Alabama State Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris was named president of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO).
The non-profit represents public health agencies and public health professionals nationwide and has ties to George Soros.
ASTHO focuses on health equity and states its partners “must advocate for changes that maximize health and address inequities—inequities that exist among groups based on geographic location, income, education, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and disability.”
The organization also recommends states develop a strategic framework and inclusive policies for “socially marginalized communities."
The organization’s Health in All Policies (HiAP) approach lays out health considerations for policymakers. Its value areas include social and racial justice, equity, relationship-building, resilience and sustainability and accountability.
During the group’s 2023 Health Equity Summit, Dr. Michael Fraser, who served as ASTHO’s CEO, explained the organization’s vision and the origin of its framework.
“We have a very specific focus on racism and structural racism, but we know that health equity includes LGBTIAQ-plus,” Fraser said. “We know that includes folks of different abilities. We know that disparities are rural and urban and last night, we learned how there are disparities in access to the benefits of US citizenship between states, territories and freely associated states that are aligned with us.”
“This is work that we have to do in partnership and we're committed to the work of anti-racism at ASTHO, both within our organization and within our community of members, leaders, health departments, and partners,” he continued. “We promote a truth, racial healing and transformation framework that was started at the Kellogg Foundation and now being shared nationally through collaborative partnerships, many different groups.”
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation launched the Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation (TRHT) framework in 2016 for “systemic transformation” and has since expanded to communities and college campuses across the United States. Selma, Alabama is one of the partners the TRHT movement has been implemented.
TRHT calls for the “dismantling of a national narrative that perpetuates colonial systems and white supremacy and the creation of a new narrative that centers a belief in equal humanity for all people.”
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation has also partnered with George Soros’ Open Society Economic Justice Program to “reduce racial and gender bias” and “promote racial justice.”
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) stated that ASTHO members are “dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to ensuring excellence in public health practice.”
Lawmakers in Alabama questioned public health policy and mandates by Harris during the COVID-19 pandemic. Small businesses not deemed “essential” were forced to close; some never reopened. Churches were not allowed to gather, and mask mandates were put into place.
The restrictions drew such public outcry that the state changed its laws on how the State Health Officer is appointed. The changes require the governor to appoint the officer from a list of candidates submitted by the State Committee of Public Health.
Harris has also voiced concerns about the Alabama Legislature. He said he was appalled by Alabama’s gender-affirming care laws. He later claimed his comments were taken out of context. 1819 News released the full audio of his speech to clear up any allegations of inaccurate reporting or claims that his comments were taken out of context.
Still, Harris continued to blame the media for public mistrust rather than the policy he put into place.
Harris joined the ADPH in 2015 and was appointed State Health Officer in 2018. His focus has been on infant mortality, opioid mitigation and emergency preparedness.
“Our country continues to face many public health challenges, including opioid misuse, the re-emergence of certain vaccine-preventable diseases, and infant and maternal mortality,” Harris said. “Now more than ever, state and territorial health departments must work together to achieve our aims of improving health, safety and wellness. Most importantly, we must do so in a way that fosters trust among the populations we serve.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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