ASTHO: State Health Officials and Behavioral

• Standards Body
• ASTHO

Association of State and Territorial Health Officials

ASTHO represents state health officers who shape public health infrastructure, behavioral health integration, and population health policy.

At a Glance

Type

Standards Body

Acronym

ASTHO

Headquarters

Arlington, VA

Official Website

Visit site ↗

Founded

1942

Last Verified

Mar 15, 2026

Reading Time

5 min

Why This Matters

• Represents state health officers who influence behavioral health policy at the state level
• Drives integration of behavioral health into broader public health infrastructure
• Shapes state-level opioid response, overdose prevention, and SUD strategies
• Publishes policy guidance on behavioral health workforce and access issues
• Coordinates state public health emergency response including behavioral health crises

Overview

The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials is the national nonprofit organization representing the state and territorial health officials who lead public health agencies across the United States. Founded in 1942 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, ASTHO’s membership generally includes the chief health officials from all 50 states, five U.S. territories, three freely associated states, and the District of Columbia.

ASTHO’s primary mission is strengthening public health infrastructure and supporting state health agencies in protecting and improving population health. While the organization covers the full spectrum of public health concerns — from infectious disease and environmental health to chronic disease prevention and emergency preparedness — behavioral health has become an increasingly prominent focus area as states grapple with the opioid epidemic, rising mental health needs, and the challenge of integrating behavioral health services into broader healthcare delivery systems.

For treatment center operators, ASTHO represents the broader public health leadership layer that sits above the behavioral health-specific agencies. State health officers influence resource allocation, emergency response priorities, and policy frameworks that affect how behavioral health services are funded, regulated, and delivered within the larger public health system.

Why ASTHO Matters for Behavioral Health Providers

ASTHO’s relevance to behavioral health providers stems from the growing integration of behavioral health into mainstream public health strategy. The opioid crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing recognition of the link between mental health and population health outcomes have elevated behavioral health as a priority for state health officers, bringing new resources, attention, and policy mandates to the field.

Opioid and Overdose Response. ASTHO has been a leading coordinator of state-level opioid response strategies. State health officers generally oversee public health programs for overdose surveillance, naloxone distribution, harm reduction services, and coordination between public health and treatment systems. ASTHO’s policy guidance and technical assistance shape how states design these programs and how treatment centers fit within the broader opioid response infrastructure.

Behavioral Health Integration. ASTHO advocates for integrating behavioral health services into primary care, public health, and community health settings. For treatment center operators, this integration trend affects referral patterns, care coordination expectations, and the competitive landscape. As states invest in integrated care models, treatment centers that can demonstrate coordination with primary care and public health systems are better positioned for contracts and referrals.

Public Health Emergency Preparedness. State health officers lead public health emergency response, which increasingly includes behavioral health crisis response. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the behavioral health dimensions of public health emergencies, and ASTHO’s emergency preparedness work now routinely addresses mental health and substance use considerations. Treatment centers that participate in state emergency response plans benefit from this integration.

Key Programs and Services

Policy and Advocacy. ASTHO develops policy positions and advocates before Congress and federal agencies on issues affecting state public health systems. Their behavioral health policy work addresses topics including opioid response funding, behavioral health workforce development, parity enforcement, and Medicaid behavioral health coverage.

Technical Assistance and Learning Communities. ASTHO operates peer learning networks and provides technical assistance to state health agencies on topics including behavioral health integration, overdose prevention, crisis system development, and health equity. These programs help states implement new approaches that affect how treatment centers operate within state systems.

Data and Surveillance. ASTHO supports state health agencies in building data systems for behavioral health surveillance, including overdose tracking, treatment utilization monitoring, and behavioral health outcome measurement. The data infrastructure that ASTHO helps states develop often generates the reporting requirements that treatment centers generally must comply with.

Workforce Development. ASTHO addresses public health workforce challenges, including the behavioral health workforce crisis. Their policy recommendations on training pipelines, scope of practice, loan repayment programs, and telehealth expansion influence state policies that affect treatment center staffing.

How ASTHO Affects Your Facility

ASTHO’s impact on your treatment center flows through the state health officer and public health agency in your jurisdiction.

Overdose Prevention Programs. Your state’s overdose prevention and harm reduction programs are shaped by policy frameworks that ASTHO helps develop. Treatment centers that participate in naloxone distribution, overdose education, or harm reduction initiatives operate within systems influenced by ASTHO’s guidance.

Data Reporting and Surveillance. State public health surveillance systems — including overdose reporting, treatment episode data, and communicable disease monitoring — generally generate compliance requirements for treatment centers. ASTHO’s work on state data infrastructure shapes what data your facility must report and how.

Emergency Response Integration. As behavioral health becomes a standard component of public health emergency preparedness, treatment centers may be called upon to participate in crisis response plans, provide surge capacity during emergencies, or coordinate with public health authorities during events that affect population behavioral health, though specific requirements may vary by jurisdiction.

Health Equity Initiatives. ASTHO prioritizes health equity across all program areas, including behavioral health. State health equity initiatives may affect treatment center requirements around cultural competency, language access, and disparities reduction, particularly for facilities that serve publicly funded populations, though specific requirements vary by state.

Resources and Contact Information

Official Website: https://www.astho.org ↗

Phone: (202) 371-9090

Mailing Address: ASTHO, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 450, Arlington, VA 22202

Key Resources:

• ASTHO behavioral health policy briefs and position statements
• Opioid response and overdose prevention resources
• State health agency profiles and comparative data
• Public health emergency preparedness toolkits
• Behavioral health integration guides and case studies

Frequently Asked Questions

This profile is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional advice. Information about this organization may change — always verify current details with official sources. is not affiliated with this organization unless otherwise stated.

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