from waterborne diseases. ASTHO’s Food Safety program, in partnership with CDC, includes assisting the Council to Improve Foodborne Outbreak Response and creating various resources for state and territorial health departments. article

Vector-Borne Disease association of state and territorial health officials, astho, vector-borne disease, disease vectors, vector surveillance and control, vector-borne disease outbreaks, health agencies, insecticide resistance, threat of insecticide resistance, tick-borne disease, tick-borne disease prevention, vector-borne disease control, mosquito control, environmental public health There are many diseases in the world that are transmitted to humans through vectors such as mosquitos, fleas, and ticks. Some of the most notorious of these diseases include West Nile virus, Zika virus, and Lyme disease. To prevent and control these diseases, vector surveillance and control is critical for any public health department. Environmental public health programs at the state and local levels develop and use tools and outreach programs to provide education to the public, identify and respond to vector-borne outbreaks, and to reduce exposure to diseases. ASTHO’s Vector-Borne Disease program, in partnership with CDC, includes assisting the National Association of Vector-Borne Disease Control Officials (NAVCO) and creating various resources for state and territorial health departments. article

The goal of these five key informant interviews was to gain insight into state and territorial health official (S/THOs) experience with vector-borne disease (VBD) outbreaks, communication strategies, and to capture advice they would offer to new S/THOs regarding VBD-related challenges.

Climate for Health Ambassadors Training ASTHO, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, climate for health, ambassadors training, health agencies, ecoamerica training, public health, climate change, extreme weather, climate resilient communities, climate resilient, public health programs, impacts of climate, readiness and resilience, climate action, climate basics, human health, health equity, climate solutions, health benefits, communicating climate, advocacy and engagement, staff training ASTHO is excited to partner with ecoAmerica to provide Climate for Health Ambassadors training to state and territorial health agencies. ASTHO is excited to partner with ecoAmerica to provide Climate for Health Ambassadors training to our state and territorial health agency members and their staff at no cost — equipping them with specific resources and tools to address the impacts of climate change in their jurisdiction. Climate change and extreme weather events continue to threaten public health, safety, and quality of life. ASTHO supports building and sustaining healthy, climate-resilient communities that are prepared for climate change and extreme weather events. Implementing public health programs that increase the capacity to prevent, protect, and respond to the impacts of climate and extreme weather improve a community’s overall readiness and resilience. The training is online, self-paced, and includes six modules: The Health Case for Climate Action, Climate Basics Impacts on Human Health, Health Equity Climate Solutions & Health Benefits Communicating on Climate and Health Advocacy & Engagement Making a Difference as an Ambassador Watch the video to learn more about our Climate for Health Ambassadors training.<!-- and sign up for the program today.--> website no

Environmental Public Health Tracking Fellowship Program ASTHO's Environmental Public Health Tracking: Peer-to-Peer Fellowship Program, in partnership with CDC, offers non-funded health agencies the opportunity to conduct pilot projects on environmental health issues of importance to their communities, receive mentorship from current CDC grantees, and become familiar with CDC standards and resources for environmental public health tracking. On this page are ASTHO and partner resources highlighting the program’s successes. Tracking Resources Poster Overview of ASTHO's Tracking Fellowship Program (PDF) This poster provides an overview of the impact and successes of ASTHO’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Fellowship. Fellowship Program Factsheet (PDF) This factsheet highlights achievement and success stories from ASTHO’s Environmental Public Health Tracking Fellowship. Building Capacity, Building Community: ASTHO's EPHT Fellowship Reaches the U.S. Territories (PDF) This two-page fact sheet shares successes and lessons learned from the Program’s first reverse site-visit to a territorial health agency. <!-- ASTHO Environmental Public Health Tracking Fellowship Program: 2002-2019 Environmental Public Health Tracking 101 The National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network (Tracking Network) brings together health data and environmental data from national, state, and city sources and provides supporting information to make the data easier to understand. The Tracking Network has data and information on environments and hazards, health effects, and population health. Embed-EH PH Tracking Fellowship Program ARCGIS --> website no

About Environmental Public Health The Fundamentals of Environmental Public Health Learn about the importance of environmental health on public well-being and how ASTHO supports this critical work. Our health is shaped by the world we live in — from the air we breathe to the food we eat, the water we drink, and the communities we live in, our environment impacts our health and well-being. ASTHO is committed to supporting its members’ environmental health initiatives through expert technical assistance and actionable resources. What is Environmental Health and Safety? Environmental health and safety is a core component of overall public health. Environmental health represents the intersection between people’s health and what they encounter in their environments. This covers a broad range of areas that people interact with every day. Food Safety The quality of the food we eat is one of the most fundamental factors for our well-being. Public health departments help maintain food safety across the supply chain: How crops are grown and livestock is raised. How food goods are transported and kept. Food safety inspections in retail locations like grocery stores as well as in restaurants and other vendors. Setting standards for preparing and keeping food in the home. Water Safety The quality of the water we drink and engage with recreationally (e.g., beaches, lakes, pools) can impact our health. Common risks to water safety come from contaminants like pesticides, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also called “forever chemicals,” bacteria like Legionella, and harmful algal blooms. Indoor and Outdoor Air Quality Air quality can be impacted by factors internal to buildings — such as mold and asbestos — as well as outdoor factors like wildfire smoke and pollen. These factors can exacerbate conditions like asthma and especially impact vulnerable populations like children and older people. Climate and Health Factors of our natural environment like rising temperatures and increased frequency of natural disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, also strongly impact our health. Health departments help communities deal with these factors by monitoring for these events and providing plans to respond to these kinds of threats. Vector-Borne Diseases Ticks, mosquitoes, fleas, and others can act as vectors, meaning they can transmit pathogens to humans, causing diseases like Lyme, Zika, and West Nile. These vectors are adapting along with rising temperatures and changing habitats. Environmental health programs can monitor these vectors and the spread of disease, which helps in outbreak response and prevention. The Built Environment The ways in which the buildings we live, work, and play in are built and maintained can impact our health. Some common problems encountered in our homes include lead paint and asbestos, but the influence of the built environment extends beyond the home. Making our communities safe, walkable, and accessible with sidewalks, public transit, and roads can have an impact on our daily activities. Other important factors include green spaces (e.g., parks) and public sanitation. What Are Key Interventions to Promote Environmental Public Health? State and territorial health agencies are best equipped to respond to environmental health concerns when they have access to sufficient resources. Many health departments deal with a lack of funding to build and maintain robust environmental health programs. Public health agencies especially struggle with workforce concerns — hiring, training, maintaining, and ultimately growing the environmental public health workforce is critical for agencies to do their best work. Supporting pipeline programs like internships and fellowships is a great way to get early career public health professionals involved. It’s also important to educate the public about environmental public health and its far-reaching impact. Many people conflate environmental health with environmental protection, but these are not the same fields, though they share some common ground. In fact, many states keep these as separate entities. Environmental health is a core foundation of general public health, and environmental health professionals cover many core functions of protecting the public’s health and well-being. How Does ASTHO Support Environmental Health? ASTHO’s Environmental Health team helps state and territorial health agencies build capacity to respond to environmental public health concerns through several key activities: Support fellowships that strengthen peer-to-peer relationships and build environmental health capacity. Build health agency capacity to address healthy housing, including improving lead surveillance and prevention. Help island jurisdictions address supply needs for environmental health protection by providing lead poisoning prevention supplies for on-the-ground testing and surveillance. Provide opportunities for environmental public health professionals to connect through the State and Territorial Environmental Health Directors peer network, the National Association of Vector-Borne Disease Control Officials, and the State Tribal Liaisons peer group. Provide resources and low-cost solutions to help state and territorial agencies set up their own programs to respond to environmental health threats. Support cross-sector partnerships and promote a Health in All Policies approach. Get in Touch ASTHO supports states and territories in addressing the foundation of the public’s health and well-being. Want to learn more or work on building out your agency’s environmental health programs? Reach out to environmentalhealth@astho.org. Padding Block - Medium article

Communicating the Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke Communicating the Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke Kerry Wyss, Ali Aslam Learn how state agencies effectively communicate the dangers of wildfire smoke to local communities in this report. Wildfires continue to be a growing risk across large swathes of North America, one of the largest effects of these fires being severe smoke. Smoke from wildland fires — wildfire and prescribed burns — can pose serious health risks to communities, particularly for sensitive or vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Wildfire smoke can spread rapidly over long distances, so timely and accurate risk communication is essential during wildfire events to help communities understand the dangers of smoke exposure and take protective actions. ASTHO hosted a wildland fire focus group in January 2025 to talk through lessons learned by state and territorial health and environmental agencies in managing wildland fire response. The group identified needs to improve community health in wildland fire response through health risk communication, disseminating information, and developing programs to support public health action (i.e., exposure reduction). Learn more about these takeaways and actionable strategies for wildland fire response in the full report. Get the Report (PDF) article yes

Building a Resilience Framework in Colorado Creating Resilient Communities in Colorado Heather Tomlinson, Kerry Wyss Learn how Colorado public health is building community and cross-sector partnerships to build community resilience. Following the 2012 wildfire season and the 2013 Colorado Floods, Colorado recognized the opportunity to better prepare for natural disasters and coordinate efforts across state agencies to build resilience into their regular operations. In 2015, Colorado became the first state to develop a resilience framework and created the Colorado Resiliency Office (CRO) with the goal of building more resilient systems in the face of shocks and stressors. The Colorado Resiliency Working Group (CRWG) is an interagency group that meets on a quarterly basis to collaboratively implement and advance resilience actions and goals. The Colorado Resilience Framework serves as interagency guidance on strengthening resilience and emphasizes finding co-benefits across community sectors, reducing community risk and vulnerability to disruptions, and supporting the state in anticipating and preparing for current and future conditions. The framework is updated every five years to adapt priorities and to keep up with current conditions. Changes from 2015 to 2020 included a shift from focusing heavily on long-term recovery to taking a more holistic approach to resilience. The CRWG is currently working on the 2025 update with a focus on statewide vulnerability where they can have the most impact and prepare for future conditions with available resources. They are also focusing on clear metrics and being able to communicate progress effectively. The state also created a statutory definition of resilience, which has helped with coordination across long- term projects and agencies. Coordination with Partners Resiliency work in Colorado is greatly enhanced by working with a wide range of partners that bring their subject matter expertise to the table. As a state with strong local control, Colorado has prioritized working collaboratively with local partners, providing technical assistance and subject matter expertise to support their work on the ground, from planning support to targeted grant programs. This collaboration helps ensure continuity from the state to the local communities. Colorado’s approach to resilience ensures resilience is integrated within its many agencies. For example, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has continued to evolve and advance their agency’s resiliency work. Beginning March 2025, CDPHE developed a monthly internal working group to funnel knowledge into resilience leadership across CDPHE — including environmental health, chronic disease, environmental justice, disease and public health, and air pollution. Their goal is to build partnerships across internal programs and state agencies. The CRO was first established in the Governor's Office and moved to the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) in 2018. This move strengthened continuity of its long-term work and, given Colorado’s strong local control governance structure, enabled the CRO to further the goals of building a more resilient Colorado by partnering with and supporting local governments with planning and technical assistance to build greater resilience. The CRO offers flexible Future-Ready Technical Assistance Opportunities for state agencies, which helps them apply adaptability and future-visioning lenses to their resiliency principles in programs and operations. To involve the wider network of resilience practitioners within communities across the state, the CRO launched a community of practice on LinkedIn to foster peer-to-peer learning and dialogue and ensure all voices are heard in a collaborative environment. The Governor’s Office of Climate Preparedness and Disaster Recovery (CPO), facilitates cross agency coordination and collaboration while driving proactive state-wide climate preparedness priorities and supports development of the state’s disaster recovery capacity and capabilities. The CPO also coordinates efforts to ensure that the state budget and legislative processes reflect statewide climate preparedness, disaster recovery, and resilience priorities and leads the development of Colorado’s Climate Preparedness Roadmap — a strategic guiding document updated every three years that uses the best available science and data to prioritize near-term climate adaptation actions across Colorado state government. In collaboration with the implementing state agencies, the first Roadmap, released in 2023, set achievable near-term action items ensuring clear steps to strengthen climate resilience and adaptation. Among the actions, the Roadmap outlined the need to tackle extreme heat through a collaborative interagency approach, while better understanding the unique ways that heat affects Colorado. Social and community capacity were also outlined in the framework as a priority. CDPHE has worked with the Governor's Office to evaluate best practices and strategies tailored for each unique region and implemented their first heat plan in 2024. Extreme heat can be deadly and is projected to continue to intensify. CPO takes the lead in coordinating extreme heat work across agencies. They are partnering with the Colorado State Forest Service to pilot solutions such as climate-smart tree planting to help keep people safe during high-heat events by reducing ambient neighborhood temperatures and shading individual homes to lower indoor temperatures and reduce cooling costs for residents. Building Disaster Recovery Capacity Colorado is investing in disaster preparedness and recovery capacity to reduce the impacts of disasters, help communities recover more effectively, and build resilience into recovery efforts. Ensuring strong recoveries allows for the integration of strategic investments in resilience and hazard mitigation, which the state did in partnership with Xcel Energy — in the wake of the Marshall Fire, the state provided financial assistance to rebuild home to high performance standards and integrated wildfire mitigation actions during the rebuild process. In recent years, Colorado has expanded their recovery investments, including the addition of key positions in targeted recovery areas including within CPO, at DOLA within the Division of Housing and within the Division of Local Government, at the Colorado Department of Agriculture, and at the Department of Public Health and Environment. Technical expertise and capacity at the agency level is leveraged to strengthen preparedness and to support recovery from state declared disasters through the Colorado Department of Public Safety's State Recovery Task Force, providing recovery expertise when activated according to their assigned Recovery Support Function (RSF). Colorado partnered with FEMA’s State Technical Assistance for Recovery Strategies Program to develop processes and strategies that can be integrated into the RSF plan updates within the State Emergency Operations Plan, and to refine RSF functions, capabilities, and partnerships. Over the last year, the state has additionally conducted numerous discussion-based exercises to strengthen RSF relationships and operational capability. The state continues to identify and enhance new opportunities in supporting local communities with pre- disaster recovery technical assistance. Examples include: Hosting Department of Public Safety-led regional recovery symposiums. Piloting additional focused recovery workshops that prioritize rural and less resourced communities. Developing and refining disaster recovery planning tools. Offering recovery and resilience toolkits and expertise to local governments led by DOLA. Strengthening integration of disaster considerations into local planning processes. Colorado implemented this work in summer 2025 when the state experienced numerous wildfires in short succession that received state disaster declarations, activation of the State Recovery Task Force, and required close state-local disaster recovery coordination. Ensuring strong recovery capacity and capabilities is critical to long-term resilience, enabling communities to recover more quickly, more completely, and in ways that integrate proactive resilience strategies. A Path Towards Long-Term Sustainability A key element in Colorado’s long-term approach to building resiliency is closely involving the local community. Building robust community planning and response capabilities at the local level allows for agencies to tailor plans to community needs and ensures everyone is engaged in the process. The CRO, in collaboration with state agency partners in the CRWG, developed the Guidance for Local Government Climate Adaptation, which provides comprehensive guidance, funding resources, case studies, and connections to state and federal programs that can provide support in over 25 implementable actions. The CRO has also focused their resiliency work on anticipating what is to come down the road by assessing current and future community needs. An example is the Rural Resiliency and Recovery Roadmap Program, which brought together 16 different regional community teams with over 150 rural jurisdictions and non-governmental partners to support diversifying and strengthening their economies while building regional resiliency following the COVID-19 pandemic. Each regional team developed a roadmap that evaluates local stressors and how conditions may change in the future. This program also looks at what may impact the community from perspectives of housing availability, workforce, and potential resiliency stressors. Another example is the Camp Resilience: A Rural Prosperity Leadership Academy program, which offers a summer camp themed workshop to build rural community capacity to long-term stressors such as droughts, population loss, climate change, and lack of affordable housing. While funding cycle ebbs and flows

Environmental health and public health preparedness staff work closely together to respond to natural disasters and climate change—learn how in this report.

This report provides critical insight into the top environmental health and natural disaster preparedness concerns across the nation.

How Mississippi Prioritizes Environmental Justice During Disaster Response Association of state and territorial health officials, astho, environmental health, environmental justice, public health, cross sector partnerships, emergency preparedness, natural disaster response, emergency response, health equity, social determinants of health, missisippi state department of health, office of environmental health, office of health equity, covid 19 pandemic, emergency planning and response Ali Aslam, Yaryna Onufrey, Beth Giambrone This case study dives into the Mississippi State Department of Health’s environmental justice initiatives, conducted using cross-sector partnerships. Environmental justice is defined as all people enjoying the same degree of access and protection from environmental and health hazards. This happens by intentionally involving all people—regardless of race, color, national origin, or income—while developing, implementing, and enforcing environmental laws and policies. The Mississippi State Department of Health incorporates environmental justice principles into their disaster response and emergency preparedness efforts. Mississippi's environmental justice work has been community-based and equity-driven. This case study dives into Mississippi’s cross-sector partnerships, community health initiatives, and health equity work as the state has worked to address environmental health concerns. Get the Report (PDF) website yes

Commonalities of State-Level HiAP Groups State-Level HiAP Initiatives, Cross-Sector Health Equity Programs, Health in All Policies Strategy, Integrating Health in State Policies, Collaborative Health Policy Development, social determinants of health, department of public health, improving population health, public health institute, social service, address the social determinants, cross sector collaboration, local health departments, health impact assessment, health disparities, incorporate health, community health, population health improvement, state and local governments, American public health, community based organizations, centers for disease control, health considerations, health inequities, long term, ASTHO, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials Kerry Wyss Learn how public health agencies are implementing cross-sector partnerships to improve their work and incorporate health equity. States and localities are developing cross-sector or health in all policies (HiAP) working groups to address the drivers of health from both within and outside of public health and health care. These groups bring together decision-makers from different sectors to explore policies and programs that aim to improve public health and address health inequities. These partners can include government agencies, community-based organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and other stakeholders. This document outlines some of the components, partners, and roles/responsibilities of many of these groups, so they can be replicated across the nation to tackle complex public health challenges at the state and local level. Get the Report (PDF) website yes

Implementing Health in All Policies in the Climate Space ASTHO, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, HiAP lens, Health in all policies, climate change, climate space, flooding and rain, extreme weather, extreme heat, wildfire damage, seven strategies, Texas workgroup, national disaster operational workgroup, Washington state department of health, emergency preparedness and response, hiap implementation, Wisconsin department of health services, new mexico taskforce, interagency climate change taskforce, climate action teams, Climate and Health Capacity Survey, HiAP Task Force; Climate Change Commission, Resilience Initiative Kerry Wyss, Ali Aslam ASTHO | A Health in All Policies approach can help public health agencies better address the impact of climate change on population health and well-being. Each year, we face hurricanes, floods, extreme heat events, destructive wildfires, as well as other natural disasters and homeland security threats that test the resiliency of state, territorial, and freely associated state agencies and the communities they serve. To address the health threats posed by natural disasters and by climate change, more health agencies are integrating a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach. This cross-sector approach can make these climate efforts more effective and impactful, and help promote health equity and optimal health. This report outlines strategies for health agencies to apply the HiAP lens and utilize cross-sector collaboration to optimize their climate and health responses. Get the Report (PDF) website yes

Supporting Resilience in Rural Areas Through Cross-Sector Partnerships ASTHO, Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, rural health, public health, public health partnerships, health in all policies, government agencies, community organizations, academic institutions, rural populations, infrastructure improvement, healthcare systems, environmental determinants, climate change, sustainable practices, environmental challenges, extreme weather, environmental health risks, protective factors, engaging rural partners, building trust, idaho department of health and welfare, michigan department of health, health equity, austin climate equity plan, healthy start oregon, kansas department of commerce, wisconsin broadband access, chesapeake housing mission Ali Aslam The key to making rural communities more resilient is for public health to partner with community organizations, governmental agencies, and other critical partners. Working across sectors of government agencies, community organizations, businesses, and academic institutions is critical to address public health challenges in rural communities. Using a Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach helps public health agencies better address the interconnected social, economic, and environmental determinants of health impacting rural communities and improve community well-being. HiAP brings together a multitude of perspectives to develop holistic strategies that can support infrastructure improvements, sustainable land use practices, diversified economic opportunities, safer and healthier home environments, and robust health care systems in rural communities. Through community leadership and collaboration, this cross-sector approach can enhance the capacity of rural communities to build resilience, adapt to climate change, and foster long-term sustainability to improve public health outcomes. Learn how states are implementing HiAP strategies to improve health in their rural communities in this report. Get the Report (PDF) website yes