Continuing ASTHO’s Legislative Prospectus series—which highlights the top 10 public health policy issues for 2022—this post focuses on mental and behavioral health, as well as supporting the public health workforce.
As part of ASTHO’s annual Legislative Prospectus series, we are taking time this week to focus on efforts to end the HIV epidemic. Public health officials across all levels of government have been working to end the HIV epidemic, exploring ...
Recap the state legislative sessions in 2025 thus far, spanning maternal health, infectious disease, and other important public health issues.
States are taking steps to ban or limit the use of food dyes. Learn more about recent state legislation.
Learn how federal and state policies are lessening the presence and negative health effects of PFAS in water and consumer products.
Public Health Full-Court(s) Press Court Cases That Impact Public Health Policy and Practice Christina Severin Court cases can impact public health policy and practice. Learn about recent relevant cases from the Supreme Court, lower federal ...
In 2023 legislative sessions, states considered measures to improve access to care for pregnant people experiencing substance use disorder, increase provider knowledge of screening and treatment practices, coordinate care for conditions ...
Over the past several years, states and jurisdictions have continued to implement important policies to reduce tobacco and nicotine use, including increasing tobacco prices, expanding areas deemed “smoke-free,” limiting the sale of ...
People exposed to adverse childhood experiences are at risk for negative physical and/or mental health outcomes, substance use disorders, and unfavorable social outcomes in adulthood. One known risk factor for ACEs is caregiver stress, ...
Creating community gathering spaces, or placemaking, has garnered considerable attention in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Youth sports is an important outgrowth of placemaking as they can be a protective factor in preventing ACEs and ...
In order to contain and mitigate the COVID-19 pandemic, widespread, rapid testing is key. Rampant and efficient testing determines who has the virus and who may be at risk of transmitting it, and allows for effective management of ...
Well before COVID-19 hit, an increasing share of American households faced housing challenges. This is a public health concern because stable, affordable, and accessible housing has a direct and well-documented impact on physical and ...
A pressing public health issue before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the need for public health interventions to reduce tobacco use is heightened with a strong association between tobacco use, in all forms, with severe COVID-19 outcomes. ...
Perinatal substance use is a serious public health issue, resulting in detrimental and even life-threatening fetal outcomes, and it continues to grow.
ASTHO’s federal and state government experts provide our members with guidance and education on public health policy development and legislation.
Explore the mapping center, which tracks state and territorial legislation promoting suicide prevention efforts.
This report focuses on promising strategies in four different policy areas to address rising congenital syphilis rates. While no single policy solution will address the structural challenges to diagnosing and treating syphilis among people ...