Public Health Review Morning Edition

Dr. Joseph Kanter, Louisiana's State Health Officer, explains the evolution of messaging required by the fast-moving Omicron variant during an appearance on C-SPAN's Washington Journal morning show Monday; ProPublica journalist Caroline Chen considers the impact her story about congenital syphilis might have on the debate over funding for public health, especially in rural America; and ASTHO shares success stories of several disability and preparedness specialists working in jurisdictions across the country. C-SPAN Washington Journal: Dr. Joseph Kanter CDC News Release: Reported STDs Reach All-time High for 6th Consecutive Year ProPublica Website: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It's 100% Preventable. ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – One Year Review of Disability and Preparedness Specialists Project

Caroline Chen, a journalist for the non-profit news organization ProPublica, reports on public health's work to combat a rising number of syphilis cases in the nation; ASTHO offers a new blog article with ideas and guidance for public health planners looking to do more for people living with disabilities during times of crisis; and the CDC prepares to accept applications for its two-year, paid Public Health Associate Program. ProPublica Website: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It's 100% Preventable. ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – When Disaster Strikes for People Living with Disabilities CDC Webpage: Public Health Associate Program

Lawrence Gostin, law professor at the Georgetown University Law Center in Washington D.C., tells us what to expect from today's Supreme Court hearing on two Biden Administration COVID vaccine mandates; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser says states and territories are prepared for a rush of kids seeking protection from the Omicron variant as classes resume nationwide; a new ASTHO report highlights the role immunizations can play in reducing health disparities; and ASTHO has a new online tool to help members address the need for more forensic pathologists in their jurisdictions. ASTHO Report: Advancing Health Equity Through Immunization ASTHO E-Learning: Forensic Pathology Workforce Shortage – Context and Considerations for Public Health

Dr. Linda Mendonca, President of the National Association of School Nurses, explains how her members are coping with students' return to classrooms amid the threat of the Omicron variant; Robert Jennings, Executive Director of the National Public Health Information Coalition, shares what public health communicators think has worked well during the pandemic; and ASTHO releases its list of the 10 most used member resources in 2021. Website: National Association of School Nurses Website: National Public Health Information Coalition ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO's Most Used Resources of 2021

Andy Baker White, ASTHO's Senior Director of State Health Policy, discusses immunization proposals scheduled for consideration in legislatures across the nation; Caroline Chen, a journalist writing for ProPublica, connects syphilis to the public health funding roller coaster and health care needs in rural America; and ASTHO announces new job openings. ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health State Policy Issues to Watch in 2022 ASTHO Blog Article: Proposed Vaccination Laws to Watch in the New Year ProPublica Report: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It's 100% Preventable ASTHO Webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO

ASTHO President Dr. Nirav Shah outlines four priorities he says must be at the top of the public health agenda in 2022; John Bridgeland, Co-Founder and CEO of the COVID Collaborative, discusses recommendations for helping children who've lost a parent or caregiver during the pandemic; ASTHO offers a report summarizing legislative efforts taken to support HIV prevention; and we get a sneak peek into a conversation with Caroline Chen, a journalist at ProPublica, about syphilis, coming later this week. ASTHO Blog Article: ASTHO President Nirav D. Shah Looks Ahead to 2022 COVID Collaborative Report: Hidden Pain ASTHO Blog Article: State Legislative Activity Supports Federal Evidence-Based HIV Prevention Initiative ProPublica Report: Babies Are Dying of Syphilis. It's 100% Preventable

Karl Ensign, ASTHO's Vice President of Territorial Support, shares lessons learned fighting COVID-19 in the U.S. territories; Kelly Wroblewski, Director of Infectious Disease Programs at the Association of Public Health Laboratories, says labs are following the increase in the use of at-home COVID-19 test kits; ASTHO has a new blog article detailing steps members have taken to curb housing instability in their jurisdictions; and Jim Blumenstock, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Pandemic Response and Recovery, announces his retirement. Website: Association of Public Health Laboratories ASTHO Blog Article: Reflections From the Field – Pacific and Atlantic Jurisdictions Remain Resolute Amid Adversity ASTHO Blog Article: Factoring Housing Into Federal and State Policies to Improve Community Health

ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser hopes the new year signals a shift in the pandemic; Kelly Wroblewski, Director of Infectious Diseases for the Association of Public Health Laboratories, says labs are ready for whatever the pandemic brings this winter; ASTHO plans a webinar featuring it's disability and preparedness specialists; and ASTHO has a new blog article about viral hepatitis that includes four ideas jurisdictions might consider as they make plans to slow infections. Website: Association of Public Health Laboratories ASTHO Webinar: Stories of Inclusion One Year of Lessons Learned from Disability ASTHO Blog Article: Forward Focus – The Urgent Need to Address Rising Cases of Viral Hepatitis

ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says even though everyone is tired of the pandemic, we can't give up fighting the virus now; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser, along with two other public health leaders, says the pandemic has been difficult but also has offered several valuable lessons; and ASTHO's Director of State Health Policy, Maggie Davis, previews ASTHO's annual series of policy papers for member states and territories due out in January. NPHIC webpage: Public Health Speaks podcast ASTHO Statement: Lessons From the First Year of COVID-19 Vaccination, and What's Next ASTHO News Release: State and Territorial Health Officials Urge Americans to Help Stop Delta and Omicron's Spread ASTHO News Release: ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health State Policy Issues to Watch in 2022

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 South Dakota, says his time helping the state plan a new training program has been rewarding; and ASTHO publishes a fresh episode of the Public Health Review podcast about Health Equity Zones. ASTHO Brief: Leveraging the HHS emPOWER Program to Enhance Power Outage Planning ASTHO Brief: When the Power Fails – Helping Life-Support Equipment Users ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – When Disaster Strikes for People Living with Disabilities ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review