Alexis Travis, ASTHO Alumni Society chair, and assistant provost and executive director of University Health and Wellbeing at Michigan State University, details a few priorities for National Public Health Week; Arnice Yuji, Director of the Bureau of Health System Administration...
Alexis Travis, ASTHO Alumni Society chair, and assistant provost and executive director of University Health and Wellbeing at Michigan State University, details a few priorities for National Public Health Week; Arnice Yuji, director of the Bureau of Health System Administration for the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, explains how she is prioritizing veteran health as part of public health; and Dr. Scott Harris will testify on Capitol Hill later this week.
National Public Health Week Web Page
ASTHO Web Page: Public Health Review Morning Edition
SUMMER JOHNSON:
This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Monday, April 7, 2025. I'm Summer Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.
ALEXIS TRAVIS:
I personally think that social cohesion is critical. It's critical as a determinant of public health, but just critical in general, to the fabric of our communities.
JOHNSON:
Today begins National Public Health Week, a cornerstone in the advancement of community well-being and promotion of public health. Alexis Travis is with Michigan State University, and says it's a great time to ask big questions.
TRAVIS:
How can we create opportunities for people to come together across different belief systems as well? So, we're not just, you know, remaining in our silos, but we're really opening up and getting to know people and learning to care for our fellow community members, whether it be neighbors, whether it be friends, families, colleagues.
JOHNSON:
Partnerships across sectors are also a must-do.
TRAVIS:
So, one of the ways that I think public health professionals and public health departments can be successful in drawing more people in and being able to really move forward at this community level is through collaboration, academic collaboration, engaging our researchers, engaging our students, across identities, across backgrounds, and you know, folks who live in the community as well.
JOHNSON:
Travis says this is a critical time to invest in the public health workforce.
TRAVIS:
I think we're at a really pivotal time where we're seeing long-term public health professionals leaving the field, so we're having what's been termed the 'brain drain,' but we're also at a point where we need to recruit and provide people with the skills to be successful in their public health practice.
JOHNSON:
Learn more about National Public Health Week when you click on the link in the show notes.
Arnice Yuji is with the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services, and is bringing her experience in the military to public health.
ARNICE YUJI:
As a former Army medic, I was in the military for eight years, and as a medic, we were taught to look at signs and symptoms of PTSD, and I can see some veterans in our community that are self-medicating, and you know, they're just doing what they can to cope with civilian life because of the lack of access to care from the Veterans Affairs, veterans health services.
JOHNSON:
Yuji says veterans in Palau have small differences in their care that make a big difference, and not everyone is aware. For example, Yuji says the insurance you usually would receive as a veteran once you leave the military is structured differently for her residents.
YUJI:
That insurance is not available in Palau in a sense that we are not an official payee. So, if the veteran seeks care in our hospital, they must pay 100% out of pocket, and then at a later date, once their claim is done, they can get reimbursed. But that, again, is very unfortunate, and it's a hardship for the veteran.
JOHNSON:
Yuji spent her week at the Spring Leadership Forum in D.C., communicating these issues to leaders on the Hill. We'll update you on what came of these talks in future episodes.
Also, make sure you stay tuned later this week for coverage of Dr. Scott Harris testifying on the Hill. The government affairs team will preview his testimony and will bring you his audio straight from the floor to this newscast. Make sure you never miss an episode by clicking the follow button wherever you get your podcasts.
Finally, this morning, speaking of the House and Senate, never miss an update from either floor when you sign up for ASTHO's Legislative Alerts. Whether on the Hill or in a state legislature, ASTHO will send you a notification any time a piece of legislation that affects public health is passed. Sign up today using the link in the show notes.
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.
Alexis Travis PhD
Assistant Provost and Executive Director, University Health and Wellbeing, Michigan State University
Chair, ASTHO Alumni Society
Arnice Yuji
Director, Bureau of Health System Administration, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Republic of Palau