My Profile e-Learning Center my.ASTHO Contact Us
  1. Home
  2. Our Work
  3. Population Health and Prevention
  4. Social and Behavioral Health

Social and Behavioral Health

Multiple intersecting social, psychological, and biological factors influence a person's well-being. Social behavioral health refers to the larger social constructs that influence behavior and impact individual, community, and population health.

The field of public health has an integral role in addressing behavioral health, which encompasses mental health, substance abuse disorders, and behavior change. While acknowledging the importance of a full continuum of services, public health often focuses on primary prevention and addressing the broader community, societal, and systemic factors essential to good health.

Featured
ASTHO graphic highlighting Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, and Vermont as Featured Stories

Early Success Stories

Change can take time, but every success improves our capabilities to care for our communities. Explore these four powerful, successful programs.

Explore the Stories
Diverse hands piled on top of each other

A Roadmap for Using a Public Health Approach to Prevent Firearm Injury

This roadmap outlines a step-by-step guide for jurisdictions to enhance their efforts in firearm injury prevention, aligning with a modified version of the public health approach model developed by CDC and WHO.

Get the Report
Man stands on top of a mountain looking out at the view

Public Health's Role in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention

This framework describes public health’s role in mental health promotion and suicide prevention and helps public health practitioners in communicating their role in mental health promotion and suicide prevention with multi-sector partners.

Get the Report
Mother, father and child laughing together on a couch

Adverse Childhood Experiences Prevention Policy Toolkit

This report identifies strategies for preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), the role of public health in ACEs across levels of government, and policy development strategies to inform ACEs prevention.

Get the Report
A doctor holding the hands of another person across a desk, suggesting a moment of comfort or reassurance

How Healthcare Providers Can Reduce Stigma to Improve Care for Patients Taking Long-Term Opioid Therapy

This resource aims to increase awareness among healthcare providers about the stigma surrounding Long-Term Opioid Therapy and emphasizes the importance of addressing it to ensure proper care for individuals dependent on these medications.

Get the Report
A compass sits on a map of the continental United States

ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center

This page features ASTHO’s legal mapping work to plot the legal landscape for public health priorities, beginning with policies intended to prevent overdose.

Explore the Center

Latest Social and Behavioral Health Resources

A person sitting on a couch writing on a clipboard with the text “Health Policy Update” overlaid at the bottom.
history_eduBlog

State and Federal Efforts to Bolster the Behavioral Health Workforce

Learn More
An empty legislative chamber with rows of desks and chairs, a central podium, and an American flag, overlaid with the text ‘Health Policy Update’.
history_eduBlog

State Legislatures Reshape Public Health Legal Authority

Learn More
campaignLegislative Alert

Summary of FY25 Senate Appropriations Bill

Learn More
A group of medical professionals discussing a chart, one in a white coat holding a clipboard.
call_to_actionResource

Advancing Health Equity in the Overdose Crisis Response

Learn More
podcastsPodcast

A Blueprint for Establishing a Health Equity or Minority Health Office

Learn More
A group of adults sits at a table facing a speaker, each with a hand raised
articleBrief

Incorporating Health Equity Into Overdose Prevention

Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) Case Study: New York State’s Power of Voice Program

Learn More
Hands gripping their neighbor's wrist in a circle, signifying teamwork and strength
auto_storiesReport

Supporting Incarcerated People’s Recovery: Linkage to Care Policies for People Entering and Exiting Incarceration with Substance Use Disorder

Learn More
A group of teenagers socializing
auto_storiesReport

Framework for Communities to Prevent Youth Cannabis Use

Learn More
Go to a Full List of Resources

Collaborations

ASTHO partners with federal, state, territorial, and non-profit agencies to address a variety of social and behavioral health topics. Key partners include state and territorial health agencies, the CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health, the Safe States Alliance, the Suicide Prevention Resource Center, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the American Public Human Services Association, the National Association of County and City Health Officials, and the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.