Child And Maternal Health Episodes

1052: Strengthening Access to Care: Community Health Workers, Medicaid, and Rural Health
Jan. 14, 2026

1052: Strengthening Access to Care: Community Health Workers, Medicaid, and Rural Health

Community health workers (CHWs) play a critical role in bridging the gap between health systems and the communities they serve, especially in rural and underserved areas. In this episode, ASTHO Senior Director of Population Health, Alex Kearly, explains who CHWs are, how they build trust and addres…
1031: Public Health Wins: Reductions in RSV Hospitalizations and Overdose Rates Nationwide
Nov. 24, 2025

1031: Public Health Wins: Reductions in RSV Hospitalizations and Overdose Rates Nationwide

On this Public Health Thank You Day, ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Susan Kansagra, joins us to share encouraging news from the front lines of public health. Thanks to increased partnerships with birthing hospitals and the rollout of monoclonal antibodies for infants and the maternal RSV vaccin…
1030: Rural Health in Focus: State Strategies for Transformation
Nov. 19, 2025

1030: Rural Health in Focus: State Strategies for Transformation

In this episode, health leaders from Iowa, Maine and Mississippi share their strategies for revitalizing rural healthcare. We hear excerpts from an ASTHO media briefing featuring ASTHO members as they address the urgent challenges facing millions of rural Americans, including healthcare provider sh…
1027: RSV Season Update: Data Gaps, Trends, and Immunization Efforts
Nov. 12, 2025

1027: RSV Season Update: Data Gaps, Trends, and Immunization Efforts

Dr. Susan Kansagra, chief medical officer at ASTHO, shares an update on rising RSV activity and how states are tracking trends during the federal shutdown. She highlights new tools that protect infants, including maternal vaccines and monoclonal antibodies, and explains how public health and birthi…
1018: FHIR Improves Timely Data, Data Modernization Advisory Committee
Oct. 24, 2025

1018: FHIR Improves Timely Data, Data Modernization Advisory Committee

Alfarena McGinty, Marion County coroner in Indianapolis, Indiana, explains how her department’s investment in Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) has improved the efficiency and interoperability of timely mortal...
911: Admin. Preparedness Key In Emergencies, Mosquito Control Trends
May 21, 2025

911: Admin. Preparedness Key In Emergencies, Mosquito Control Trends

Julia McIlroy, procurement content manager for the National Association of State Procurement Officials, discusses administrative preparedness for public health emergencies...
892: PH Social Media Tool, Timely STI Testing
April 24, 2025

892: PH Social Media Tool, Timely STI Testing

Adrienne Ammerman, founder and CEO of Arclet, explains how her platform will help health communicators; Amelia Poulin, ASTHO assistant director of emerging infectious disease, breaks down a blog article on what states are doing to combat syphilis and...
871: Hypertension in Prenatal Care, Newscast Award
March 26, 2025

871: Hypertension in Prenatal Care, Newscast Award

Maria Gabriela Ruiz, an analyst on ASTHO’s maternal and infant health team, discusses a new ASTHO resource on strategies to use during prenatal care to address hypertension and other chronic diseases; Warren Villagomez, director of...
803: ASTHO Legislative Prospectus Series Kicks Off
Dec. 4, 2024

803: ASTHO Legislative Prospectus Series Kicks Off

Dr. Joseph Kanter, ASTHO CEO, gives us an overview of what to expect from ASTHO’s annual Legislative Prospectus Series; ASTHO’s INSPIRE: Readiness Series can help you foster innovation in your public health systems; and learn all about PHIG by...
698: Best of PHRME: Website Accessibility Rule, Tick-Borne Disease Awareness
July 3, 2024

698: Best of PHRME: Website Accessibility Rule, Tick-Borne Disease Awareness

This special episode of Public Health Review Morning Edition revisits a popular episode from June 3rd, 2024. Chris Teale, a journalist with Route Fifty, discusses a federal rule that requires websites to adopt standards outlined in the Americans with...
688: Telehealth Needs Assessment, Executive Training in Action
June 18, 2024

688: Telehealth Needs Assessment, Executive Training in Action

Suleima Salgado, an ASTHO Telehealth Consultant, shares details of a new needs assessment focused on telehealth; Dr. Fredrick Echols, CEO and Founder of Population Health and Social Justice Consulting LLC and a DELPH Graduate, tells us how DELPH...
665: Syphilis Warm Line, Equity Work Recognized
May 15, 2024

665: Syphilis Warm Line, Equity Work Recognized

Dr. Maura Quinlan, women's health medical advisor for the Illinois Department of Public Health, describes Illinois’ warm line for syphilis and congenital syphilis cases; Patrick Luces, program coordinator for the NCD Prevention and Control Program,...
664: Pharmacy-Based Birth Control Expands, Maternal Mental Health Policy Ideas
May 14, 2024

664: Pharmacy-Based Birth Control Expands, Maternal Mental Health Policy Ideas

Dr. Sally Rafie, founder of Birth Control Pharmacist, says pharmacies are an accessible and private option for those in need of contraceptive care; Joy Burkhard, executive director of the Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health, wants to make sure...
642: Black Maternal Health Week, PH Appropriations Book
April 12, 2024

642: Black Maternal Health Week, PH Appropriations Book

Chemyeeka Tumblin, a licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in perinatal and maternal mental health, outlines the importance of Black Maternal Health Week; Jeffrey Ekoma, ASTHO's senior director for government affairs, discusses ASTHO’s...
623: Readiness Report Ranks States and DC, Hill Day Gets High Marks
March 18, 2024

623: Readiness Report Ranks States and DC, Hill Day Gets High Marks

Dr. J. Nadine Gracia, president and CEO of Trust for America's Health, discusses the 21st edition of the Ready or Not Report; Catherine Jones, ASTHO Government Affairs senior analyst, tells us ASTHO’s Hill Day program in late February continues to...
597: Childcare Stress Impacts Maternal Health, Palau Tackles Heart Disease and Stroke
Feb. 8, 2024

597: Childcare Stress Impacts Maternal Health, Palau Tackles Heart Disease and Stroke

Dr. Molly Dickens, Founder and Director of the Maternal Stress Project, discusses the ways maternal health is impacted by stress linked to childcare; Edolem Ikerdeu, Chief for the Division of Primary and Preventive Health Services at the Palau...
567: Strategic Primer Helps PH Navigate Challenges; Lead, PFAS, and Food Safety Policy
Dec. 19, 2023

567: Strategic Primer Helps PH Navigate Challenges; Lead, PFAS, and Food Safety Policy

Mike Fraser, ASTHO chief executive officer, talks about the new book he wrote with Dr. Brian Castrucci, president and chief executive officer of the de Beaumont Foundation; Elke Shaw-Tulloch, public health administrator for the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, says many agencies saw...
565: Oregon’s Psilocybin Therapy Program, New Focus on Perinatal Substance Use
Dec. 15, 2023

565: Oregon’s Psilocybin Therapy Program, New Focus on Perinatal Substance Use

Cara Biddlecom, interim state health official at the Oregon Health Authority Public Health Division, talks about the launch of the first-ever state-sponsored psilocybin therapy program; Amani Echols, policy and government affairs manager for the...
561: ASTHO’s 2024 Legislative Overview Starts Today, Holiday Campaign Offers Treatment Message
Dec. 11, 2023

561: ASTHO’s 2024 Legislative Overview Starts Today, Holiday Campaign Offers Treatment Message

Dr. Lindsay Weaver, state health commissioner for the Indiana Department of Health, discusses the state’s campaign to increase investment in public health; Dr. Ralph Alvarado, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Public Health, explains how...
559: Policy Ideas Address Maternal Morbidity, Investment in the 9-8-8 Hotline
Dec. 7, 2023

559: Policy Ideas Address Maternal Morbidity, Investment in the 9-8-8 Hotline

Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, examines the third edition of the state’s maternal morbidity and mortality report; Dr. Umair Shah, secretary of health for the Washington State Department of Health, discusses...
558: A Call to Expand Naloxone Availability, Policies to Solve Maternity Care Deserts
Dec. 6, 2023

558: A Call to Expand Naloxone Availability, Policies to Solve Maternity Care Deserts

ASTHO President and Kentucky Health Commissioner Dr. Steven Stack says easier access to naloxone could help prevent many overdose deaths; former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams says naloxone should be as easy to find as AED devices that prevent...
539: Mental Health in Tribal Communities, Working With Medicaid Partners
Nov. 6, 2023

539: Mental Health in Tribal Communities, Working With Medicaid Partners

Kaleb Roedel, News Reporter at KUNR Public Radio, reacts to a recent Pew survey that documents extremely high suicide rates among Native Americans and Alaska Natives; and Stephanie Doyle, Deputy Director for the Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition...
537: Presidential Reflections, Medicaid Successes
Nov. 2, 2023

537: Presidential Reflections, Medicaid Successes

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska Chief Medical Officer and ASTHO Immediate Past President, reflects on her time at the head of the organization; Dr. Susan Kansagra (SHO-NC), North Carolina Assistant Public Health Secretary, says her agency...
535: Community Engagement Fosters Equity, Legislative Testimony Tips
Oct. 31, 2023

535: Community Engagement Fosters Equity, Legislative Testimony Tips

Jade Ramsdell, Performance Improvement Director with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, says community engagement leads to more inclusive decision-making; Lorrin Kim, Chief Policy Officer and Legislative Coordinator for the Hawaii...