Public Health Review

Summary: Discover how the Data Readiness Project, a collaboration between ASTHO and ASPR, strengthened medical countermeasure systems and enhanced data sharing for health agencies. Public health leaders from Virginia, North Dakota, and Massachusetts share how the project strengthened emergency preparedness and response capabilities. The discussion highlights the power of strategic investment and underscores the meaningful progress toward building systems that support faster, more effective responses to public health threats — not just through technology, but also via sustainable funding, collaboration, and scaling systems to meet unique jurisdictional needs. Guests: Margaux Haviland, MPH, Director, Preparedness and Response Coordination, ASTHO Shane Keville-Wagner, Resource and Inventory Coordinator, Office of Preparedness and Emergency Management, Massachusetts Department of Public Health Tim Wiedrich, Director, Health Response and Licensure Section, North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services Jonathan Kiser, MS, Planning Division Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness, Virginia Department of Health Resources: Public Health Review Morning Edition - 990: Connecting Public Health Silos, Tracking Data for Emergencies How Washington State Leverages Data to Improve Emergency Preparedness, ASTHO Ohio Department of Health Using Partnerships to Improve Public Health Data and Emergency Preparedness, ASTHO How Massachusetts Streamlines Data Sharing to Strengthen Emergency Preparedness, ASTHO Successful Informatics Alignment, Policy Approaches for State and Local Data Sharing, ASTHO Legal and Policy Considerations for Public Health Technology Adoption: An Exploratory Guide, ASTHO Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides, ASTHO

This episode explores how strong partnerships across state and local agencies expand adolescent access to school health services in Illinois. Guests from the Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Chicago Public Schools share how coordinated efforts are improving health and wellness supports for students. From district-wide initiatives like Healthy CPS to statewide infrastructure for school-based health centers, the discussion offers practical examples and lessons learned to inspire similar collaboration in other jurisdictions. This publication was supported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $750,000 with 100 percent funded by CDC/HHS under the PW-24-0080 Cooperative Agreement, Grant #1NU38PW000018. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government. Guests Nikki Goodman, MSW: Healthy CPS Manager, Office of Student Health and Wellness, Chicago Public Schools Alexandra Sontag, DNP, MSN, APRN, CNL, FNP-BC: Director of School Nursing, Division of School Health, Chicago Department of Public Health Sally Lemke, DNP, WHNP-BC: School Health Nurse Consultant, Illinois Department of Public Health Resources Healthy CPS | Chicago Public Schools CDPH School Health Programs | Chicago Department of Public Health School-Based/Linked Health Centers | Illinois Department of Public Health What Works in Schools | CDC Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child | CDC Supporting Adolescent Health Through School-Based Health Programs | ASTHO

In this episode, we spotlight a dynamic partnership between an Indiana local health department and Public Health AmeriCorps. Our guests — Jessica Baker, a dedicated Public Health AmeriCorps member, and Michelle Arnold, their host site supervisor — share how they became involved with the program and the impact of their collaboration. Michelle discusses the decision to host an AmeriCorps member and the valuable contributions Jessica has made, both locally and at the state health agency level. Meanwhile, Jessica reflects on their day-to-day responsibilities, motivations for joining, and future career goals. The episode wraps with practical advice for other agencies considering hosting AmeriCorps members and insights into what the supervisor hopes to see in future fellows. It offers a candid look at building the public health workforce through mentorship, service, and shared goals. Guests Jessica Baker, MPH: Public Health AmeriCorps Member Michelle Arnold, MPH: Public Health AmeriCorps Host Site Supervisor

The Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Data for Action project supports the integration of data on brain health and caregiving into public health planning efforts. State health leaders in the brain health space from Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey participated in the HBI Data for Action initiative as Cohort 1, with support from the Alzheimer's Association and ASTHO. This episode showcases the inaugural cohort's accomplishments. Guests Meghan Fadel: Data for Action Lead; Associate Director, Alzheimer's Association Elizabeth Conklin, MPH: Connecticut Data for Action Participant; Health Program Supervisor; Heart, Brain and Diabetes Health Unit; Chronic Diseases and Injury Prevention Section; Community, Family Health, and Prevention Branch; Connecticut Department of Public Health Resources CDC: Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging Data Portal Alzheimer's Association: BRFSS and Other Data Resources Alzheimer's Association: E-News ASTHO: Healthy Aging and Brain Health ASTHO: HBI Road Map Module ASTHO: Public Health Review Morning Edition

There are many considerations when forming and managing an office of health equity or minority health. The National Association of State Offices of Minority Health shares how agencies across the United States have overcome common challenges and benefited from having a dedicated health equity office. In addition, the United States Virgin Islands Department of Health discusses initial successes and challenges experienced while establishing their office. Finally, the California Department of Public Health, with a well-established office of health equity, shares how their office utilized health equity liaisons and supported rural/tribal communities. This podcast episode complements the recently published ASTHOReport "Establishing an Office of Health Equity or Minority Health," which examines different approaches to sustainability. Guests · Rohan Radhakrishna, MD, MPH, MS, Deputy Director and Chief Equity Officer, California Department of Public Health · Justa Encarnacion, RN, MBA, HCM, Health Commissioner and Chief Public Health Officer, United States Virgin Islands Department of Health · Veronica Halloway, Executive Director, National Association of State Offices of Minority Health Resources · Establishing an Office of Health Equity or Minority Health | ASTHO · Islands Health Equity Framework | ASTHO · Office of Health Equity | California Department of Public Health · United States Virgin Islands Department of Health · National Association of State Offices of Minority Health · Public Health Review Morning Edition