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Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and ASTHO member, tells us how his department uses good data to better serve his state; Paula Nickelson, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and an...
Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health and ASTHO member, tells us how his department uses good data to better serve his state; Paula Nickelson, director of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and an ASTHO member, says the HIMSS conference continues to impact conversations about the future of public health; an ASTHO webinar focused on TEFCA will feature ASTHO President Dr. Steven Stack and will take place today; and an ASTHO webinar will show you how viewing disability as a demographic can improve understanding of the impacts of public health emergencies on people with disabilities.
ASTHO Webpage: Public Health for the 21st Century – Data Modernization and Privacy Protections
National Public Health Week Webpage
ASTHO Webinar: TEFCA Overview and Perspectives from the Field
ASTHO Webinar: Defining Disability for Syndromic Surveillance – Data to Action
ROBERT JOHNSON:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, April 4, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
SAMEER VOHRA:
We need to create and invent new tools, almost create the future of how we interact not only to protect our own health but protect the health of our loved ones, and then the individuals in our community.
JOHNSON:
New tools and innovations are on the agenda today as we continue our coverage of National Public Health Week. On day four, Illinois Public Health Director and ASTHO member Dr. Sameer Vohra says better public health relies heavily on better data.
VOHRA:
We want to use that to identify future outbreaks in the earliest stages, find and fix healthcare deserts, target funding to where it's needed, and monitor public sentiment so that we can create the right communication strategies to empower people to make informed choices about their own well being.
JOHNSON:
Vohra says artificial intelligence is part of the equation, but as his department will proceed carefully.
VOHRA:
We know that artificial intelligence isn't perfect, it may have certain biases. And so we are testing this technology and these systems to make sure that they work correctly, protect our residents, and then allow it to be used to make people as healthy as possible.
JOHNSON:
Wastewater testing is another approach that Vohra says will continue to provide new opportunities for data collection.
VOHRA:
Now, we've worked to really expand that wastewater testing from COVID to influenza A and B back in October 2022. In March of 2023, looking for RSV, and now considering what other illnesses, viruses, or even other information that we can get from the wastewater.
JOHNSON:
Vohra adds vending machines stocked with Naloxone and various testing kits have taken public health access to a new level.
VOHRA:
These vending machines have been placed in areas around the state where they are readily available to populations that may be most at risk, including the homeless. They've been in public libraries, commuter rail stations, college campuses, and more.
JOHNSON:
Our coverage of National Public Health Week continues tomorrow We discuss reproductive and sexual health with Clare Coleman, president and CEO of the National family planning and reproductive health association. Read more about today's topic, tools, and innovation by clicking the link in the show notes.
It's been about a month since the world's largest gathering on health information technology wrapped up in Orlando. But the HIMSS conference continues to impact conversations about the future of public health. Missouri Health Department Director and ASTHO Member, Paula Nichelson, was among 1000s who attended the event.
PAULA NICKELSON:
We often, the state health officers, talk about how useful it is for us to be blended and integrated with healthcare and how COVID really sort of reminded us that we're all operating on that continuum. And to be in that space where healthcare routinely goes to talk about their data, how they're using data, how they're using technology and increasingly using AI. For us to be talking in that same space, I think was really useful and will be useful going forward.
JOHNSON:
Nickelson says it was good to be in the same place with leaders who are focused on clinical care.
NICKELSON:
Thinking about things systemically together and thinking about them in the in the same line, which is really helpful. And I think attendance at HIMSS in that regard really helps advance us all in that space.
JOHNSON:
Director Nickelson went to the HIMSS conference to learn more about the trusted exchange framework and common agreement, also known as TEFCA. You can attend an ASTHO webinar about the data exchange network later today at 4p.m. Eastern Time. ASTHO President, Dr. Steven Stack will lead the discussion, there's still time to get a seat at the event. The link to sign up is in the show notes.
Finally this morning, another ASTHO webinar will show you how viewing disability as a demographic can improve understanding of the impacts of public health emergencies on people with disabilities. O'Keyla Cooper has more.
O'KEYLA COOPER:
Join ASTHO for defining disability for syndromic surveillance data to action on Monday, April 30, from four to five p.m., Eastern Time. This webinar will explore how defining disability as a demographic can enhance surveillance efforts. Additionally, there will be a technical assistant's office hour on Tuesday, April 30, from four to five p.m., Eastern Time, providing insights into practical tools and approaches. Register for both events via the link in the show notes.
JOHNSON:
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.
