582: Telehealth Recommendations, Empowering Diverse Executives

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, January 18, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

MICHAEL ELLLSWORTH: 

So, I think it's amazing that we're all experimenting in this space and creating new solutions and then that we're sharing these innovations across the country.

JOHNSON: 

Public health agencies are looking for new ways to use telehealth technology post-pandemic. Mike Ellsworth at the Washington State Department of Health says his organization has released a study of telehealth activities and opportunities.

ELLLSWORTH: 

We titled this report Clarion Call for Public Health's Role in Telehealth and Digital Health because our research left us with a feeling there must be a call to action for public health departments to prioritize telehealth and quickly expand agency telehealth knowledge and capacity.

JOHNSON: 

Ellsworth says the study includes six recommendations to support and improve telehealth in a jurisdiction, adding the Washington State report is just the beginning.

ELLLSWORTH: 

And so, we actually call this report version one, because by the time we were finished with it, it almost seemed like you could do this entire project all over again and get completely different results.

JOHNSON: 

You can download your copy of the new report by using the link in the show notes.

ASTHO's Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health program often is credited with changing the lives of those who go through the training. Erika Kirtz is an epidemiologist at the Tennessee Department of Health. She recalls how she felt at work before joining the program.

ERIKA KIRTZ: 

I didn't know how to make my voice heard. I'm really trying to walk this tightrope of trying to assimilate into the culture that I'm in with in public health and not knowing how to bring my true self into it.

JOHNSON: 

Kirtz says she learned that it's okay to speak up even if others are silent.

KIRTZ: 

I do want to be that advocate. I want to call out. Hey, we're seeing this in these communities, these vulnerable populations, we need to do something by really finding the confidence and how to do that professionally. I've really learned that from DELPH.

JOHNSON: 

The program brings together diverse professionals from across the states and island areas. Kirtz says those new relationships are invaluable.

KIRTZ: 

We have leaned on each other for support. We have given each other resources, tools, encouragement. The training that we've received has really been instrumental in helping me build myself as a leader.

JOHNSON: 

A new group of students began its work in December. They'll graduate later this year. You can read more in an ASTHO news release. There's a link in the show notes. Also today, ASTHO creates hundreds of resources each year. They keep members informed on the latest trends, issues, and policies in public health. O'Keyla Cooper has more.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

In 2023, ASTHO released 410 new resources covering public health topics such as COVID-19, climate change, and data modernization. As we progress into 2024, ASTHO invites you to check out the top 10 public health resources from the previous year. You can access these resources through the link in the show notes.

JOHNSON: 

Finally, this morning, stay connected to new ASTHO resources by listening to this newscast each day and by signing up for ASTHO's email newsletters. You can get updates on legislation, policy, and more by clicking the link in the show notes.

Speaking of that, make sure you follow this newscast on your podcast player so you don't miss a single report and connect with ASTHO on social media. We're 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.