629: Long COVID Strategies, Updated ACEs Approaches

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Tuesday, March 26, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

MARCUS PLESCIA: 

I think we're beginning to emerge with this understanding that about 10%. So, one in 10 people who've had COVID will experience symptoms of Long COVID. I mean, that's a pretty substantial number.

JOHNSON: 

The federal government is out with an update on the impacts of Long COVID. ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marcus Plescia, says it addresses five strategies to deal with the lingering effects of the virus.

PLESCIA: 

Research, the second is clinical practice. The third is various services and supports. The fourth is public education. And the fifth is coordination.

JOHNSON: 

Plescia says three of those strategies have the most connection to public health. The first is research to include surveillance and epidemiology. And then there's education.

PLESCIA: 

There the reports specifically calls out public health and says it's public health's job to make sure people understand the risks of Long COVID. And what they can do to protect themselves.

JOHNSON: 

Coordination of providers and health care institutions is another area where Plescia says public health can make a difference.

PLESCIA: 

So oftentimes, it's our leaders in state public health departments who take kind of a leadership role around, really delving into areas that aren't necessarily under their authority, but that, require a response in order to really assure the public's health.

JOHNSON: 

You can read the federal government's latest report on Long COVID by clicking the link in the show notes.

ASTHO's Board of Directors recently updated its policy statement on adverse childhood experiences, also known as ACEs, Vermont Health Commissioner and ASTHO member, Dr. Mark Levine is on the board.

MARK LEVINE: 

So, this updated policy statement really includes new research that supports strategies that first strengthen economic supports for families. And second, ensure a strong start for children and healthy child development.

JOHNSON: 

For Levine the statements value is in the details.

LEVINE: 

I think the updated research and the new resources for addressing ACEs that support the tremendous menu of strategies to address ACEs then intersect with so many of our current challenges.

JOHNSON: 

Levine says the statement supports work to reach people as soon as possible to stop ACEs before they happen.

LEVINE: 

So, the earlier we can start in an individual's life course, meaning, perhaps, before delivery even and certainly in the early postpartum period, and in that first year of life for a child is a such critical timing.

JOHNSON: 

Levine adds the updated policy aligns with the latest CDC priorities and provides ASTHO members a series of recommendations to help guide their ACEs work. Read it using the link in the show notes.

Also today, a new playbook is available to help public health agencies deal with online misinformation. It was developed by a team at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. This is Dr. Tara Kirk Sell.

TARA KIRK SELL: 

It sort of helps with a decision-making guide because there's so many rumors out there you can't address every single one and you really shouldn't.

JOHNSON: 

There's a link to download the playbook 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, the link as always is 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 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.