In 1965, while signing the Voting Rights Act into law, President Lyndon B. Johnson stated that “a man without a vote is a man without protection.” However, voting is a bit more complicated this year as it can increase the chance of ...
In August 2020, the Big Cities Health Coalition and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials released a co-produced public service announcement to support public education in our members’ communities. The call to action in ...
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, states are using their emergency powers to authorize a variety of social distancing measures. This post is a summary of executive orders that have led to the closure of many businesses and nonprofit ...
To help break the chain of COVID-19 infections, state and local health departments are conducting disease investigations and contact tracing, core tools of public health practice used to combat the spread of communicable diseases. This ...
Reconciling the tension between public health and civil liberties is one of the most significant challenges of public health law and ethics. The Supreme Court of the United States historically upheld state authority to enact and enforce ...
On Oct. 22, 2020, in preparation for National Vote Early Day, ASTHO joined voter education groups and local public health agencies to remind voters of steps they can take to ensure they stay healthy while voting in-person.
On Aug. 12, 2020, ASTHO and the Big Cities Health Coalition launched a joint campaign called Personalities, that urges Americans to "mask up" and slow the spread of COVID-19.
Public health officials have a significant opportunity to provide leadership on the issue of Long COVID, through their own authorities, and by capitalizing on their influence in the public health and healthcare sectors.
In the late fall of 2021, ASTHO leadership visited select jurisdictions in the Pacific and the Atlantic for the first time since COVID-19 curtailed travel to these regions. It was a fantastic to reconnect with our leadership and dedicated ...
Pharmacies have long been instrumental partners in providing lifesaving vaccines nationwide. As state and territorial health officials evaluate their COVID-19 response, planners must include input from the pharmacy community when ...
In the spring of 2022, ASTHO’s island area members convened at the first island-focused COVID-19 Health Equity Action Institutes and asked each other what creating an equitable and sustainable public health and healthcare system looks like ...
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 in-person school. Ten states have enacted ...
The fear, uncertainty, and trauma caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have affected how individuals interpret public health messages. With this in mind, this brief outlines recommendations for case investigators and contact tracers to consider ...
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 vaccinated against COVID-19. According to a ...
The requisites for community recovery include universal COVID-19 testing, public compliance with stay-at-home and physical distancing recommendations, and a public health and health care system with the capacity to respond to hotspots and ...
As public health officials lead the pandemic response, clear direction-setting in every state and territories is vital to assure our planning and implementation is fair and focused on those most at need. These are not entirely ...
This Health Policy Update is an overview of state legislative activity to increase financial stability for families during the COVID-19 pandemic which may help to prevent adverse childhood experiences.
On Dec. 14, 2021, ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser released a statement reminding Americans that as we all enjoy the holiday season, it is important that we work together to manage our individual risk, reduce transmission, and preserve hospital ...
As July 4, 2020 approaches, physicians and health officials across the country are urging Americans to practice social distancing, wear masks, and generally remember to follow COVID-safe procedures to help stem the spread of the virus.
On April 3, 2020, ASTHO CEO Michael Fraser issued a statement emphasizing the importance of using face coverings as a potential intervention to slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.