Public Health Review Morning Edition

Reliable emergency medical services require sustained investments in equipment, workforce development, and preparedness. In this episode, ASTHO member and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen discusses how the state's latest $6.6 million investment in EMS is improving patient care, supporting first responders, and strengthening emergency response across Pennsylvania. Dr. Bogen explains how regional EMS agencies are using new funding to purchase advanced equipment like video laryngoscopes and lift-assist devices, expand training opportunities, and recruit and retain the next generation of EMTs and paramedics. She also highlights how Pennsylvania uses EMS performance data to measure outcomes, improve quality, and identify areas for additional support.Leading Change October 2026DELPH Power of Leadership Micro-Conference

Emerging contaminants such as PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances) present a difficult challenge for public health agencies: the science is evolving, exposure pathways are complex, and communities want clear answers even when uncertainty remains. Christen Linke Young, cabinet secretary for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, talks about Delaware's cross-agency approach to addressing PFAS contamination and other environmental health concerns. By bringing together experts from public health, environmental protection, and agriculture, the state has built a collaborative model that relies on scientific expertise and long-standing relationships rather than top-down coordination. The conversation explores how uncertainty surrounding PFAS can complicate public communication while also creating opportunities to rebuild trust in public health institutions. Linke Young discusses Delaware's efforts to communicate transparently about what is known, what remains uncertain, and how residents can participate in the decision-making process.About Environmental Public Health | ASTHOSubscribe | ASTHO

Great public health professionals are often called upon to teach others, but expertise in a subject area does not always translate into effective instruction. Kaylin Clonch, workforce essential learning director at the South Carolina Department of Public Health, tells us about the agency's approach to strengthening its training culture. Drawing on her experience as a classroom teacher, Clonch explains how adult learning principles, instructional strategies, and learner engagement can transform workplace training from “death by PowerPoint” into meaningful educational experiences.Home | Public Health Careers.orgPH-HERO Workforce Resource Center | ASTHO12 Things Health Agencies Need to Know About Enterprise AI | ASTHO

Strong prevention efforts and supportive environments are making a measurable difference in the lives of Colorado's young people. Emily Fine, school and youth survey manager in the Prevention Services Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, discusses findings from the 2025 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey, highlighting record-low rates of persistent sadness, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among youth. Fine also explains why protective factors such as trusted adults, family support, and a sense of belonging at school are critical to improving health outcomes, where challenges remain for LGBTQ+ youth, and how Colorado's youth-centered approach to data collection is helping communities make smarter, more responsive public health decisions.Applications | ASTHOLeveraging PHIG to Advance Policy Infrastructure at Austin Public Health | ASTHO

Millions of Americans receive preventive health services such as cancer screenings, diabetes tests, and other essential care without out-of-pocket costs. But recent federal actions involving the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force have raised new questions about how those coverage decisions are made and whether they could change.  ASTHO's Andy Baker-White, senior director for state health policy, tells us about his recent Health Policy Update that focuses on the role the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force plays in shaping preventive care recommendations and why those recommendations have become foundational to insurance coverage across the country. The discussion explores the implications of recent legal and administrative developments, including changes to the task force's leadership and new questions about federal authority over its recommendations.Building Public Health Fellowships and Pathways to Employment in California | ASTHOPolicy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHOASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID Programs

In this Federal Health Policy Update, Senior Analyst for Government Affairs at ASTHO, Catherine Murphy, breaks down the latest leadership changes across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She explains the nominations for CDC director and surgeon general, recent transitions at the FDA, and other key appointments shaping the federal public health landscape. Murphy also discusses why stable leadership is essential for public health agencies, what these changes could mean for collaboration with state and local health departments, and what to watch as Senate confirmation hearings move forward.(More) Recent Shifts in HHS Leadership: June 2026 | ASTHO

What happens when a public health agency decides to step out from behind the scenes and tell its own story?  Jerome Larkin, ASTHO member and director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, talks about the department's “Better State of Healthy” campaign, an effort to help residents better understand the role public health plays in their everyday lives. The campaign highlights the people behind public health and the services that support Rhode Islanders every day.  Dr. Larkin discusses the audience research that revealed widespread uncertainty about what health departments actually do, despite generally high levels of trust in the agency. The conversation explores how personal storytelling, community connections, and a diverse workforce can help bridge knowledge gaps and strengthen relationships with residents.Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Improvement | ASTHOPolicy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHOASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID Programs

Technical expertise can open doors in public health, but effective leadership requires a different set of skills: communication, self-awareness, adaptability, and the confidence to lead authentically. Gabby Hadly, emergency preparedness and response manager for the Snohomish County Health Department in Washington state, reflects on her experience in ASTHO's Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) program. She discusses how the program helped her develop a leadership style rooted in authenticity rather than imitation and why creating supportive spaces for emerging leaders is critical for the future of public health.  Hadley shares how DELPH strengthened her public speaking and communication skills, connected her with peers and mentors from across the country, and provided practical tools for navigating change, conflict, and uncertainty. She also highlights the value of accountability partnerships, professional networks, and learning alongside colleagues facing many of the same challenges reshaping public health today.Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health | ASTHOApplications | ASTHOPerformance Management | ASTHO

For small and resource-constrained health jurisdictions, data modernization isn't just about adopting new technology, it's about building systems that strengthen people, improve workflows, and create lasting resilience. Tmong Udui, an epidemiologist with the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, shares how Palau is leveraging Public Health Infrastructure Grant funding to modernize its health data systems. She discusses the challenges of managing siloed information systems, limited workforce capacity, and growing demands for timely, reliable data in a small island nation. Udui explains how lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated Palau's commitment to modernization, including the implementation of a national electronic health record system. She also explores the importance of stakeholder engagement, tailoring technology solutions to local needs, building institutional knowledge, and balancing ambitious goals with practical realities.This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE⁠22-2203⁠: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.⁠Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIGStrengthening Public Health Workforce Capacity in Island Jurisdictions | ASTHO

Strong public health preparedness depends on sustained investment long before an emergency occurs. In this Federal Health Policy Update, Catherine Jones, senior analyst of Government Affairs at ASTHO, explains what congressional preparedness hearings revealed about the nation's readiness for major events like the FIFA World Cup, while highlighting why recent disease threats underscore the need for continued vigilance. She also breaks down the key HHS preparedness programs that support state and territorial health agencies and discusses why consistent federal funding is essential to maintaining the workforce, laboratories, data systems, and partnerships that protect communities before, during, and after a crisis.Shared Strategies that Promote Well-Being and ResiliencePolicy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHOASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID Programs

Summer brings an increased risk of tick bites, and this year that risk may be arriving earlier than expected. Alison Hinckley, lead of Epidemiology and Surveillance in CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, explains what the latest surveillance data show, why emergency department visits for tick bites are rising sooner than usual, and the simple prevention steps health agencies can promote to help reduce tick-borne diseases. Then, Latoya Sahadeo, ASTHO's director of the Developing Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) Program, discusses how leadership development goes beyond preparing for the next promotion. She shares how DELPH helps public health professionals strengthen their leadership identity, build resilience through coaching and peer networks, and gain the confidence to lead.DELPH Open HouseApplications | ASTHO

Wastewater surveillance has emerged as one of public health's most innovative tools, offering early warning signs of disease outbreaks and filling critical gaps left by traditional surveillance systems. Breanna McArdle, epidemiologist and program manager for Washington state's wastewater-based epidemiology program, explains how public health agencies decide which pathogens to monitor, why wastewater data must be interpreted alongside other surveillance sources, and how the field is evolving beyond its origins in the COVID-19 pandemic. McArdle also explores the ethical and privacy considerations of wastewater surveillance, the challenges of communicating findings to communities and policymakers, and the importance of partnerships with local health departments, treatment plant operators, laboratories, and academic researchers. She discusses how investments in data infrastructure, laboratory science, and cross-sector collaboration are helping transform wastewater surveillance into a versatile tool for tracking a wide range of public health threats.Wastewater Testing for Arboviruses: Arizona's Surveillance Approach | ASTHOStrengthening Public Health Response to Infectious Diseases Through Wastewater Surveillance | ASTHOFood and Water Safety | ASTHOShared Strategies that Promote Well-Being and Resilience

Artificial intelligence is already finding its way into public health agencies, from drafting communications and translating materials to analyzing data and identifying emerging health threats. The challenge for leaders is no longer whether to use AI, but how to implement it responsibly. In this PHIG Impact Report, we hear from Tatiana Lin and Shelby Rowell of the Kansas Health Institute. Tatiana is director of Business Strategy and Innovation; Shelby is director of the Region Seven Public Health Innovation Hub. They'll discuss how health departments are using AI to improve efficiency, support community engagement, and expand workforce capacity while addressing concerns about privacy, bias, transparency, and governance.This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG

Improving maternal and infant health outcomes requires more than quality clinical care, it takes strong partnerships, community engagement, and a commitment to addressing barriers that extend far beyond the exam room.  Today, Denise Hanisch, chief medical officer for the South Dakota Department of Health, discusses the state's maternal and infant health priorities, including postpartum care, safe sleep initiatives, fatherhood engagement, and efforts to reduce disparities affecting American Indian families. She also explains how South Dakota is using data, workforce development, and rural health investments to strengthen care for mothers and babies across the state.  Later, Sanaa Akbarali, senior director of maternal and child health at ASTHO, highlights lessons from the Region 7 Maternal Health ECHO Summit. She explores how public health agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, and families are working together to address workforce shortages, expand access through telehealth, support community-based care models, and ensure that lived experience helps shape maternal health policies and programs.Women, Infant, and Family Health | ASTHOThe Mutual Advantage: How Graduate Assistants Elevate Academic Health Department Partnerships

ASTHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter reflects on key themes emerging from the Executive Leadership Forum, where public health leaders from across the country are navigating funding uncertainty, workforce challenges, and an increasingly complex operating environment. He also shares a powerful example of disease detection and collaboration that prevented infant illness and demonstrated the everyday impact of public health work. Later, ASTHO Senior Director for State Health Policy, Andy Baker-White, discusses how U.S. Island jurisdictions are advancing public health through legislative action. States Are Using Policy to Strengthen Preparedness and Supply Chain Resilience | ASTHOIsland Areas Pursue Policies That Advance Health Outcomes | ASTHOPolicy Institute for STI and Infectious Disease Prevention | ASTHOASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn: Preserving Institutional Knowledge for STI & ID ProgramsShared Strategies that Promote Well-Being and Resilience

Strategic plans are only as effective as an organization's ability to put them into action. In this episode, ASTHO's Sara Bell, a senior analyst for public health systems and planning, and Alice Schenall, a senior advisor for cross-sector leadership and change management, discuss two critical challenges facing public health agencies: turning plans into measurable progress and leading teams through uncertainty.  Sara Bell explains why implementation often stalls after the planning process ends and shares practical strategies for operationalizing priorities, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and creating sustainable structures that help teams move from vision to action. And Alice Schenall explores how public health leaders can navigate organizational change, build trust during uncertain times, and address resistance while keeping teams focused on their mission. From Plan to Action: Tools to Support Public Health Implementation | ASTHOLeading Change Workshops | ASTHOExercise Excellence: Michigan Reflects on a National Level Exercise | ASTHOImelda Garcia Bio

A new employee's first days can shape their entire experience with an organization. For public health agencies facing workforce challenges, effective onboarding is an important investment in long-term success.  Mary Ramirez, interim director of onboarding and acclimation at the Bureau of Organizational Development in the South Carolina Department of Public Health, discusses the agency's innovative onboarding program for new hires. Designed to create a consistent experience across the state, the program introduces employees to the agency's mission, values, leadership structure, and programs while emphasizing real-world application and engagement.Home | Public Health Careers.orgPublic Health Workforce | ASTHODELPH Open House

Emergency preparedness is about far more than response plans and trained personnel. In this episode, Senior Analyst for Preparedness at ASTHO Maggie Nilz discusses how states are rethinking preparedness in the wake of COVID-19 and adapting to a changing emergency management landscape.  Nilz explains how pandemic-era shortages exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains, resource distribution, and stockpile management, prompting states to take a more active role in assessing risks, securing critical supplies, and building long-term preparedness infrastructure. She also explores how new approaches to funding, procurement, and resource management are helping states respond more quickly while maintaining transparency and accountability.Bridging Systems: How Kentucky is Improving Response to Emerging Health Threats | ASTHOSubscribe | ASTHO

Oregon's latest State Health Improvement Plan is designed to do more than identify public health priorities, it aims to align partners, resources, and communities around measurable goals for a healthier future.  ASTHO member Naomi Adeline-Biggs, director of the Oregon Health Authority's Public Health Division, talks about the development of Oregon's five-year State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP). She explains how extensive community engagement, including input from tribal nations, local health departments, and culturally specific organizations, helped shape the plan's four core priorities: healthy environments, community well-being, disease prevention, and emergency preparedness.Creating Successful Collaboration Structures in Public Health Initiatives | ASTHOLeading Collaboratively for Lasting Public Health Impact | ASTHO

What public health issues are capturing the attention of state lawmakers in 2026?  Beth Giambrone, ASTHO senior analyst for state health policy, returns to discuss ASTHO's mid-session update, an annual review of the major public health trends emerging in state legislatures across the country. From expanding access to healthcare and strengthening rural health systems to addressing nutrition, mental health, and vaccine policy, Beth breaks down the legislative developments that are shaping public health at the state level.  2026 State Legislative Session Update | ASTHOApplications | ASTHODELPH Open House

What happens when health departments and universities move beyond informal collaborations and build lasting partnerships?  Mayela Arana, senior program manager of workforce development at the Public Health Foundation, joins us to discuss academic health department partnerships, formal collaborations between public health agencies and academic institutions designed to strengthen both the current workforce and the next generation of public health professionals. She explains how these partnerships create meaningful opportunities for students through internships, practicums, and mentorship while helping health departments build a pipeline of future talent.Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships:Workforce Pathways in CaliforniaThe Mutual Advantage: How Graduate Assistants Elevate Academic Health Department PartnershipsHow Public Health Can Support Modern Administrative Readiness in a Dynamic World | ASTHOFrom Plan to Action: Tools to Support Public Health Implementation | ASTHO

What happens when a health department invests directly in the education and professional growth of its workforce?  Karla Buru, deputy director of health strategy and external affairs and chief of staff for the South Carolina Department of Public Health, discusses the agency's Supplemental Tuition Assistance Program (STAP), an innovative workforce development initiative that helps employees pursue nursing and public health degrees while strengthening the department's long-term capacity. Since launching as a small pilot in 2022, the program has grown into a major investment in employee development, retention, and leadership.  Buru shares how tuition assistance, leadership training programs, and professional certifications are helping staff advance their careers while bringing new skills and expertise back to the agency. This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE⁠22-2203⁠: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG

Federal funding, workforce capacity, grant administration, and the future of public health programs are all under scrutiny in Washington.  ASTHO senior analyst for government affairs, Catherine Jones, breaks down Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s FY27 budget hearings, where lawmakers examined proposed reductions to HHS funding and questioned how cuts to public health programs align with the administration's Make America Healthy Again agenda. Catherine discusses concerns surrounding maternal and child health, data collection, environmental health, workforce reductions, rural health needs, and the long-term implications for public health infrastructure.  Then, ASTHO vice president of government affairs, Jeffrey Ekoma, reviews a recent Legislative Alert. He explains developments in congressional appropriations, pending public health leadership nominations, proposed changes to federal grant regulations, and the possibility of another reconciliation package before the end of the year. He also shares what state and territorial health officials should be watching as Congress navigates funding decisions and prepares for a post-midterm legislative landscape.Congressional Hearings Feature Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., on FY27 Budget: April 2026 | ASTHOStrengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships: Workforce Pathways in CaliforniaSafe States Annual Conference - Safe States Alliance

Syphilis cases are rising at alarming rates across the American South, especially congenital syphilis, which can be passed from pregnant mothers to their babies. Thomas Dobbs, dean of the John D. Bower School of Population Health at the University of Mississippi, traces the history of syphilis in the United States, from the dramatic declines made possible by antibiotics and public health interventions to the sharp resurgence seen over the last decade. He explains how gaps in prenatal care, rural healthcare deserts, insurance barriers, medication shortages, and the erosion of public health infrastructure have combined to fuel rising infections. particularly among pregnant women and newborns. Later, Joshua O'Neal, program director, Southeast STI/HIV Prevention Training Center, discusses how prevention training centers across the country are helping state health departments and local providers respond to the crisis. O'Neal describes the hands-on work being done to strengthen syphilis prevention and improve access to testing and treatment, like mobile testing programs, provider education, and statewide collaboration efforts. He also shares insights from the “Syphilis in the South” summit, where clinicians, public health leaders, and outreach workers came together to tackle one of the region's most urgent public health challenges.Sustaining Services and Outbreak Response for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STIs, and TB | ASTHO

A tick bite that can trigger a lifelong allergy to red meat sounds almost unbelievable, but public health officials are taking the growing threat of alpha-gal syndrome seriously.  Robert Goldstein, ASTHO member and commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, shares with us why Massachusetts recently made alpha-gal syndrome a reportable condition and what the state hopes to learn through expanded surveillance. Dr. Goldstein explains how the spread of the Lone Star tick into parts of Massachusetts, including Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, has led to rising diagnoses of the condition. The conversation explores how public health agencies are adapting traditional infectious disease surveillance systems to monitor a non-infectious condition, what the reporting data could reveal about emerging tick-borne risks, and how public health and wildlife officials are working together to better understand the relationship between deer populations and tick exposure.Leading Change Workshop - July 2026Prepared Together: Public Health Collaboration in Response to a Botulism Outbreak

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping public health, but are today's workforce and tomorrow's graduates prepared to use it responsibly? Today, Ari Whiteman, a senior advisor for public health data and informatics workforce at ASTHO, talks about the growing importance of AI literacy across the public health field.  He'll explain why AI literacy goes beyond simply knowing how to use new tools and why public health professionals need practical, real-world training to safely integrate AI into their work. 2026 Annual Conference - Society for Public Health Education - SOPHE⁠Full ScheduleStrengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships: Workforce Pathways in CaliforniaThe Mutual Advantage: How Graduate Assistants Elevate Academic Health Department Partnerships

Immunization Information Systems, or IISs, quietly power much of the nation's vaccination infrastructure helping clinicians track patient immunizations, supporting outbreak response, and guiding public health decision-making. But policies governing these systems vary widely across states, shaping how complete and effective the data can be.  ASTHO's Senior Director of State Health Policy, Andy Baker-White, tells why IISs are essential to modern public health, how opt-in versus opt-out policies affect vaccine data completeness, and what lawmakers, providers, and the public should understand as policy debates continue. Immunization Information Systems: Policy Trends and Opportunities | ASTHOBridging Systems: How Guam is Improving Infectious Disease Response Through Collaboration | ASTHOPrepared Together: Public Health Collaboration in Response to a Botulism Outbreak

What happens when a deadly outbreak is stopped before most people ever hear about it?  Dr. Paige Armstrong, director for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Global Health Center, explains how the CDC works with partners around the world to detect and contain emerging health threats before they reach U.S. communities. From Ebola in Uganda to Marburg in Tanzania, Dr. Armstrong shares real-world examples of how surveillance systems, laboratory networks, trained public health workers, and trusted international partnerships help stop outbreaks at their source. Also, Dr. Marcus Plescia, former ASTHO Chief Medical Officer and District Health Director for the Fulton Health District, District 3-2 in Atlanta, Georgia discusses the massive public health preparations underway for the FIFA World Cup in Atlanta. We'll hear about the complex planning required to protect millions of visitors during one of the world's largest sporting events.Outbreaks You Never Heard About: Because CDC Was There | Global Health Protection | CDCDeveloping a Policy Action Plan to Improve Access to STI Medications WebinarBridging Systems: How Kentucky is Improving Response to Emerging Health Threats | ASTHO

A rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is raising alarm among global health officials. Meredith Allen, ASTHO's vice president of health security, returns to break down what makes this outbreak especially concerning, including the identification of the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, a type with no approved vaccine or treatment currently available. She explains why delayed detection, remote healthcare conditions, and limited medical countermeasures have contributed to the outbreak's rapid growth.Prepared Together: Public Health Collaboration in Response to a Botulism OutbreakEbola Outbreak: Current Situation | Ebola | CDCSubscribe | ASTHO

North Dakota's statewide preparedness system grew out of lessons learned from disasters, public health emergencies, and the realities of serving rural and frontier communities. Tim Wiedrich, director of health response and licensure for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services, tells us about how the state developed a unified public-private partnership that supports hospitals, public health agencies, EMS providers, and long-term care facilities across North Dakota.  Tim explains how the events of September 11 and the anthrax attacks reshaped preparedness planning, leading to the creation of a centralized statewide medical cache stocked with critical medical equipment, supplies, pharmaceuticals, generators, and infrastructure support resources. Bridging Systems: Health Care and Public Health Collaborate on Emergency Preparedness in North Dakota | ASTHOPrioritizing Emerging Infectious Disease Cases and Contacts for Follow-Up | ASTHOSubscribe | ASTHO

Mentorship plays a critical role in supporting professionals at every stage of their careers, from early-career employees finding their footing to experienced leaders thinking about succession planning and long-term impact. Candice Simon, program manager of workforce development and capacity building for the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, tells us about the Maternal Health Innovation Leaders Mentorship Program and the value of meaningful professional guidance in public health. Candice explains how the program connects professionals in maternal and child health with experienced mentors, outlines what makes an effective mentoring relationship, and discusses how mentorship can help address burnout, isolation, and career uncertainty. She also highlights the importance of peer networks, honest feedback, and creating supportive spaces for professional growth.Strengthening Academic Health Department Partnerships: Workforce Pathways in CaliforniaPublic Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG

How can public health leaders make meaningful progress when priorities, funding pressures, and public expectations are constantly shifting? Lindsey Myers, ASTHO vice president for public health workforce and infrastructure, talks about a new installment of the Insight and Inspiration webinar series featuring New York Times bestselling author Dan Heath. Myers shares why Heath's work, including his books Made to Stick, Upstream, and Reset, could resonate so strongly with public health professionals navigating today's complex environment. The conversation explores ideas like “ruthless prioritization,” finding leverage points for change, and why building alignment may matter more than seeking “buy-in.”Developing a Policy Action Plan to Improve Access to STI Medications WebinarLeading Change Workshop - July 2026

What does it take to strengthen the public health workforce in geographically isolated island jurisdictions? Melissa Sever, a senior advisor for public health systems and services at the Public Health Accreditation Board, tells us about the Strengthening Public Health Workforce Capacity in Island Jurisdictions Project, a collaborative effort supporting Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  Melissa discusses the unique workforce challenges facing island jurisdictions and explains how the project evolved from a structured planning initiative into a highly tailored coaching experience. She also highlights the role of Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) data, the importance of relationship-building across jurisdictions, and how flexible funding through the Public Health Infrastructure Grant made this long-term engagement possible.Strengthening Public Health Workforce Capacity in Island Jurisdictions | ASTHOASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Improving and Strengthening Prenatal Care EngagementApplications | ASTHO

What happens when a massive sewage spill threatens one of the nation's busiest waterways?  ASTHO member Ayanna Bennett, director of the District of Columbia Department of Health, joins the show to discuss the massive Potomac River sewage spill that unfolded during a brutal winter storm, the public health risks it created, and the extraordinary coordination required between local, state, and federal agencies to protect drinking water, recreation, and food safety. She reflects on the lessons learned from managing a multi-jurisdictional emergency under intense public and media scrutiny.  Later, ASTHO's Senior Vice President for Population and Innovation, Jen Layden returns to talk about why partnerships are central to ASTHO's 2026–2029 strategic plan. About Us | ASTHODeveloping a Policy Action Plan to Improve Access to STI Medications WebinarFunding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO

What does it take to lead effectively across agencies, jurisdictions, and communities in overdose prevention work? Today, ASTHO's Alice Schenall, director of cross-sector leadership and facilitation, and Alyssa Merski, a senior analyst for social and behavioral health, talk about the role of boundary-spanning leadership in strengthening Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) efforts. They'll unpack the five common types of organizational boundaries — vertical, horizontal, stakeholder, demographic, and geographic — and explain how recognizing these challenges can help leaders build stronger collaboration and improve outcomes.Applying Boundary Spanning Leadership Principles to Overdose Data to Action Efforts | ASTHOASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Improving and Strengthening Prenatal Care Engagement

What does it take to rebuild the foundation of public health in the United States, and why did it take 30 years to get here? Director of the Division of Jurisdictional Support, CDC's Public Health Infrastructure Center, Stacey Madison Jenkins breaks down the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), a $4.6 billion investment reaching more than 100 health departments nationwide. Designed to strengthen the core of the system, not just respond to crises, PHIG is funding workforce expansion, modern data systems, and the everyday capabilities that keep communities safe. Jenkins explains how a nationwide shortage of 80,000 public health workers pushed the system to the brink, and how targeted investments are already putting thousands of professionals back into the field. From improving food safety inspections in Texas to doubling clinic capacity in Oklahoma and modernizing disease tracking in Nebraska, the results are tangible, local, and often invisible when they're working well.This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG

After nine years at ASTHO, Carolyn Mullen, senior vice president for government affairs and public relations, reflects on the defining moments, leadership lessons, and policy battles that shaped her tenure in public health advocacy. Mullen discusses navigating crises ranging from the opioid epidemic to the COVID-19 pandemic and major federal funding challenges and shares how advocacy strategies have evolved. She also offers blunt advice for the next generation of communicators and advocates: retire outdated talking points, embrace innovation, and meet communities where they are.How States Can Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences Through Stability, Safety, and Support | ASTHOLegislative Snapshot: Suicide Prevention Infrastructure and AI Chatbots | ASTHOAddressing Overdose Through Collaboration and Opioid Settlement Funds | ASTHOPublic Health Approaches to Preventing Suicide and Promoting Mental Well-Being | ASTHO

This episode explores two rapidly developing global health situations and the critical role public health agencies play in keeping communities informed and protected. ASTHO Vice President of Health Security, Meredith Allen, tells us about the ongoing monitoring response tied to an outbreak of the Andes strain of hantavirus linked to the cruise ship MV Hondius. Meredith explains why health officials say the risk to the public remains low, how quarantine and monitoring efforts are working, and why this situation is very different from the early days of COVID-19.  Later, Emily Lapayowker, assistant director of web content at ASTHO talks about Global Accessibility Awareness Day and why digital accessibility is a core public health issue. CHALLENGE: Accessibility know-how needs to go mainstream with developers. NOW. | MySQLTalk.comAdvanced Accessibility Training | ASTHOAccessibility Pillars in Web and Design | ASTHOHome - GAADFunding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHOLeveraging PHIG to Advance Policy Infrastructure at Austin Public Health | ASTHO

Today: building and keeping a strong public health workforce through innovative tools and strategies.  Brianna Gorman, a senior analyst for workforce at ASTHO, discusses ASTHO's new Workforce Employee Experience Implementation Tool, an interactive resource built to help agencies address workforce challenges across the employee lifecycle: from recruitment and onboarding to retention, succession planning, and offboarding. Later, LaShonda Freeman, workforce development director at the Bureau of Organizational Development, Workforce Development Section South Carolina Department of Public Health, shares how South Carolina's Supplemental Tuition Assistance Policy Program (STAP) is helping employees pursue advanced education while strengthening the agency's long-term workforce pipeline. Home | Public Health Careers.orgASTHO Learning Opportunity: ACEs Strategic Communications TrainingDeveloping a Policy Action Plan to Improve Access to STI Medications Webinar

Today: the growing health and economic consequences of vaccine-preventable diseases.  Ben Lopman, professor of epidemiology, global health, and environmental health at Emory University's Rollins School of Public Health, discusses the new Vaccine Impact Map, an interactive tool designed to help public health officials visualize how declining vaccination coverage could affect their states over time. Later, Bryan Patenaude, associate professor of economic evaluation and health economics at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, breaks down the financial realities of measles outbreaks and why even relatively small outbreaks can carry massive costs for public health systems, hospitals, insurers, and families. The Cost of Measles and Public Health Implications | ASTHOThriving Under Pressure: Building Resilient Dialysis Systems and TeamsFunding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO

How do you strengthen public health for the future? Start with better communication.  Amanda Kwong, director of Public Health Communications Collaborative at the de Beaumont Foundation, discusses why effective public health communications go far beyond social media posts and public awareness campaigns. She explains how communications should function as a core part of public health infrastructure rooted in community engagement, strategic leadership, and proactive planning rather than reactive messaging. Later, Ashley Nanthavongsa-Mosley, a senior analyst for workforce at ASTHO, highlights innovative efforts to introduce public health education into K-12 schools. From disease detective competitions in Connecticut to curriculum partnerships in Montana and professional development programs for teachers in Washington, states are creating new pathways for students to explore public health careers earlier than ever before. Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening InfrastructurePublic Health Leadership Starts in the Classroom | ASTHOASTHO Learning Opportunity: ACEs Strategic Communications TrainingWastewater Testing for Arboviruses: Arizona's Surveillance Approach | ASTHOStrengthening Public Health Response to Infectious Diseases Through Wastewater Surveillance | ASTHO

What happens when artificial intelligence, clinical care, and public health finally start working together?  Dr. Umair Shah, chief medical officer at Jaan Health and the AI-powered care management platform, PHAMILY, discusses the future of proactive healthcare and the role AI can play in connecting patients, providers, and public health systems. Drawing on decades of experience as a physician, former health commissioner of Harris County, Texas, and former Washington State health secretary, Dr. Shah explains why healthcare must move beyond the walls of hospitals and clinics to better understand what's happening in patients' everyday lives.  He'll also explain PHAMILY, Jaan Health's AI-powered care management platform, and how real-time communication, pattern recognition, and predictive analytics can help providers identify health issues before they become crises. Dr. Shah also discusses the growing importance of public-private partnerships, the challenge of information overload in public health, and why health leaders must engage directly with AI technologies shaping the future of care.Subscribe | ASTHO

From leadership shakeups at the federal level to one of the largest investments in rural health in decades, public health is navigating a moment of uncertainty and opportunity.  In this episode, ASTHO senior analyst for Government Affairs, Catherine Murphy, unpacks the ripple effects of ongoing changes at the Department of Health and Human Services and the CDC. Workforce reductions, leadership turnover, and shifts in advisory bodies like ACIP are reshaping how guidance is developed, how states access expertise, and how much trust clinicians and communities place in public health recommendations. Later, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Susan Kansagra, zooms out to the state level, where leaders are racing to deploy Rural Health Transformation Program funds under tight timelines and complex compliance requirements. We'll hear comments Dr. Kansagra made at a recent EY educational webinar titled, “Now, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program.”Recent HHS Leadership Changes That Impact Public Health | ASTHONow, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program | EY - US2026 Multi-country Hantavirus Cluster Linked to Cruise Ship | HAN | CDCThriving Under Pressure: Building Resilient Dialysis Systems and Teams

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this episode explores how Colorado is rethinking suicide prevention and shifting from crisis response to upstream intervention. Conlin Bass, Health Systems Suicide Prevention manager for the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention, explains Colorado's comprehensive, data-driven strategy focused on reaching people before they hit a breaking point.  He'll explain how the state is investing in protective factors like social connection, economic stability, and access to trusted support systems while also strengthening crisis care when it's needed. The conversation highlights the state's wide-ranging partnerships across schools, health systems, community organizations, all aligned around a shared goal: reducing suicide through coordinated, community-based action.Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening InfrastructureLeveraging PHIG to Advance Policy Infrastructure at Austin Public Health | ASTHO

What happens when public health stops treating patients in isolation and starts addressing the realities of their daily lives?  In this episode, leaders from the Tennessee Department of Health share how they're using PHIG funding to transform care at both the clinical and community level. Sanjana Stamm, director of Regional and Local Health, Tennessee Department of Health, explains how the state is embedding social workers and care coordinators into primary care clinics across rural regions, helping patients navigate everything from medication access to food insecurity and employment. Then, Jen Trail, director of the Tennessee Department of Health's Division of Strategic Initiatives, explains how Tennessee is empowering its counties to lead their own health improvement efforts through local health councils, data-driven planning, and targeted grants.This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIGTennessee Department of Health Division of Strategic Initiatives

What happens when more than half of rural hospitals stop delivering babies? Senior Advisor for Public Health at MaineHealth, former state health official, and ASTHO Alumni Society Representative Dr. Dora Anne Mills, tells us about the rapidly escalating rural maternity crisis and why it's more than just hospital closures.  Dr. Mills explains how Maine has lost nearly half of its maternity units, creating vast “maternity deserts” where pregnant patients face 45-minute or even multi-hour drives for care. Compounding the crisis is worsening maternal health driven by chronic disease, mental health challenges, and substance use, especially among rural and underserved populations.ASTHO Learning Opportunity: ACEs Strategic Communications TrainingThriving Under Pressure: Building Resilient Dialysis Systems and Teams

Mississippi is facing a stark reality: its infant mortality rate has climbed to the highest level in more than a decade, according to the latest 2025 Mississippi public health report card. ASTHO member and State Health Officer Dr. Daniel Edney explains what's driving the crisis and what it will take to improve infant outcomes, including focusing on the role of maternal health and obesity, as well as the rise in preterm births. He also shares how Mississippi is rethinking care delivery through a statewide obstetrical system modeled after trauma networks designed to ensure high-risk mothers and newborns get to the right level of care, no matter how rural the setting.Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening Infrastructure

In a crowded funding environment, telling your story clearly isn't extra work, it's essential infrastructure. ASTHO Senior Analyst Elise Moore explores a growing trend in grant funding: community impact statements, and why they're becoming essential.  At their core, these statements are simple: a clear, concise way to explain not just what public health agencies are doing, but why it matters. But as Moore explains, that shift from describing activities to demonstrating real-world impact can make the difference between securing funding and being overlooked.From Workplan to Why: Crafting Meaningful Community Impact Statements | ASTHOPublic Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening InfrastructureSubscribe | ASTHO

For U.S. territories and freely associated states in the Pacific, climate change is a daily reality. Today, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Environmental Health Shelbi Davis talks about how these island communities are navigating some of the most severe climate-related health risks in the world.  From intensifying typhoons in Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands to devastating flooding from little-known Kona lows in Hawaii, Davis explains how increasingly frequent and extreme weather events are straining already limited infrastructure and public health systems. Geographic isolation, workforce shortages, and resource constraints only compound the challenge.About Environmental Public Health | ASTHOPH-HERO | ASTHO

Much of the data public health leaders need already exists, but it just isn't accessible as it could be.  Today, we'll hear about a new platform aiming to unlock the full potential of population health data.  Dr. Anne Zink, ASTHO past president and a senior fellow at the Yale School of Public Health tells us about PopHIVE, or the Population Health Information Visualization Exchange.  Born out of frontline frustration during COVID-19, PopHIVE brings together de-identified data from across healthcare, public health, and even nontraditional sources like Google search trends and home monitoring devices, into one open, interactive tool. The goal: to give state and local leaders real-time, actionable insights without the administrative burden of navigating fragmented systems.  Later Dr. Jen Layden, Senior Vice President, Population Health & Innovation at ASTHO will talk about other data sharing, public-private partnerships, and tools like PopHIVE, that are improving early detection of threats, and empowering public health decision-makers before the next crisis begins.PopHIVE Health Agency/Organization Engagement Sessions RegistrationRecent HHS Leadership Changes That Impact Public Health | ASTHOPublic Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG

Rural communities face some of the most complex and often overlooked public health challenges. Today, Melanie Ramsey, deputy director of CDC's Office of Rural Health, discusses how a new national effort is working to close those gaps.  The Rural Health Academy is a growing initiative designed to strengthen the capacity of state and local health leaders. Ramsey will share how the Academy is fostering peer-to-peer learning, connecting federal and state partners, and equipping leaders with practical tools to better serve rural populations.  Some states are exploring creative solutions like housing incentives for health workers, while new federal coordination efforts aim to align strategy and funding across agencies.  Ramsey also highlights CDC's Rural Public Health Training Plan, a free, self-paced program built to deliver real-world, scenario-based training to anyone working in rural health.National Environmental Public Health Tracking Network | HomeAbout the Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke | Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke | CDCProject Firstline | Project Firstline | CDCRural Health Mapping ToolRural Health Science Tips | Rural Health | CDCRural Public Health Training Plan - CDC TRAIN - an affiliate of the TRAIN Learning Network powered by the Public Health FoundationRural Public Health | Rural Health | CDCASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Modernizing and Strengthening Data For STI PreventionFunding & Collaboration Opportunities | ASTHO