ASTHO’s 10 Most Popular Resources of 2023
January 10, 2024 | Taylor Bennett, Madison Bleeker
In 2023, ASTHO published 410 new resources that span the breadth of the public health landscape—from infectious disease (as COVID-19 continued to circulate) to environmental health (with climate change on the rise, faster than ever before) to data modernization and informatics (amid the upsurge of artificial intelligence) and many other important topic areas.
ASTHO is immensely proud to support the work to advance public health in years past and those to come. But before completely shifting gears to 2024, let’s do one final countdown and take a look at ASTHO’s 10 most popular public health resources from the last year.
10. “AI in Public Health—ASTHO Has Entered the Chat”
The year 2023 saw extraordinary advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) that changed life as we know it. Learn how public health departments leverage AI today as well as how it might play a transformative role in the future in blog “AI in Public Health—ASTHO Has Entered the Chat.”
9. “Effective Public Health Approaches to Reducing Congenital Syphilis”
Congenital syphilis (CS) rates continue to climb at an alarming rate in the United States. ASTHO teams came together to detail policy-level interventions that states and territories can employ to reduce rates of CS—stressing the importance of universal screenings in pregnancy, discussing the role of stigma, and more—in technical package “Effective Public Health Approaches to Reducing Congenital Syphilis.”
8. “The Impact of Non-Medical Vaccine Exemptions on Childhood Vaccination Rates”
Ensuring that children receive vaccinations is fundamental to safeguarding communities and shielding them from vaccine-preventable diseases. As legislatures explore expanding vaccine exemptions, explore the impact of non-medical exemptions in blog “The Impact of Non-Medical Vaccine Exemptions on Childhood Vaccination Rates.”
7. “Rebuilding Trust in Public Health Through Effective Communications”
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many public health jurisdictions lost trust—a pillar of public health practice. Gain insights into this damage and how to rebuild, in blog “Rebuilding Trust in Public Health Through Effective Communications.”
6. “Seven Public Health Podcasts to Check Out”
The public health landscape is constantly evolving, making it imperative for S/THOs to keep a close eye (or ear) on the latest. Discover seven podcasts that you should consider adding to your regular line-up in “Seven Public Health Podcasts to Check Out.” They’ll not only keep you well-informed but empower you to do your best work.
5. ASTHO’S Public Health Legal Mapping Center
Legal mapping provides a comprehensive and visual perspective, facilitating more effective decision-making. ASTHO’s Public Health Legal Mapping Center plots the landscape for public health priorities, beginning with policies intended to prevent overdose. ASTHO conducted extensive research into policies across all 50 states, five territories, and Washington, D.C., to create this series of detailed policy maps.
4. “Xylazine: What Health Agencies Need to Know”
The overdose epidemic in the United States is evolving and complex. In early 2023, federal agencies warned of xylazine infiltrating the drug supply, complicating the overdose prevention landscape further. Learn more about these concerns and how to prevent harm related to xylazine in “Xylazine: What Health Agencies Need to Know,” from ASTHO’s Overdose Preparedness and Response team.
3. “Recent Federal and State Actions to Limit Flavored Tobacco Products”
Since the 1970s, tobacco companies have pushed flavored products to obtain younger users. In response, federal agencies, states, territories, and localities have taken action to limit—and even ban—flavored tobacco products. Delve into these actions taken over time and their impact in blog “Recent Federal and State Actions to Limit Flavored Tobacco Products.”
2. “Forming Partnerships to Increase Rural Immunization Rates”
Access is a major and multifaceted barrier to healthcare for rural communities. This has a notable impact on rural populations, demonstrated in a 4-5% drop in vaccination rates among young children living in rural areas and below the federal poverty line. Find strategies for addressing these low vaccination rates in “Forming Partnerships to Increase Rural Immunization Rates,” from the Infectious Disease and Immunizations teams at ASTHO.
1. “ASTHO Unveils Top 10 Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2023”
Each year, ASTHO tracks emerging policy trends that impact state and territorial public health departments. At the end of 2022, just prior to the new year, we released the “Top 10 Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2023,” which became ASTHO’s most popular resource over the 12 months that followed. (We recommend reading the “Top 10 State Public Health Policy Issues to Watch in 2024” next.)
Advancing Public Health in 2023 and Beyond
Public health leaders play a crucial role in promoting and protecting the health of our communities—from advocating for public health policies to developing and implementing strategies for disease prevention, engaging with communities, planning for and responding to public health emergencies, addressing health disparities, and so much more.
ASTHO is committed to supporting this important work by producing resources that educate public health leaders, strengthen their skillsets, and empower them to better achieve their goals. The team is proud of 2023’s extensive list of 410 resources, those prior, and the many more to come, as ASTHO continues to do its part to advance optimal health for everyone. Now, without further ado, here’s to 2024—ASTHO wishes a happy (and informed) new year to all!