1046: What State Policymakers Need to Know About Emerging Public Health Priorities in the New Year

JOHN SHEEHAN: 

This is Public Health Review Morning Edition for Monday, January 5, 2026. I'm John Sheehan, with news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

Today, we look ahead to the new year's public health priorities as part of our state health policy portfolio. ASTHO releases an annual Legislative Prospectus, a series of policy briefs summarizing state and territorial legislation that impacts public health. Joining us today is Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO's CEO, who will take us through the 2026 Prospectus, identify trends in public health law for the next year, and provide a high-level overview for public health professionals and policymakers, and time for upcoming legislative sessions.

Dr. Joseph Kanter, welcome to the show.

JOSEPH KANTER: 

Thank you. It's a pleasure to be on.

SHEEHAN: 

Dr. Kanter, what do you hope state policymakers take away from the 2026 Legislative Prospectus?

KANTER: 

Well, this year's brought an awful lot of changes at the federal level and health policy. We expect those changes to continue into 2026 and now more than ever, it's important for states and territories to support their public health agencies through investments in infrastructure and particularly through evidence-based policy initiatives. This 2026 Legislative Prospectus Series, highlights where those possible investments can be made, highlights where it might be possible to capitalize on federal initiatives around topics like chronic disease and regulation of additives in our food, and many, many others. At the end of the day, it's intended to give a roadmap to states so they can make strategic, wise decisions.

SHEEHAN: 

And how does this series fit into ASTHO's broader strategy of supporting state and local officials?

KANTER: 

Every year, the ASTHO team gathers input from our members to inform legislative policy trends. This series assists public health leadership by providing policy analysis on topics that our state health officials are most likely to encounter in their upcoming legislative seasons. It also assists in capacity building for health departments by allowing them to learn from one another, by creating a safe space for those types of discussions and collaboration, and specifically, by being able to review what policy changes other jurisdictions might have implemented, might have considered, and what the success of those might have been.

SHEEHAN: 

Are there any differences between last year's legislative session to 2026?

KANTER: 

We do expect to see some differences. You know, I think in the upcoming year, we will continue to see prioritization and focus on some key public health areas, like infectious disease, access to care, behavioral health, particularly substance use. Those haven't changed. I do think in the coming year, and this is reflected in the perspectives that we're more likely to see a renewed conversation around funding sustainability, and particularly an increased conversation around chronic disease prevention, and those are conversations that we are really excited about.

SHEEHAN: 

And how are state officials preparing for 2026?

KANTER: 

Health officials, every day, look for ways to provide top-level public health services in their jurisdictions, while building efficiencies, and- and working to strengthen their departments. That can look like a number of different things. In one area, it might look like updating their data systems to build efficiencies, in another jurisdiction, it might look like increasing their partnerships with other agencies and organizations, and everything in between. It is the reality in this country that public health authority- authority, first and foremost, is vested within the states and territories. It is the lead health officials in those states that bear primary responsibility for the health and wellness of their constituencies. What we are aiming to do is to empower those individuals, those lead public health officials, with as much information as they need and the connections they need to make wise decisions and advice for their jurisdictions.

SHEEHAN: 

Well, Dr. Kanter, thanks so much.

KANTER: 

Thank you, John. It's a pleasure.

SHEEHAN: 

Dr. Joseph Kanter is ASTHO's chief executive officer.

This has been Public Health Review Morning Edition. I'm John Sheehan for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.