New Jersey Department of Health

Yeah,

the real New Jersey Health Department confirmed Burger's death certificate was a fake and the public defender took over Burger's case after the lawyer who submitted the suspicious death certificate claimed he had been used as a pawn.

Yeah, he was like, I'm out of here.

I'm tapping out.

The recall involves Buckhead tuna sold in refrigerated styrofoam containers in 10-, 12-, and 15-pound portions.

The recall was initiated after the toxins were found by the New Jersey Department of Health.

A new report says El Nino-driven extreme heat could kill nearly a half million people worldwide by early next year.

An analysis from the Climate Impact Lab shows the natural climate pattern, which typically increases global temperatures, is fast becoming record-breakingly strong.

As public health agencies face growing demands to prepare for emergencies while maintaining essential services, strong infrastructure, data, and community partnerships are more important than ever.

Today, New Jersey Department of Health Commissioner and ASTHO member Dr. Raynard Washington discusses his priorities for strengthening the state's public health system, drawing on his experience leading public health efforts in Philadelphia and Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

He explains why sustained investment in public health infrastructure and the workforce is critical to preparing for the next emergency, and how data can help leaders set priorities, direct resources, and measure progress.

I think it's really important where we are right now as a country that as our federal public health system, it continues to be challenged that states have strong leadership and that the role of state public health is even more critical now than it ever has been to ensure that we are protecting the health of residents.

But I think if we keep our mission at our core and keep that as our central focus and do the right thing, I think that's essentially what my advice would be to folks who are in roles like mine, but also folks who are working in agencies across the country.

So Dr. Washington, switching gears here, New Jersey, as well as the rest of the country, experienced a lot of extreme heat events over the summer.

What was the New Jersey Department of Health's response?

Yeah.

In New Jersey, FIG funding is helping strengthen those foundations.

In this FIG Impact Report, Dr. Reynard Washington, ASTHO member and Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health, discusses how the state is using FIG funding to support local health departments, rebuild and develop public health workforce, improve succession planning, and modernize fragmented data systems.

He also explains how New Jersey is making more public health data accessible to residents, including immunization coverage at the municipal level and strengthening its communications infrastructure to better reach communities in an increasingly crowded information environment.

Dr. Renard Washington, welcome to the show.

Thank you.

Great to be here.

Dr. Renard Washington is an ASTHO member and commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health.

This has been another Fig Impact Report, part of Public Health Review Morning Edition.