458: Indiana Invests in Local PH,  Youth Mental Health Webinar

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is Public Health Review Morning Edition for Wednesday, July 12, 2023. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

PAM PONTONES: 

Well, this is an historic investment in funding for public health in Indiana at the state level.

JOHNSON: 

Indiana Deputy Health Commissioner Pam Pontones on a plan to invest almost $225 million in local public health.

PONTONES: 

These funds are directed to local communities with maximum flexibility, so they can decide how to best deliver those core public health services and address the specific health needs of their community using a data-driven approach.

JOHNSON: 

Pontones credited Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, his Public Health Commission, and state lawmakers for coming together on the plan.

PONTONES: 

We have found that a one size fits all approach does not work given differences in need for different areas and different communities, different local health departments, such as urban/rural differences or differences in community demographics and so forth.

JOHNSON: 

Pontones says local agencies will send reports accounting for the money and its impact.

PONTONES: 

So, the return on investment will be demonstrated through annual budget reports that local health departments will provide, data that local health departments will submit on key performance indicators, and success story sharing.

JOHNSON: 

Learn more about the Indiana plan by visiting the link in the show notes.

Later today, ASTHO will discuss North Carolina's work to improve access to mental health programs and services in schools. ASTHO's Ioana Ungureanu says the youth mental health crisis is complicated and far-reaching.

IOANA UNGUREANU: 

There's not one root cause. We know from the pandemic and we've seen that there are issues related to socio-economics. So, things like poverty, access to health care, access to food and nutrition services. These all can impact youth mental health. And so therefore, we all must work together collaboratively to address this issue.

JOHNSON: 

Today's webinar is the second in a series of meetings. Others will address pediatrics and nonprofits. Thinking about schools, Ungureanu says students need more than just the basics.

UNGUREANU: 

Beyond just school health services, we need to be addressing resources for all students. So, that includes building skills for students around relationships, and shared risk protective factors to make sure that they know how to better address their own mental health and seek support.

JOHNSON: 

The webinar series continues into August. The hope is attendees will leave each event inspired to initiate relationships that can lead to solutions.

UNGUREANU: 

The biggest thing that public health leaders should take away is that before they make an ask, they should make a friend. So, I think it's really important that they reach out to their education counterparts.

JOHNSON: 

You can sign up for this afternoon's webinar using the link in the show notes.

Also today, the latest vaccine policy opinion and messaging is reviewed in a new ASTHO blog article. It includes links to legislative actions, opinion studies and more. You can find it in the show notes.

Pharmacists are part of the vaccine discussion, and some are getting a bigger role in the fight against HIV. O'Keyla Cooper has more.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

Pharmacists in 10 states can now prescribe HIV prevention medication, expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis, also known as PrEP. This step aims to overcome barriers such as stigma, lack of provider education, and limited access to health care. By leveraging the widespread presence of pharmacists, access to PrEP can be increased, particularly for marginalized communities. To learn more about this expansion, read the full blog article. The link is in the show notes.

JOHNSON: 

Finally, today, ASTHO is hiring. The organization is recruiting for a web specialist, an assistant director of government affairs, and a director of leadership events. Get more information using the link in the show notes.

That'll do it for today's newscast. If you like what we do, please leave us a review. They help others find us on Apple and other platforms. We're back here tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.