777: Harris Embraces ASTHO Presidency, Boom-Bust Public Health Funding

JANSON SILVERS: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Thursday, October 24, 2024. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today is news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

SCOTT HARRIS: 

Public health challenges are these big, thorny, complicated problems, and there aren't really any simple answers. And the problems don't stop at my state line.

SILVERS: 

Dr. Scott Harris, Alabama's state health officer and ASTHO'S new president, as of yesterday's ASTHO Assembly of Members meeting, says his goal is to have everyone work together to accomplish the challenges ahead.

HARRIS: 

I really want to concentrate on promoting collaboration and cooperation between our state and territorial agencies. I want us additionally to really focus on building trust with the public that we serve.

SILVERS: 

One of the main obstacles Harris expects to face, which is echoed by many, is the lack of trust in public health.

HARRIS: 

We find ourselves in this situation where folks just aren't listening to us. You know, it's not unique to public health. There's this, you know, sort of movement, this anti-institutional movement, you know, around the world.

SILVERS: 

Harris believes he is ready for the task. Because of his years at the helm of Alabama's Public Health Department and because of his time with ASTHO.

HARRIS: 

I think I have developed somewhat in leadership skills and ASTHO has a lot to do with that. I'm actually really grateful for the leadership training that I've received through ASTHO. It's made me a better leader. I think, I think I've managed my own teams better. I can organize people, hopefully motivate people better.

SILVERS: 

If you would like to learn more about Dr. Harris, his ASTHO bio is online. We will put a link in the show notes.

Jasmine Orozco Rodriguez, a correspondent for KFF Health News, recently penned an article about the impact of a boom - now bust - funding cycle that we've seen in public health during the pandemic; a large influx of money was funneled to public health, but now...

JAZMINE OROZCO RODRIGUEZ: 

That funding is drying up for a lot of states. For some states, it's, you know, most- a lot of their funding is ending this year. For some states, it goes through next year. So, they are making decisions about how to adjust their budgets accordingly.

SILVERS: 

In Lubbock, Texas, STI Workforce grants allowed them to hire four disease investigators for what they thought would be five years.

OROZCO RODRIGUEZ: 

That funding had been cut short by two years and so they were seeing those consequences of having this funding, that they had counted on to go through for five years, would now be only three years because the CDC was facing its own budget cuts from Congress.

SILVERS: 

Rodriguez says the people she spoke to say it's right back to the dreaded cycle public health was in prior to the pandemic.

OROZCO RODRIGUEZ: 

It sounds like they're just kind of back to that same routine of asking for funding wherever they can get it, whether it's their state legislature, you know, whether it's their city council, county commission, you know, it's the federal government applying for these grants.

SILVERS: 

Rodriguez's full article breaks down a few more examples of the funding cycle. Use the link in the show notes to read it.

Your chance to be part of ASTHO's next Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health cohort is quickly running out. Applications to join are still being accepted, but time is almost up. The deadline is October 31, just one week from now. Learn more about the program and apply to join by clicking the link in the show notes.

Also today, register to join an upcoming ASTHO webinar that will teach you how to use tools and resources to boost performance management in your workplace. The Public Health Foundation will discuss assessments, infrastructure, and skills that will help you succeed. The link to register is in the show notes.

Finally, did you know the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has its own newsletter? Important information, like deadlines, events, resources, and opportunities are all included. Sign up today and everything PHIG will be in your inbox.

That'll 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.