Public Health Review Morning Edition

What does it take to communicate clearly when the stakes are high and the science is complex?  In this episode, Jessica Wieder, President of Teal Skies Consulting and former leader in external affairs at FEMA and EPA, shares how a career that started with a satellite crash simulation turned into two decades at the forefront of radiological preparedness and risk communication.  Jessica breaks down the evolution of crisis messaging in the digital age, from early “message mapping” techniques to today’s multi-channel, narrative-driven strategies. She explains why people can only absorb a few key messages under stress, how authenticity can make or break public trust, and why validating emotions is just as important as delivering facts.Past, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness ProfessionalStorytelling in Public Health: Lessons from STI Prevention & CareDriving Impact with Flexible Funding

What if public health could predict outbreaks the way we predict the weather? In this episode, Jason Asher, Director of the Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics at the CDC, joins us to explain how a new generation of data tools is transforming how we detect and respond to infectious diseases.  For decades, public health has relied on lagging data telling us what already happened. Asher and his team are working to change that, building systems that turn real-time data streams into actionable forecasts, simulations, and decision-making tools for health departments across the country.  We dive into how these tools are already being used, from measles outbreak modeling in South Carolina to national “nowcasting” systems that fill in data gaps in real time. Behind the Model: How Scenario Modeling Can Inform Public Health Decision-Making | CFA: Behind the Model | CDCConnect with CFA | CFA | CDCModeling Handbook | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDCLearning Resources | CFA | CDCepiENGAGE Measles Outbreak Simulator v-2.6.0Current Epidemic Trends (Based on Rt) for States | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDCRespiratory Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RESP-NET) | RESP-NET | CDCMeasles Outbreak Simulator | CFA: Modeling and Forecasting | CDCScenario assessment: 2025-2026 Measles Outbreak in South Carolina | CFA: Qualitative Assessments | CDC2025-2026 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook - December Update | CFA: Qualitative Assessments | CDCPast, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness ProfessionalSubscribe | ASTHO

What does the future of public health look like and what does it cost to build it? In this episode, ASTHO member Dr. James McDonald, Commissioner of Health for New York State, returns to the show to unpack the state’s $1.7 billion investment in a new, state-of-the-art Wadsworth Center Laboratory.  Set to consolidate five aging facilities into one 655,000-square-foot, LEED Gold-certified campus in Albany, the new lab is designed to transform how New York detects, tracks, and responds to public health threats—from infectious diseases and wastewater surveillance to antimicrobial resistance and emerging pathogens. Dr. McDonald explains why co-locating more than 800 scientists alongside academic partners will accelerate research and innovation, how lessons from COVID-19 are shaping flexible, future-proof lab design, and why investments like this are critical to national health security.Journal of Public Health Management and PracticeLiving With Long COVID: Stories, Science, and Public Health

Long COVID didn’t end with the pandemic and in some ways, the challenges are just beginning. In this episode, Heather Drummond, Deputy Director of the Center for Access to Whole Person Care for the Washington State Department of Health joins us to discuss the myths, realities, and urgent gaps surrounding Long COVID today.  With an estimated 6.2% of Washington adults affected and over $1.5 billion in associated medical costs, Long COVID remains a complex and often misunderstood condition. Drummond explains why it’s so difficult to diagnose, how symptoms can vary widely across individuals, and why stigma and low awareness continue to prevent patients from getting the care they need.  We also explore Washington State’s innovative response, from building a multi-source surveillance system to expanding provider training, launching public awareness campaigns, and developing clinical decision tools in partnership with the University of Washington.Living With Long COVID: Stories, Science, and Public HealthPast, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness ProfessionalNow, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program | EY - US

At this year’s ASTHO Spring Leadership Forum, Gaafar Uherbelau, Advisor to the President of Palau and former Minister of Health and Human Services, shared the story behind a long-awaited solution to a quiet but growing challenge in public health.  Palau’s new transition facility is designed for individuals who are medically cleared to leave the hospital but have nowhere to go, or no one to care for them. What sounds like a simple fix is actually the result of decades of cultural shifts, resource challenges, and evolving community needs.  In this episode, Uherbelau unpacks how the facility works, why it took over 20 years to become a reality, and how it reflects broader global trends like aging populations and changing family structures. He also explores the delicate balance between honoring cultural expectations of family caregiving and building formal systems of support.Weathering the Storm – Part 2: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and ResponseLiving With Long COVID: Stories, Science, and Public Health

Suicide remains one of the most urgent and complex public health challenges in the United States, with more than 49,000 lives lost in 2023 alone. In this episode, ASTHO’s Director of State Health Policy, JoAnne Deehr, breaks down how states are responding with more targeted, data-driven strategies.  From identifying high-risk populations like veterans, rural communities, and first responders, to investing in prevention infrastructure, Deehr explains how policymakers are moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. She also highlights key actions from the 2025 legislative session, including the creation of suicide prevention offices, advisory bodies, and fatality review processes designed to uncover patterns and improve interventions.Legislative Snapshot: Suicide Prevention Infrastructure and AI Chatbots | ASTHOLeadership Power Hour: Session 2 – Leading Through ConflictSubscribe | ASTHO

Leadership in public health has never been more complex, and navigating conflict is a critical skill for today’s leaders. In this episode, Dawn Morriston, Director of Faculty Advancement in the Office of Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development at UNC School of Medicine, introduces her March 26 session in the new Power Hour webinar series from ASTHO, designed to help supervisors and managers strengthen their leadership skills through focused, one-hour professional development sessions. The five-part series highlights key competencies that help leaders improve decision-making, build trust, and guide teams through organizational change. Morriston will explore why leading through conflict is essential in today’s rapidly changing public health environment. From competing priorities within teams to differing definitions of community needs, leaders often find themselves navigating complex conversations that require negotiation, reflection, and strategic thinking.Leadership Power Hour: Session 2 – Leading Through ConflictLiving With Long COVID: Stories, Science, and Public HealthWeathering the Storm – Part 2: The Importance of Environmental Health Preparedness and Response

In this episode: what happens after Hill Day wraps, and what’s next for public health funding.  We talk with ASTHO Senior Director for Government Affairs, Jeffrey Ekoma, about the fast-moving FY27 appropriations process and what it means for state and territorial health agencies.  From early signals in the House and Senate to the anticipated release of the president’s budget, Ekoma walks through the key milestones shaping the months ahead. He also unpacks recent oversight hearings, including insights from NIH and acting CDC leadership, and what they reveal about priorities like grants management and funding timelines.Subscribe | ASTHOPH-HERO | ASTHO

How do you deliver specialty health care across a 14-island chain spread across the Pacific?  In this episode we talk with Eleanor Cabrera, Chief Strategy Officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  She’ll tell us how telehealth is helping transform care delivery in the Northern Mariana Islands and explains how virtual services from telepharmacy and teleradiology to remote specialty consultations are reducing costly off-island referrals and connecting patients on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota with the care they need.  The conversation also explores the unique challenges territorial health systems face, including broadband gaps, workforce shortages, and capped Medicaid funding. Cabrera shares how strategic partnerships with mainland providers, potential collaborations with hospitals across the Asia-Pacific region, and new digital infrastructure investments could dramatically expand access to care.ASTHO Policy Institute Lunch & Learn Series: Medicaid Policy & Implications for STI PreventionNow, Next, and Beyond: Understanding the Rural Health Transformation Program | EY - US

Public health nurses are on the front lines of community health but many are facing stress, burnout, and limited opportunities for advancement. In this episode Shirley Orr, executive director for the Association of Public Health Nurses, talks about the final session in the Public Health Nursing Workforce Learning Lab series and what it reveals about retaining the public health nursing workforce. Drawing on insights from the Association of Public Health Nurses and the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS), Orr discusses why about a quarter of public health nurses say they may leave the field, and what leaders can do about it. From fostering supportive workplace cultures and strong supervision to creating clear pathways for professional development and shared decision-making, the conversation highlights practical strategies agencies can use to improve satisfaction and keep nurses engaged.Meeting Home PageASTHO (@astho) on X⁠, Bluesky, Instagram, LinkedIn, ⁠Facebook