Best ASTHO Podcasts (2024)

1
91: Improving Public Health by Modernizing Data Exchange 30:04

1h ago30:04

30:04

The landscape of public health data is changing. This episode dives into the importance of modernizing data exchange for a more efficient and effective public health system. We explore a framework that utilizes cloud services, open-source software, and open data standards to revolutionize how public health data is collected, shared, and analyzed. T…

1
90: Latest Food Code Benefits Connecticut, Tribal Nations 28:25

14d ago28:25

28:25

Summary: The FDA Food Code provides an evidence-based set of best practices for retail food safety that can reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses from retail food establishments. It offers a wide array of benefits that can help establish uniformity in retail food across the country, but some jurisdictions may face challenges in adopting it. There …

1
89: Using Business Process Improvement to Address Procurement Challenges in Guam 21:12

1M ago21:12

21:12

The Government of Guam (GovGuam)— along with many other states, territories, and freely associated states — experience s challenges with procurement, which were illuminated by the COVID-19 pandemic response. To improve their small purchase procurement process, GovGuam invested time and resources into business process improvement (BPI), forming cros…

1
88: Maximizing Investments in Social Determinants of Health Through Interagency Collaboration 29:57

3M ago29:57

29:57

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 challenge. In this episode, Admiral Rachel Levine, MD, assistant secretary for health at HHS, and Danielle…

1
87: With Deep Appreciation - Mike Fraser’s ASTHO Legacy 35:29

5M ago35:29

35:29

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 global COVID-19 pandemic. Now, the time has come to bid Mike a bittersweet farewell. In this episode of Public…

1
86: One Health - The Shared Future of People, Animals, and the Planet 27:49

9M ago27:49

27:49

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 health agencies and the animal agriculture industry play crucial roles in One Health, along with other stakeh…

1
85: The Call to Join Public Health 31:20

10M ago31:20

31:20

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 are solutions to bridge fresh graduates to public health careers. In this episode of Public Health Review…

1
84: Partnering to Prevent Overdoses 33:11

10M ago33:11

33:11

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 Health Review, we speak with representatives from each of these fields to discuss their perspectives, experi…

1
83: Cutting-Edge Program Boosts Public Health Leadership Skills 22:28

11M ago22:28

22:28

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: Shannon Rome at the Franklin County Health Department, and Elizabeth Anderson-Hoagland with the Kentucky D…

1
82: Data Strategies to Improve Health Outcomes for Indigenous Communities 28:35

1y ago28:35

28:35

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 populations and mitigate stigmas impacting the health of AI/AN mothers and infants. Centering community voices can…

1
81: Improving Access to Risk Appropriate Care and Maternal Health Outcomes through Provider Engagement 29:00

1y ago29:00

29:00

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 maternal health outcomes and can be achieved by engaging providers in the process of developing and implementi…

1
80: Reducing STI Stigma Through Inclusive Care Strategies 19:05

1+ y ago19:05

19:05

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 and prevention empower people to access resources and services, as well as increase engagement, outreach, a…

1
Bridging the Gap: Ensuring Vaccine Equity for Native Communities 28:12

1+ y ago28:12

28:12

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. Listen to three public health experts share how they prioritized vaccine equity for AI/AN communities on the…

1
Connecting Climate Change and Health Equity in Public Health Agencies 21:33

1+ y ago21:33

21:33

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, the role of community engagement and partnerships in advancing these efforts, the use of existing networ…

1
77: Celebrating 80 Years of ASTHO 28:42

1+ y ago28:42

28:42

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 going in the years ahead? Join ASTHO’s leadership panel—including CEO Mike Fraser, President Anne Zink, Past P…

1
76: The Future of Food Safety Inspections 16:40

1+ y ago16:40

16:40

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 adopt takeout and/or food delivery models. To ensure that establishments were abiding by food safety rules a…

1
75: Ebola Preparedness - Lessons Learned from 2014 17:52

1+ y ago17:52

17:52

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 Lakey was Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services. He joins this episode of Public Heal…

1
74: Helping the Helpers Address Youth Mental Health 33:45

2y ago33:45

33:45

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 address youth mental health by supporting frontline staff through a “helping the helpers” model. Public health …

1
73: Improving Health Equity with Data 28:06

2y ago28:06

28:06

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 department goals by systematically collecting and monitoring data to track results and identify opportunities for i…

1
72: Revitalizing Public Health Through Connection 19:04

2y ago19:04

19:04

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 officials as they face their biggest professional challenges. In this episode, Dr. Greg Holzman (alum-MT), Pa…

1
71: Substance Use During Pregnancy - Reducing Stigma of Treatment 23:00

2y ago23:00

23:00

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 providers. The relationship between a physician and their patient may also be strained by mandated reporting of …

1
70: Making Sure Maine Youth Matter 22:22

2y ago22:22

22:22

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 socioeconomic infrastructure challenges, such as poverty, lack of social connection, housing instability, …

1
69: Effects of COVID-19 on Tuberculosis Prevention, Detection, and Treatment 25:46

2y ago25:46

25:46

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, however some COVID-19 mitigation measures may have positively impacted TB disease burden. What do the dat…

1
68: Older Adults and Healthy Aging 26:31

2+ y ago26:31

26:31

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 continues to grow, it is crucial for public health agencies to join partners in the aging network to create system…

1
67: Public Health's Role in Telehealth 28:57

2+ y ago28:57

28:57

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 populations. As telehealth continues to take off, there are questions around how public health agencies are engagin…

1
66: COVID-19 in the Pacific: What We’ve Learned and Where We’re Going 23:21

2+ y ago23:21

23:21

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 and current emergencies also serve as critical learning opportunities to inform future public health respons…

1
65: Collectively Supporting Behavioral Health of People Living with Disabilities During COVID 28:01

2+ y ago28:01

28:01

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 health disorders, and reduced quality of life. In particular, the pandemic has spotlighted a need for impro…

1
64: Disability and Crisis Standards of Care in the Age of COVID-19 16:35

2+ y ago16:35

16:35

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. These guidelines focus on care for groups of people rather than individuals and are steered by ethical pr…

1
63: Community-Led Health Equity Programs Deliver Results 27:53

2+ y ago27:53

27:53

Public Health leaders know that location matters and has a significant impact on an individual’s health—and initiatives that have the highest impact focus on localized conditions and speak directly to community needs. Nicole Alexander-Scott (director, Rhode Island Department of Health) and Katie Lamansky (health program manager, Idaho Department of…

1
62: Financing the Future of Public Health 32:29

2+ y ago32:29

32:29

A strong public health infrastructure is required at the national, state, territorial, and local levels to carry out critical programs and respond to emergencies. How can states move from a reactive approach of ad hoc crisis funding to a proactive investment in nimble, cross-cutting systems? How are states that are undergoing public health transfor…

1
61: COVID-19 and the Fourth Trimester 25:21

2+ y ago25:21

25:21

This episode highlights COVID-19’s impact on overdose-related deaths during the postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester. There has been a significant increase in postpartum overdose-related deaths in recent years—a problem that has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.  In this episode, Dr. Kristina Box (Indiana state health…

1
60: Gratitude Amid Struggle - Celebrating Wins in the COVID-19 Response 20:56

3y ago20:56

20:56

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought challenges to communities nationwide, but there is reason for hope: In the face of these struggles, health agencies are seeing real progress that will provide benefits long after the pandemic passes. In our latest episode, Anne Zink (Chief Medical Officer, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services) and Larry …

1
59: The Importance of Crisis Communications in Public Health 32:02

3y ago32:02

32:02

As states continue to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of crisis communications is vital. How can states provide the public with relevant, timely information? What are the essential elements of a crisis communications response? In our latest episode, Umair Shah (Director, Washington State Department of Health) and Khalilah LeGrand (Direct…

1
58: Health Partnerships in Action - Managing COVID-19 at the Southwest Border 24:53

3y ago24:53

24:53

On this episode, we dissect concerns at the southwest United States border, where health and governmental officials find themselves managing an extraordinarily complex situation, handling an increase in migration activity during a global pandemic. Pritesh Gandhi, MD, Chief Medical Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Erica Pan, MD, St…

1
57: Misinformation and the COVID-19 Vaccination Campaign 35:18

3y ago35:18

35:18

As the COVID-19 vaccination campaign continues, countering misinformation has become a core public health goal. What approaches are showing promise, and who can public health agencies bring to the table to advance clear and accurate information about vaccines? In this episode, Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, ASTHO President and Director, Maine Center for Di…

1
56: Prevention for the Next Generation - Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences, Suicide, and Overdose 28:14

3y ago28:14

28:14

With the pandemic upending social interaction, youth mental health is an increasingly important issue. State and territorial health agencies and community partners play a role in advancing prevention at the intersection of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs)s, overdose, and suicide--strengthening equity in these efforts by addressing root causes a…

1
BONUS: Fighting the Next COVID-19 Wave 8:51

3y ago8:51

8:51

In this bonus episode, we hear from three leading state public health officials about the latest national and state response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Their comments are taken from a virtual news conference with national journalists held Thursday, July 29, 2021. During the event hosted by the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (A…

1
55: Avoiding the Cliff - Financing Medicaid in the Territories 34:25

3y ago34:25

34:25

Medicaid plays a critical role in providing access to health services for low-income U.S. citizens in the five U.S. territories. However, Medicaid financing in the territories has been underfunded when compared to states. While Congress has provided a patchwork of short-term, enhanced funding solutions through recent appropriation bills, they are s…

1
BONUS: Making Technology Work for Rapidly Changing Public Health Needs 13:00

3y ago13:00

13:00

The COVID-19 pandemic was an important lesson for public health officials that their surveillance needs can evolve and change quickly - from ramping up testing, to building up a contact tracing workforce, to creating a database for vaccinations. On this bonus episode, Jim Ivey, chief operating officer at Chexout - a company that helps public health…

1
54: What a Shortage of Forensic Pathologists Means for Public Health 30:40

3y ago30:40

30:40

Forensic pathologists investigate deaths to serve the living, but what are the implications for public health when we do not have a viable forensic pathology workforce? State medicolegal death investigation systems currently lack a capacity to respond to major public health crises, and the surge of overdose deaths over the past decade have only exa…

1
BONUS: Balancing Privacy and Security with COVID-19 Vaccine Credentials 14:34

3y ago14:34

14:34

The idea of “vaccine passports” is starting to become a divisive issue, but the reality is many businesses likely will begin to require patrons to show some kind of proof of vaccination against COVID-19. The good news is businesses and governments have options for how they might want to implement this requirement. On this bonus episode of Public He…

1
BONUS: Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy with AM Trace 12:09

3y ago12:09

12:09

Vaccines that protect against COVID-19 are now readily available for most Americans. Almost half of the adult population is fully inoculated. This is a huge step in the right direction in order to put COVID-19 behind us. However, there remains a significant number of people who are vaccine hesitant - enough to possibly prevent the United States fro…

1
53: Protecting the Vulnerable - How Public Health Can Better Serve People with Disabilities 34:29

3y ago34:29

34:29

People living with disabilities have borne disproportionate burden in past emergency situations due to inequities in preparedness and response. To address and prevent inequities in the COVID-19 response, ASTHO placed 14 disability and preparedness specialists into health agencies around the country to promote inclusivity of people living with disab…

1
BONUS: Bringing Telehealth Into the Future with MyVax 12:45

3y ago12:45

12:45

As public health leaders race to vaccinate the nation against COVID-19, it’s critically important for public health data to move faster than disease. On this bonus episode of Public Health Review, we chat with an expert in artificial intelligence who knows how to leverage data in the fight against disease. Stanley Campbell, CEO and CTO of EagleForc…

1
EXTRA: The Next Surge REVISITED - The Behavioral Health Crisis Following COVID-19 36:44

3y ago36:44

36:44

This conversation was first published in May 2020, but we thought the lessons and takeaways are still very relevant as the nation finally begins to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. May is Mental Health Month, and this year, health officials are tasked with navigating the impact of COVID-19 on the behavioral health system. The rates of depression,…

1
52: Resilient, Accessible, and Affordable Healthcare: Bouncing Forward from COVID-19 32:23

3y ago32:23

32:23

COVID-19 has not only stressed the U.S. healthcare and public health systems, but also highlighted racial and ethnic disparities in pre-existing conditions and health outcomes. These inequities are in part the result of differential access to quality and affordable healthcare, including access to health insurance. And individuals in rural and under…

1
51: The Health Equity Divide - Chronic Disease and COVID-19 38:24

3+ y ago38:24

38:24

People with chronic diseases have suffered the most during the pandemic both in rates of COVID-19 mortality and morbidity, and in how they experience the social determinants of health (things like food insecurity, poverty, etc.) The health disparities that exist in those with chronic disease and poor social determinants of health are stark, and the…

1
50: Building Back a Stronger Public Health Workforce Post-Pandemic 30:31

3+ y ago30:31

30:31

One of the many lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic is the needed investment in a robust public health workforce that can respond to crises when they arise. Yet, a well-funded public health workforce isn’t enough--there also needs to be a fundamental commitment to health equity. Unfortunately, years of disinvestment in governmental public he…

1
49: Building Community Resilience to Help Families Bounce Forward 30:17

3+ y ago30:17

30:17

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected children’s and families’ social, emotional, and mental wellbeing, and demand for social services has increased due to COVID-19-related and economic factors. Programs that place foster children, prevent domestic violence, and provide temporary assistance to families experiencing job loss – among other human service…

1
48: Restoring Trust and Confidence in Public Health 29:21

3+ y ago29:21

29:21

As COVID-19 spread across the country, public health officials became key spokespeople for simple prevention measures such as hand washing, mask-wearing, and social distancing. However, these actions were met with resistance from those who felt their individual freedoms and liberties were being challenged. Misinformation and conspiracy theories led…

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