ASTHO Announces 2011 Vision Awards

PORTLAND, Ore., Oct. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) presented its 2011 Vision Awards to Washington State Department of Health and Washington Vaccine Association, New York State Department of Health and Health Research Incorporated, and the Texas Department of State Health Services. ASTHO presents these awards annually to recognize outstanding health department programs and initiatives that use a creative approach to address public health needs or problems and to promote awareness and replication of successful state health programs and initiatives.

ASTHO presents Vision Awards in two categories: category A, programs with budgets greater than $250,000, and category B, programs with budgets less than $250,000. Washington State Department of Health and Washington Vaccine Association received first place in category A for their collaboration to preserve Washington's Universal Childhood Vaccine Program. New York State Department of Health and Health Research Incorporated received first place in category B for their collaborative approach to effective administration of federal and other external funding. The Texas Department of State Health Services received a second place award in category A for its Breastmilk–Every Ounce Counts Campaign, and in category B for its H1N1 Pandemic Influenza Antiviral Distribution Initiative.

These awards are ASTHO's annual program of recognizing and highlighting what may be described as best practices at state health departments. Applications are judged or scored by experts and leaders in state public health during a peer-reviewed process. They are evaluated on background information, innovation, effectiveness and potential for replication.

ASTHO congratulates its 2011 awardees for their exemplary state health programs and for achieving excellence in public health through innovation.

ASTHO is the national nonprofit organization representing the public health agencies of the United States, the U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia, as well as the 120,000 public health professionals these agencies employ. ASTHO members, the chief health officials of these jurisdictions, are dedicated to formulating and influencing sound public health policy and to assuring excellence in state-based public health practice.

SOURCE Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

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http://www.astho.org