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

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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View from the clipboard as a doctor writes notes and woman sits in background during medical consultation.
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Syphilis Testing in Correctional Facilities Reduces Infection Rates

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A team of three people collaborates around a whiteboard, actively discussing and writing down their ideas and plans.
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Syphilis Campaign Planning Project

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Healthcare professional with blue gloves holding a cotton swab and vial near a patient's arm.
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Prioritizing Cases and Contacts: Considerations for STI Programs During Emergency Response

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Syphilis Testing and Prevention Videos

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Close-up of the eye on a dollar bill.
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A Difficult Week for Public Health: The Cost of Incomplete Efforts

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The U.S. Capitol building with steps and a banner reading "Federal Health Policy Update."
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Strengthening Public Health Advocacy at ASTHO’s Spring Leadership Forum

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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.