The NACCHO Podcast Series
The NACCHO Podcast series provides public health professionals with in-depth interviews featuring some of the field's top officials. Listeners can also learn the latest news from Washington, DC with our monthly "Podcast From Washington."
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: New Changes to the WIC Program and Local Health Officer Discusses Overdose Crisis in America
04/19/2024
Podcast from Washington: New Changes to the WIC Program and Local Health Officer Discusses Overdose Crisis in America
Washington, DC, April 19, 2024 — On this month’s podcast, the ’ (NACCHO) Victoria Van de Vate, Director of Government Affairs, and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, spoke about recent changes to the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program and for Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, which include programs and agencies crucial for public health. Sign up to receive our Congressional Action Alerts. Later in the program (5:14), Emily Winkelstein, Director of Overdose Prevention at NACCHO, and Dr. Michael Kilkenny, Chief Executive of the in West Virginia and incoming NACCHO President, discussed efforts to advance evidence-based overdose prevention initiatives on a local level, with a focus on communities particularly hard-hit by overdose. (CDC) recently released its showing that while fatal overdose rates remained somewhat stable between 2021 and 2022, the number of fatal overdoses had claimed the lives of 107,941 peope in 2022. The data also shows that synthetic opioids combined with stimulants, coming from supply contamination, polysubstance use, or both, are drivers in the fourth wave of the overdose crisis. Dr. Kilkenny discussed some of the harm reduction strategies his jurisdiction has implemented, the importance of using a holistic approach to substance use that centers dignity and respect for people who use drugs, and why using data to understand the scope and needs of the communities most impacted will help address the overdose crisis. ### About NACCHO The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the country’s over 3,300 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit .
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/30899243
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Local Public Health on the Hill Recap and Local Health Department Addresses the U.S. Measles Outbreak
03/22/2024
Podcast from Washington: Local Public Health on the Hill Recap and Local Health Department Addresses the U.S. Measles Outbreak
Washington, DC, March 22, 2024 — On this month’s podcast, the ’ (NACCHO) Victoria Van de Vate, Director of Government Affairs, and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, recapped NACCHO’s annual Local Public Health on the Hill event, which engaged over 100 Congressional Offices on key policy and funding needs of local health departments. Later, they discussed the release of President Biden’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget proposal. Learn more about the , and read NACCHO’s blog post, “.” Later in the program (6:21), Robin Mowson, Director of Immunization at NACCHO, and Amber Tirmal, Immunization Program Manager at the , discussed the recent measles outbreak in the United States and initiatives they have implemented to prevent another spread in Philadelphia. As of March 14, 2024, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has , matching the total number of U.S. cases reported in 2023. Earlier this year, Philadelphia had eight confirmed cases. , they continue to focus their efforts on using data-driven approaches to identify and address lower pockets of vaccination coverage, educating communities on vaccine health and building key partnerships, specifically with the local school district. Listen to the episode and read . ### About NACCHO The National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) represents the country’s over 3,300 local governmental health departments. These city, county, metropolitan, district, and tribal departments work every day to protect and promote health and well-being for all people in their communities. For more information about NACCHO, please visit .
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/30495843
info_outline
Podcast From Washington: FY2024 Appropriations Update and NACCHO Releases New Data on Local Health Department Infrastructure and Services
02/23/2024
Podcast From Washington: FY2024 Appropriations Update and NACCHO Releases New Data on Local Health Department Infrastructure and Services
On this month’s podcast, the ’ (NACCHO) Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, gives an update on the FY2024 appropriations negotiations and what to expect from Congress. Later in the program (2:36), Timothy McCall, NACCHO’s Director of Research, was joined by NACCHO staff, Adriane Casalotti, Chief of Government and Public Affairs, and Victoria Van de Vate, Director of Government Affairs, to discuss on the recent release of the (Profile Study). The Profile Study represents the largest and most reliable data source on local health department infrastructure and practice. In their conversation, they dig into key findings about the current local health department workforce, including that more than 70% of local health departments reported that their agency, leadership, or personnel experienced harassment because of COVID-19 response activities. They also discussed the most recent data on the size of the local health department workforce and the context that likely contributed to it, as an influx of funding during the pandemic helped bolster the workforce to grow by 19%. They note that this increase is almost certainly short-lived without additional, long-term investment in the local health department workforce. With the new Profile data now published, the group also discussed how these data are being used to help drive NACCHO’s policy advocacy at the federal level. One of NACCHO’s top priorities is to support all local health departments and serve staff at all levels by advocating for funding to support new positions, improve recruiting efforts with the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment program, and boost retention by providing key training, support, and professional development opportunities for local health department staff.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/30080033
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Hill Update and NACCHO’s 2024 Legislative and Policy Agenda
01/26/2024
Podcast from Washington: Hill Update and NACCHO’s 2024 Legislative and Policy Agenda
On this week’s podcast, the ’ Victoria Van de Vate, Director of Government Affairs, and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, cover the appropriations process and give an update on government funding, including of unobligated funds. They also discuss NACCHO’s 2024 legislative and policy agenda, highlighting this year’s most important issues for local public health. Sign up for the weekly newsletter:
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/29660988
info_outline
Podcast From Washington: Harassment of Public Health Officials During COVID-19 and its Lasting Impact
12/15/2023
Podcast From Washington: Harassment of Public Health Officials During COVID-19 and its Lasting Impact
On this week’s podcast, the ’ Victoria Van de Vate, Director of Government Affairs, and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, provided a Congressional update on upcoming government funding challenges. They also discussed recent letters that NACCHO sent to the on and to the Division of STD Prevention . Later in the program (4:50), Timothy McCall, NACCHO’s Director of Research, hosted a discussion with co-authors Rita Burke, Associate Professor of Clinical Population and Public Health Sciences and Pediatrics at the ; Larissa Chiari-Keith, Chief Executive Officer of ; and Emma Hunter, Health Emergency Preparedness Analyst at , to talk about their of California public health officials’ experiences of harassment during COVID-19. survey found that 60% of local health departments reported their agency, leadership, and/or staff were targeted with harassment during the COVID-19 pandemic. In fact, felt that harassing public health leaders was justified early in the pandemic; this rose to 25% in 2021. Even though this harassment crisis surfaced three years ago, the impacts on individuals, communities, and the public health system persist. NACCHO is drawing attention to this urgent issue. The study aimed to collect qualitative data highlighting the harrowing stories from local health officials and to better understand their experiences of harassment. The pandemic not only exposed vulnerabilities in the public health and healthcare system, but it also subjected local health officials to psychological impacts, systemic backlash, and burnout.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/29096298
info_outline
Podcast From Washington: NACCHO Talks Alarming Rise in Syphilis Cases and Local Health Departments Work to Improve Public Health Infrastructure
11/17/2023
Podcast From Washington: NACCHO Talks Alarming Rise in Syphilis Cases and Local Health Departments Work to Improve Public Health Infrastructure
On this week's podcast, the Victoria Van de Vate, Director of Government Affiars, and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, provided an update on the new "laddered" Continuing Resolution, which created two funding deadlines in early 2024 and avoided an end-of-year government shutdown. They gave an analysis on the House Labor-HHS bill. Also, Mastroberardino and Van de Vate discussed NACCHO's recent response to an RFI from Senator Bill Cassidy on modernizing the CDC as well as a urging them to prioritize the Bicillin L-A shortage, which is the only treatement available to pregnant individuals with syphilis. Later in the program (6:08), NACCHO Senior Program Analyst Bianca Lawrence spoke with Susan Tilgner, Executive Director at , and Belinda Leslie, an Administrator with the in Portsmouth, Ohio, who are using performance improvement to build the ability of local health departments to improve the quality of their operations and programming and make sure that they meet national public health standards. Ohio Public Health Partnership has participated in the Statewide Association Performance Improvement Training and Technical Assistance Support Initiative to provide tailored accreditation support to local health departments in Ohio, such as Portsmouth City, through their Accreditation Learning Community. Accreditation, like many performance improvement programs, assist local governmental public health in improving their organizational infrastructure so that they can better support all people in their community to live their healthiest lives. Tilgner and Leslie discuss the unique opportunity provided by the Accreditation Learning Community to develop meaningful performance metrics and network with local health department peers in Ohio to learn best practices for accreditation and performance improvement.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/28688108
info_outline
Podcast From Washington: NACCHO Opposes Proposed Cuts to Public Health Fund and Local Health Departments Respond to the Overdose Crisis
10/27/2023
Podcast From Washington: NACCHO Opposes Proposed Cuts to Public Health Fund and Local Health Departments Respond to the Overdose Crisis
On this week’s podcast, the ’ Adriane Casalotti, Chief of Government and Public Affairs and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist welcome Victoria Van de Vate, NACCHO’s new Director of Government Affairs. The team provided an update on government funding and the newly elected Speaker of the House of Representatives. They also discussed a letter that NACCHO and 110 other public health organizations sent to the Senate opposing a proposal to cut $980 million from the Prevention and Public Health Fund, also known as the Prevention Fund, in order to provide funding for the Primary Care and Health Workforce Act. Later in the program (9:17), NACCHO Senior Program Analyst Francis Higgins spoke with two representatives from local health departments that are doing overdose prevention work: Sixto Aguirre, a CPSW/Case Manager II, Peer Supported Probation at the in New Mexico, and Seth Dewey, a Health Educator at the in Kansas. Both are NACCHO overdose prevention award recipients. Nearly . Aguirre and Dewey discussed their lived experiences, how they got connected to their overdose prevention work, and what their local health departments are doing in response to the crisis. Local health departments are integrating people with lived and living experience into overdose prevention work to strengthen their activities and the communities they serve. Also, they are working with community partners to promote the health and safety of people who use drugs, to support folks who are interacting with the criminal legal system, and to prevent overdose.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/28443899
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Government Funding Outlook/National Preparedness Month
09/15/2023
Podcast from Washington: Government Funding Outlook/National Preparedness Month
On this week’s podcast, the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ Adriane Casalotti, Chief of Government and Public Affairs, and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, provided an outlook on government funding as August recess has ended and Congress is back in session. They spoke about the possibility of a government shutdown or continuing resolution as the fiscal year ends on September 30. Also, Casalotti and Mastroberardino discussed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsement of updated COVID-19 vaccine formulations that will be available as rates of respiratory infections increase this fall. Later in the program (8:13), NACCHO Communications Specialist Beth Hess spoke with Deb Kramer, Deputy Assistant Secretary and Director of the Office of Preparedness within the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. During this, National Preparedness Month, they discussed the importance of preparedness both nationally and locally. Kramer also talked about the role of the Medical Reserve Corps in community response, its impact over the past 21 years, and her vision for the program moving forward.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/28040970
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Building Community Resilience
08/11/2023
Podcast from Washington: Building Community Resilience
On this week’s podcast, Adriane Casalotti, Chief of Government and Public Affairs, and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, provide an update on the appropriations process, as Congress has adjourned for August recess before making a lot of progress on crucial public health legislation. Casalotti covers House and Senate Labor-HHS appropriations, discussing major differences between both bills and the outlook for fall. Mastroberardino discusses the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) reauthorization, providing insight into political differences in the House and Senate versions of the legislation and potential roadblocks. Later in the program, NACCHO Communications Specialist Beth Hess spoke with Neil Brockway, Director of Disaster Risk Reduction at the American Red Cross. Brockway joined the 2023 Preparedness Summit in April as one of the plenary speakers on the topic of empowering resilient communities. They discussed the American Red Cross' Community Adaptation Program and how it works to build community resilience. The program concludes with an invitation to submit abstracts for the 2024 Preparedness Summit.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/27729795
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Empowering Resilient Communities
07/07/2023
Podcast from Washington: Empowering Resilient Communities
On this week’s Podcast from Washington, Adriane Casalotti, Chief of Government and Public Affairs and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, provide an update on the appropriations process. Casalotti covers House and Senate topline funding amounts and discusses implications for public health. Mastroberardino discusses the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA) reauthorization and provides updates from Congress. She also talks about Dr. Rochelle Walensky’s departure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and President Biden’s new appointee, Mandy Cohen. Casalotti provides detail about recent Capitol Hill testimony provided by NACCHO members, and finally, invites NACCHO members to attend Government Affairs’ NACCHO360 session, “Informing Public Health Policy in a Complex Political Climate,” on Wednesday, July 12 at the conference in Denver or over the livestream. Later in the program, NACCHO Communications Specialist Beth Hess spoke with Daniel Aldrich, PhD, Professor of Political Science, Public Policy and Urban Affairs, Northeastern University. Aldrich joined the 2023 Preparedness Summit in April as one of the plenary speakers on the topic of empowering resilient communities. They discussed the importance of social capital—the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society—and the role it plays in empowering communities to thrive.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/27398952
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Debt Ceiling/One Health
06/09/2023
Podcast from Washington: Debt Ceiling/One Health
In this week’s podcast, the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ Adriane Casalotti, Chief of Government and Public Affairs, and Lauren Mastroberardino, Government Affairs Senior Specialist, provided an update on the debt ceiling, which has been suspended until January 1, 2025, as well as detail on some of the spending limits and claw-backs of previously appropriated funds. They also discussed Dr. Rochelle Walensky’s announced departure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, provided updates on the reauthorization of the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA), and examined the reestablishment of the bipartisan Congressional Caucus to End the Youth Vaping Epidemic. Later in the program, NACCHO Communications Specialist Beth Hess spoke with Dr. Mary-Margaret Fill, Deputy State Epidemiologist for the Tennessee Department of Health. Dr. Fill joined the 2023 Preparedness Summit in April as one of the plenary speakers on the topic of One Health. One Health is a collaborative and transdisciplinary approach of achieving optimal health by recognizing the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment. They discussed the importance of integrating One Health in ongoing prevention, detection, preparedness, and response initiatives and how local public health professionals can incorporate One Health in their planning and response activities.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/27094434
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process in Congress / Healthy People 2020
05/05/2023
Podcast from Washington: Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process in Congress / Healthy People 2020
In this week’s podcast, the ’ Government Affairs team members Kerry Allen and Lauren Mastroberardino provided an update on the Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations process in Congress, including how the debt ceiling negotiations may factor in, as well as ongoing congressional investigations into COVID-19 origins. They also talked about the Food and Drug Administration’s move to make opioid reversal medication naloxone available over the counter. Since the Public Health Emergency ends on May 11, Allen provided insight into emerging details from federal agencies about the new landscape of COVID-19 response. Mastroberardino spoke about her experience at the , organized by NACCHO, and discussed her key takeaways and reflections from the largest gathering of public health and preparedness leaders. Later in the podcast, Ramona Poblete, a Program Analyst at NACCHO, spoke with Rear Admiral Paul Reed, Director of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s , and Glenda Redeemer, MSN, Chronic Disease Prevention Division Manager at , for a discussion on Healthy People 2030’s . The Healthy People Initiative serves as the nation’s plan for addressing our most critical public health priorities and challenges. Their discussion explored how local health officials can use the Leading Health Indicators in their work to achieve successful health outcomes in their communities. Learn more about Healthy People tools, features, and partnership initiatives such as the .
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/26758680
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Local Health Leaders Use Radio to Reach English and Spanish Speakers About Vaccines and Immunizations
04/14/2023
Podcast from Washington: Local Health Leaders Use Radio to Reach English and Spanish Speakers About Vaccines and Immunizations
In this week’s podcast, the National Association of County and City Health Officials’ Government Affairs team members Kerry Allen and Lauren Mastroberardino provided highlights from this year’s Local Public Health on the Hill event. This NACCHO-organized event brought more than 100 public health leaders to meet with 120 members of Congress spanning 30 states. In the midst of these in-person and virtual Hill meetings, President Biden released his Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Request, which contained requests for increased funding for programs at the Department of Health and Human Services. Allen and Mastroberardino also discussed proposed new programs to address pandemic preparedness and adult vaccine access; NACCHO’s recent advocacy actions, which will continue throughout the appropriations process; and NACCHO's work to inform legislative efforts underway in Congress to bolster the public health workforce and reauthorize the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA). Later in the program, Nicholas Holmes of NACCHO’s Immunization Team spoke with Kate Guzman, the administrator of medical services for the Oakland County Health Division, in Pontiac, Michigan and Carolina Sisiruca, health educator with Centro Multicultural La Familia, about using radio to reach English and Spanish speakers about the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations and other immunizations. They are the developers and co-hosts of the Oakland County Health radio broadcast show – a public health segment that has caught the attention of NPR leaders and has captivated audiences with public health content that empowers listeners to make informed decisions to improve and protect their health and wellbeing.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/26542419
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Omnibus Spending Bill of 2022 and Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program Reauthorized
02/10/2023
Podcast from Washington: Omnibus Spending Bill of 2022 and Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program Reauthorized
On this month’s podcast, NACCHO Government Affairs team members Kerry Allen and Lauren Mastroberardino recap key provisions in the omnibus spending bill Congress passed at the end of 2022. Most exciting to NACCHO, the bill reauthorized the Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Program, which once operationalized will offer loan repayment to public health professionals who agree to serve three years at a local, state, or Tribal health department. They also reflect on the beginning of the 118th Congress, highlighting recent committee hearings and votes in the House related to rolling back COVID-19 related policies. Kerry and Lauren also talk about NACCHO’s 2023 Federal Legislative and Policy Agenda and remind listeners about the upcoming virtual Public Health on the Hill event on March 6-10. Later in the program, Victoria Freire, NACCHO’s Senior Program Analyst of Rural Health, spoke to Ron Sprong, the Community Health Manager, Mental Health First Aid instructor and Peer Recovery Specialist at Greene County Health Department in Carrolton, Illinois. NACCHO has just launched its section of the website, and in recognition of the unique challenges that rural and frontier health departments have, in today’s interview Sprong discusses rural health department’s activities in operations, community health and emergency preparedness.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/25892841
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Health Equity in Action
12/08/2022
Podcast from Washington: Health Equity in Action
In this week’s podcast, Kerry Allen welcomes a new member to the NACCHO Government Affairs team, Lauren Mastroberardino. Kerry and Lauren provide an update on mid-term election outcomes and implications for the upcoming year, which will see divided government in Washington. Congress is back for a lame-duck session, and Kerry and Lauren cover ongoing Fiscal Year 2023 appropriations considerations. They also discuss NACCHO’s advocacy to pass the Public Health Loan Repayment Program in end-of-year legislation, including how members can take action to urge their members of Congress to support the program. They celebrate the CDC’s recent announcement of over $3 billion in first-of-its-kind funding directly to local, state, and territorial jurisdictions to support public health workforce and infrastructure. Finally, the team encourages listeners to save the date for NACCHO’s Virtual Hill Week, which will be held March 6-10. Later in the program, Hassanatu Blake, NACCHO’s Director of Health Equity and Social Justice, speaks with Dr. Simbo Ige, Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of Health Equity and Capacity Building at the New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene about the continued need to push health equity in practice despite the wind down of federal funding for COVID programming. As our country continues to reflect on the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hassanatu and Dr. Ige discuss how local health departments are rethinking how health inequities are addressed in public health practice. They also talk about the $2.25 billion Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Initiative to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities Among Populations at High-Risk and Underserved, Including Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations and Rural Communities monumental grant and how it has supported New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s systematic approaches to addressing health inequities. Lastly, Dr. Ige shares with listeners crucial information to follow and support New York City Department of Health’s equity work.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/25266525
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Federal Funding, NACCHO’s priorities for 2023, and LHD's MPX Response
10/27/2022
Podcast from Washington: Federal Funding, NACCHO’s priorities for 2023, and LHD's MPX Response
In this week’s podcast, NACCHO Government Affairs team members Adriane Casalotti and Kerry Allen provide an update on the status of federal funding and discuss NACCHO’s priorities for a possible Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus appropriations bill. They also review the progress made on legislation to establish a public health loan repayment program, and ongoing NACCHO efforts to get that across the finish line before the 117th Congress ends, including an upcoming opportunity for NACCHO members to engage with their federal lawmakers in support of the program. Adriane describes the implications of and discussion around the recent CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommendations on the COVID-19 vaccine. Finally, the team reminds listeners that many public health policy decisions will hinge on the outcome of the upcoming midterm elections and urges everyone to vote. Later in the program, we talk about one of the latest outbreaks – monkeypox (MPX) – with Dr. Philip Huang, Director of the Dallas County Health and Human Services, Andy Meléndez Salgado, MPH, Manager of the Public Health Emergencies and Environmental Health Unit of the New Orleans Health Department, and Dr. Judith Shlay, Associate Director of the Public Health Institute at Denver Health. We discuss how local health departments are working to reach populations at risk for MPX and how lessons learned from COVID-19 response are helping local jurisdictions to address MPX.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/24823539
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: The Future of Public Health Emergency Preparedness
09/29/2022
Podcast from Washington: The Future of Public Health Emergency Preparedness
In this week’s podcast, NACCHO Government Affairs team members Adriane Casalotti and Kerry Allen catch up on the busy summer, which started out at NACCHO 360, our annual conference. They cover two recent “wins” in administrative advocacy: the CDC public health workforce funding opportunity and a repeal of the so-called “public charge” rule NACCHO had opposed during the last administration. They also discuss the Inflation Reduction Act, which expanded no-cost vaccine coverage for adults in Medicare and Medicaid and made $369 billion in climate change investments. Finally, they update on the current state of play in Washington as Congress works on a way forward on a short-term funding bill that will kick negotiations on full fiscal year 2023 appropriations to after the mid-term elections. In recognition of National Preparedness Month, the podcast also features a discussion about the future of CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) program, which marks its 20th year in 2022. Ben Robison, Health Commissioner for the Wood County Health Department in Ohio, joins the podcast to talk about the importance of PHEP locally, how the program might evolve in the future, and how you can get involved in advancing PHEP's evolution in your jurisdiction.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/24517812
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: The Importance of Public Health Law
06/17/2022
Podcast from Washington: The Importance of Public Health Law
In this week’s podcast, NACCHO Government Affairs team members Adriane Casalotti and Kerry Allen discuss the much-anticipated funding opportunity from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “Strengthening the US Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems.” They also summarize recent developments in Congress on gun safety legislation and the ongoing stalemate around supplemental COVID-19 funding. The podcast also features a discussion about the upcoming Inaugural Public Health Law Practitioners Convening that will be held on August 17-19 in Chicago. The conference theme is “Law, Policy, and Equity in Public Health Practice.” Podcast guests are Gerard “Jerry” Giuliano, Director of the Office of Public Health Legal Affairs for the Nassau County Department of Health, and NACCHO’s Director for Public Health Law and Policy Geoffrey Mwaungulu, Jr. Law and policy practitioners are integral to state, tribal, local, and territorial public health practice. They develop and interpret public health authorities, enforce regulations, and leverage the law to positively impact community health. To support the critical role of public health law and policy professionals, CDC and NACCHO have organized this inaugural convening for practitioners.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/23466083
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: The Impact of the MIP Initiative on MIP Members
05/20/2022
Podcast from Washington: The Impact of the MIP Initiative on MIP Members
In this week’s episode of Podcast from Washington, NACCHO Government Affairs team members Ian Goldstein and Adriane Casalotti talk through the status of FY2023 appropriations bills. They also discuss the fate of a COVID-19 emergency supplemental spending bill as COVID-19 cases rise across the country. Finally, they examine a new NACCHO report on the state of local vector control capacity in the U.S. Later in the program, Ian spoke with African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Initiative (AAIMM) Outreach and Engagement Director for LA County Public Health and NACCHO Maternal Child Health, Infectious Disease, and Preparedness (MIP) Workgroup member Adjoa Jones. They talk about her role in the community and the maternal child health program in LA County. They also examine NACCHO’s efforts to strengthen and support the maternal child health program nationwide.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/23177756
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Forces of Change Report
05/06/2022
Podcast from Washington: Forces of Change Report
In this week’s episode of Podcast from Washington, NACCHO Government Affairs team members Ian Goldstein and Kerry Allen discuss the release of NACCHO’s 2020 Forces of Change report that shows changes in public health trends. They also summarize NACCHO’s response to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) proposed rules to prohibit menthol cigarettes and flavored cigars. Finally, they recap Congressional budget hearings held over the last week, and Moderna’s request to authorize its COVID-19 vaccine for children 6 and under. Later in the program, Ian speaks with NACCHO Director of Research Tim McCall to hear more about the new 2020 Forces of Change report. They cover how the report is put together through local health department outreach, and a few interesting findings the report uncovers. Finally, they discuss how to access the 2020 Forces of Change report and how users can request datasets to conduct additional analysis.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/23027927
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: NACCHO Celebrates National Public Health Week
04/08/2022
Podcast from Washington: NACCHO Celebrates National Public Health Week
In this week’s episode of Podcast from Washington, NACCHO Government Affairs team members Ian Goldstein and Kerry Allen celebrate National Public Health Week. During National Public Health Week NACCHO recognizes and thanks public health professionals from across the country who are vital to the health and safety of the communities they serve. They discuss the President’s FY2023 Budget Request and the $10 billion COVID-19 emergency supplemental currently under negotiation in Congress (see more below). Later in the program, in recognition of National Public Health Week, Ian Goldstein speaks with Health Director for the Granville-Vance Public Health District and NACCHO President Lisa Macon Harrison. They discuss the importance of National Public Health Week and how NACCHO can better support public health professionals. They also discuss how local health departments can engage and collaborate with partners to support public health and health equity.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/22731326
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: NACCHO Recognizes World TB Day
03/24/2022
Podcast from Washington: NACCHO Recognizes World TB Day
In this week’s Podcast from Washington, NACCHO Government Affairs team members Ian Goldstein and Kerry Allen summarize the status of the PREVENT Pandemics Act. They also discuss the administration’s urging of Congress to pass additional COVID-19 emergency supplemental funding. Finally, they cover a study released by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health that identified reports of harassment across local health departments. Later in the program, in recognition of , Ian speaks with Deputy Public Health Director and Director of Community Health Services for Genesee and Orleans Counties Brenden Bedard. They discuss tuberculosis (TB) programs in his rural jurisdiction that contains a large population of migrant workers and the need to develop partnerships to address TB needs in the community. Brenden also describes how COVID-19 affected his health department’s TB program.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/22561166
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Healthy People 2030
03/10/2022
Podcast from Washington: Healthy People 2030
In this week’s episode of Podcast from Washington, NACCHO government affairs team members Adriane Casalotti and Ian Goldstein discuss the House passage of a $1.5 trillion omnibus bill that will fund the government through the rest of fiscal year 2022, which ends in September. They also discuss policy riders that made their way into the bill, including the classification of synthetic nicotine as a tobacco product. Later in the program, Ian speaks with Dr. Mary Pittman, President and CEO of the Public Health Institute. They discuss an overview of the Healthy People 2030 goals and how PHI is incorporating those objectives into its work. Dr. Pittman offers tips for state-led organizations and health departments on how to engage stakeholders in adopting the Healthy People 2030 framework.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/22409570
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: NACCHO’s Year Ahead with CEO Lori Tremmel Freeman
02/03/2022
Podcast from Washington: NACCHO’s Year Ahead with CEO Lori Tremmel Freeman
In this week’s episode of Podcast from Washington, NACCHO government affairs team members Ian Goldstein and Adriane Casalotti discuss NACCHO’s comments on the draft text release of the PREVENT Pandemics Act. They also discuss the Republican-led Healthy Futures Task Force request for information on how to address major public health issues and NACCHO’s response. Later in the program, Ian Goldstein speaks with NACCHO CEO Lori Tremmel Freeman about NACCHO’s goals for the year and lessons learned in 2021. They also discuss how NACCHO continues to support local health departments through the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, they discuss local health department activities and their ability to juggle multiple public health crises.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/22015472
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Resilience Catalyst Program
01/20/2022
Podcast from Washington: Resilience Catalyst Program
In this week’s episode of Podcast from Washington, NACCHO government affairs team members Ian Goldstein and Adriane Casalotti discuss the Senate reintroduction of the bipartisan Strengthening the Public Health Workforce Act (S. 3506). They give an update on the FY2022 appropriations process, as the deadline for federal funding under the current continuing resolution expires on February 18. They also discuss the Biden Administration’s plan to distribute masks and at-home COVID-19 tests, and the nomination of Dr. Robert Califf as Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Later in the program, Ian speaks with Lindsey Sullivan, Director of Health Promotion for AppHealthcare at the Appalachian District Health Department, and Angela Graham, Executive Administrator at the Center for Health Equity at the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, to discuss the Resilience Catalysts program. They discuss how their local health department got involved in the project and how participation in the project built resilience in their communities.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/21841037
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Preparing for the Omicron Variant with Chris Hoff
12/16/2021
Podcast from Washington: Preparing for the Omicron Variant with Chris Hoff
Ian Goldstein speaks with Director of Community Health Resources for DuPage County, IL Chris Hoff about preparedness activities around the arrival of the Omicron variant. They also discuss the community’s response to the current rise in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/21509840
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: National Opioid Settlements with Brad Anderson
12/02/2021
Podcast from Washington: National Opioid Settlements with Brad Anderson
Ian Goldstein speaks with Senior Assistant County Counsel for Washington County, OR Brad Anderson. They discuss his work as a county attorney on the national opioid settlements and his hopes of how those dollars will be spent in the county. They also discuss how local health departments could receive funding through the settlements.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/21358763
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: NACCHO’s ACIP Liaison Matt Zahn
11/12/2021
Podcast from Washington: NACCHO’s ACIP Liaison Matt Zahn
Ian Goldstein speaks with Deputy Health Officer for the Orange County Health Care Agency and the NACCHO liaison to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Matt Zahn. They discuss the role of the liaison as well as the role of local health officials on the ACIP.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/21143291
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Community Benefit Insight
10/29/2021
Podcast from Washington: Community Benefit Insight
Ian Goldstein speaks with Project Director for Community Benefit Insight at RTI International Laura Marcial. They discuss the Community Benefit Insight tool and how its data can be used by local health departments to determine how much is spent on health care in their communities.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/20983994
info_outline
Podcast from Washington: Surgo Ventures with Dr. Sema Sgaier
10/08/2021
Podcast from Washington: Surgo Ventures with Dr. Sema Sgaier
Ian Goldstein speaks with Dr. Sema Sgaier, co-founder and CEO of Surgo Ventures, a dynamic action tank that combines philanthropy with data scientists, behavioral scientists, and technologists to solve some of the most intractable health problems and develop scalable solutions to move them to action. Dr. Sgaier talks about how Surgo developed surveys on projected vaccination rates among adults.
/episode/index/show/naccho/id/20754647