Public Health Review Morning Edition

Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, analyzes the Build Back Better Act and looks ahead to the possibility of another continuing resolution in February; Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, says Health Equity Zones turn traditional public health models upside down; Katie Lamansky, Health Program Manager for Get Healthy Idaho, says community partners appreciate the innovation that comes with Health Equity Zones; and ASTHO is hiring to fill several open positions. ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO

Mike Fraser, ASTHO's CEO, recognizes the first anniversary of a COVID-19 vaccine and discusses hesitancy; Professor Dorit Reiss, University of California Hastings College of the Law, examines the legal arguments behind a lawsuit challenging New York City's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for municipal workers; ASTHO members wrap up their first in-person conference since the pandemic started almost two years ago; and ASTHO offers a microlearning titled "Introduction to Process Improvement." USA Today: History made, millions saved – One year later, 'surreal' moments of COVID-19 vaccine debut live on Bloomberg: New York City Must Appear in Court Over Vaccine Mandate Lawsuit ASTHO E-Learning: Introduction to Process Improvement

Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Relations, says it's unlikely Congress will roll back one of President Biden's vaccine mandates; Devon Page, a government affairs analyst at ASTHO, tells us how states and territories can begin to improve transportation options for people who struggle to access medical care; Katie Lamansky, Health Program Manager for Get Healthy Idaho, says health equity zones require everyone to adjust their thinking; and ASTHO offers a training course of case investigators and contact tracers. NPR webpage: In a largely symbolic move, the Senate votes to block Biden's vaccine-or-test mandate ASTHO Blog Article: Transportation, a Destination in Itself ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review podcast ASTHO E-Learning: Making Contact – A Training for COVID-19 Case Investigators and Contact Tracers

Kim Martin, ASTHO's Director of Immunization, tells us how an event like National Influenza Vaccination Week impacts vaccination awareness; ASTHO CEO Mike Fraser says communities weary of COVID-19 cannot afford to let their guard down; and Dr. Nicole Alexander Scott, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health, explains the value of health equity zones. ASTHO Blog Article: Flu Activity Rising – It's Time to Get the Vaccine! CDC webpage: National Influenza Vaccination Week ASTHO webpage: Public Health Review podcast

Claire Hannan, Executive Director of the Association of Immunization Managers, says vaccines have benefitted from the attention they've received during the pandemic; Jessica Baggett, ASTHO's COVID-19 Response Director, says states and territories have work to do to prepare for the rollout of antiviral therapies, like the AstraZeneca formula given emergency use authorization by the FDA Wednesday afternoon; a new ASTHO blog article details how an interagency collaboration aims to improve business processes in the U.S. Virgin Islands; and the Surgeon General has a new toolkit available to help public health agencies address online misinformation. Association of Immunization Managers webpage: National Influenza Vaccination Week CDC webpage: National Influenza Vaccination Week ASTHO Blog Article: Interagency Collaboration to Improve Business Processes in the U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Surgeon General: A Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation

Dr. Tom Frieden, President and CEO of Resolve to Save Lives, a non-profit organization, debuts a media campaign sharing stories of young people suffering from Long COVID; The White House hosts a Maternal Health Day of Action event; and ASTHO is hiring for several open positions. Webpage: Resolve to Save Lives Launches First-of-its-kind "Voices of Long COVID" Media Campaign Throughout the United States Download webpage: Help Promote the Voices of Long COVID The White House: Remarks by Vice President Harris at the Maternal Day of Action Summit ASTHO webpage: Job Opportunities in Public Health and at ASTHO

Dr. Judy Monroe, President and CEO of the CDC Foundation, shares details of a new series of discussions considering the future of public health; Felecia Barrow, an ASTHO Disability and Preparedness Specialist working in Alabama, tells how National Guard members trained to work with the disability community helped a young woman and her family get vaccinated against COVID-19; and the non-profit Resolve to Save Lives organization debuts a media campaign sharing stories of young people suffering from "long COVID." CDC Foundation: Lights, Camera, Action Summit Series ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – One Year Review of Disability and Preparedness Specialists Project Webpage: Resolve to Save Lives Launches First-of-its-kind "Voices of Long COVID" Media Campaign Throughout the United States

ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says influenza and COVID-19 have a lot in common, as National Influenza Vaccination Week kicks off today; Professor James Hodge Jr., at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University in Phoenix, predicts the fate of several federal vaccine mandates now held up in courts around the nation; and the CDC Foundation, ASTHO, and other groups kick off a series of conversations about the future of public health today. CDC webpage: 2021 NIVW Digital Media Toolkit Bio: Professor James Hodge Jr. CDC Foundation: Lights, Camera, Action Summit Series

ASTHO leaders react to President Biden's winter COVID-19 strategy. Dr. Nirav Shah, ASTHO President and Director of the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and Dr. Marcus Plescia, ASTHO's Chief Medical Officer, discuss booster shots, messaging, pharmacy capacity, and at-home tests; and we recognize International Day of Persons with Disabilities today with a story about Felecia Barrow, ASTHO's Disability and Preparedness Specialist in Alabama, who shares her idea to train National Guard members how to assist people living with disabilities. The White House webpage: President Biden Announces New Actions to Protect Americans Against the Delta and Omicron Variants as We Battle COVID-19 this Winter ASTHO YouTube post: Public Health Leaders Discuss Omicron Variant Amid Reported U.S. Case ASTHO Blog Article: Embedded – One Year Review of Disability and Preparedness Specialists Project

ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Dr. Marcus Plescia says there are more questions than answers regarding the Omicron variant now in the United States; Dr. Plescia writes in a new ASTHO blog article that the pandemic presents an historic opportunity to address health equity in the U.S.; Aika Aluc, ASTHO's Senior Analyst for Maternal and Infant Health, examines the many ways states and territories have worked to advance breastfeeding and health equity in a new report; and ASTHO releases details of a new webinar series exploring breastfeeding equity. CDC website: First Confirmed Case of Omicron Variant Detected in the United States ASTHO Blog Article: The Historic Opportunity COVID-19 Presents to Address Health Equity ASTHO Report: Examining State Innovations to Advance Breastfeeding and Health Equity ASTHO Webinar Series: Fostering Breastfeeding Equity Through Community Engagement