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 responses. In this episode, Haley Cash (Pacific Island Health Officers Association) and Secretary Jack Niedenthal (Republic of the Marshall Islands) share insights into the unique strategies and successes of COVID-19 responses in the U.S.-Affiliated Pacific Islands. How have these jurisdictions—with unique needs and oftentimes limited supplies—managed to protect their populations over the last two years? Our experts dive into key lessons and share broader takeaways for future public health crises. Resources:  USAPI COVID-19 Response Hub ASTHO JPHMP Article: US-Affiliated Pacific Islands Response to COVID-19: Keys to Success and Important Lessons ASTHO Newscast Clip: Fighting COVID-19 in the Pacific ASTHO Blog: Reflections From the Field: Pacific and Atlantic Jurisdictions Remain Resolute Amid Adversity 

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

ASTHO’s podcast series, the Public Health Review, features health officials and public health leadership who are on the front lines of state and territorial public health. The series capitalizes on current public health issues and delivers timely, thoughtful perspectives on the value of public health through the lens of state/territorial health officials and other subject matter experts.

Medicine

Science & Medicine

Government

Health & Fitness

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 Nelson, Senior Program Analyst at the Federal Transit Administration, discuss the federal government’s commitment to aligning investments and resources across agencies. In addition, Elizabeth Hertel, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, provides a practical example of how Michigan’s state health agency works collaboratively with the housing authority to ensure access to stable housing. Guests: Admiral Rachel Levine, MD: Assistant Secretary for Health, HHS Elizabeth Hertel: Director, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Danielle Nelson: Senior Program Analyst, Federal Transit Administration Resources: Braiding and Layering Funding to Address the Social Determinants of Health Public Health Review Morning Edition 

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

  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 Health Review, we speak with Mike about his profound legacy, celebrate ASTHO’s extraordinary achievements under his tenure, and wish him well in his new position as CEO at the College of American Pathologists. Behind the Scenes: What it Takes to do COVID Testing  Public Health Review Morning Edition

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

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 stakeholders. In this episode, our guests tell us how they put One Health into practice in a state health department, how health departments can connect across agencies to address One Health issues, and what falls under the One Health umbrella.    Guests  Dr. Karen Smith, MD, MPH: Founding Partner, Healthy Community Partners, Inc  J.J. Jones: Executive Director of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture  Dr. Megin Nichols DVM, MPH, DACVPM: Deputy Division Director, Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, CDC  Resources  ASTHO  One Health Case Studies  ASTHO One Health Webinars  ASTHO  Responding to Emerging Food Safety Threats Policy Statement  CDC Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases  CDC One Health Office  National Institute for Animal Agriculture  Public Health Review Morning Edition

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

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, Dr. JP Leider from the University of Minnesota and Dr. Heather Krasna of Columbia University spoke with ASTHO about solutions to recruit new public health professionals and the partnerships forming around that endeavor. Guests: JP Leider, PhD: Director, Center for Public Health Systems, University of Minnesota School of Public Health Heather Krasna, PhD: Associate Dean, Career and Professional Development, Columbia University School of Public Health Resources:  Public Health Careers  Consortium for Workforce Research in Public Health

85: The Call to Join Public Health

 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, experiences, and the importance of maintaining strong relationships while also negotiating differing strategies and approaches: Brandon del Pozo, a former police officer and current assistant professor of medicine and public health at Brown University; Joy Rucker of the Black Harm Reduction Network; and Dr. Cathy Slemp, former state health commissioner of West Virginia and current vice chair of the West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance. Guests: Brandon del Pozo, PhD: Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Services, Policy, and Practice, Brown University Joy Rucker: National Harm Reduction Consultant, JR Harm Reduction Consulting Cathy Slemp, MD, MPH (alumni-WV): Co-Founder and Vice Chair, West Virginia Hope in Action Alliance Resources:   https://www.astho.org/globalassets/brief/od2a-public-health-public-safety-partnerships.pdf

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

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