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What does public health modernization look like when you’re serving four islands, a geographically isolated population, and a community still shaped by the aftermath of major hurricanes? In this episode, Esther Ellis, Territorial Epidemiologist for the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health shares how PHIG (Public Health Infrastructure Grant) funding is transforming the territory’s health data systems, and why that matters far beyond technology. From launching a cloud-based immunization information system that replaced records lost after Hurricanes Irma and Maria, to implementing an electronic case reporting portal for notifiable diseases, the Virgin Islands is building a more connected, real-time public health infrastructure. Ellis explains how these systems improve vaccine tracking, outbreak response, provider reporting, and access to care, especially in a region where travel between islands requires flights or ferries and 25% of residents are uninsured.

Behind every public health response are two make-or-break factors: the people doing the work and the systems that help them work together.  First, Shirley Orr, Executive Director of the Association of Public Health Nurses discusses the Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab Series Session 5 with insights from PHWINS, the nation’s only survey of the state and local public health workforce, which reached nearly 50,000 professionals. The data paints a detailed picture of who makes up today’s workforce, including an influx of younger staff, persistent leadership diversity gaps, and ongoing concerns about burnout and morale. Later, Dr. Lisa Villarroel, Chief Medical Officer for Public Health of the Arizona Department of Health Services shows us what happens when that workforce is connected in real time. Arizona’s Statewide Healthcare Collaborative Forum, a simple monthly virtual call during respiratory season, brings EMS, hospitals, post-acute care, and public health leaders together to review virus trends, hospital capacity, ED diversion, and emerging challenges. Born from pandemic lessons, the forum has led to tangible results: resolving EMS transport delays, sparking regional hospital alliances, rethinking masking policies, and aligning state data with frontline reality. Meeting Home Page Meeting Home Page

What do school meals, housing, paid leave, and pre-K have to do with public health? According to Trust for America’s Health: everything.  In this episode, Breanca Merritt, Director of Policy at Trust for America’s Health, breaks down a new report titled Promoting Health and Cost Control in States (PHACS), which tracks how states are adopting 13 evidence-based policies that improve health, reduce long-term costs, and deliver a return on investment, many of them outside traditional healthcare.  But this isn’t happening in easy conditions. With federal funding shifts, post–public health emergency rollbacks, workforce strain, and growing political pressure, states are being asked to do more with less.  The report serves as both a reality check and a playbook, highlighting strategies that are working across very different political and fiscal environments. The takeaway: even in a tough moment, there are practical, evidence-based ways to move policies that improve health and strengthen communities, if sectors work together. ASTHO (@ASTHO) / X Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (@asthonews.bsky.social) — Bluesky Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (@asthonews) • Instagram photos and videos LinkedIn (1) Facebook Leadership Power Hour: Your Launchpad for Impact | ASTHO

If the United States brought home a report card on maternal and infant health, it would need a serious parent–teacher conference.  In this episode, Dr. Michael Warren, Chief Medical and Health Officer at March of Dimes breaks down the latest Report Card on birth outcomes and the headline is hard to ignore: the nation earns a D+ for preterm birth, with half of states receiving a D or F.  But this isn’t just about grades. It’s about what’s driving poor outcomes and what public health leaders can actually do about it.  Warren, a former state and federal public health leader, also shares how officials can use the report card as more than a headline, but as a tool to build urgency, strengthen partnerships across maternal health, chronic disease, and Medicaid, and push forward policy and funding priorities. Long COVID Resources for Community Recovery | ASTHO Funding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO

New technologies, from telehealth to wearables to AI, are transforming how health data is created, shared, and used. But for public health agencies, keeping pace isn’t just about adopting the latest tools, it’s about building systems that are flexible, trustworthy, and sustainable. In this episode, John Stinn, Deloitte Consulting Managing Director in Government and Public Services Digital Health Practices, joins us to unpack how public health agencies can navigate a rapidly evolving data landscape. He shares why starting with the problem you’re trying to solve, not the technology, is essential, how thoughtful data governance and workflow design can reduce risk and control costs, and why open-source platforms and shared solutions can help agencies avoid reinventing the wheel.

What does calm leadership actually look like when everything feels urgent, political, and on fire?  In this episode, John Auerbach, Senior Vice President of Health at ICF, offers a preview of ASTHO’s upcoming Insight & Inspiration webinar, Steady Hands, Steady Teams: Leading with Confidence and Composure, on February 11th, and digs into the real-world skills behind steady leadership in volatile times.  From pandemic burnout to nonstop crises, today’s public health leaders are navigating faster information cycles, rising mistrust, misinformation, and exhausted teams. So how do you keep people focused, grounded, and moving forward?  We’ll also hear from Dr. Manisha Juthani, ASTHO president and Connecticut Commissioner of Public Health, who is co-hosting the webinar.  Webinar Registration - Zoom Subscribe | ASTHO

Two very different challenges, and one shared public health reality: systems have to work when it matters most.  In this episode, we speak with Dr. Erica Pan, director and state public health officer for the California Department of Public Health, and ASTHO member, about a rare and unprecedented infant botulism outbreak linked to contaminated infant formula. She explains how California’s unique Baby BIG® treatment program, home to the only infant botulism treatment in the world, helped detect a national pattern, how states coordinated with CDC and FDA, and the logistical strain of managing treatment supply, clinician hotlines, and public communication during a fast-moving emergency.  Then, Alex Wheatley, senior director of island support at ASTHO, joins us to discuss a different kind of pressure point: helping U.S. Island jurisdictions navigate complex federal grant systems. She outlines a new resource designed to bridge gaps between federal funders and local health agencies, reduce misunderstandings, and build stronger, trust-based partnerships, especially when timelines, administrative processes, and time zones don’t align. State Health Agencies’ Role in Implementing Pharmacist-Prescribed Contraception | ASTHO Webinar Registration - Zoom

Wildfire smoke is no longer a rare emergency, it’s a predictable, climate-driven public health threat. In this episode, Gabriella Goldfarb, Environmental Public Health Section Manager, for the Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division tells us why health agencies must begin outreach and coordination long before wildfire season starts. Goldfarb walks through Oregon’s collaborative wildfire smoke response protocol, explaining how state, federal, tribal, and local partners translate complex data into timely public health advisories. The conversation explores the growing health risks of repeated smoke exposure, the added challenges of prescribed fires, and how transparent, empathetic communication builds trust. Listeners also learn how Oregon is investing in long-term resilience—through preparedness calls, harm reduction strategies like air filtration support, and broader climate adaptation efforts—to protect communities as smoke, heat, and other climate hazards accelerate. Partnering to Address Health Risks and Expand Communication Before and During Prescribed Fires | ASTHO Communicating the Health Risks of Wildland Fire Smoke | ASTHO

How do public health agencies expand access to mental health support while genuinely engaging the next generation? In this episode, we speak with Heidi Laird and Xavier Foster from the Southern Nevada Health District about two PHIG-funded initiatives designed to do exactly that.  First, Heidi Laird shares how Clark County launched CredibleMind, a customizable, evidence-based mental health and wellbeing platform created in response to rising mental health needs and a shortage of providers. She explains how flexible PHIG funding made it possible to reach youth and community members with self-help resources, reduce stigma, track meaningful engagement data, and build trust through partnerships, targeted outreach, and creative promotion.  Then, Xavier J. Foster discusses the SPARK Youth Advisory Council, a pilot program elevating youth voices in public health decision-making. He highlights how youth-led initiatives—from school town halls to smoke-free campus policy efforts—are already shaping real-world outcomes, and why treating young people as collaborators is essential for building healthier communities and a future public health workforce. Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG

Fatal overdoses are rising among adults 45 and older and stigma often keeps this age group out of the conversation. In this episode, Dr. Philip Chan, Consultant Medical Director at the Rhode Island Department of Health and a practicing primary care physician, discusses Rhode Island’s No Matter Why You Use campaign. Dr. Chan explains why middle-aged and older adults face elevated overdose risk, how isolation, medical prescribing, and a contaminated drug supply intersect, and why personal storytelling is key to reducing stigma about accessing care. The conversation also highlights Rhode Island’s overdose prevention strategies—from widespread naloxone access to community partnerships—and shares lessons other states can apply to save lives and start conversations sooner. Webinar Registration - Zoom Overdose Prevention | ASTHO

What does it take for states to expand access to substance use disorder treatment and build stronger, more sustainable partnerships between Medicaid and public health?  In Massachusetts, leaders changed policies around provider models to increase access to care for opioid use disorder: Frances McGaffey, Manager of Substance Use Prevention and Treatment Initiative at The Pew Charitable Trusts, explains how pairing providers with dedicated nursing support has helped remove barriers to prescribing buprenorphine, expand the addiction workforce, and dramatically increase access to care. She also shares why the state’s decision to extend this model to alcohol and stimulant use disorders is a critical response to a changing overdose crisis, and what other states can do to replicate this success.  Then, Corey Caldwell, Senior Policy Analyst at the National Association of Medicaid Directors discusses the new Medicaid Leaders Playbook for Building Public Health Partnerships, developed in collaboration with ASTHO. Corey outlines practical, real-world steps Medicaid and public health agencies can take to align priorities, address funding and workforce challenges, launch small but impactful pilot projects, and build trust across systems.Understanding Current U.S. Measles Outbreaks and Elimination Status | ASTHO

ASTHO is entering a pivotal moment for public health, and it has a new strategic plan to meet it. In this episode, ASTHO CEO, Dr. Joseph Kanter unpacks how ASTHO developed its 2026–2029 strategic plan and why now was the right time for a refresh. Dr. Kanter walks through the inclusive, year-long planning process, the rapidly shifting public health landscape that shaped the plan, and the four core pillars guiding ASTHO’s work, from strengthening public health leadership and modernizing data systems to expanding partnerships and strengthening ASTHO’s own sustainability. The conversation also explores the challenge of planning amid constant crises and why the unifying vision of “optimal health for all” sits at the heart of the organization’s future. Overdose Prevention | ASTHO

What does the future of public health look like when cutting-edge technology collides with persistent, preventable disease threats?  Senior Vice President of Health at ICF and ASTHO alum John Auerbach joins us to break down how artificial intelligence can be responsibly and realistically introduced into public health workflows. He outlines five practical, low-cost steps agencies of any size can take to start using AI today, explains the leadership mindset needed to build staff confidence, and explores how AI can both spread and counter misinformation when used thoughtfully.  Later, Jessica Baggett, Senior Advisor for Public Health Strategy and Response at ASTHO, unpacks why measles elimination status is back in the spotlight after the worst year for measles cases in more than 30 years. She explains what “elimination” really means, why it doesn’t mean zero cases, what’s driving recent outbreaks, and why vaccination remains the most effective public health tool. Leveraging Public Health Assets in Medicaid Managed Care | ASTHO Webinar Registration - Zoom

New CDC surveillance data show encouraging declines in several sexually transmitted infections—but a troubling increase in syphilis among newborns. In this episode, the Director of the Division of STD Prevention at the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Dr. Bradley Stoner breaks down the key takeaways from the 2024 provisional STI surveillance report, including declines in chlamydia, gonorrhea, and primary and secondary syphilis, alongside the continued rise in congenital syphilis. The conversation explores what’s driving progress, the prevention strategies showing impact, and where urgent action is still needed. Dr. Stoner also discusses how states and local health departments can use provisional data to guide interventions, expand screening and treatment, and prepare for improved data access through CDC’s new One CDC Data Platform. Supporting Pharmacies as Contraception Access Hubs | ASTHO Organizational Strategic Planning Guide | ASTHO

What does the public health workforce need to stay engaged, supported, and committed, and how can leaders act on those insights? Heather Krasna, Associate Dean of Career and Professional Development, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health joins us to break down new research on what younger public health workers value most at work.  She explains why flexible schedules, remote or hybrid options, professional development, student loan repayment, and family-friendly benefits are increasingly important for retention, and how agencies can think creatively when salary increases aren’t always possible. Then, Omar Khalid, Director of Workforce at ASTHO, walks through key findings from the 2024 Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), the only nationally representative survey of  the governmental public health workforce. He discusses why high turnover, burnout, and loss of institutional knowledge remain urgent concerns, alongside encouraging signs of improved supervisor relationships and workforce commitment.  Journal of Public Health Management and Practice Strengthening Public Health Through Communication: Resources to Get Started - Public Health Infrastructure Grant Climate and Health | ASTHO