Environmental Health Episodes

217: Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force
July 12, 2022

217: Opioid Abuse Child Impact Task Force

Dr. Denise Johnson, Acting Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, outlines the goals of a new task force considering the impact opioid abuse has on children in the state; Jon Rubin, Deputy Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of...
163: Mask Mandate Ruling
April 22, 2022

163: Mask Mandate Ruling

Andy Baker White, ASTHO’s Senior Director for State Health Policy, discusses the impact of this week’s federal court ruling striking down the mask requirement for people using public transportation; Phillip Talboy, Senior Advisor with the CDC’s...
154: Climate Health – Public Health Week
April 11, 2022

154: Climate Health – Public Health Week

Dr. John Balbus, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, explains the connection between weather and population health as part of our celebration of National Public Health Week; ASTHO’s Caroline Brazeel says work starts today on the...
115: Cleaning Up Toxic Compounds
Feb. 9, 2022

115: Cleaning Up Toxic Compounds

Alan Roberson, Executive Director of the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, explains the growing interest in the risks of PFAS chemicals and the challenges some jurisdictions encounter when they want to do something about them; Phil...
110: Healthy Home Improvements
Feb. 2, 2022

110: Healthy Home Improvements

Kristin Ahrens, Deputy Secretary of Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs, says the pandemic crisis ultimately will make services for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities stronger; ASTHO’s Abe Kulungara shares...
102: Recalling COVID-19’s First Case Part 2
Jan. 21, 2022

102: Recalling COVID-19’s First Case Part 2

Dr. John Wiesman, the former Secretary of Health in Washington state, gives his assessment of the nation's pandemic response since the first COVID-19 case was discovered in his state two years ago this week. He discusses what has worked, what remains...
86: Power Outage Preparedness
Dec. 16, 2021

86: Power Outage Preparedness

Eric Cote, an expert in emergency power preparedness, tells us why it’s important to know who relies on electricity for their medical devices when power is lost in a community; Stephen Heck, an ASTHO Disability and Preparedness Specialist working in...
60: Vaccinating Pregnant People
Nov. 3, 2021

60: Vaccinating Pregnant People

Dr. Kristina Box, Indiana’s State Health Commissioner, discusses the complex task of vaccinating hesitant pregnant people against COVID-19; ASTHO releases advice from community groups gathered to explore possible responses to vaccine misinformation...
55: Pediatric COVID Vaccine Sites
Oct. 27, 2021

55: Pediatric COVID Vaccine Sites

James Blumenstock, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Pandemic Response and Recovery, shares how states and territories are preparing for the possibility of a pediatric COVID-19 vaccine; Kathy Dolan, Director of Environmental Health at ASTHO, tells...
31: Booster Shot Debate
Sept. 22, 2021

31: Booster Shot Debate

Dr. Anne Zink, Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer and ASTHO President-elect, considers the potential for COVID-19 booster shots for some populations; Nick Porter, ASTHO’s Director for Environmental Health, explains how members can benefit from a new...
21: New Guide to Inclusive Communications
Sept. 8, 2021

21: New Guide to Inclusive Communications

Booker Daniels, with the CDC’s Division of Public Affairs, details a new online resource to help public health professionals improve their inclusive communication skills; Kerry Wyss, ASTHO’s Director of Environmental Health, shares information...
14: Vaccination Card Verification
Aug. 27, 2021

14: Vaccination Card Verification

Jim Blumenstock, ASTHO’s Senior Vice President for Pandemic Response and Recovery, discusses the importance of collaboration as states and territories stand up systems to verify an individual’s vaccination status; Joshua Berry, an ASTHO Analyst...
6: Preparing for COVID-19 Boosters
Aug. 17, 2021

6: Preparing for COVID-19 Boosters

ASTHO President Dr. Nirav Shah (SHO-Maine) considers the risks to watch for as states and territories administer COVID-19 booster shots to some immunocompromised people; ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia discusses the work to address...
3: Lead Pipe Funding
Aug. 12, 2021

3: Lead Pipe Funding

Funding to replace lead pipes in drinking water systems; the state of public health with ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser.