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Christi Mackie, ASTHO vice president of Community Health and Prevention Programs, tells us about the USDA’s first update to WIC packaging in a decade; Jessica Baggett, ASTHO senior advisor for Public Health Response, reflects on lessons learned from...
Christi Mackie, ASTHO vice president of Community Health and Prevention Programs, tells us about the USDA’s first update to WIC packaging in a decade; Jessica Baggett, ASTHO senior advisor for Public Health Response, reflects on lessons learned from the 2024 Preparedness Summit; and Danny Staley, ASTHO Senior Vice President for Public Health Programs and Practice, previews this years’ State Environmental Health Directors annual meeting.
ASTHO Webpage: 2024 SEHD Annual Meeting
JANSON SILVERS:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Monday, April 15, 2024. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
CHRISTI MACKIE:
The most recent WIC food packages have been updated and they align with the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. And this reflects recommendations from the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine.
SILVERS:
ASTHO Vice President, Christi Mackie, tells us about the USDA's first update to WIC packaging in a decade, the changes better align food packages with current nutrition science and dietary guidelines.
MACKIE:
I would say the biggest changes here are this broad access to a variety of key nutrients that are found in fruits and vegetables. Really, the final changes to the package are meant to encourage participants to eat more fruits and vegetables by increasing the cash value benefit amounts, allowing participants to buy more and try more.
SILVERS:
Mackie says healthier food means healthier people, something everyone in public health can get behind.
MACKIE:
In public health it's really in the business of promoting healthier eating and reducing healthy food disparities. By increasing the availability and access and supporting making the healthy choice, the possible choice or the easier choice.
SILVERS:
Mackie adds that small changes can have big effects.
MACKIE:
What we know is we have over 6.6 million infants, women children who are participating in WIC, and we still have millions more that are eligible. So, any changes that we can make to better support their health will result in meaningful, long lasting impacts for children and families.
SILVERS:
More information on the changes including a press release from the National WIC Association can be found in the show notes.
ASTHO's staff are reflecting on lessons learned from the 2024 Preparedness Summit, here's ASTHO's Jessica Baggett.
JESSICA BAGGETT:
So for me, the key takeaway was the realization of how much public health preparedness has evolved over the years.
SILVERS:
Baggett goes on to explain.
BAGGETT:
The discipline of public health preparedness really started and was initially funded after 9/11 and the 2001 anthrax attacks and was initially focused on bioterrorism threats. But we now know that there are many new threats to our health security, including climate emerging and reemerging infectious disease, advancement of technology and so much more.
SILVERS:
Baggett and her ASTHO colleagues had a chance to learn over the three day summit, but they also had the opportunity to share their expertise.
BAGGETT:
And then we shared a brand new public health authority toolkit which includes examples of when public health can exercise their legal powers to protect public health. And it also includes the evidence-based rationale for various public health interventions.
SILVERS:
Also, the 2024 State Environmental Health Directors Meeting kicks off today. ASTHO's Senior Vice President, Danny Staley, believes a couple of key subjects will be the focus of many discussions among peers.
DANNY STALEY:
One is the lead in apple sauce, how that rolled out the investigation, how states approach that and how they informed the consumer as well as worked with vendors. How they worked with stores selling the products.
SILVERS:
And the second?
STALEY:
The other, that is just top of mind because when we think back to the climate, and how it's had such a major impact this past year was really a rollercoaster. We had malaria, we had wildfires, we had storms, high winds, extreme heat. So, the climate and health aspect, I'm pretty sure will be another big topic for folks as they really sit down together.
SILVERS:
More information on the meeting is in the shownotes.
Finally this morning, stay connected to what's breaking in public health when you sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly email newsletter. The link is in the show notes.
That will do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Janson Silvers. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.
