594: New Opioid Website, Firearm Violence Strategy

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Monday, February 5, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

TOMÁS ARAGÓN: 

When you're responding to a public health crisis, having access to accurate and timely information is really important.

JOHNSON: 

California has a new website to give people information about the opioid crisis. This is California Public Health Officer and ASTHO member Dr. Tomás Aragón.

ARAGÓN: 

It's really part of our effort to get information out, make it accessible, have people be able to go to one site where they can access different resources at the state but also locally and nationally, because there are efforts that are available to folks and people go to one place, and they can access those resources.

JOHNSON: 

Aragón says the website is part of a bigger strategy to get information to people no matter where they live in the state.

ARAGÓN: 

California is a big state, and we want to make sure that no matter where they live, they may not-- they may not have a treatment provider close to them. But because of the internet, and telehealth, and the website, there's a way that we can reach every single person.

JOHNSON: 

The website address is opioids.ca.gov. The link is in the show notes.

North Carolina has a comprehensive plan to address gun violence. State Health Director and ASTHO member Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson says the state has an office dedicated to the concern and a strong partnership with public safety agencies.

ELIZABETH CUERVO TILSON: 

One, a lot of the funding that is coming down for violence prevention comes through our public safety agencies. So, that's where the dollars are. So, that's a really important piece.

JOHNSON: 

Cuervo Tilson says success also depends on knowing where parties can agree. In North Carolina, there's consensus around firearm storage.

CUERVO TILSON: 

It helps with unintentional injury you know, keeps those firearms out of our curious toddlers' hands. It helps with suicide and self-injury and in-fact, suicide is the leading cause of firearm deaths is suicide. So, that really helps decrease that especially amongst our youth who can be very impulsive in their behavior.

JOHNSON: 

Cuervo Tilson adds the plan is to keep the focus on local communities.

CUERVO TILSON: 

We're trying to get the funding out to our communities, and really fostering that cross-sectional collaboration at the local level as well, making sure local law enforcement is talking to local public health and fostering that at the local level.

JOHNSON: 

North Carolina's strategy is available online. You can read it by clicking the link in the show notes.

Also today, Congress may be on track to meet new federal spending deadlines. ASTHO's Carolyn Mullen says there are signs that key sub-committees now are working with budget allocations, known as 302 B's.

CAROLYN MULLEN: 

According to media reports, it appears that the FDA and Agricultural Appropriation bill is receiving a slight bump from last year. But unfortunately, the LHHS bill appears to be getting a slight decrease. These 302 B's are held under lock and key. So, we don't have a chart to really compare. So, we're just going by media reports. So, some good news and potentially some bad news in these allocations.

JOHNSON: 

Mullen also is tracking the timing of the budget debate. She says the congressional schedule now aligns with ASTHO's upcoming Hill Day visit at the end of this month.

MULLEN: 

So, I'm really excited about the opportunity for our members to be up on the hill on February 28 and telling their story and why public health infrastructure and other programs are so important to public health jurisdictions throughout the country.

JOHNSON: 

Get the latest on the budget debate when you sign up for ASTHO's Legislative Alert emails. We have the link in the show notes.

On a related note, Indiana lawmakers approved a 1500% increase in public health funding last year. Tomorrow, ASTHO will host a webinar to discuss the state's plan. The event is set for 1 p.m. ET. Save your seat using the link in the show notes.

Finally, this morning, ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser and de Beaumont Foundation President and CEO Dr. Brian Castrucci will explore how public health professionals can build strategic skills in a webinar on Thursday, February 22. They wrote and edited a new book on the topic, you can sign up for the event and buy the book using the links in the show notes.

Before we go, a reminder also to 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.