650: Avian Symposium Happens Tomorrow, Gen Z Interested in PH

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Wednesday, April 24, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

JACK MCCLURE: 

We're trying to do everything we can to be in a good, strong preparedness stance for whatever might happen with avian influenza.

JOHNSON: 

ASTHO convenes a national symposium on avian flu tomorrow, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marcus Plescia, says the event will give public health and agriculture officials another opportunity to discuss concerns and possible responses.

MCCLURE: 

We're hoping that this is a way to build further bridges with the agricultural community, because really, we're concerned about the implications of this for humans. But we're also very concerned about the situation that they are in and the economic impacts that this is having on the agricultural community on the agricultural industry.

JOHNSON: 

Even though Plescia says there's no reason to believe the disease will jump from animals to humans. He says officials aren't taking any chances.

MCCLURE: 

If this became a problem in humans, it would be a big problem. I mean, we're worried about the infectivity, we're worried about it having potentially much higher levels of severe illness and mortality than any of the other things we've seen before.

JOHNSON: 

The symposium begins online tomorrow at 10 a.m. Eastern Time. ASTHO CEO, Dr. Joseph Kanter will moderate a panel of national experts representing federal and state agencies and organizations. Anyone can listen to the event. There's a link to the meeting page in the show notes.

JOHNSON: 

Are you trying to understand how to reach younger people interested in a job in public health? Jack McClure is a public health consultant. He says many Gen Zers already are thinking about it.

MCCLURE: 

We were introduced to this field and perhaps even finished school during the COVID-19 pandemic. So, we're accustomed to working under high pressure emergency situations and being very adaptable. I think for better or for worse. We also have a sense of urgency surrounding many public health issues.

JOHNSON: 

Like most of us, salary matters. But McClure says when it comes to Gen Z workers, other benefits are important too.

MCCLURE: 

When this includes a work life balance, flexible schedules, oftentimes with remote work options, and job perks. We also really value having our own projects, development to mentorship opportunities and room for growth within the organization.

JOHNSON: 

McClure reminds you to look for Gen Z prospects on LinkedIn, or maybe even through your own HR department.

MCCLURE: 

Can you convene a gathering that of them on some sort of regular basis, implement a mentorship or development cohort, even just a social event or mixer, I think these things can really make a difference for Generation Z.

JOHNSON: 

ASTHO maintains several resources related to workforce development, you can visit them by clicking the link in the show notes.

Also today, new federal grants will give Puerto Rico the money it needs to do more suicide prevention work. Dr. Nayda Roman is director of the Commission on suicide prevention at the Puerto Rico health department. She says the process requires perseverance.

NAYDA ROMAN-VASQUEZ: 

There was one that we submitted for HERSA. And it was like the cutoff was 97. And we got to 96. So it was like almost there. And every time that we received a no or thank you for participating. It wasn't something that destroyed us. I think it was actually a motivation.

JOHNSON: 

The commission's work paid off. Last year it received grants that allowed the agency to build a team and set new goals.

ROMAN-VASQUEZ: 

We aim with this increase in budget to obtain a 10% reduction in suicide mortality and morbidity, specifically in the disproportionately affected population here in Puerto Rico, which would be men over the age of 50.

JOHNSON: 

Learn more about Puerto Rico's work to reduce suicide using the link in the show notes.

Finally, this morning, a new ASTHO blog article has us thinking once again about the health connections between animals, humans, and the environment. O'Keyla Cooper has more.

O'KEYLA COOPER: 

A recent blog article by ASTHO emphasizes the important role of environmental and health professionals in protecting communities from climate change. It discusses the growing risk of diseases and pollution with state health agencies utilizing initiatives like One Health to address climate challenges despite financial constraints. To learn more about the One Health approach, click 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're 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.