576: State Health Assessments Inform Planning, How to Access Public Health Databases

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Tuesday, January 9, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

EDWARD SIMMER: 

This data will drive much of what our agency does over the next several years.

JOHNSON: 

South Carolina has completed a new state health assessment. Dr. Edward Simmer is director of the state's Department of Health and Environmental Control.

SIMMER: 

We clearly have challenges with infant and maternal mortality in South Carolina. Our rates are among the highest in the nation. Deaths due to opiates has increased threefold over the past three years and that's very concerning. It shows that we have significant increases also in mental health issues since COVID began.

JOHNSON: 

The report released in mid-December outlines many concerns, but Simmer says that's the point.

SIMMER: 

We can't know what we need to do and what we need to work on until we know what the problems are. So, I think the state health assessment gives us a very good overview of where does the state stand today, how does that compare to where it's been, and then we can develop plans to address those.

JOHNSON: 

He says the state already is working on a plan to address every concern raised. Reminding colleagues, these assessments must be followed by a response.

SIMMER: 

But I think if you identify a problem, you should always be prepared to identify a solution and so that's a big piece of this. Now that we have the data, we can design solutions to help improve the health of every person in our state.

JOHNSON: 

You can read the South Carolina report using the link in the show notes.

Evidence-based research is critical to public health agencies. Although, it can sometimes be hard to access due to the cost of database subscriptions. Melissa Touma is ASTHO's director of the public health infrastructure program.

MELISSA TOUMA: 

Agencies can leverage partnership agreements with local or state universities to support the health agencies' academic health department models and receive access to research and library resources through that university.

JOHNSON: 

Touma says agencies also might be able to use staff connections to access resources.

TOUMA: 

If a health department has staff serving as faculty members at a university or college access can be obtained through them, or they could help initiate the health department's connection with a higher education institution.

JOHNSON: 

Touma notes Colorado used public health infrastructure grant funding to support a subscription to the public health digital library.

TOUMA: 

This program helps guarantee that local public health departments can find and use the best evidence-based information that is available for the public health activities such as grant writing, program planning, health improvement planning, and policy development.

JOHNSON: 

Also today, a free resource this one focused on the public health workforce is available on the ASTHO website. O'Keyla Cooper has more.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

The PH-HERO initiative by ASTHO addresses moral injury, burnout, resilience, and retention in public health agencies. The PH-HERO Workforce Resource Center provides frequently updated tools, recommendations, and scholarly literature to support the well being and retention of the public health workforce. Learn more about the initiative by clicking the link in the show notes.

JOHNSON: 

Finally, this morning, get a weekly update on public health news and resources by signing up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly email newsletter. You can join the list using the link in the show notes.

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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.