Public Health Review Morning Edition

1045: Bringing Island Voices Into the Data: Inside the First PHWINS Territories Survey

For the first time, all eight U.S. territories and freely associated states have been included in PHWINS, or the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey. Rachel Hare Bork joins the show to discuss how this landmark pilot effort came together, why it took extensive travel and collaboration to make it happen, and what the results reveal about the public health workforce across the islands.  She explores key findings, like the islands’ notably younger workforce, gaps in public health education, and the powerful new data leaders can use to advocate for resources. She also digs into why counting these communities matters for both territorial planning and the national public health conversation, and what it will take to continue this work in future PHWINS cycles.Webinar Registration - ZoomSubscribe | ASTHO

1044: The Jobs Public Health Needs Now: Rethinking Workforce for the Data Age

As health departments modernize their data systems, an unexpected challenge has emerged: traditional public health job classifications no longer match the reality of today’s data landscape. In this episode, Ari Whiteman, ASTHO’s Senior Advisor for Public Health Data and Informatics Workforce, talks about why the field urgently needs new informatics-focused roles, and what it will take to build them. Whiteman explains how interoperability, electronic health records, and complex data pipelines have outpaced legacy classifications like epidemiologist or public health analyst. Leveraging the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG), state, local, and territorial health agencies can build classification systems that enhance recruitment and retention of an informatics-savvy workforce. Updating job classifications can help clarify new roles, alleviate pressure on existing roles, and enable health agencies to sustain workforce infrastructure that is flexible and forward-looking. He discusses the hesitancy and bureaucracy that make change difficult, the opportunity cost of doing nothing, and why modernizing job classifications is essential for faster outbreak response, stronger surveillance, and smarter public health decision-making.Data Modernization Primer and Tactical Guides | ASTHOHow to Modernize Data Infrastructure: A Toolkit for Public Health Leaders | ASTHOASTHO Announces Sixth Developing Executive Leaders in Public Health Cohort | ASTHO

1043: PHIG Funds Critical Services in New Hampshire

In today's PHIG Impact Report, Patricia Tilley, ASTHO member and associate commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, details the critical needs the Public Health Infrastructure Grant has helped with in her state.  This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

1042: Naloxone’s Impact: Inside New York’s Landmark Study on Lives Saved and Dollars Returned

New research out of New York shows that naloxone didn’t just save more than 6,500 lives in two years—it delivered one of the most dramatic returns on investment in public health. In this episode, Dr. James McDonald, ASTHO member and commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, breaks down the first statewide health-economic evaluation of naloxone administration. Dr. McDonald discusses how New York’s extensive overdose prevention programs provided the data needed to measure outcomes, why the study went beyond distribution counts to assess real-world effectiveness, and how the results—more than $3,200 saved for every $1 spent—can help other states make the case for investing in harm reduction. The conversation also explores lessons for policymakers, the essential role of training bystanders, and why naloxone remains the cornerstone of a comprehensive response to the opioid crisis. A clear, data-driven look at how one tool is saving lives—and why scaling it matters now more than ever.The Key Role of Cross-Sector Partnerships in Navigating Barriers | ASTHOWebinar Registration - Zoom

1041: Protecting Newborns: Guidance for the Hepatitis B Vaccine Matters Now More Than Ever

In this episode, Pennsylvania Secretary of Health and ASTHO member Dr. Debra Bogen joins us to break down a major change in national vaccine guidance, and why it has sparked concern among pediatric and public health leaders. Dr. Bogen explains the recent ACIP vote that weakened the long-standing recommendation for all newborns to receive the hepatitis B vaccine within 24 hours of birth, a practice that has nearly eliminated the disease in young children since the early 1990s.  She shares why this shift could create confusion for parents, what’s at stake for infant health, and how Pennsylvania is doubling down on clarity, access, and science-based information, including through a recent executive order from Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. Dr. Bogen also speaks to the broader moment facing public health, from rising misinformation to the importance of unified, evidence-driven messaging.Cultivating a Culture of Community and Belonging in the Workplace | ASTHO