This ASTHOBrief discusses how breastfeeding acts as a protective factor for maternal mental health, negative impacts of COVID-19 on breastfeeding and maternal mental health, state actions to improve maternal mental healthcare and lactation ...
In October 2021, the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and Children’s Hospital Association declared a joint national state of emergency in children’s mental health. The declaration stated ...
In an effort to bolster COVID-19 response efforts, state and territorial health agencies looked to update or implement new digital tools and technologies. In response, ASTHO developed a COVID-19 Technology & Digital Tools Inventory to ...
Case investigators and contact tracers must understand and adapt to the culture of people with COVID-19 to conduct effective interviews and follow up. It is important that case investigators acknowledge existing fears and concerns, and ...
This infographic highlights 10 high-level strategies to advance work in school behavioral health.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health authority has been used to require the use of face masks and encourage social distancing, and other measures. In several states these legal authorities have been challenged and, in many ...
The State Health Policy portfolio includes an annual legislative prospectus series. This document is from 2021 and addresses the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Bounce forward" into a better world by using these resources to create healthier, more resilient communities.
During the 2022 state legislative sessions, at least 20 states considered bills that would require a religious exemption to a vaccine requirement. As state legislatures continue considering vaccine protocols for COVID-19, HPV, and other ...
The COVID-19 pandemic has exasperated challenges around access to nutritious and affordable foods. In response, the federal government has taken action to increase funding and access to programs to strengthen food security.
The rise of seriously ill COVID-19 patients is a reminder of the primary role that public health departments play in responding to any outbreak: preventing community-wide transmission of disease.
The refrain from the popular Police song “Don’t Stand So Close to Me” takes on new meaning in the current era of COVID-19 infection and control. Remember to isolate, quarantine, and social distance.
On May 7, 2020, ASTHO released a statement applauding a new tool, the Contact Tracing Workforce Estimator, that will help state and local health departments determine the number of staff needed to effectively identify and trace people who ...
On June 30, 2020, a group of public health and science organizations issued a letter urging Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Azar to maintain the Public Health Emergency Declaration for COVID-19.
On March 20, 2020, ASTHO, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists issued policy recommendations regarding testing for COVID-19.
On April 10, 2020, ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser released a statement of support for a new report by the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security entitled "A National Plan to Enable Comprehensive COVID-19 Case Finding and Contact Tracing ...
This episode highlights COVID-19’s impact on overdose-related deaths during the postpartum period, also known as the fourth trimester. There has been a significant increase in postpartum overdose-related deaths in recent years—a problem ...
If there’s anyone who has spent their career preparing for a global pandemic, it’s Anne Schuchat, MD. Currently, she serves as the principal deputy director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She sat down with ASTHO ...
While communities transition from emergency response to long-term monitoring and recovery, the federal government and states are taking legislative action to improve emergency preparedness capabilities.
Predictions regarding how the health system would be impacted in the event of a U.S. default paint a grim picture for the country and for public health.