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Dr. Gabriel Seidman, Director of Policy at the Ellison Institute of Technology, details the need for a stronger nationwide health data ecosystem; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, tells us how some topics on the Hill that...
Dr. Gabriel Seidman, Director of Policy at the Ellison Institute of Technology, details the need for a stronger nationwide health data ecosystem; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, tells us how some topics on the Hill that are seemingly unrelated to public health can have an impact; and an ASTHO blog article discusses the connection between built environments and adverse childhood experiences.
American Journal of Public Health News Release: Public Health Leaders Urge Federal Government to Incentivize State-led Health Data Management to Create a Stronger National Health Data Ecosystem
ASTHO Blog Article: Improving the Built Environment Prevents ACEs and Creates Safer Communities
ROBERT JOHNSON:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Friday, February 16, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
GABRIEL SEIDMAN:
There is consensus that a stronger public health nationwide data ecosystem is needed.
JOHNSON:
ASTHO joins other public health leaders calling for a stronger nationwide health data ecosystem. Dr. Gabriel Seidman is Director of Policy at the Ellison Institute of Technology.
SEIDMAN:
The call to action is actually for federal leaders to provide the technical guidance, guidance on legislation and statutes that are appropriate for states to have to make the most use of their health data. And the funding incentives for states really that build their enterprise architecture for healthcare data.
JOHNSON:
The report is written by ASTHO, Seidman's organization, and others, including the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Seidman says the authors understand the need to recognize jurisdictional differences.
SEIDMAN:
You know, the reason we're talking about federal guidance and federal incentives rather than federal mandates, is because we also want to ensure that states have the final authority to manage their data the way they see fit, because, of course, every state has its own unique contextual considerations and need to serve different populations.
JOHNSON:
At the same time, Seidman says coordination would help get everyone moving in the same general direction.
SEIDMAN:
Let's make sure we're not recreating the wheel. Let's make sure we don't have 50 different states or 50 plus states and territories figuring this out and going this on their own.
JOHNSON:
ASTHO Immediate Past President Dr. Anne Zink and ASTHO Senior Vice President J.T. Lane joined Seidman and others on the report. You can read it in the February issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The link to the report and a link to a related news release are in the show notes.
ASTHO members will visit Congress later this month. Jeffrey Ekoma has more in this week's View from Washington, D.C. report.
Jeffrey Ekoma, good morning. It's great to have you here on the newscast talking about Congress, especially today, because we need your help understanding a few things. You know, a lot of times we watch what happens on Capitol Hill and we think it really has nothing to do with us. ASTHO members might think there's no connection to public health, but you say that's not always the case, that sometimes unrelated actions happening in the House or the Senate are connected to the issues we care about. Can you fill in the blanks for us on how that works?
JEFFREY EKOMA:
Absolutely. There have been many things happening on the Hill. One thing to mention is the House recently impeached the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on a party-line vote, which represented the first time in nearly 150 years that a cabinet official was impeached by the House. And also to members on both sides of the Capitol, have been largely engaged in discussions related to supplemental foreign aid, that advance out of the Senate and is also at the House right now. Now, the future of the bill is really uncertain at this point, but it's something that we're tracking because it will, in a way, indirectly have an impact on other important matters before Congress, such as finalizing FY24 appropriation bills. As a reminder, the first set of FY24 appropriation bills expires on March 1 and funding for many key public health programs also expire on March 8. So, we're tracking things very closely.
JOHNSON:
And those deadlines will impact plans that you're making right now with ASTHO members who will be on Capitol Hill here at the end of February. Tell us what's going on there and what you hope to accomplish.
EKOMA:
Yes, we're really excited and looking forward to our 2024 Spring Leadership Forum. That will include a traditional Hill Day on February 28. We are pleased that several of our members will be headed to Capitol Hill to discuss a multitude of issues that include but are not limited to public health infrastructure and the WIC program. In addition, our Island jurisdictions will also be discussing challenges impacting their health departments, the Compacts of Free Association, and Medicaid funding for U.S. territories.
JOHNSON:
Definitely a busy agenda, but what about members who are not here on Hill Day? Is there a way for them to be heard?
EKOMA:
Absolutely. We always encourage our members to be engaged with their congressional delegation. And it doesn't only happen when we have our Hill Day, but it really is true; engagement happens throughout the year, whether it be sharing resources from the department and serving as a resource when it comes to federal legislation that will impact their health departments. And
JOHNSON:
And if they want help with all of that, I'd imagine they can reach out to you or anyone else in the Government Affairs team at ASTHO for some help.
EKOMA:
Absolutely. We are always happy to help and really look forward to helping our members be successful in their engagement with the Hill.
JOHNSON:
Well, Jeffrey, as always, we look forward to having you here on the newscast. We appreciate you coming in today. We hope you have a great weekend and we'll talk to you again soon.
EKOMA:
Absolutely and hope everyone stays warm.
JOHNSON:
Did you know the ASTHO Government Affairs team sends Legislative Alert emails as needed? Emails include updates on policy actions in Congress and state capitals across the country. Join the list using the link in the show notes.
Also today, land use, parks, and zoning are among environmental factors that can impact children in positive or negative ways. ASTHO writes about the connection between built environments and adverse childhood experiences in a new blog article now online. Learn how ASTHO members are working to improve these conditions for kids in their states and territories. The link to the article is in the show notes.
Finally this morning, stay connected to everything happening in public health when you sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly email newsletter. Get more about the news we cover here by signing up. There's a link in the show notes.
Before we go, a reminder also to follow this newscast on your podcast player and connect with ASTHO on social media. We're on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.
That'll do it for today. We're off for the President's Day holiday on Monday, but back Tuesday 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 weekend.
