At this year’s Spring Leadership Forum, momentum was unmistakable. With more than 40 health officials convening for a week of strategy, training, and direct engagement with federal leaders, a unified message emerged: the future of public health depends on sustained investment and smarter, more flexible funding. Catherine Jones, ASTHO Government Affairs Senior Analyst, returns to discuss the biggest takeaways: from the growing impact of the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) to the urgent push for $1 billion in FY27 funding. She explains how states are using PHIG to strengthen workforce capacity, modernize data systems, and build resilient health infrastructure, and why predictable funding is critical to keep that progress going.

Hill Day Advocacy at ASTHO’s 2026 Spring Leadership Forum | ASTHO

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Leadership Power Hour: Session 5 – The Adaptive Leader

What if public health recruitment started with a summer camp? In this PHIG impact report, Veronika Hanna and Mondi Mason from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment share how creative workforce strategies powered by the Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) are opening new pathways into the field. Veronika Hanna walks through Denver’s innovative three-day public health “summer camp,” where high school and college students step into real-world roles, from testing river water quality to inspecting food trucks and exploring the work of medical examiners. And Mondi Mason expands on how Denver is scaling that vision through deeper partnerships with universities, community colleges, and public schools. From paid internships and long-term placements to co-developing research and securing joint funding, these collaborations are transforming workforce development into a more structured, sustainable system.

This work is supported by funds made available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Center for STLT Public Health Infrastructure and Workforce, through OE22-2203: Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by CDC/HHS, or the U.S. Government.

Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG

Today: bringing oral health into the public health conversation with Flora Nathan, assistant secretary for the Bureau of Oral Health in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. At her first ASTHO Spring Leadership Forum, Flora shares a candid look at the challenges and opportunities of delivering oral healthcare across a U.S. remote island nation. From severe workforce shortages and long clinic wait times to the ripple effects on families, schools, and local economies, she highlights how oral health is deeply connected to broader public health outcomes. She also discusses the importance of integrating oral health into maternal and child health programs, school-based care, and community outreach, as well as the realities of operating without consistent funding.

ASTHO Leadership Institute | ASTHO

Storytelling in Public Health: Lessons from STI Prevention & Care

The FY27 federal budget proposal is officially out, and while it’s just the opening move, there’s already a lot to unpack. In this episode, ASTHO’s Senior Director for Government Affairs, Jeffrey Ekoma, breaks down what’s in the proposal, what’s changed from last year, and what it all signals for public health and federal agencies. He’ll dig into key highlights, including the proposed creation of the Administration for Healthy America (AHA), new structural changes within HHS, and fresh initiatives at the CDC and FDA, from data reporting requirements to food safety oversight. Jeffrey also explains how this year’s proposal compares to previous budgets, where cuts and consolidations stand, and why states may be asked to take on more responsibility.

President Trump Releases FY27 Budget Proposal: April 2026 | ASTHO

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RSV is still spreading, prompting states to extend the immunization period | CNN

RSV immunizations for infants available an additional month this year | Washington State Department of Health

Public health doesn’t stop at hospitals or health departments, it lives in barbershops, grocery stores, schools, and small businesses. In this episode for National Public Health Week, Megan DeNubila-Griffin, ASTHO Assistant Director of Chronic Disease and Health Improvement, explores how agencies are building meaningful partnerships with non-traditional community players to address the social and environmental factors that shape health. From collaborating with local business owners to rethinking transportation and food access, this conversation highlights how public health leaders act as conveners, bringing the right voices to the table and asking who’s missing. Megan shares real-world examples, including a multi-year collaboration in Walworth County, Wisconsin, that shows how cross-sector partnerships can drive measurable impact.National Public Health WeekLeveraging Healthy People 2030 to Build Non-Traditional Multisector Partnerships | ASTHOPima County Elevates Collaboration with IT to Advance Data Modernization | ASTHO

In this National Public Health Week conversation about community leadership and tobacco control, Josh Berry, Director, Chronic Disease Risk Factors at ASTHO, breaks down how state and territorial programs partner with trusted, on-the-ground community organizations to reach at-risk populations and drive real impact. These long-standing relationships aren’t just helpful, they’re essential to building credibility and delivering results where they matter most. But the landscape is shifting. With the elimination of the CDC’s Office on Smoking and Health and growing uncertainty around funding, programs across the country are being forced to adapt and do more with less while trying to maintain core services like quitlines, surveillance, and policy engagement.

Final_The-Future-of-Tobacco-Control-Relies-on-OSH-Funding-.pdf

Ready. Set. Action: You Partner with Public Health

Past, Present, and Future: Reflections from a Radiation Readiness Professional

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Scientific advancement has always been at the heart of public health, but as new technologies emerge, the opportunities and challenges are evolving. In this National Public Health Week conversation, ASTHO Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Susan Kansagra explores how public health can better integrate innovation into everyday practice, from leveraging continuous improvement frameworks like Plan-Do-Study-Act to building stronger partnerships with academic and research institutions. It’s about turning questions from the field into actionable research and using that knowledge to improve real-world outcomes.

National Public Health Week

Public Health Infrastructure Grant: Resources & Impact - PHIG

Driving Impact with Flexible Funding

As National Public Health Week kicks off, this episode spotlights a theme that often goes unnoticed but is essential to keeping communities safe: government partners. ASTHO CEO Dr. Joseph Kanter reflects on the “invisible wins” of public health, from behind-the-scenes planning for massive events like Mardi Gras and the World Cup to the work that quietly prevents crises before they start. It’s a reminder that when public health works, most people never see it, but lives are improved and saved every day. And Carolyn Mullen, ASTHO senior vice president for government affairs and public relations, joins the conversation to explore how state and federal agencies collaborate in a complex and often polarized environment. She shares how public health leaders find common ground across political divides, build trust with policymakers, and tailor their messaging to drive real impact, from food safety to maternal health.

Key Topics

National Public Health WeekStorytelling in Public Health:

Lessons from STI Prevention & Care

PH-HERO | ASTHO