Strong public health systems depend on trusted communication, a skilled workforce, and deep community connections. In this PHIG Impact Report, Christina Floyd, deputy public health director for the Detroit Health Department, talks about how PHIG funding has helped Detroit strengthen grant management, bring communications in-house, and transform outreach into a public health intervention. Floyd also discusses the department's growing internship and youth engagement programs, which are creating pathways into public health careers while building trust with the next generation. 

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

Bringing the Mission to Life: Detroit Health Department Strengthens its Services from the Inside Out - Public Health Infrastructure Grant

Timely, transparent communication can shape the course of a public health emergency long before every answer is known. In this episode, Chief Medical Executive for the State of Michigan, and ASTHO member, Natasha Bagdasarian, tells us about Michigan's response to one of the nation's largest cyclospora outbreaks. She explains how state officials used early surveillance data to warn the public before a product recall was issued, worked closely with health care systems to expand testing capacity, and tailored public messaging to Michigan's unique outbreak. Dr. Bagdasarian also reflects on the challenges of coordinating across state and federal partners, the importance of communicating uncertainty with honesty, and how proactive public health messaging helped reduce illness while strengthening trust during a rapidly evolving outbreak.
Tracking Cyclosporiasis: Understanding the Current Outbreak, Case Investigations, and Prevention Efforts | ASTHO

Take Action | ASTHO

The Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) program has become one of the nation's most important investments in infectious disease preparedness, strengthening the workforce, laboratory capacity, and data systems that health departments rely on every day. In this bonus, long form episode, ASTHO President and Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Manisha Juthani explains how ELC funding helped build a disease-agnostic data platform that gives local health departments real-time surveillance data. Michigan's Deputy State Epidemiologist Joseph Coyle discusses how ELC supports the specialized workforce, laboratory testing, and IT infrastructure needed to detect outbreaks, track emerging threats, and respond more quickly. Finally, CDC's Alvin Shultz traces the evolution of the ELC program over three decades, highlighting how flexible funding, strong governance, and cross-sector collaboration have created a national infectious disease response system that is ready for whatever comes next.

INSPIRE: Readiness | ASTHO

Major international events put extraordinary pressure on public health systems, making preparation, real-time surveillance, and cross-agency coordination more important than ever. In this episode, Eric Whitworth, chief executive officer of InductiveHealth Informatics, a member of ASTHO's 2026 Innovation Advisory Council, talks about how public health agencies used syndromic surveillance, dashboards, and data integration to monitor health threats during the FIFA World Cup, and what those efforts reveal about preparing for future events like the Super Bowl and the 2028 Olympics. He discusses the importance of early planning, modernizing public health technology, and how targeted AI applications can reduce manual workloads while preserving data privacy and security in an era of shrinking public health resources.

As wildfire smoke becomes a recurring threat across more of the United States, public health agencies are adapting their guidance to help communities prepare and respond. In this episode, Gabriela Goldfarb, Environmental Public Health section manager of the Oregon Health Authority and Kathy Raleigh, principal epidemiologist of the Minnesota Department of Health, explain the health risks associated with wildfire smoke, why the combination of smoke and extreme heat can be especially dangerous, and how states are using surveillance data, public education, and cross-state collaboration to protect residents. They also share practical advice on reducing exposure, improving indoor air quality, recognizing symptoms, and preparing for a future in which wildfire smoke is becoming an increasingly common public health challenge.

Partnership as the Foundation for Advancing Adolescent Health in American Samoa | ASTHO

Strengthening Long-Term Care Capacity in Island Jurisdictions Through Policy | ASTHO

Strong public health systems depend on collaboration like partnerships across agencies or coordinating responses to emerging health threats. In this episode, ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, Beth Giambrone, discusses a recent ASTHO Health Policy Update that examines how states are approaching vector-borne disease policy through surveillance, reporting requirements, education, and cross-agency coordination.  Then, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Medicaid and Health Systems Partnerships, Orobosa Idehen, introduces a new Medicaid Oversight Governance Map designed to help state health agencies better understand their governance structures, strengthen relationships with Medicaid partners, and identify opportunities to improve population health. Together, these conversations highlight how thoughtful governance, collaboration, and strategic policy making can help public health agencies make better use of limited resources while responding to evolving public health challenges.

Medicaid Oversight Governance Map | ASTHO

Improving Public Health Communication for Effective STI Programs | ASTHO

Public health's most complex challenges require stronger partnerships, deeper community engagement, and leaders willing to connect people across sectors. In this episode, Dr. Chelsea Moriarty Coffield, population health program manager for Community Health Choice, explains why collaboration is more than coordination, sharing practical strategies for building trust, aligning organizations around community needs, and embedding health equity into everyday decision-making. She also discusses the importance of one-on-one relationships, cross-sector partnerships, and leadership rooted in humility rather than expertise. Whether you're leading a coalition or looking to strengthen collaboration within your own organization, this conversation offers actionable lessons for creating lasting public health impact.

Leading Collaboratively for Lasting Public Health Impact | ASTHO

Workforce Trends in Public Health Preparedness | ASTHO

The Boundary Spanning Leadership Framework’s Impact on Public Health | ASTHO

With Congress approaching its August recess, several key public health priorities are entering a critical stretch. In this View from Washington D.C., ASTHO vice president for Government Affairs Jeffrey Ekoma breaks down the latest developments in FY 2027 appropriations, the status of Senate consideration of CDC Director and ASPR nominees, and the political factors shaping the legislative calendar. He also previews what public health leaders should watch in the coming weeks, including a potential reconciliation package, the administration's supplemental funding request, and how these federal decisions could affect state and territorial health agencies.

Utilizing Flexible Funding Strategies in Public Health | ASTHO

Strengthening Partnerships to Prevent Overdose: Key Actions in a Multi-State Learning Collaborative | ASTHO

Lessons in Advancing Policy to Prevent Adverse Childhood Experiences | ASTHO

Improving maternal health outcomes requires coordinated systems that ensure every patient receives the right level of care at the right time. In this bonus, long-form episode, Daniel Edney, ASTHOpresident-elect and state health officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, explains how Mississippi is using Rural Health Transformation Program grant funding to build a statewide obstetrical system of care, establish new neonatal intensive care units, strengthen EMS coordination, and close critical gaps in care for rural communities. He also discusses how data, innovation, and broad partnerships are driving the state's effort to reduce maternal and infant mortality. Later, Ramya Flores, director of Maternal and Infant Health at ASTHO, puts Mississippi's work into a national context, highlighting how states are adopting levels of maternal care to improve access to risk-appropriate services. She outlines the partnerships, investments, and implementation strategies that support successful maternal care systems and previews ASTHO's latest resources to help states advance this work.

Successful data modernization depends on more than new technology, it requires people to understand, trust, and support the change. In this episode, Sarah Shaw, senior informatics analyst at the Public Health Informatics Institute, discusses a new Data Modernization Communications Toolkit designed to help public health professionals explain complex initiatives in ways that resonate with colleagues, leaders, and communities. Shaw explains how the toolkit is built around three core communication strategies: active listening, storytelling, and audience-centered messaging. She also shares practical examples from health departments across the country that demonstrate how effective communication can turn technical concepts into meaningful improvements for public health, helping agencies strengthen data systems and ultimately make better decisions for the communities they serve.

Data Modernization Communications Toolkit - PHII

Applications | ASTHO

Valley Health's Dr. Matthew Christiansen Elected To National Epic FQHC Advisory Board - Valley Health