This month's podcast episode from the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) provides an update on the deal to end the government shutdown and what's next for federal public health funding, including the need to approve full-year funding for federal health agencies that assist local health departments through the Labor-HHS appropriations bill. They also discuss NACCHO's recent Congressional briefing that featured a panel of local health officials from cities hosting World Cup matches next year, highlighting the work underway to prepare for a safe and secure event. NACCHO also encourages members to ask their congressional representatives to support funding for federal health agencies in the Senate Labor-HHS bill.

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Later in the program (7:07), Lori Tremmel Freeman, Chief Executive Officer at NACCHO, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of local health departments and how the work of public health professionals improves community health across the country, ahead of Public Health Thank You Day (Monday, November 24). She also discusses her recently co-authored journal article titled, Where Do We Go From Here? The Way Forward for State and Local Public Health, which highlights key strategies to help state and local health departments build stronger public health systems moving forward.