ASTHO’s 14 Most Popular Resources of 2025
February 17, 2026 | Bailey Feldman Crannick, Taylor Francis
ASTHO is dedicated to supporting state and territorial health officials as they lead through critical times — providing technical assistance, thought leadership, and capacity building resources. While our work expands across the entirety of the public health landscape, ASTHO’s top resources from 2025 punctuate significant themes and work from the past year: from data modernization to chronic disease prevention, One Big Beautiful Bill, the government shutdown, and more.
Framework for Addressing Ethical Considerations in Infectious Diseases Public Health Wastewater Surveillance
Wastewater surveillance is key to understanding community health; however, it raises important ethical considerations for privacy, stigma, and data stewardship. Learn how to properly address these considerations in ASTHO’s report “Framework for Addressing Ethical Considerations in Infectious Diseases Public Health Wastewater Surveillance.”
States Moving to Prohibit Additives and Dyes in Food
In early 2025, FDA revoked the authorizations for using Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs, and announced it would start the process to ban two other food dyes. Several states also moved to ban or limit the use of certain food additives and dyes, detailed in Health Policy Update “States Moving to Prohibit Additives and Dyes in Food.”
Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides
Data modernization requires planning, workforce development, collaboration, partnership, and sustainability. ASTHO’s Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides offer state health officials, data modernization staff, and other stakeholders the information they need to contribute to successful modernization efforts.
States Reassessing Vaccine Policy and Public Health Powers
The immunization landscape evolved in 2025, with legislative changes that challenged public health authority and access to vaccines. Health Policy Update “States Reassessing Vaccine Policy and Public Health Powers” analyzes the cost and helps public health officials navigate the changing policy environment.
Partnering to Expand Adolescent Access to School Health Services
Public Health Review podcast episode “Partnering to Expand Adolescent Access to School Health Services” offers a new understanding of cross-agency collaboration for youth health initiatives. Representatives from public health agencies and school districts detail efforts that are improving health and wellness supports for students in Illinois.
One Big Beautiful Bill Law Summary
In July 2025, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, a pivotal moment in public health last year. ASTHO’s Legislative Alert “One Big Beautiful Bill Law Summary” details the bill package, including impacts on rural hospitals, Medicaid, Medicare, ACA, and food nutrition programs.
Levers for Preventing Chronic Disease That Intersect with Key MAHA Report Themes
The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Commission’s preliminary report highlighted major drivers of chronic disease in children. In ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer Series, blog article “Levers for Preventing Chronic Disease That Intersect with Key MAHA Report Themes” details evidence-based public health practices for influencing these drivers.
The Art (and Science) of Storytelling in Public Health
Storytelling — one of the oldest and most effective forms of communication — can help public health professionals secure and sustain vital support. Learn about the art of this practice, core components, and how to shape your public health story in ASTHO blog article “The Art (and Science) of Storytelling in Public Health.”
Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program
As part of the One Big Beautiful Act, the federal government approved $50 billion to establish a new Rural Health Transformation Program. A blog post from ASTHO’s Chief Medical Officer Series, “Understanding and Applying for the Rural Health Transformation Program,” breaks down how states can apply for the program, which is designed to improve the health of rural residents.
Demystifying Succession Planning
The public health workforce is facing ongoing turnover and retirement. In ASTHO’s brief “Demystifying Succession Planning,” read the benefits of succession planning to prepare for and conquer workforce changes that affect individuals, organizations, and community partners.
Federal Government Shutdown Update
On the eve of the fall 2025 federal government shutdown, ASTHO released Legislative Alert “Federal Government Shutdown Update,” detailing contingency plans for various agencies. As legislators could not agree on a new continuing resolution, this was a blueprint for what agencies would encounter during a funding pause, affecting CDC, CMS, FDA, and other public health organizations.
Downstream Effects of CDC Adopting ACIP Recommendations for COVID-19 and MMRV Vaccines
On Oct. 6, 2025, CDC formally enacted the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ recommendations on individual-based decision-making for the COVID-19 vaccine and a standalone varicella immunization in toddlers. A blog article from the Chief Medical Officer Series, “Downstream Effects of CDC Adopting ACIP Recommendations for COVID-19 and MMRV Vaccines,” outlines the impact.
How Public Health Strengthens Emergency Preparedness Through Data Readiness
ASTHO Public Health Review podcast episode “How Public Health Strengthens Emergency Preparedness Through Data Readiness” features an expert from ASTHO’s Preparedness and Response Coordination team and several state health agency representatives. Public health leaders from North Dakota, Virginia, and Massachusetts discuss system upgrades, interoperability, resource allocation, and data infrastructure in emergency preparedness.
ASTHO Statement on Autism and Vaccines
In November 2025, ASTHO released a Statement on Autism and Vaccines. ASTHO Chief Medical Officer Susan Kansagra is quoted, expressing support for vaccination to prevent infectious disease and directing individuals to consult their health care provider with any questions.