A core tenet of public health is preventing and managing infectious disease. Public health agencies rapidly identify and control outbreaks, support disease elimination, and prevent and respond to emerging threats.

ASTHO helps state and territorial public health agencies prevent and control infectious diseases and associated outbreaks through immunization services, infectious disease prevention programs, surveillance, and outbreak response. Additionally, ASTHO seeks to advance health equity in infectious disease prevention and control through programmatic and policy work.

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Making Contact: A Training for COVID-19 Case Investigators and Contact Tracers

Making Contact is an online course that provides an entry-level foundation in remote COVID-19 case investigation and contact tracing. The material includes how to identify, assess, and manage cases and close contacts. Lessons are available on demand and are free of charge.

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COVID-19 Vaccine Comparison Chart (PDF)

During the pandemic three COVID-19 vaccines produced by Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen Biotech, Inc. were developed and administered in the United States. A listing of key details for each vaccine in this document.

Project Spotlight

INSPIRE logoINSPIRE: Readiness

Discover INSPIRE: Readiness, the ultimate platform for innovation! Here, you'll find cutting-edge ideas, advanced techniques, and modern tools all in one place. Transform shared information into actionable steps and stay ahead of the curve.

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Latest Infectious Disease Resources

Close-up of bronze Lady Justice statue in library
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Impact of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices Recommendations on State Law

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A woman writes on a whiteboard in a bright meeting room with people seated at a table.
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Strategic Public Health Messaging Drives Change

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Smiling girl gets a bandage from a nurse after a vaccination shot
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Shaping Vaccine Cost and Coverage for Medicaid-Eligible Individuals

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Dialysis machine
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Tennessee Partners with Dialysis Facilities to Strengthen Infection Prevention

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An older woman proudly shows off her bandage after getting a vaccination shot. ASTHO Health Policy Update banner in lower left
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States Reassessing Vaccine Policy and Public Health Powers

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Aerial view of the U.S. Capitol with "Health Policy Update" text in the upper left corner.
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Update on State Legislative Sessions 2025

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A baby's hand gently touches an adult's hand, symbolizing connection and tenderness.
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Leveraging WIC Collaborations to Address Syphilis

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Syphilis Testing in Correctional Facilities Reduces Infection Rates

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Collaborations

ASTHO’s Infectious Disease Policy Committee analyzes new and emerging infectious disease issues and provides state health agency implementation perspectives through development of organizational policy statements, review of federal guidance and policy documents, representation on national committees and workgroups, and engagement with partners and funders.

The Council for Outbreak Response: Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens (CORHA) aims to improve practices and policies at the local, state, and national levels for detection, investigation, control, and prevention of HAI/AR outbreaks across the health care continuum. This group convenes state and territorial health agency staff and multi-sector partners to discuss promising practices and lessons learned.