The summer 2023 issue of NACCHO Exchange focuses on the 2023-2026 National Health Security Strategy and the ways local health departments and their partners are working to address the diverse and ever-changing health security threats facing our nation.

Featured articles in this issue include:

• Cyber Threats Pose a Public Health Risk- A Public-Private Partnership Prescription
• Strengthening National Health Security in an Ever-Changing Threat Environment
• Rebuilding the Workforce Capacity of Rural-Serving Local Health Departments
• Renewing Our Commitment to One Health
• Strengthening and Supporting Safe Infant Feeding in Emergencies at Jefferson County Public Health, Colorado
• Resources and toolkits Addressing Critical Topics for Local Health Departments

Below is an excerpt from the issue:

Strengthening and Supporting Safe Infant Feeding in Emergencies at Jefferson County Public Health, Colorado

By Allison Wilson, MPH, Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Maternal Child Health, Jefferson County Public Health; Lucy Guereca, Navegadora Comunitaria y Consejera de Lactancia; Veronica Moody, Executive Director and Unit Coordinator Rocky Mountain Medical Reserve Corps of Colorado; Elana Filipos, Program Analyst, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, NACCHO; Harpur Schwartz, MSPH, CHES, CLC, Senior Program Analyst, Maternal, Child, and Adolescent Health, NACCHO; and Ryanna Quazi, Communications Specialist, NACCHO

Over the past few years, the U.S. has experienced an increased number of public health emergencies that have disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations and communities. Pregnant and postpartum people, infants, and young children have special healthcare needs and face unique challenges during emergencies.1 Recent events have identified gaps in care for pregnant people and their families due to lack of collaboration between maternal and child health (MCH) and emergency preparedness and response (EPR), despite the number of public health threats that impact pregnant people and infants. Local health departments (LHDs) play critical roles in responding to public health threats across the country and have the opportunity to address the unique needs of MCH populations before, during, and after public health emergencies through increased MCH/EPR coordination.

Click here to read the rest of this article and download the full issue of NACCHO Exchange.