State Health Leaders Set Five Big Policy Goals for 2026 — What That Means for Communities

Quick summary: ASTHO names five priorities and why they matter now

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) has released a short list of five legislative priorities it wants state lawmakers to focus on in 2026. The aim is simple: help state health agencies run better, respond faster to emergencies, and reach more people who need care. The announcement landed as many states finish budget work and begin planning new laws, so the timing could push these topics onto legislative agendas early in the year.

Who is ASTHO and why this list carries weight

ASTHO represents the leaders of state and territorial public health agencies. Those are the people who run vaccination drives, track infectious disease, test water quality, and manage emergency responses when storms or outbreaks hit. When ASTHO picks priorities, it’s speaking for the agencies that actually deliver public health services across the country. That makes the list useful to governors, state legislators, and advocates who want to write laws or fund programs that affect everyday health services.

The five priorities, explained in plain language

ASTHO’s list lays out what state health leaders say they need most. Here’s what each priority means and why it matters.

1) Strengthen the public health workforce
State health departments say they don’t have enough trained staff to do basic work like disease tracking and community outreach. ASTHO wants laws and budgets that fund hires, improve pay, and create clearer career paths so skilled people stick around. For residents, this means faster responses to outbreaks and steadier access to prevention programs.

2) Boost preparedness and response capacity
This priority focuses on being ready for disasters — from hurricanes to future pandemics. ASTHO wants states to invest in equipment, training, and planning so health agencies can scale up quickly when something happens. Better preparedness usually means fewer health problems and faster recovery for affected communities.

3) Modernize data systems
Many state health agencies still use old software and paper forms. ASTHO pushes for money to update IT systems so officials can see trends faster and share information with hospitals and federal partners. Modern data makes it easier to spot outbreaks early and target help where it’s needed.

4) Strengthen partnerships and equitable services
This priority asks states to build stronger ties with community groups, local clinics, and schools so services reach people who have been left out. ASTHO emphasizes programs that reduce health gaps tied to race, income, or geography. In practice, that could mean more outreach, translated materials, or clinic hours in underserved neighborhoods.

5) Secure steady funding and legal tools
ASTHO wants states to create more predictable funding streams and clarify legal authorities for public health action. That could include multi‑year budgets, dedicated fees, or laws that make it easier to coordinate across agencies. Reliable funding helps health programs last beyond short political cycles.

How these priorities could change state budgets and services

If states act on this list, expect budgets to shift toward hiring, IT upgrades, and emergency stockpiles. That could mean smaller increases in other areas of state government unless new revenue is found. For communities, the upside is clearer: quicker outbreak response, better data‑driven decisions, and services targeted to vulnerable groups. The downside is that some priorities — especially pay raises and new systems — require sustained money, and not every state budget can absorb that without trade‑offs.

Voices on the announcement: what officials are saying

“These priorities reflect the urgent needs state health agencies face and will guide our policy work in 2026,” said ASTHO’s leadership in announcing the list.

State health directors and public health advocates welcomed the focus. One state health officer described the priorities as a useful roadmap for lawmakers who often face many competing demands. Lawmakers in some states signaled they will watch budget hearings closely for requests tied to the list.

What to watch in 2026: timing and likely next steps

Look for these signals early in the year: budget proposals from governors that include more money for health departments, bill filings that reference data modernization or workforce recruiting, and public hearings with state health leaders. ASTHO will likely follow up with model legislation and talking points to help states that want to adopt the priorities.

Photo: Stephen Leonardi / Pexels

Sources

• prnewswire.com