Will Humble Professional Development, Wills Blog

Join Us at Our 2025 Conference for a Discussion of AI-Driven Advancements in Public Health Practice & More

The Arizona Public Health Association’s 2025 Annual Conference is just around the corner (April 3), and this is your chance to register for an event that promises to explore groundbreaking innovations in public health.

This year’s theme, “Using AI to Enhance Public Health Practice, Data, Informatics, and the Public Health Workforce” focuses on how artificial intelligence is transforming the field of public health.

View Our Final Agenda!

From data-driven decision-making to workforce development, this conference offers valuable opportunities for professionals, students, and organizations to learn from leading experts and take part in forward-thinking discussions.

Modernizing Public Health Practice:
Building an Innovative Infrastructure for the Public Health of the Future

Whether you’re looking to enhance your skills, explore new AI-driven technologies, or network with fellow professionals, the AZPHA 2025 Conference is an essential event for public health practitioners. Don’t miss out—register now to secure your spot and take advantage of early bird rates!

Conference Agenda

Keynote
  • Opening Keynote: Improving Perinatal Public Health: An Opportunity for Healthcare and Public Health to Collaborate
Breakout Sessions

Using AI to Enhance Public Health Practice

  • Leveraging AI to Standardize Housing Interventions
  • Merging Minds and Machines | Re-envisioning Public Health Innovation
  • Leveraging AI for Smarter Public Health Decision-Making: Balancing Innovation with Cultural Responsiveness
  • The AI Co-Worker You Never Knew You Needed

Data Infrastructure and Informatics

  • Enhancing Depression Care for Pregnant and Postpartum Women Through Data Visualization
  • Integrating Data to Action: Enhancing Overdose Surveillance and Response in Pima County
  • Substance Use Data to Action: Development of the City of Phoenix Opioid Overdose Alert System Methodology and Program Framework
  • Data as a Driver of Action: Leveraging Wastewater Monitoring for H5 Detection and Response
  • The ADHS 2024 State Health Assessment

Public Health Workforce

  • Public Health Inclusion & Belonging and Employee-Driven Approach
  • Bridging the Gap: Cultivating Public Health Leaders Through Workforce Innovation and Experiential Learning
  • Fostering Connection and Quality: Improving Behavioral Health Care Through Collaboration
  • Tribal Healthcare Workforce Development: A Collaborative Approach
  • Building a Sustainable Mental Healthcare Workforce in Arizona
  • Strengthening the Public Health Workforce by Reimaging Graduate Education
Panel Discussion
  • “Innovative Methods and Techniques in Public Health Implementation Science”

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of an exciting and forward-thinking conference. Register today and join us in exploring how AI is reshaping the future of public health!

Special Discounts:

  • Student Discounts: Affordable rates for AZPHA student members
  • Group Discounts: Organizations registering 10 or more people can access special pricing.
  • Member Discounts: AZPHA members receive exclusive discounts
  • Free Membership: General registration includes a complimentary one-year membership with AZPHA, giving you access to additional resources and networking opportunities.
For full registration details, fees, and sponsorship opportunities, visit our registration page
View Our Final Agenda!
Register
Sponsorship Opportunities (Deadline March 18)
Will Humble Public Health, Wills Blog

CDC Suspends Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Data Collection

From AzPHA Member Bre Thomas at Affirm

The CDC suspended data collection through the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) last week. PRAMS is a federal population-based surveillance system “designed to identify groups of women and infants at high risk for health problems, to monitor changes in health status, and to measure progress towards goals in improving the health of mothers and infants.”

Developed in the 1980s as part of a concerted effort to better understand why Black and Native American/Alaskan Native mothers and infants consistently experienced worse health outcomes than their white counterparts, the PRAMS questionnaire includes questions about racism, discrimination, and socioeconomic status.

Because the current survey and research protocol include questions about race, sexual orientation and gender identity, and class status, an overhaul is necessary to comply with the President’s executive order ending government diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

CDC employees who work on PRAMS have reported that the program will eventually continue without survey questions about race/ethnicity and other social determinants of health. However, the ability of a revised PRAMS questionnaire to support the program’s goal of finding groups of pregnant people and infants at heightened risk for adverse health outcomes is still unclear.

Furthermore, these revisions to the survey’s questions — some of which have been asked consistently since 1988 — will diminish the ability of program administrators, policymakers, and advocates to watch changes over time.

Currently, 26 Title X grantee agencies (all state health departments) take part in the PRAMS program, and both programs are often co-located in the same bureau or division. Even more family planning and sexual health service providers rely on PRAMS data for program planning.

Of note, PRAMS data is used to calculate unintended pregnancy and birth rates; access to and receipt of prepregnancy, prenatal, and postpartum care; patterns of health insurance coverage before, during, and after pregnancy; and performance measures on access to postpartum contraception.

Will Humble Professional Development, Wills Blog

Free Mental Health Resilience Webinar for Public Health Workers

Mental Health Mini-Talks:

Guiding Public Health Workplaces from Stress to Resilience

Free Thursday, March 13, 2025 | 3:00 – 4:30 PM PT

Join us for practical insights and strategies to foster a culture of well-being in public health by examining the root causes and impact of burnout, along with strategies for resilience, exploring psychological safety as a key to workplace well-being, and introducing the Leading for Wellness framework, which outlines leadership behaviors that support employee wellness and organizational success.

Continuing Education Information: 1.50 CECH for CHES

Register for the Stress to Resilience Training

Will Humble Public Health, Wills Blog

The Looming Public Health System Crisis? Why Cutting Federal Funds Would Wreck Arizona’s Health System

Imagine waking up to a world where your local health department can’t track a measles outbreak, run immunization programs, or respond to foodborne illness outbreaks. That’s not a dystopian fantasy—it’s the reality Arizona could face if federal funds for public health are slashed.

That might not be a dream. It could eventually become a reality.

Shortly after Trump’s inauguration, his administration tried to cancel federal contracts and cooperative agreements with state and county health departments. A judge stepped in to block the move, but if that ruling is lifted—or if federal officials simply ignore it—it would be catastrophic for Arizona.

Why? Because more than 70% of county health department funding in Arizona comes from federal dollars.

Without it, the state would essentially have no functioning public health system. County health departments could still inspect restaurants (since that’s fee-based), but everything else—from infectious disease control to maternal health programs—would grind to a halt.

Infectious Disease Outbreaks: A Disaster Waiting to Happen

With no public health infrastructure, Arizona wouldn’t be able to track or respond to disease outbreaks like the recent measles cases in Texas and New Mexico. Surveillance for emerging threats like new COVID-19 variants? Gone. Efforts to contain tuberculosis? Over. Vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus and dengue? No one would be monitoring them.

Immunizations for Kids & Adults Would Collapse

Public health departments run vital immunization programs that protect children and adults from vaccine-preventable diseases. Slashing federal funds would mean fewer vaccines for low-income families, leading to outbreaks of diseases we thought were under control—like measles and whooping cough.

Foodborne & Vector-Borne Illnesses: Who’s Watching?

Public health officials investigate outbreaks of foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli to keep the food supply safe. Without funding, those investigations stop, leaving the public (you) at risk. Similarly, Arizona’s fight against mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus would be gone, increasing the chances of widespread infections.

Maternal & Child Health Programs Would Disappear

Prenatal care programs, newborn screenings, and early childhood health initiatives rely heavily on federal funding. Without them, maternal and infant mortality rates could rise, reversing decades of progress.

No Emergency Preparedness for Pandemics, Heatwaves, or Bioterrorism

Public health emergencies—whether it’s a pandemic, extreme heat, or a bioterrorism threat—require coordinated responses. County health departments lead these efforts, ensuring Arizona can react quickly and effectively. If federal funds vanish, so does preparedness, putting millions at risk.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t an exaggeration—if these cuts happen, Arizona’s public health system would collapse. The consequences would be deadly. Public health funding isn’t just another budget line item—it’s what keeps our communities safe. Cutting it would be reckless and dangerous.

Will Humble State Legislature, Wills Blog

March 8 Legislative Update

This week was dominated by floor votes (called 3rd Read). Bills that successfully get approved on the floor vote then move over to the other chamber. Here’s a list of the public health related bills that have advanced out of their chamber this week:

Senate

SB1019 photo enforcement; traffic (AzPHA opposes)

SB1071 SNAP TANF verification (AzPHA Opposed)

SB1108 international medical licenses; provisional licensing (no Position)

SB1612 RFP document retention; AHCCCS (No Position)

SB1347 – no vote yet -comprehensive dental; ahcccs (AzPHA Supports)

SB1604 licensed secure health facility; defendants (AzPHA Supports)

SB1623 – no vote yet -GME appropriations (AzPHA Supports)

House

HB2001 behavioral health temporary licenses (AzPHA Supports)

HB2012 emergency use products; employers (AzPHA Opposed)

HB2130 claims; prior authorization (AzPHA Supports)

HB2058 immunization proof; higher education (AzPHA Opposed)

HB2063 parental notification; school immunizations (AzPHA Opposes)

HB2125 insurance coverage; hearing aids (AzPHA Supports)

HB2126 medical records; parental choice (AzPHA Opposes)

HB2145 registered sanitarians; qualifications (AzPHA Supports)

HB2164 school lunches; ultra processed food (AzPHA Supports)

HB2165 SNAP; prohibited purchases (AzPHA No Position)

HB2175 claims; prior auth; company conduct (AzPHA Supports)

HB2176 training; investigations; complaints (AzPHA Neutral)

HB2257 DCS, vaccination; child placement (AzPHA No Position)

HB2291 opioids, red cap packaging (AzPHA Supports)

HB2449 AHCCCS presumptive eligibility (AzPHA Opposed)

HB2894 Silver alert criteria (AzPHA Supports)

Will Humble Public Health, Wills Blog

Public Health Journalism this Week

Controversial HHS Secretary RFK Jr. has a loyal Arizona following

Measles outbreak in Texas major test for RFK Jr. – Arizona PBS

Why Musk cuts could affect AZ public health | 12news.com

4 Arizona counties have lower vaccination rates than Texas measles epicenter

As Abortion Bans Drive Up Maternal, Infant Mortality, Trump Admin. Shutters Key CDC Program – Jezebel

Medicaid cuts would devastate Arizonans, health-care leaders say

Experts warn Arizona at risk of measles outbreak due to low vaccination rates – Axios Phoenix

What to know about Arizona’s severe flu season in 2025

Millions of people, including 600K in AZ, could lose Medicaid coverage under anticipated GOP cuts • Arizona Mirror

AGs sue over ‘reckless and illegal’ mass firings of probationary federal workers

Will Humble Disease Control, Public Health, Wills Blog

Do You Need a Measles Booster?

The real key to preventing measles outbreaks and epidemics is to have good vaccination rates – especially among kids. Sadly, Arizona has among the lowest childhood vaccination rates in the US – meaning that we’re primed for the kind of measles outbreak that’s currently underway in Texas and New Mexico.

Many things need to change in order to improve our rates – some are policy changes (eliminating the personal exemption) and some are operational (building back the thin network of Vaccines for Children network).

New CDC Report: Arizona Has Among the Lowest Childhood Immunization Rates in the U.S.

In the mean-time, a few folks (older adults) have asked me over the last week whether they should get a measles booster shot before the outbreak makes it to Arizona.

Good question. Why? Depending on when you were born, you may have had the disease and are protected, you may have had the old, less effective vaccine, or you may have only had one dose.

The measles vaccine (MMR) became widely available in 1963, and the highly effective two-dose schedule became standard in 1989.

Here’s what you need to know based on your age and vaccination history:

  • Born before 1957 (About 67 or older): Most people in this group likely had measles as a kid and have natural immunity (like me). If you didn’t have the disease, chances are you were vaccinated at a school vaccine clinic – remember those nurses in the cafeteria with things that looked like power drills, and the kids walked the vaccine ‘gauntlet’? I sure do.  
    • Bottom line: If you’re over 67 and didn’t have the disease as a kid you should get a booster.
  • Born between 1957 – 1967: You may have had measles or got a single-dose vaccine. The early measles vaccines (the ones used before 1968) were not as effective as the ones that came after ‘68. If you’re in this group and haven’t had a second dose, getting a booster is a good idea.
    • Bottom line: If you’re between 57 and 67 and didn’t have the disease you should get the booster.
  • Born between 1968 – 1989: If you’re in this age group, chances are you only got one measles vaccine as a child. We later learned that you really need two doses for full protection, and the two-dose schedule wasn’t introduced until 1989.
    • Bottom line: If you’re between 36 and 57 years old and haven’t had a second dose, getting a booster is a good idea.
  • Born in 1990 or later: If you’re in this age group and your parents/guardians followed the vaccine schedule (two doses, usually at ages 1 and 4) you’re good.
    • Bottom line: If you’re less than 36 years old and your parents or guardians followed the vaccine recommendations, you’re good to go. If they didn’t – complete the two-dose series before measles makes it here.

If you’re unsure of your vaccination history, your doctor can order a simple blood test to check your immunity, but to be honest – it’s probably best to just go ahead and get the booster rather than a blood draw and titer test.

The measles vaccine is widely available at pharmacies, clinics and the like. But – it’s a good idea to call and check first to make sure the pharmacy has them in stock.

Will Humble Public Health Law, Wills Blog

As Public Health Comes Under Under Threat APHA is Taking Action

Our parent organization, the American Public Health Association has been bust at work filing lawsuits and motions as part of country-wide litigation and action challenging some of the biggest threats to public health, including:

Read the latest testimony, comments and briefs and read all public letters to congress and federal agencies from APHA.

AzPHA is gathering and sharing information through Public Health Newswire. Both APHA and AZPHA are making the voice of public heath heard in the media.

We’ve announced the For Our Health initiative with leading experts and former high-ranking officials to provide a unified voice defending evidence-based health initiatives and safeguarding critical public health protections.

APHA is are actively fighting through the courts to protect public health.

Join APHA’s advocacy efforts and urge your members of Congress to oppose the Trump administration’s efforts to cut our nation’s public health workforce.

Will Humble Uncategorized

Want to Move Beyond Individual Patient Care to Drive System-level Change? 

Join the Vot-ER Civic Health Fellowship’s 2025 cohort and master the art of community organizing alongside fellow healthcare professionals. Over eight impactful months (April-November), you’ll learn from renowned experts, develop essential leadership skills, and spearhead nonpartisan initiatives that bridge healthcare and civic engagement.

Their program structure – just 5-10 hours monthly with bimonthly virtual sessions – is designed to accommodate your demanding schedule while maximizing your learning and impact.

Applications welcome from all healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses, social workers, students, and administrators. Priority deadline March 16th, final deadline March 31st. Apply at: https://vot-er.org/fellowship/

Will Humble Public Health, Public Health Law, Wills Blog

The Looming Public Health Crisis: Why Cutting Federal Funds Would Wreck Arizona’s Public Health System

Imagine waking up to a world where your local health department can’t track a measles outbreak, run immunization programs, or respond to foodborne illness outbreaks. That might not be a dream. It could shortly become a reality.

Shortly after Trump’s inauguration, his administration tried to cancel federal contracts and cooperative agreements with state and county health departments. A judge stepped in to block the move, but if that ruling is lifted—or if federal officials simply ignore it—it would be catastrophic for Arizona.

Why? Because more than 70% of county health department funding in Arizona comes from federal dollars.

Without it, the state would essentially have no functioning public health system. County health departments could still inspect restaurants (since that’s fee-based), but everything else—from infectious disease control to maternal health programs—would grind to a halt.

Infectious Disease Outbreaks: A Disaster Waiting to Happen

With no public health infrastructure, Arizona wouldn’t be able to track or respond to disease outbreaks like the recent measles cases in Texas and New Mexico. Surveillance for emerging threats like new COVID-19 variants? Gone. Efforts to contain tuberculosis? Over. Vector-borne diseases like West Nile virus and dengue? No one would be monitoring them.

Immunizations for Kids & Adults Would Collapse

Public health departments run vital immunization programs that protect children and adults from vaccine-preventable diseases. Slashing federal funds would mean fewer vaccines for low-income families, leading to outbreaks of diseases we thought were under control—like measles and whooping cough.

Foodborne & Vector-Borne Illnesses: Who’s Watching?

Public health officials investigate outbreaks of foodborne illnesses like salmonella and E. coli to keep the food supply safe. Without funding, those investigations stop, leaving the public (you) at risk. Similarly, Arizona’s fight against mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile virus would be gone, increasing the chances of widespread infections.

Maternal & Child Health Programs Would Disappear

Prenatal care programs, newborn screenings, and early childhood health initiatives rely heavily on federal funding. Without them, maternal and infant mortality rates could rise, reversing decades of progress.

No Emergency Preparedness for Pandemics, Heatwaves, or Bioterrorism

Public health emergencies—whether it’s a pandemic, extreme heat, or a bioterrorism threat—require coordinated responses. County health departments lead these efforts, ensuring Arizona can react quickly and effectively. If federal funds vanish, so does preparedness, putting millions at risk.

The Bottom Line

This isn’t an exaggeration—if these cuts happen, Arizona’s public health system would collapse. The consequences would be deadly. Public health funding isn’t just another budget line item—it’s what keeps our communities safe. Cutting it would be reckless, dangerous, and utterly disastrous.

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