469: How to Modernize Your Data, Opill Equity

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, July 27, 2023. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

J.T. LANE: 

COVID showed that public health had some pretty early and tremendous data challenges.

JOHNSON: 

ASTHO's J.T. Lane talking about a new policy statement with five recommendations to improve public health data and systems.

LANE: 

And so, our first recommendation is to make sure that we have full flexible funding nationwide over the next 10 years to build and implement solutions that are modern and that can be sustainable well into the future to protect Americans from future health threats.

JOHNSON: 

Besides new technology, the statement also recommends an investment in people.

LANE: 

So, we need all the right data scientists and informaticist and other professionals, epidemiologists across the nation embedded in health departments. We have workforce shortages and skill sets that we need addressed within those environments.

JOHNSON:  

Data sharing is the focus of another recommendation. Lane says all of this will take time given the hundreds of data systems used across the public and private sectors.

LANE: 

When you add all of those layers of government, plus the vastness of what public health covers, with the lack of standards for all of those systems as they're developed, we're looking at a problem that is definitely fixable, but will take time and is quite complex.

JOHNSON: 

You can read ASTHO's data modernization policy statement using the link in the show notes.

Public health will benefit from the FDA's approval of an over-the-counter contraceptive known as the Opill. This is ASTHO's Britney Lee. Lee is watching the process hoping the tablet is available to everyone.

BRITTANY LEE: 

Unintended pregnancies decrease and with that, rates of low birth weight infants and preterm births also decrease. Socially ,increased use of contraceptives are associated with higher education and economic mobility. If the list price is too high, and if insurance doesn't cover it, this could result in worsened health disparities, as it will create a situation where individuals who can afford the out of pocket costs are the only ones who benefit from the change, while others especially those who are of lower income could, still face significant difficulties getting their birth control pills.

JOHNSON: 

When the tablet arrives on store shelves, Lee says public health agencies might be able to help get information about it to their communities.

LEE: 

One role that state health agencies and their partners will likely play in this effort is through public health education about Opill. As with any new or changed medication, patients and their health care providers require information and training about how to access a product, who it's right for, and how to use it.

JOHNSON: 

You can read the FDA's news release about the Opill tablet using the link in the show notes.

Also today, learn how to use PRAMS data during an ASTHO webinar happening this afternoon. Attendees will discover through two state examples how to estimate population outcomes. The event begins at 2:00 pm Eastern time. You can sign up using the link in the show notes.

Finally this morning, there are many ways public health can support the mental health of young children and their caregivers. ASTHO shares examples of state policies and programs and offers recommendations in a new blog article. Read more using the link in the show notes.

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That'll do it for today's newscast. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Robert Johnson. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.