642: Black Maternal Health Week, PH Appropriations Book

JANSON SILVERS: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Friday, April 12, 2024. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

CHEMYEEKA TUMBLIN: 

So, we are experiencing preventable deaths at a higher rate than our counterparts. Indeed, it has become or has always been a public health issue that is deserving of more of our attention within the public health space,

SILVERS: 

As black maternal health week gets underway, Chemyeeka Tumblin a consultant who specializes in public health and Perinatal Mental Health says the numbers paint a picture showcasing exactly why this week is so important.

TUMBLIN: 

The Maternal Mental Health Leadership Alliance in their July report of last year, found that 50% of black moms experienced maternal mental health conditions. Black moms are twice as likely as their white counterparts to experience these maternal mental health conditions, but their only half as likely to receive care.

SILVERS: 

Tumblin says that while social determinants of health do play a role in outcomes for black maternal health, all black mothers are susceptible to a negative experience regardless of the social determinants.

TUMBLIN: 

But I also want to make a very important note that just like we know when it comes to maternal health, and the experiences of death within the black community when it comes to birthing, it doesn't matter the job it doesn't matter the education. These things don't contribute to us having the solution or us not experiencing death among the childbirth continuum due to things such as systemic racism and bias within the healthcare system.

SILVERS: 

Black Maternal Health Week officially began yesterday April 11, and runs through April 17. More information is in the shownotes.

ASTHO has been working hard to compile their top federal funding priorities and recommendations and the work is finally done. ASTHO's Jeffrey Ekoma tells us what's in ASTHO'S Public Health Appropriations Book, in this week's View from Washington D.C. report. Jeffrey Ekoma, it's Friday morning, and so that means you're here to join us and we always appreciate you coming by to see us and inform us. How are you this morning?

JEFFREY EKOMA: 

I'm doing well. I'm doing well.

SILVERS: 

And I know today we're going to be talking about the Fiscal Year 25 Governmental Public Health Appropriations Book that ASTHO just released. Can you tell me about the book, give me some background on how it all comes together?

EKOMA: 

Absolutely, but first, I want to extend my deep thanks to Catherine Murphy, who was an analyst on our government affairs team, for really leading our efforts to put this together. So thanks so much Cat. We're so pleased to share governmental appropriations book which compiles top federal funding priorities and recommendations from not only ASTHO, but also our affiliated partner organizations that include the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, the Association of Immunization Managers, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, the Association on Maternal and Child Health Programs, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologist, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors, the National Association of Public Health Statistics and Information Systems, the National Alliance of State and Territory AIDS Directors, the National Coalition of STD Directors, and last but surely not least, The Safe States Alliance. And really the book describes various public health programs within CDC, HERSA and SAMSA. And provide funding recommendations for each of their programs for the upcoming fiscal year. Now, within these recommendations, there are justifications for what increased funding would mean to each program and the role of state health departments within each program.

SILVERS: 

It sure sounds like a lot of people are depending on this book, and that you worked with a lot of organizations to make it happen. And I think that that collaboration within ASTHO is always an important piece of this. And so you specifically, your team, the internal ASTHO folks, how do you plan on using the book in the coming weeks, months, and for the rest of the year?

EKOMA: 

Yeah we actually already began using the book in our engagement members of Congress and their staff, as we discuss our own appropriation request. We're also in the midst of sharing the book with various partners, stakeholders across the public health community. And really, it's a resource that we'll use in our meetings and to really talk about the importance of funding various public health programs. I love it will really meet the needs of not only our members, but also meet the needs actually make changes to protect lives across our country.

SILVERS: 

And then whether it's external partners or people that you've collaborated with anyone who ends up reading the book, what do you hope that they get from reading it and possibly utilizing as a resource for the work and advocacy they are engaged in?

EKOMA: 

Yeah, we really hope that you know, the book provides a one-stop shop for all appropriation requests for governmental public health. And really provides insights into the advocacy efforts to boost funding for the program. That are so vital to public health agencies. We also hope to engage with individuals, stakeholders, anyone really, that's interested to know more about the importance of these program's health agencies and how we can all advocate and collaboration to the efforts that we are engaged in. And we really hope that people will find it valuable, and we look forward to using it as a resource throughout the entire year.

SILVERS: 

Wonderful, Jeffrey again, thank you so much for taking the time mostly each and every week to sit down with us and explain the important things you and your team are doing. We really appreciate it.

EKOMA: 

Thank you so much. I hope everyone has a great weekend.

SILVERS: 

You can read through ASTHO's Fiscal Year 25 Governmental Public Health Appropriations Book by clicking the link in the show notes and of course you can be kept up to date on all the latest news from The Hill that affects public health by signing up for ASTHO's Legislative Alerts that link also in the show notes.

Also today, an ASTHO's resource takes you through all the changes to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. O'Keyla Cooper has more.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

The 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule enables certified auxilary personnel to offer specific services under Medicare Part B. Aiming to streamline billing, improve access to healthcare for social determinants, strengthen partnerships, align community health worker training with state regulations, and optimize Health Care Resource Utilization. Download the PDF of this resource from the link in the show notes.

SILVERS: 

Finally, this morning, the latest public health news and resources are always changing. Stay on top of the most current items when you sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly Email newsletter. 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're on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook.

That will do it for today. We're back on Monday morning when more ASTHO news and information. I'm Janson Silvers. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great weekend.