ASTHO’s Most Popular Resources of 2024
January 08, 2025 | Taylor Francis
For the last 82 years, ASTHO has worked diligently to support public health leaders and improve the health of our communities. We remain committed to doing so, through capacity building, technical assistance, and thought leadership across the public health spectrum—including data modernization and informatics, public health infrastructure and systems improvement, infectious disease, and other key areas.
As we continue our efforts in the new year, we remember and acknowledge the important work from the previous, reflected in ASTHO’s most-utilized 2024 resources.
Preventing Firearm Injury and Death with Safe and Secure Storage Policies
Secure firearm storage is crucial to preventing firearm injury and death. Health agencies can create policies and take additional steps to support this prevention strategy—learn more in blog article “Preventing Firearm Injury and Death with Safe and Secure Storage Policies.”
The Fentanyl Crisis Requires Ongoing and Strategic Federal Action
By early 2024, synthetic opioids (i.e., fentanyl) were one of the most common drugs involved in drug overdose deaths in the United States. ASTHO’s Government Affairs team details how health officials can implement life-saving measures, like increasing access to naloxone, in health policy update “The Fentanyl Crisis Requires Ongoing and Strategic Federal Action.”
Reducing the Impact of Eating Disorders on Adolescent Girls
From 2018 to 2022, adolescents experienced a 107.4% increase in eating disorder diagnoses. Adolescent girls are disproportionately impacted, having a higher prevalence with increasing incidence. Learn how health departments have recently proposed or enacted legislation to alleviate this impact in blog article “Reducing the Impact of Eating Disorders on Adolescent Girls.”
State Health Officials Alarmed by U.S. Measles Outbreaks
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of measles in the United States, with several outbreaks occurring in 2024. In response, ASTHO shared an important reminder: Following established public health practices can prevent outbreaks and protect our communities. Read the full press release, “State Health Officials Alarmed by U.S. Measles Outbreaks.”
ASTHO Appoints Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH, as New Chief Executive Officer
In March 2024, ASTHO announced Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH, as its next chief executive officer. He has demonstrated exceptional public health leadership throughout his career, and continues to at ASTHO. Learn more about Dr. Kanter and his appointment in press release “ASTHO Appoints Joseph Kanter, MD, MPH, as New Chief Executive Officer.”
State Approaches to Community Health Worker Certification
This past year, an increasing number of states have developed certification programs for community health workers (CHWs), which comes with many benefits to the health workforce. Explore each state’s approach to setting certification requirements and administering the program in brief “State Approaches to Community Health Worker Certification.”
Summary of FY25 House Appropriations Bill
In June 2024, the House Labor Health and Human Services and Education (LHHS) appropriations subcommittee released its FY25 LHHS appropriations bill. While awaiting negotiations prior to expiration of the current fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2024, ASTHO highlighted the proposed funding levels in our Summary of FY25 House Appropriations Bill.
Changes to 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CHI Services
The 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule includes Medicare Part B coding and payment changes for certified or trained auxiliary personnel, including CHWs—marking the first time that Medicare services were designed to include a specific role for CHWs. Learn all about it in policy cheat sheet “Changes to 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule for CHI Services.”
ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center
In 2024, ASTHO conducted important work to plot the legal landscape for public health priorities. Check out the end result, our Public Health Legal Mapping Center, which currently covers policies to prevent/reduce overdose and strengthen public health infrastructure.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Scientific Symposium
In early 2024, the United States experienced an outbreak of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. In response, ASTHO hosted its Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Scientific Symposium, bringing public health leaders and scientists together to discuss the current science and outbreak, and outline potential actions to manage its spread.
What Health Officials Should Know About Alpha-Gal Syndrome
There were more than 110,000 suspected cases of alpha-gal syndrome in the United States from 2010 to 2022. As there is no current treatment or cure for the syndrome, the key to reducing its impact is prevention—learn what health agencies can do in blog article “What Health Officials Should Know About Alpha-Gal Syndrome.”
Suicide Indicator Tool
Suicide is the third leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29. Fortunately, high-quality data can help to develop robust suicide prevention programs. Check out ASTHO’s Suicide Indicator Tool, an interactive and visual compilation of this important data that helps health agencies prevent suicide in their jurisdictions.
Prioritizing Well-Being in the Public Health Workforce
Recent health challenges, like COVID-19, have intensified the demands on public health professionals and led to burnout. Employers can implement practical strategies that improve public health workers’ wellness, outlined in blog article “Prioritizing Well-Being in the Public Health Workforce.”