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Jim Jellison, vice president of technology strategy and innovation at the National Network of Public Health Institutes, describes a new CDC-funded implementation center that will help tribal agencies with their data modernization work; Amy Lavery, an...
Jim Jellison, vice president of technology strategy and innovation at the National Network of Public Health Institutes, describes a new CDC-funded implementation center that will help tribal agencies with their data modernization work; Amy Lavery, an epidemiologist at the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry at the CDC, explains how the Heat and Health index tool could help manage the impact of temperatures in communities; an ASTHO blog article explores how community power building can address social and structural determinants of health; and ASTHO partnered with CVS Health to research and write a report about the trend of more health plans investing in strategies to address the social determinants of health.
PHIG Partners Webpage: Data Modernization Implementation Center Program
CDC Webpage: Heat and Health Index
ASTHO Report: High-Impact Community Investments by Health Plans
SUMMER JOHNSON:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Wednesday, July 24, 2024. I'm Summer Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
JIM JELLISON:
A nuance with the Tribal Implementation Center is that it will engage tribes and tribal public health authorities directly to chart a strategic direction for tribal public health data modernization.
JOHNSON:
Jim Jellison with the National Network of Public Health Institute's describes a new CDC funded implementation center that will help tribal agencies with their data modernization work.
JELLISON:
And we anticipate that it's going to advance this concept known as tribal data sovereignty and really help you know tribal nations as sovereign nations get ownership and maintain more agency over the information that they have a right to manage.
JOHNSON:
Earlier this month ASTHO and NMPHI and the Public Health Accreditation Board announced the creation of four implementation centers, including one dedicated to work with tribes Jellison and expects many agencies will find the technical expertise very helpful, no matter where they are in their data modernization journey.
JELLISON:
In many cases, public health agencies have made tremendous improvements with their data systems. And in some cases, that's resulted in having more data than they can, you know, handle perhaps or needing assistance to manage and parse and understand this deluge of data that they might be getting from electronic health record systems or laboratory information systems.
JOHNSON:
Jellison says the work over the next three years will have a big impact on public health.
JELLISON:
Ultimately, it's about making data connections and ensuring that data actually flows to public health agencies. And they're able to use that data.
JOHNSON:
The CDC will invest $255 million to create the implementation centers. You can read an ASTHO news release and visit the website using the link in the show notes.
Intense summer heat has many public health officials looking for ways to better manage the impact of sweltering temperatures in their communities. The heat and health index tool could help. Amy Lavery is an epidemiologist at the CDC.
AMY LAVERY:
It combined zip code level data on heat related illness, pre-existing health conditions, socio demographic factors, and natural and built environment factors.
JOHNSON:
Lavery says detailed data in the tool allows it to analyze unique local factors that may be driving heat related illness.
LAVERY:
It can be used to help identify and prioritize areas that may need special attention or additional action during heat events to reduce heat related illness. It can also be used to educate and inform the public about heat risk in their community.
JOHNSON:
Lavery notes the index draws on numerous data sources to inform 25 indicators.
LAVERY:
Indicators were selected based on a review of the literature, reviewing existing indices, and subject matter expertise.
JOHNSON:
The heat and health index tool will be updated every two to three years. You can see it now using the link in the show notes.
Also today learn how racial and health equity can benefit from community power building. O'Keyla Cooper has more.
O'KEYLA COOPER:
A new ASTHO blog article explores how community power building can address social and structural determinants of health. It highlights the definition and practical applications of community power, emphasizing its role in achieving racial and health equity. The article also shares examples of successful community power initiatives. You can read the full article by clicking the link in the show notes.
JOHNSON:
Finally this morning, more and more health plans are investing in strategies to address the social determinants of health. This includes hiring community health workers, ASTHO partnered with CVS Health to research and write a report about the trend. You can download it using 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're on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
That'll do it for today. We're back tomorrow morning with more ASTHO news and information. I'm Summer Johnson. You're listening to the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition. Have a great day.
Vice President, Technology Strategy and Innovation, National Network of Public Health Institutes
