Episodes

As wildfire smoke becomes a recurring threat across more of the United States, public health agencies are adapting their guidance to help communities prepare and respond. In this episode, Gabriela Goldfarb, Environmental Public Health section manager of the Oregon Health Authority and Kathy Raleigh, principal epidemiologist of the Minnesota Department of Health, explain the health risks associated with wildfire smoke, why the combination of smoke and extreme heat can be especially dangerous, and...

ASTHO Senior Analyst for State Health Policy, Beth Giambrone, discusses a recent ASTHO Health Policy Update that examines how states are approaching vector-borne disease policy. Then, ASTHO Senior Analyst for Medicaid and Health Systems Partnerships, Orobosa Idehen, introduces a new Medicaid Oversight Governance Map.

Dr. Chelsea Moriarty Coffield, population health program manager for Community Health Choice, explains why collaboration is more than coordination and shares practical strategies for building trust, aligning organizations around community needs, and embedding health equity into everyday decision-making.

On today's View from Washington, D.C. report, ASTHO's Jeffrey Ekoma highlights FY27 appropriations, CDC and ASPR nominees, and more legislative updates.

In this bonus, long-form episode, Daniel Edney, ASTHO president-elect and state health officer for the Mississippi State Department of Health, explains how Mississippi is using Rural Health Transformation Program grant funding to strengthen maternal health systems, Then, Ramya Flores, director of Maternal and Infant Health at ASTHO, puts Mississippi's work into a national context, highlighting how states are adopting levels of maternal care to improve access to risk-appropriate services.

Sarah Shaw, senior informatics analyst at the Public Health Informatics Institute, discusses a new Data Modernization Communications Toolkit designed to help public health professionals explain complex initiatives in ways that resonate with colleagues, leaders, and communities.

On today's PHIG Impact Report, Shadee Lauer, director for the Office of Training and Development at the New Mexico Department of Health, explains how the state is using PHIG funding to recruit, retain, and develop its workforce through data-driven strategies and innovative professional development programs.

In this episode, ASTHO member and Pennsylvania Secretary of Health Debra Bogen discusses how Pennsylvania's investment in EMS has strengthened emergency care across the state.

Christen Linke Young, cabinet secretary for the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, discusses the collaborative, cross-agency approach Delaware has built to address PFAS contamination and other environmental health concerns in the state.

Kaylin Clonch, workforce essential learning director at the South Carolina Department of Public Health, tells us about the agency’s approach to strengthening its training culture.

Emily Fine, school and youth survey manager in the Prevention Services Division at the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment, highlights how findings from the 2025 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey showcased record low rates of persistent sadness, suicidal thoughts, and suicide attempts among youth.

ASTHO’s Andy Baker-White, senior director for state health policy, discusses his recent Health Policy Update that focuses on the role of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in shaping preventive care recommendations and insurance coverage.

On today's episode, ASTHO's Catherine Murphy highlights the latest leadership changes across the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including nominations within CDC, FDA, and more.

Jerome Larkin, ASTHO member and director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, discusses Rhode Island's "Better State of Healthy" campaign and how it is helping the department build connections with the community.

On today's episode, Gabby Hadly, emergency preparedness and response manager for the Snohomish County Health Department in Washington state, reflects on her experience in ASTHO's Developing Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) program.

On today's PHIG Impact Report, Tmong Udui with the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services shares how Palau is using PHIG funding to modernize its health data systems.

On today's episode, Catherine Jones, senior analyst of Government Affairs at ASTHO, breaks down the importance of federal preparedness in strengthening public health.

Alison Hinckley, lead of Epidemiology and Surveillance in CDC's Division of Vector-Borne Diseases, explains this season's increase in tick data and simple prevention steps to reduce Tick-borne diseases. Then, Latoya Sahadeo, ASTHO’s director of the Developing Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) Program, shares about the DELPH program and the call for applications.

Epidemiologist and Program Manager for Washington State's Wastewater-based Epidemiology Program Breanna McArdle,sits down with ASTHO and discusses how wastewater surveillance offers important data that fills in public health gaps. She also touches on the ethical and privacy concerns that come with wastewater surveillance, and the importance of collaboration in creating healthier futures.

On today's PHIG Impact Report, Tatiana Lin and Shelby Rowell from the Kansas Health Institute highlight how health departments are using AI to improve efficiency and expand workforce capacity.

On today's episode, Denise Hanisch from the South Dakota Department of Health shares the state's maternal and infant health priorities, and ASTHO's Sanaa Akbarali highlights takeaways from the Region 7 Maternal Health ECHO Summit.

On today's episode, ASTHO's Joseph Kanter and Andy Baker-White highlight takeaways from the Executive Leadership Forum and the legislative actions advancing public health in island jurisdictions.

On today's episode, ASTHO's Sara Bell and Alice Schenall discuss how public health agencies can turn strategic plans into measurable progress and lead through change and uncertainty.

On today's episode, Mary Ramirez from the South Carolina Department of Public Health discusses the agency’s innovative onboarding program for new employees.