803: ASTHO Legislative Prospectus Series Kicks Off

JANSON SILVERS: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Wednesday, December 4, 2024. I'm Janson Silvers. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

JOSEPH KANTER: 

As part of our comprehensive State Health Policy portfolio, ASTHO provides an annual Legislative Prospectus. This is a series of briefs summarizing the upcoming state legislation proposals that will undoubtedly impact public health from across the states and territories.

SILVERS: 

ATHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter is kicking off ASTHO's annual Legislative Prospectus Series by spending a few minutes with us to give an overview of what is to come in the weeks ahead. As a former SHO himself, Kanter knows where decisions are made.

KANTER: 

So much of the health policy that really impacts people's lives is happening in state houses. And this is where the confluence of policy and funding and practicality all meet, and it's our hope at ASTHO that we can help inform that process to make sure that the policies enacted are the best to improve health, wellness across this country.

SILVERS: 

The goal of the series?

KANTER: 

Well, by outlining the issues that we see as hot topics this coming year in state houses, we hope people can focus their energy and take the time now to learn as much as possible. What we care about is helping enact policy that is meaningful and serves to promote health and wellness.

SILVERS: 

Cantor tells us the five topics that ASTHO views as crucial.

KANTER: 

Number one is containing and preventing the spread of infectious disease. Number two is improving maternal and child health. Number three is strengthening the public health and healthcare workforce. Number four is policy surrounding substance use and overdose prevention, and number five is modernizing public health data and protecting privacy.

SILVERS: 

A lot more information on the legislative prospectus series will be right here on this newscast over the next few weeks, so make sure you stay tuned. In the meantime, you can view a news release and learn more about the series by clicking the links in the show notes.

As we know, public health is constantly facing challenges that require innovative solutions, and ASTHO is here to help, whether it is an emerging infectious disease threat or the aftermath of an environmental disaster, public health agencies must adapt, and that's where ASTHO's Inspire: Readiness series can be a benefit. Foster innovation in your public health systems by clicking the link in the show notes.

Also this morning, now you can read about how PHIG plays a role in public health, get information on upcoming events, and maybe even find inspiration on how your team can use PHIG for your department. That's because PHIG now has a dedicated newsletter. Use the link in the show notes to sign up today.

Finally, if you want all the latest public health news in your inbox each and every week, sign up for ASTHO's Public Health Weekly newsletter. That way you'll never miss a development. Use the link in the show notes to sign up today.

That'll do it for today. We are 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.