The social determinants of health (SDOH)—the social, economic, and built environments in which people live, learn, work, and play—have significant impacts on health outcomes. Yet, sustainably funding initiatives that address SDOH is an ongoing

87: With Deep Appreciation - Mike Fraser’s ASTHO Legacy

Feb 28th, 2024 35m 29s

In 2016, Mike Fraser joined ASTHO as CEO. Throughout the seven subsequent years, he served as an indispensable leader, visionary, mentor, and friend—steering the organization through unprecedented challenges in public health, including the gl

86: One Health - The Shared Future of People, Animals, and the Planet

Nov 9th, 2023 27m 49s

The One Health approach recognizes the interconnection between human and animal health and their shared environment. There is an urgent need for a One Health approach now, especially in the prevention of outbreaks, not just response. Public hea

85: The Call to Join Public Health

Oct 12th, 2023 31m 20s

Public health has a workforce problem: the demand for a new generation of public health practitioners is higher than ever, but health agencies are having a hard time filling positions, either due to funding or lack of visibility. Luckily, there

Partnering to Prevent Overdoses

Sep 18th, 2023 33m 11s

Successful overdose prevention efforts require support from public health, public safety, and community harm reduction programs. These partnerships are key to promoting sustainable and effective overdose prevention. On this episode of Public

Cutting-Edge Program Boosts Public Health Leadership Skills

Aug 28th, 2023 22m 28s

ASTHO’s Essentials of Leadership and Management (ELM) training gives public health experts the skills they need to better perform their supervisory positions and support their teams. On this episode, we check in with ELM graduates in Kentucky:

82: Data Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes for Indigenous Communities

Jun 21st, 2023 28m 35s

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations experience profound health disparities in part due to significant social and economic barriers. Having solid data helps inform policies that can improve the systems that serve these populati

81: Improving Access to Risk Appropriate Care and Maternal Health Outcomes through Provider Engagement

May 18th, 2023 29m

Maternal mortality rates are disproportionally high in the United States and still increasing. The majority of maternal deaths are preventable, indicating the need for system improvements. Equitable access to risk appropriate care improves mate

Reducing STI Stigma Through Inclusive Care Strategies

Apr 20th, 2023 19m 5s

STIs are on the rise. Now more than ever, it is imperative to raise awareness of the current state of STIs, especially their disproportionate impact on marginalized populations. Whole person care and status-neutral approaches to STI treatment a

Bridging the Gap: Ensuring Vaccine Equity for Native Communities

Mar 30th, 2023 28m 12s

Like other vulnerable populations, American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) communities faced greater risk for complications during the COVID-19 pandemic. One such complication was ensuring that AI/AN populations had access to the vaccine. Li

Connecting Climate Change and Health Equity in Public Health Agencies

Feb 7th, 2023 21m 33s

This podcast focuses on the Washington State Department of Health’s (WA DOH) approach to understanding and addressing climate and equity concerns. Guests discuss the need to continuously make connections between climate change and public health

Celebrating 80 Years of ASTHO

Dec 20th, 2022 28m 42s

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials was incorporated on March 23, 1942. For 80 years, ASTHO has worked to advance public health and create a healthier nation. What has that looked like in the past, and we where are we goin

The Future of Food Safety Inspections

Dec 1st, 2022 16m 40s

Public health agencies had to rapidly innovate during COVID-19, and one of those innovations was virtual restaurant inspections. Beginning in March 2020, COVID-19 social distancing and stay-at-home orders required many food establishments to ad

Ebola Preparedness - Lessons Learned from 2014

Nov 17th, 2022 17m 52s

As Ebola cases grow in Uganda, state and island area health officials are preparing for the possibility of a case in the United States. While there are no U.S. cases currently, there was an outbreak of Ebola in Dallas in 2014 when Dr. David Lak

Helping the Helpers Address Youth Mental Health

Oct 11th, 2022 33m 45s

Building a comprehensive workforce response to the youth mental health crisis requires educators, traditional school behavioral health workers, and public health professionals to work collaboratively. A public health approach is needed to addre

Improving Health Equity with Data

Sep 19th, 2022 28m 6s

Health equity is a top priority for many health agencies. In an ideal implementation, public health leaders can use performance management systems to advance health equity goals. These systems ensure that progress is being made toward departmen

Revitalizing Public Health Through Connection

Aug 31st, 2022 19m 4s

The Senior Leader Reserve Corps connects former government public health leaders with current state health officials in need of leadership-level technical assistance and support. ASTHO developed this program with CDC to support state health off

Substance Use During Pregnancy - Reducing Stigma of Treatment

Jul 27th, 2022 23m

Opioid use disorder (OUD) during pregnancy contributes to maternal death and poor birth outcomes. Although prenatal care can reduce these effects, pregnant individuals may delay care due to concerns about stereotyping and stigmatizing by provid

Making Sure Maine Youth Matter

Jun 30th, 2022 22m 22s

Since 2000, rates of suicide and substance overdose mortality have steadily increased in the United States. A prevailing theory within public health is that substance use disorder and suicide are both “deaths of despair” and a way to cope with

Effects of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis Prevention, Detection, and Treatment

May 12th, 2022 25m 46s

COVID-19 has impacted the ways in which we prevent, detect, and treat tuberculosis (TB) infections. The pandemic presented challenges to public health and healthcare systems which may have caused delayed diagnoses, and increased new infections,

Older Adults and Healthy Aging

Apr 21st, 2022 26m 31s

Older-adult health has been increasingly on the radar of public health agencies over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, it prompted new or enhanced partnerships with their sibling agencies. As the population of older adults continue

Public Health's Role in Telehealth

Apr 6th, 2022 28m 57s

The expansion of federal and state telehealth flexibilities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic loosened policy restrictions and improved access to telehealth for millions of people, although challenges remain for certain under resourced populat

COVID-19 in the Pacific: What We’ve Learned and Where We’re Going

Mar 23rd, 2022 23m 21s

Public health agencies work around the clock to prepare for and respond to public health threats, including infectious diseases, natural disasters, clinical care emergencies, and more. While advanced preparedness planning is invaluable, past an

65: Collectively Supporting Behavioral Health of People Living with Disabilities During COVID

Feb 16th, 2022 28m 1s

Adults with disabilities are reported to experience more mental distress than those without disabilities. Mental distress in this population is associated with poorer health behaviors, an increase in health services use, mental and behavioral

Disability and Crisis Standards of Care in the Age of COVID-19

Jan 20th, 2022 16m 35s

As Omicron leads to nation-wide COVID-19 surges, many jurisdictions face the decision to activate crisis standards of care, a decision-making guide that helps healthcare providers give the best care during situations where resources are scarce.