CMO Plescia Steps Away; Harris Sees Large Role for Public Health

SUMMER JOHNSON: 

This is the award-winning Public Health Review Morning Edition for Friday, November 1, 2024. I'm Summer Johnson. Now, today's news from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials.

MARCUS PLESCIA: 

The thing that I would particularly leave with new, incoming state health officials is in every situation, that there's a way forward to getting things done and really being very successful and really making a public health difference.

JOHNSON: 

ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Marcus Plescia, will step away from ASTHO after seven years in the role. Plescia says that as he reflects on his time with ASTHO, the pandemic certainly stands out.

PLESCIA: 

You know, that's the thing I look back on, is probably the most substantive role that I played, and also the thing that I really appreciate, that people trusted me and let me step into those kinds of spokesperson-type agendas.

JOHNSON: 

Plescia sees a lot of bright spots for the role of public health and its professionals moving into the future,

PLESCIA: 

I think that the experience has also, you know, potentially attracted a lot of bright young people who were looking for career courses, who may choose a path in public health. And, you know, some of the defining characteristics of public health are sort of much more evident to people.

JOHNSON: 

Plescia has been the most featured guest on this newscast over the past several years, sharing his insights and guidance on many issues of the day. When asked what he hopes to leave with his colleagues at ASTHO and in public health, Plescia says to do what we do best.

PLESCIA: 

One parting message I'd like to put out there is to my peers, particularly at ASTHO. You know, no matter what happens, just remember to keep up the good fight. That's what draws us to public health. That's what we do well; that's what ASTHO is here for.

JOHNSON: 

Dr. Scott Harris is Alabama's state health officer and ASTHO's newly-elected president. Harris says the next few years are critical ones for public health.

SCOTT HARRIS: 

I think we've always been used to feeling like we understand science and we understand health, and we're the best ones to give advice, and people are deliberately avoiding the experts now. So, it is a crucial time.

JOHNSON: 

Trust in public health continues to be on the top of everyone's mind and Harris says transparency is the way forward.

HARRIS: 

You know, we have to be more overt about taking responsibility, about explaining why we make decisions. 'Explaining the why' is a phrase that you- you know you've heard quite a bit as we're discussing this idea of building trust.

JOHNSON: 

Harris is certain that the role of public health, and ASTHO in particular, will continue to strengthen our communities moving forward.

HARRIS: 

Our agencies all exist in their own sort of a unique political environment, and we have different areas of focus and different resources, but actually we have this really common mission of promoting health and safety and wellness, and we are stronger when we do it all together.

JOHNSON: 

Read more about Harris' background using the link in the show notes.

This Sunday, November 3, marks One Health Day. This is the ninth annual One Health Day, which is a global campaign that brings attention to the need for the One Health approach. This approach can address a wide range of public health concerns, like antimicrobial resistance, environmental health, food safety, mental health, vector-borne diseases, zoonotic diseases, and much more. For more information, you can click the link in the show notes.

Finally, this morning, get the latest public health news delivered directly to your inbox each and every week. ASTHO's Public Health Weekly newsletter is a great resource for every public health professional. Click the link in the show notes to sign up.

That'll do it for today. We're back Monday 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 weekend.