654: Emergency Preparedness Framework Preview, Website Tells PH Stories

ROBERT JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Tuesday, April 30, 2024. I'm Robert Johnson. Now today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

JESSICA BAGGETT: 

ASTHO's Public Health Emergency Preparedness technical package recommends focused actions to help state and territorial health agencies improve emergency preparedness and response in their jurisdictions.

JOHNSON: 

ASTHO's Jessica Baggett talking about a package of evidence based strategies outlined in an article in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

BAGGETT: 

It provides a framework for how ASTHO can support agencies as they develop or improve standards and model policies around administrative preparedness, workforce preparedness, and health equity.

JOHNSON: 

There are three strategies. They address emergency procurement policies, interstate licensure, compact programs, and partnerships.

BAGGETT: 

So, this includes reviewing the U.S. Census Bureau's Community Resilience Estimate, which can be used as a resource to understand the community's ability to absorb stresses of a disaster, and creating dedicated leadership positions within health departments focused on health equity and the needs of various populations.

JOHNSON: 

Read the article using the link in the show notes.

Public health is telling better stories, we heard last week how it's important to do more than just gather and analyze data. Now, the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists is out with a web page full of stories about the impact of data modernization work. This is Megan Tompkins.

MEGAN TOMPKINS: 

We can humanize and make real these complicated technical solutions. When we show that for example, Angela in Utah leveraged her data systems and identified and disrupted a hepatitis outbreak.

JOHNSON: 

Tompkins says response to the project has been more than encouraging.

TOMPKINS: 

Our initial goal was to identify and share 10 Total stories, but we've been just overwhelmed by this positive response and participation. So, we've ultimately put up over 180 stories on our website, including five videos and written outputs, from nearly every state as well as some territories.

JOHNSON: 

Tompkins believes every story on the site has the potential to inspire a solution.

TOMPKINS: 

So these stories are going to help public health professionals continue to grow their own work and also learn from their peers. We can go farther when we go together and maximize our resources. And we borrow that brilliance across the public health ecosystem.

JOHNSON: 

You can visit the storytelling website by clicking the link in the show notes. Also, today, it's possible to advance DEI work in state government, Dr. James Bell III is chief of staff for the Public Health Administration at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

JAMES BELL III: 

I think it's really about using our power as organizations and institutions to create the type of workplace where everyone feels like they can contribute.

JOHNSON: 

Bell encourages agencies to consider projects proposed by employees.

BELL III: 

And so being able to say, you know, we're going to take a chance we're going to try something different. And understanding that it may not show up the same way that we may be most comfortable with. But it's an opportunity to, one, demonstrate that we're listening to those around us but, two, that we're willing to do something innovative.

JOHNSON: 

He says those ideas will come if organizations establish open communication.

BELL III: 

I think having townhall meetings I think having open door policies or open our office our type policies where people know that they can come and voice their concerns is one of the best ways to get there.

JOHNSON: 

Bell an ASTHO blog article about advancing DEI and state government. Read it now with the link in the show notes.

Finally, this morning, stay on top of everything happening in public health when you sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly email newsletter, it's as easy as clicking the link 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