501: Prepping for Cyber Attacks, Suicide Awareness and Data

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Tuesday, September 12, 2023. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. This health observance

ANNIE EVANS: 

This health observance every year it gives us the opportunity to reflect and consider lessons learned from emergencies over the past year.

JOHNSON: 

September is National Preparedness Month. ASTHO's Annie Evans says the latest discussions around preparedness policy have included a lot of talk about cyber attacks.

EVANS: 

Cybersecurity is an emerging topic this year. There have been a lot of recent attacks on health and healthcare systems and health departments as well. So, a lot of jurisdictions may be at risk. This is a hazard that can really have health impacts on people who may experience disruptions to their health services.

JOHNSON: 

Evans says many of these attacks have impacted health departments already working overtime due to natural disasters.

EVANS: 

So, we have seen a lot of trends of this happening after hurricanes, as well, which could lead to a really complex response to a hazard that we are very familiar with, as well. So, a lot of the trends in state health policy are looking at including cybersecurity in emergency operations plans, thinking through communications and record systems that could be impacted during a cybersecurity attack, and more.

JOHNSON: 

Evans reminds us this is also a good time to take a look at the latest policy discussions happening at the state and federal levels.

EVANS: 

The Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, or PAHPA, which is a federal piece of legislation is up for reauthorization this year. So, it's really helpful for us to get an understanding of what the state and territorial policy is, as well as the federal policy so we can really get a full view of that landscape and understand how each level fits together.

JOHNSON: 

Evans has written a blog article about preparedness policy and the latest public health concerns. You can read it using the link in the show notes.

This is also National Suicide Prevention Week. Michigan Chief Medical Executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, says her agency is working year-round to raise awareness among those who may one day need help.

NATASHA BAGDASARIAN: 

We ran a social media campaign in June targeted towards LGBTQ folks promoting our 988 line during Pride Month, and we've got a campaign this fall for Suicide Prevention Month. But really, a lot of our awareness programs are things that are continuing year-round. We really feel that this is something that, it's important to recognize Suicide Prevention Month, of course, but this is really an important topic for us to address all year.

JOHNSON: 

Bagdasarian says her department also looks upstream to address factors that contribute to suicide.

BAGDASARIAN: 

One of the important things to recognize in Michigan is that over 55% of our suicides were due to firearms. And the Suicide Prevention Commission really advocated for ways to decrease the risk of firearm-related suicides. And so they advocated for and supported the role of things like expanded background checks, education and secure storage, and extreme risk protection orders.

JOHNSON: 

Bagdasarian's advice to other health agencies: follow the data.

BAGDASARIAN: 

You know, I think that we are all learning as we go. I think it's really important for all of us to look at the data and continue to see where the data is taking us.

JOHNSON: 

Also today, data equity can help improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Learn how in an upcoming ASTHO webinar on Wednesday, October 4 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern time. Sign up using the link in the show notes.

Finally, this morning, practitioners working on the opioid response can find a series of resources gathered on a single ASTHO webpage. O'Keyla Cooper explains.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

In 2022, the CDC introduced the 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain. These educational resources created by ASTHO, with help from the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, are meant to improve decision-makers' comprehension of the guidelines, scope, and purpose. To access a full list of resources related to these guidelines, click the link in the show notes.

JOHNSON: 

Before we go, just a reminder that you can stay informed about everything happening at ASTHO by following us on social media. Connect with ASTHO on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

That'll do it for today. 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.