Welcome to ASTHO

What's New: 2012 State Legislative Summary
This document summarizes some of the issues ASTHO tracked and analyzed during the 2012 state legislative sessions.
State Learning Collaborative to Improve Health Rankings
ASTHO, with the support of the United Health Foundation, is collaborating to support states in improving health outcomes.
ASTHO Report on Sequestration
This report examines the potential impacts of a measure to cut an estimated $2.4 billion from public health programs in FY 2013.
Knowing Tribal Health
This primer on tribal health explores ways state health officials can establish successful partnerships with tribes and tribal organizations.
Public Health and Antiviral Distribution and Dispensing
A proposed model to improve distribution and dispensing of Strategic National Stockpile antivirals during an influenza pandemic.
Recent Publications: Policies for Eliminating Healthcare-Associated Infections: Lessons from State Stakeholder Engagement
ASTHO and the CDC have collaborated since July 2010 to advance state-level healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention efforts. This report summarizes the outcomes of stakeholder meetings and phone consultations regarding the early impact of HAI policies in states.
ASTHO Profile of State Public Health, Volume Two
This survey of state and territorial public health agencies describes public health agency responsibilities, structure, planning and quality improvement activities, workforce, and more, providing core data for ongoing public health systems research and a source for tracking state public health performance and best practices.
Infectious Disease Infrstructure
State health agencies require effective and efficient systems for preventing infectious disease morbidity and mortality, ensuring control of outbreaks and vigilance against diminishing diseases, and preventing and responding to reemerging and emerging infectious disease threats.

Public Health Emergency Law Toolkits

Overcoming barriers to effective emergency response Read more »

Public Health in the News

Texting pedestrians risk injuries
Pedestrians who text are four times less likely to look before crossing the street, cross at designated areas or obey traffic lights, according to a new study that highlights the hazards of mobile technology.
Unhealthy behaviors could slow progress in reducing heart disease, stroke
Poor eating and exercise habits could be the game-changer in the fight against heart disease and stroke deaths, according to new research.
Flu season 2012: What you should know this year
The 2012 flu season started strong and eight states have already reported widespread flu activity. This is the earliest regular flu season since 2003-2004. With only about 37% of the population vaccinated so far, the influenza virus still has the potential to have a severe impact.
C-section babies more likely to become overweight
Children born via cesarean section are slightly more likely than babies delivered vaginally to become heavy or obese, according to a new review of studies.

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