Page 2 - CSTE_Annual-Report_2017-18

Dear Friends and Colleagues, projects, a grim reflection of the persistence of this public health crisis.
Responses to the 2017 Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria are ongoing
We are pleased to present the 2017-18 Council of State and Territorial with CSTE having supported states’ and territories’ emergency response
Epidemiologists (CSTE) Annual Report. CSTE continues to strategically efforts through enhanced surveillance efforts, epidemiology staffing,
fulfill our vision, “Using the Power of Epidemiology to Improve the and supply and equipment procurement. Our steadfast commitment to
Public’s Health,” and this report presents to our members, stakeholders, prepare the next generation of applied epidemiologists and therefore
and partners CSTE’s accomplishments for the year. CSTE’s work is ensure the foundation of public health continued via CSTE workforce
driven by the 2018-2020 Strategic Plan with our central challenge to development efforts, such as the Applied Epidemiology Fellowship
“Strengthen the Role of Applied Epidemiology to Drive Public Health and (AEF), mentorship program, and other training opportunities for young
Policy Actions.” We continue to strive to meet the organizational priorities and mid-career professionals. Together with vital partners such as the
central to CSTE since it was convened in the 1950s by the Centers for Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), we have worked to
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Association of State and build and enhance the tools of applied epidemiology by supporting
Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO). ongoing projects addressing data modernization and the Reportable
Conditions Knowledge Management System (RCKMS).
The 2018 CSTE Annual Conference was held in West Palm Beach, Florida,
where we again broke attendance records with over 1,700 attendees Overall, we are empowered by the collective energy and passion of CSTE
from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. territories, and even members, the Executive Board, partners, subcommittees, consultants,
other nations, including China, India, and Kenya. Federal partners from grant technical monitors, and national office staff. We thank everyone
CDC, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for your continued support and the successes achieved this past year
(SAMHSA), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department and look forward to continuing to use data to let the sun shine on key
of Agriculture (USDA), and others were represented. The Conference public health issues.
featured over 90 breakout sessions, three plenary sessions, over 80
roundtable sessions, and six poster sessions. Thanks to our nearly 2,000 Sincerely,
members, the 2018 CSTE Annual Conference again demonstrated
the value of our organization as the “professional home for applied
epidemiologists.”
Sarah Park, MD, FAAP Jeffrey P. Engel, MD
In 2017-18, applied epidemiologists responded to a broad spectrum President, CSTE Executive Director, CSTE
Chief, Disease Outbreak Control Division
of disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other threats to the public’s
Hawaii Department of Health
health. CSTE’s work to address the U.S. opioid drug epidemic has grown
tremendously in the last year, both in the number and complexity of

L e t t er F rom the P re siden t 2