760: Factors to Reduce Suicide Rates, Infant Mortality Awareness Month

SUMMER JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Monday, September 30, 2024.

I'm Summer Johnson.

Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

ALISON CAMMACK: 

Really, an important part of this is thinking about ways that we can prevent someone from becoming suicidal in the first place.

JOHNSON: 

The CDC has new data on suicide rates and variables that can reduce the risk of suicide. Here's the CDC's Dr. Alison Cammack.

CAMMACK: 

Health insurance coverage can help people access mental health and primary care services and treatment. High Speed Internet access connects people to prevention resources, job opportunities, telehealth services, and family and friends.

JOHNSON: 

Cammack public health has a role to play.

CAMMACK: 

In terms of what state health departments can do, they can implement various programs, practices, and policies that improve housing stability, economic security, connection to community, internet access, and healthcare access and delivery.

JOHNSON: 

While the CDC is specifically looking at rural areas and populations where suicide rates are higher, Cammack still stresses an approach that considers everyone.

CAMMACK: 

We really emphasize that regardless of population, implementation of a comprehensive approach to suicide prevention that can address multiple suicide risk and protective factors. Including those that can prevent someone from becoming suicidal in the first place.

JOHNSON: 

You can use the link in the show notes to read the data in the CDC full vital signs report.

It's the last day of September, which means Infant Mortality Awareness Month is coming to a close. Dr. Stacy Scott is with the National Institute for Children's Health Quality, or NICHQ.

STACY SCOTT: 

We know while there's been progress in recent years, the U.S. still faces challenges compared to other developed countries.

JOHNSON: 

Scott says there's a big role for public health in the effort to reduce infant mortality.

SCOTT: 

State and territorial health officials can support infant health efforts in their jurisdictions by implementing and overseeing programs, focusing on prenatal care, early childhood development, and access to infant health care services.

JOHNSON: 

But, Scott adds, it's not just on the shoulders of public health. We can improve outcomes by bringing in more partners.

SCOTT: 

We believe that promoting a cross-sector collaboration at the highest level within the state with state run entities. For example, housing, transportation, and the criminal justice system, just to name a few, is paramount in hoping and working to improve our outcomes for all.

JOHNSON: 

NICHQ has several resources available online. Access them by using the link in the show notes.

Also today, an ASTHO blog article looks at better protecting children's health through emergency preparedness. Mental health, gun violence, and climate change are all addressed in the article. You can use the link in the show notes to read it.

Finally, on tomorrow's newscast.

JULIA GREENSPAN: 

There's still a lot of stigma, and that can be the major barrier. And by allowing folks to test at home, you can reduce a lot of that stigma.

JOHNSON: 

ASTHO's Julia Greenspan shares the impacts of the recent FDA authorization for the first at home syphilis test. Follow the show, and you'll have the episode on your mobile device at 5am tomorrow. Just tap the plus sign in the upper right corner of the screen you're looking at right now.

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.