595: Teens Get Online Health Hub, Indiana Funding Plan Discussed Today

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Tuesday, February 6, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

NICOLE CASANOVA: 

No one knows what it's like to be a young person navigating health care right now, like a young person.

JOHNSON: 

Nicole Casanova is with the Washington State Department of Health. She says her agency has created an online teen health hub to answer teens' questions. Her colleague Alexis Bates says the solution came out of discussions with members of a youth advisory council.

ALEXIS BATES: 

Over and over we heard that what they were saying is that teens and young adults really want more and better access to accurate and reliable health information.

JOHNSON: 

Casanova says the online hub includes information that has been carefully reviewed by adults and youth advisory council members.

CASANOVA: 

We put that through a rigorous process where we check to make sure that the authors are trustworthy, that the sponsoring agency is credible, that the information is up to date. Whether or not it's youth-focused and whether it is or it isn't that young people have had the opportunity to take a look at it and indicate whether or not they think it's relevant and appropriate for young people.

JOHNSON: 

Casanova adds the site soon will include new material created exclusively for the hub.

CASANOVA: 

We've got a lot of original content on the horizon, especially things like quick one- to two-minute animated videos on things like how to schedule a doctor's appointment, how to make sure that services stay confidential, and at what ages you can access confidential services.

JOHNSON: 

You can check out the Teen Health Hub by clicking the link in the show notes.

Today's the day we learn more about Indiana's successful public health funding campaign. Last year, leaders were able to win state approval of a 1500% increase in funding for public health. This is Indiana State Health Commissioner and ASTHO member, Dr. Lindsay Weaver.

LINDSAY WEAVER: 

We heard from businesses that they saw they're having difficulty recruiting more workforce into their community because of our poor health metrics here in Indiana or even there locally.

JOHNSON: 

Weaver says businesses were encouraged to become advocates of the plan.

WEAVER: 

So, being able for them to be able to show,"Look, Indiana is making a significant investment in health, that the state of Indiana also recognizes that we need to have good health in order to have a good economic future," the businesses stepped out and they were also talking to the legislators and encouraging them, "Hey, this matters for more than just outside of the health sector. This really matters to everybody."

JOHNSON: 

Hear more from Dr. Weaver and a former state senator who supported the plan in an ASTHO webinar happening today at 1 p.m. ET. There's a link to the event in the show notes.

Also today, performance management systems can help agencies improve practices within their environmental health divisions. Learn how in an ASTHO webinar scheduled for Thursday, February 22 at 3:30 p.m. ET. Save your seat using the link in the show notes.

Finally, this morning, get this news and more when you sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly email newsletter. It has links to important newscast episodes, resources, and other original content. The link is 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 are 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.