Public Health Review Morning Edition

Karl Ensign, ASTHO Vice President of Island Support, talks about the work to address COVID-19 health disparities in the U.S. territories and freely associated states; Christina Severin, ASTHO Director of Public Health Law, summarizes several recent Supreme Court decisions that could affect public health; and you can still ask your questions about the new Data Modernization Implementation Center Program at an upcoming office hours opportunity. American Journal of Public Health Article: Reducing COVID-19 Health Disparities in the Territories and Freely Associated States Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Article: Defining and Advancing Health Equity in the US Territories and Freely Associated States ASTHO Blog Article: Public Health Full-Court(s) Press PHIG Web Page: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program

Captain Heather Dimeris, Director for the Office of the Advancement of Telehealth at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, discusses investments in telehealth as we celebrate Telehealth Awareness Week; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, updates us on the latest federal spending developments; and ASTHO has a new guide to help you procure data visualization software. HHS Telehealth Web Page ASTHO Web Page: Stay Informed ASTHO Web Page: Procuring Contractor Support to Build a Data Dashboard

Tanya Carter, Suicide Prevention Supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Health, discusses the state's preventable death data which showed some improvements; Chikamso Chukwu, ASTHO Analyst with the Population Health Team, tells us about a Primary Care Office survey; an ASTHO brief has five recommendations to enhance governmental public health workforce recruitment and hiring; and the CDC has a toolkit that promotes emotional well-being during October and beyond. Minnesota Department of Health News Release: Preventable deaths by suicide declined in 2023 ASTHO Web Page: 2024 Primary Care Office Annual Technical Assistance Survey ASTHO Brief: Five Recommendations for Enhancing Governmental Public Health Workforce Recruitment and Hiring CDC Emotional Wellness Month Partner Toolkit

Zach Lowenstein, Program Manager with the EPA's Office of Waste Water Management, discusses the Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap initiative; Jon Lujan, Program Manager for the Guam Public Health and Welfare Secretariat Program, details the expansion of a public health warehouse on the island; and Meghan Fadel, Associate Director with the Healthy Brain Initiative at the Alzheimer's Association, tells us about an effort to help states integrate data on brain health and caregiving into public health planning efforts. EPA Web Page: SepticSmart Week EPA Web Page: Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap SepticSmart Week Proclamation ASTHO Web Page: Modernizing Infrastructure and Facilities for Readiness and Response Public Health Review Podcast Episode: Enhancing Brain Health with Data-Driven Solutions

Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and an ASTHO Member, discusses the allocation of $300 million to address substance use disorder; Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, spoke to Route Fifty about COVID-19 vaccinations; Maya Goldman, a Reporter for Axios, tells us about a new report that says the U.S. will be short thousands of health care workers by 2028; and an ASTHO webinar will help create a workplace that promotes psychological safety. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services News Release: MDHHS Director Hertel visits Detroit Recovery Project to discuss nearly $300 million in FY 2025 budget to address SUD Route Fifty News Article: $62M available for state, local health agencies to offer free vaccines Axios News Article: Health worker shortages forecast thru 2028 ASTHO Webinar: Grounding Leadership and Engagement in Psychological Safety to Promote a Culture of Equity

Catherine Jones, Senior Analyst, Government Affairs, ASTHO, outlines a new ASTHO blog article about the federal response to rising temperatures; Bobbi Krabill, Deputy Director, Office of Performance and Innovation, Ohio Department of Health, discusses ensuring those with disabilities are included in emergency planning; and an ASTHO webinar on Tuesday, September 17th, details campaign messaging to promote pharmacist-prescribed contraception. An Impact Evaluation of the Disability and Preparedness Specialist Program Ohio Includes Stakeholders of All Abilities in Public Health Planning ASTHO Webinar: Implementation of Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception: Public Outreach & Awareness

Amber Williams, ASTHO Senior Vice President, reflects on the changes in public health in her seven years with the organization; Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO Senior Vice President, discusses Congress' focus this fall, a continuing resolution, and what ASTHO members need to know in the View from Washington, DC report; A webinar on how to put performance management into action is scheduled for Tuesday, September 17th; An e-learning course on the STRETCH Framework will teach attendees how to apply health equity principles; and ASTHO will hold office hours Monday, September 16th, for agencies to ask questions about the Public Health Data Modernization Implementation Center Program. ASTHO Legislative Alerts ASTHO Webinar: Operationalizing Performance Management in a Health Department ASTHO Online Course: Tools to Operationalize Equity Using the STRETCH Framework Office Hours: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program

Dr. James McDonald, MD, MPH, Commissioner of Health, New York State Department of Health, details a program that uses scholarships to address health inequities; Dr. Umair Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health, Washington State Department of Health, had a recent appearance on a podcast and discussed the relationship between public health, health care providers and communities; Marie Flake, Senior Program Manager at the Public Health Foundation, outlines an e-learning training on the Foundational Public Health Services Framework, FPHS; Preview of an interview with a longtime ASTHO executive. New York State Department of Health Announces Additional Funding to Continue Efforts to Improve and Expand Physician Diversity Reimagining Government for the Digital Age Podcast Episode: Reimagining Public Healthcare with Globally Renowned Innovator, Dr. Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, Secretary of Health, Washington State Department of Health ASTHO and PHF: Foundational Public Health Services eLearning Series

Maggie Nilz, MPH, CPH, Senior Analyst, Preparedness and Disability Integration, ASTHO, discusses emergency stockpiles management; Allison Budzinski, Social & Behavioral Health and Workforce Senior Analyst, ASTHO, previews strategies for agencies to recruit and hire from a new article in Journal of Public Health Management and Practice; A new ASTHO blog article explains how members can promote a planning culture; And sign up for ASTHO Legislative Alert emails. Strategic Stockpiling: How New State Policies will Impact Emergency Preparedness JPHMP: Optimizing Governmental Public Health Recruitment and Hiring Cultivating a Culture of Planning ASTHO Legislative Alerts

Alysia Mihalakos, Chief, Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response at the Rhode Island Department of Health, and Chair of the ASTHO Directors of Public Health Preparedness Peer Network, discusses National Preparedness Month and year-round collaboration of agencies that respond to emergencies; Dr. Andrea Young, Director for the Division of Workforce Development, CDC's Public Health Infrastructure Center, details the AmeriCorps and CDC grant funding to support more than 4,000 AmeriCorps workers; and information on the HHS "Risk Less. Do More" campaign to educate audiences about respiratory viruses. National Preparedness Month Ready.gov AmeriCorps and CDC Award $76 Million in Funding to Support Public Health Needs Nationwide ASTHO Office Hours: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program HHS "Risk Less. Do More" Campaign