Public Health Legislative Trends in 2024: A Note from ASTHO CEO
December 10, 2023 | Michael Fraser
Dear Colleague,
Governmental public health agencies are in a time of transformation and change as they adapt to a post-pandemic world. This transition has offered bright spots and opportunities, such as significant new federal and state investments in the public health and healthcare infrastructure and workforce. And it presents challenges such as rebuilding trust and confidence in public health authorities and the actions they take to improve the health of their populations.
As you prepare to consider numerous issues during the upcoming legislative session, we invite you to review ASTHO’s annual Legislative Prospectus Series, which offers concise, evidence-based reporting on the latest trends in our top 10 public health policy issues to watch in 2024:
- Containing the spread of infectious disease
- Data collection and exchange
- Environmental health
- Family and reproductive health
- Mental health
- Optimal health for all
- Preventing sexually transmitted disease
- Substance misuse and overdose prevention
- Tobacco and nicotine products
- Workforce
Designed for public health professionals and policymakers alike, this series helps provide insights into legislative trends throughout the country with the goal of helping our members advance evidence-based public health policies through the legislative processes.
ASTHO will continue to support and equip public health leaders working to advance the public’s health and well-being through these opportunities and challenges. From engaging our Legislative Liaison Peer Network to our State Health Policy team’s legislative tracking efforts, ASTHO will continue to monitor and report on these critical public health policy issues.
Thank you for your continued dedication to making optimal health a reality for all U.S. states, territories, and freely associated states.
Most sincerely,
Michael Fraser, PhD, MS, CAE, FCPP
Chief Executive Officer