Health Equity Timeline

1940's

Founding of ASTHO (March 23, 1942).

1990's

First Black Member President also First Black Woman Member President – M. Joycelyn Elders, MD (AR) (1992)

• In 1992, Joycelyn Elders, MD (alumni-AR) also celebrated a first—becoming ASTHO’s first African American woman president. Elders served as the Director of the Arkansas Department of Health. Her public health accomplishments include reducing teen pregnancy in her state, increasing early childhood screenings as well as the percent of children immunized at 24 months. During her time in Arkansas, she was recruited to serve as Surgeon General, where she became the first African American—and only the second woman—to hold the post.

First Hispanic Member President - Jose Montero, MD, MHCDS (NH) (2012-2013)

• Jose Montero, MD, MHCDS (alumni-NH) served as president from 2012 to 2013, leading conversations and relations with the CDC and with tribal, local, and territorial stakeholders. Montero's time as the Director of the Center for State, Tribal, Local, and Territorial Support at the CDC reflects his commitment to supporting and strengthening public health infrastructure across the nation. His expertise and leadership continue to contribute to the advancement of public health policies, initiatives, and collaborations at both the state and national levels.

President's Challenge: Advancing Health Equity and Achieving Optimal Health for All (2016)

• Led by Edward Ehlinger, MD, MSPH, Commissioner of Health at the Minnesota Department of Health to address the issue of health equity with a triple aim approach: implement a health in all policies approach with health equity as the goal, expand our understanding of what creates health, and strengthen the capacity of communities to create their own healthy future.
• States carried out this work through a variety of channels, including policy development, cross-sector collaboration, and program implementation.

2020's

Adoption of Truth Racial Healing and Transformation Framework (2020)

• In 2020, ASTHO engaged a consultant to lead us through the Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation (TRHT) process to do internal work.
  • Staff Racial Healing Circles launched on June 22, 2022, to discuss matters of racial equity within ASTHO and create an internal culture of belonging and accountability.
  • ASTHO began recognizing the National Day of Racial Healing in 2022 in accordance with the TRHT framework.

PHIS Team established (2021)

• Inclusion of STRETCH project work in the description, 2103 with federal funding.

HEDI Team established (October 2021)

• The HEDI Team provides technical assistance to both internal teams and members in further incorporating equity into their strategic priorities, programs, and projects.
  • Health Equity Circles, which provide the space for ASTHO staff to internally reflect, were launched in 2022.
  • First Health Equity Summit (April 21, 2021)
  • The first in-person Health Equity Summit – themed A Movement for Justice (April 25-April 26, 2023)

Diverse Executives Leading Public Health (DELPH) (Dec. 2, 2021)

• The DELPH program was launched December 2, 2021 and supports the workforce pipeline of integrating more BIPOC leaders into state health. The Diverse Executives Leading in Public Health (DELPH) program was launched with funding from CDC's Center for State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Support.
• The DELPH Program was designed to enhance the capacity and strengthen the networks of mid-senior level governmental public health professionals from underrepresented identity groups in public health leadership. This includes people of color, people with disabilities, and LGBTQ+ individuals.
• This 10-month curriculum-based program in partnership between Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) and the Satcher Health Leadership Institute (SHLI) at Morehouse School of Medicine has created opportunities for our scholars to have more visibility and exposure in public health, access to key networks and leadership development opportunities. Our DELPH Scholars represent 30 states and territories.

Incorporation of Health Equity into Strategic Plan (2022-2024)

• ASTHO’s strategic plan highlights the following objectives in moving towards a more equitable, and racially justice national public health ecosystem.
  1. Advocate for sustainable policies and funding that address health disparities and advances health equity initiatives.
  2. Support state and territorial health agency capacity to implement evidence-based, sustainable policies and strategies that address the root causes of disparities and advance health and racial equity.
  3. Contribute to the evidence base of effective intervention strategies that are inclusive of historically marginalized populations.
  4. Develop trainings and other resources that increase state and territorial health official capacity to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

First South Asian Member President - Nirav Shah, MD, JD (ME) (2021-2022)

• In his time as the President of ASTHO, Dr. Shah worked to implement key initiatives to address the nation’s opioid crisis, reduce maternal and infant mortality, and reduce childhood lead poisoning. Shah is currently the Principal Deputy Director of the U.S. CDC wherein he is involved with CDC’s work around data modernization, public health preparedness and response, laboratories, and communications. Prior to his role at the CDC, Dr. Shah was Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health where he instituted policies around blood lead poisoning, maternal mortality, and drug overdose prevention at the state level.

1940's

1980's