Dr. Daniel Edney, state health officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health and ASTHO member, shares how his state declared infant mortality a public health emergency to offer services across the state more rapidly; Bonny Mayes, epidemiologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services, discusses the article she co-authored...
Dr. Daniel Edney, state health officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health and ASTHO member, shares how his state declared infant mortality a public health emergency to offer services across the state more rapidly; Bonny Mayes, epidemiologist with the Texas Department of State Health Services, discusses the article she co-authored to argue that Chagas disease should be considered endemic; PHIG Partners developed a practical resources guide to help public health agencies improve their procurement and hiring processes; and Dr. Scott Harris, ASTHO president and Alabama's state health officer was recently the inaugural speaker for the Dean’s Seminar Series at Samford University’s School of Public Health.
Mississippi State Dept of Health: MSDH Declares Public Health Emergency on Infant Mortality
CNN: ‘Kissing bug’ disease is here to stay in the US, experts say. Here’s why it’s spreading
Texas DSHS web page: Chagas Disease
PHIG Partners: Practical Resources for Improving Procurement and Hiring in Public Health
JANSON SILVERS:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, October 9, 2025. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
DANIEL EDNEY:
This is not a Mississippi-specific problem, but Mississippi is in the worst situation, and when the state that's doing the worst is getting worse, then, to me, that's an emergency.
SILVERS:
The State of Mississippi recently declared infant mortality a public health emergency. Dr Dan Edney, state health officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, and an ASTHO member, shares how the declaration allowed his department to offer services across the state more rapidly.
EDNEY:
It helped to expedite some of the important work we had at our State Department of Health in building our obstetrical system of care, which is our state's fourth statewide system of care, focusing only on our high-risk perinatal situations with moms and babies.
SILVERS:
Edney says that after further studying the issue, he discovered the most important thing the state can do is improve early prenatal care engagement.
EDNEY:
And we know that if we can engage them early in their pregnancy, identify what their risk is, and then immediately go to work mitigating that risk, then we can make that pregnancy healthier.
SILVERS:
In the past, improved Medicaid coverage meant private health care providers could help fill gaps in Mississippi's maternal care deserts. But now in many places, county health departments are often the only ones left and are providing perinatal care themselves.
EDNEY:
So, we are going to be providing our initiation of prenatal screening, risk determination, and then collaborating with our OBs to get everything done that they need before their first obstetrical visit, and then provide as much care in our moms' communities, but very much in collaboration with their OBs.
SILVERS:
Edney says a more thoughtful funding strategy is needed at the federal level to see lasting change. But for now, Mississippi is using state discretionary funds to do what is needed. For more information about the state's interventions to reduce infant mortality rates, head to the show notes.
Chagas disease is a parasitic disease transmitted by infected bugs that can pose a danger to both humans and animals where they are found in the southern United States. Epidemiologist Bonny Mayes, with the Texas Department of State Health Services, recently co-authored an article that argues the disease should be considered endemic, and joins us today to share more about it.
BONNY MAYES:
The "kissing bugs," or triatomine bugs, are present in 32 states in the southern half of the U.S., and at least four species of kissing bugs are found in homes here, and a large percentage of these bugs are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.
SILVERS:
Mayes says that the risk of humans contracting Chagas disease is generally considered low, but classifying it as an endemic will help raise awareness and hopefully prevent the spread of new cases.
MAYES:
There are treatments available, but that requires one to be diagnosed, and so by raising awareness of endemicity, we hope more people and animals who are infected will reach a medical provider that understands the risk and can test and treat if warranted.
SILVERS:
Testing for the disease can be very complex and difficult to navigate. Health officials can help by educating their communities about transmission and identifying treatment options.
MAYES:
Consider providing online resources. We here at DSHS, we have a pretty robust Chagas disease page, and it includes information on the disease transmission, information for healthcare providers, tips for reducing risk of transmission, in addition to other information.
SILVERS:
The department's web page also includes a healthcare provider information section, which includes things like an exposure assessment and a list of laboratories that provide molecular testing. You can read more about this disease and how the Texas Department of State Health Services is helping communities prepare by clicking on the link in the show notes.
A lot of agencies are looking for ways to strengthen their workforce and modernize their infrastructure. For those who could use practical resources to guide procurement and hiring improvements, PHIG Partners has a new blog. To help, read more about the importance of timeliness, strategies for accelerating the process, and how to align your department's resources, all by visiting the link in the show notes.
Finally, ASTHO president and Alabama state health officer, Dr. Scott Harris, recently served as the inaugural speaker for a new seminar series at Samford University School of Public Health. The Dean's Seminar Series brings leading voices in public health and health care to campus, giving students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to engage with experts on key issues impacting both Alabama and the nation. Click the link in the show notes to learn more.
That'll do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Janson Silvers. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.
