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States Support Rural Hospitals While COVID-19 Highlights Challenges

Utah,

More than 100 rural hospitals have closed since 2010, and an additional 25% are at high risk of closure, and COVID-19 has magnified the existing stressors on rural healthcare. As a result, states are ...

Proposed Vaccination Laws to Watch in the New Year

HIV,
PFAS,

Vaccines are one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century, as well as some of the most powerful and cost-effective tools to prevent disease, disparities, disability, and death ...

COVID-19 and Beyond: Improving Youth Mental Health Outcomes and Disparities

Utah,

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted both the physical and mental health well-being of youth. Disruptions in both their home and school life have put youth at risk for poor mental health outcomes that ...

Harnessing the Power of Rural: Expanding Access to Telehealth

As we celebrate National Rural Health Day this year, we are reminded of how important telehealth can be for public health and healthcare. Telehealth can minimize challenges faced by rural patients ...

What ASTHO Expects from the Incoming Biden Administration

As the country prepares for the inauguration of President-Elect Joseph R. Biden, Jr. on Wednesday, the incoming administration has highlighted several priorities over the next four years. This post ...

Scarce Medical Resources Caused by COVID-19 Lead to Difficult Allocation Decisions

As the Delta variant spreads across the country and increases the number of COVID-19 cases, the strain it is placing on the nation’s health system continues to grow. The surge of COVID-19 patients is ...

COVID-19’s Impact on Pregnancy and Childbirth Policies

Many states have introduced bills to strengthen and increase access to these prenatal, delivery, and postpartum services, building a solid foundation of care for women who must navigate the ...

States Seek to Protect the Workers Who Feed America

Ohio,

Responsible for planting, growing, harvesting, processing, and preparing the food we eat, agricultural workers are essential workers during the COVID-19 response to keep the U.S. food supply chain ...

Recent Federal Actions Spur Changes to Children's Blood Lead Level Screenings and Response

Iowa,

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced new challenges for screening children’s blood lead levels, as screening rates across the country dropped during stay-at-home orders. A substantive federal policy ...

Telehealth and Licensure Policies Improving Healthcare Access for Rural Communities

Recent legislation at both the state and federal levels has significantly affected the ability of healthcare providers to serve patients virtually and across state lines.

States Consider Role of COVID-19 Vaccination for School Enrollment

Iowa,
Ohio,
Utah,

This week might have marked the beginning of summer, but many policymakers and health officials have their eye on the upcoming school year and what that might mean in terms of getting students ...

States Address Pandemic-Linked Learning Loss Among Students With Disabilities

One of the major disruptions to daily life caused by the COVID-19 pandemic was the rapid shift from in-person K-12 education to virtual learning. While necessary for social distancing and slowing the ...

Courts Considering Challenges to States Blocking School Mask Requirements

Iowa,

Recent state laws and governor emergency orders prohibiting universal school mask protocols are complicating the implementation of CDC’s evidence-based guidance for COVID-19 mitigation measures for ...

Changes to School Nutrition Programs Helping Curb Pandemic-Related Impacts

The National School Lunch Program, a federally-assisted meal program run by USDA, has provided millions of children with nutritionally balanced, low-cost or no-cost lunches each school day.

How States Are Housing the Homeless During a Pandemic

Ohio,

Policymakers seek to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by focusing on non-congregate sheltering and alternative housing for unhoused populations.