Public Health Review Morning Edition

In this episode, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and ASTHO member Dr. Debra Bogen joins us to break down a major change in national vaccine guidance, and why it has sparked concern among pediatric and public health leaders. Dr. Bogen explains the recent ACIP vote that weakened the long-standing recommendation for all newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, a practice that has nearly eliminated the disease in young children since the early 1990s.  She shares why this shift could create confusion for parents, what’s at stake for infant health, and how Pennsylvania is doubling down on clarity, access, and science-based information, including through a recent executive order from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Dr. Bogen also speaks to the broader moment facing public health, from rising misinformation to the importance of unified, evidence-driven messaging.Cultivating a Culture of Community and Belonging in the Workplace | ASTHO

In this episode, ASTHO member and Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Chief Medical Executive Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian breaks down a major development in national vaccine policy: the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ decision to narrow its guidance on the hepatitis B birth dose. Dr. Bagdasarian, who serves as ASTHO’s liaison to the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, shares why the shift toward “individual decision-making” raises concerns for newborn safety, health equity, and public trust in vaccines.  She discusses the vulnerabilities in our health system that could leave some infants unprotected, how localized transmission risks extend beyond maternal infection, and why softening long-standing guidance may unintentionally fuel doubt about other vaccines. Dr. Bagdasarian also explains why Michigan—and many other states—are choosing to follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ recommendation to continue the universal birth dose.Designing for Connection Webinar Series | ASTHOHome | Public Health Careers.org

As part of our spotlight series on artificial intelligence in public health, today’s episode explores the BEACON Portal—a groundbreaking collaboration between Google and the state of Illinois designed to streamline access to behavioral health services for children and families.  Dr. Dana Weiner, Chief Officer for Children’s Behavioral Health Transformation in the Illinois Governor’s Office, and Julia Strehlow, Senior Advisor at the Illinois Department of Public Health discuss how BEACON centralizes information for families, enables secure cross-agency communication, and uses transparent AI-powered matching to connect young people to the services they’re eligible for—faster and more accurately than ever before.  The conversation highlights Beacon’s unique development process rooted in family and provider feedback, the platform’s rigorous privacy and security protections, and how Illinois is partnering with clinicians statewide to boost adoption. 

Kentucky is experiencing its largest spike in whooping cough cases since 2012, an alarming rise that has already claimed the lives of three infants in the past year. In this episode, Dr. Steven Stack, Secretary of Kentucky’s Cabinet for Health and Family Services, joins us to unpack what’s driving the surge, why waning vaccination rates matter, and how misinformation is complicating public health response efforts.  Dr. Stack, ASTHO member and former ASTHO president, explains the cyclical nature of pertussis, how the pandemic disrupted typical disease patterns, and why the current spike is more severe than expected. He discusses the heartbreaking reality that none of the infants who died were vaccinated, and neither were their mothers, despite well-established evidence that maternal vaccination can provide newborns with lifesaving early protection.Creating Shared Vision and Governance for Data Modernization in Vermont | ASTHODon't Panic! A Panel on How to be an Effective Crisis Communicator | ASTHO

In this episode, ASTHO’s Director of Public Health, Data Modernization, and Informatics, Allen Rakotoniaina, breaks down how public health agencies can effectively make the case for investing in modern data systems. He explains why “business numbers,” like labor hours saved or dollars recouped, can be the tipping point for decision-makers, especially in an environment where funding is scarce. Allen also demonstrates how person-centered storytelling transforms technical work into relatable, mission-driven narratives, using real-world examples such as overdose prevention. He explores how tools like partner mapping and shared ownership can help agencies build stronger advocacy plans and create sustainable, collaborative data systems. Whether you're building a data modernization strategy or just beginning to rally your organization around the need for better systems, this conversation offers practical insights, clear examples, and a roadmap for getting started.Medications for Opioid Use Disorder Access Legal Map | ASTHO

In this episode, ASTHO’s Catherine Jones, a senior analyst for government affairs, breaks down the 2025 federal government shutdown, the longest in U.S. history, and what made it uniquely disruptive compared to the 2018–2019 closure. She explains how debates over ACA premium subsidies, and Medicaid cuts shaped the standoff and why critical programs like telehealth, at-home care, SNAP, and WIC felt the strain.  Jones also walks through how the shutdown ultimately ended after multiple failed attempts in Congress, and what public health leaders should take away from the crisis. With another potential shutdown looming as the current continuing resolution approaches its expiration, she lays out the decisions and negotiations to watch in the weeks ahead.Eight Extraordinary OU Alumni Honored with Regents’ Alumni Award

In this episode, we talk with Jenn Rico, Data Modernization and Surveillance & Informatics Supervisor at the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. Jenn shares how Montana has used PHIG funding to accelerate statewide data modernization, and invested in leadership, data governance, a new data lake, GIS capacity, and workforce development. She walks us through Montana’s collaborative approach with its 59 county and tribal public health partners, including a major upgrade and cloud migration of the state’s case surveillance system. Jenn also highlights Montana’s new public-facing query tools, efforts to support data sovereignty, and plans to securely provide direct access to record-level data.  Reflecting on the state’s five-year modernization journey, Jennifer discusses what it takes to build systems and culture that last beyond any single grant cycle: prioritizing sustainability, internal capacity, collaboration, and thoughtful use of existing infrastructure.

ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Kansagra joins us for a candid conversation about the state of public health today. She reflects on her unexpected path into the field, the urgent need to rebuild public trust, and why communicating the everyday value of public health is more critical than ever. Dr. Kansagra also explores how social media, new messengers, and emerging tools like AI can help reshape engagement, boost impact, and energize a workforce facing growing pressure. A motivating reminder that public health is a marathon, not a sprint, and that meaningful progress takes time, partnership, and persistence.Meeting Home PageInnovation Exchange | ASTHO

In this episode: how telehealth has evolved from a pandemic-era necessity into a powerful tool for improving access to healthcare. Senior analyst Ashley Cram breaks down the different types of telehealth, from video visits and audio-only consultations to remote patient monitoring, and why each plays an essential role for patients facing challenges like provider shortages, transportation barriers, or limited broadband access.  Also, State Epidemiologist Tracy Miller explains how a partnership with North Dakota State University created a student assistantship program that gives MPH students hands-on experience, builds leadership skills among early career staff, and strengthens public health capacity. She shares lessons learned, how the model evolved, and why it could be a blueprint for other states and health departments looking to grow the next generation of public health professionals.ASTHO Telehealth Project Initiation and Scoping Assessment | astho prodFunding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO

On today’s Best Of PHRME episode, Maria Courogen, executive director for the Center for Access to Whole Person Care at the Washington State Department of Health, explains how her state worked to enable the continued support of community health workers (CHWs) by developing a sustainable funding model; Dr. Heather Krasna, associate dean of career and professional development at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health.https://www.astho.org/4a9148/globalassets/pdf/bios/vermont-sho.pdf