CRD Associates joins CSTE conference in Boston to learn about emerging public health issues and help epidemiologists shape public policy
Before the Tartan Army descended on Boston for this summer’s World Cup fanfare, an army of epidemiologists took up residence in the historic city for the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists’ (CSTE) 2026 Annual Conference from May 31st to June 4th. CSTE’s yearly meeting provides important opportunities for its members and attendees from all areas of public health to learn about the latest issues facing the field, participate in essential training opportunities, and network with their colleagues from across the country. Erin Morton (partner) and I (Meg Riley, senior vice president) were on hand to help attendees understand the intersection of public health and public policy and how CSTE’s efforts in Washington, DC are shaping the federal investment in critical epidemiology programs and public health response.
In addition to visiting the famous Make Way for Ducklings statues and recreating favorites scenes from Good Will Hunting in the Public Garden, Erin and I presented CSTE in DC: Policy and Educational Priorities, bringing attendees up to speed on the current landscape in Congress, challenges and opportunities presented by the Administration, and how CSTE has educated policymakers at all levels about the essential and life-saving work that epidemiologists do in their states and communities. We also hosted a discussion called Grassroots Playbook: Educating Legislators about Public Health in which we provided the audience with a primer on the legislative process and how Congress moves annual appropriations bills, and shared background on CSTE’s federal priorities. Participants learned how epidemiologists and other public health professionals can best communicate the successes and challenges in their field, including by sharing on-the-ground examples of public health response with their own legislators.
CSTE, representing more than 3,300 individual members, is the professional organization representing applied epidemiologists in all 50 states, Tribes, U.S. territories, and Washington, DC. With multiple active public health responses taking place at the time—Ebola, hantavirus, and more—CSTE’s Annual Conference came at a critical time for epidemiologists from every state and territory to share experiences and learn from each other. While epidemiologists can never step away from a public health response, the rare moments they have to meet in person and share best practices, challenges, and lessons learned are priceless. Erin and I are privileged to have been a part of the meeting and continue to do our part to help epidemiologists understand and harness their strength to educate policymakers and influence decisions on public health policy. The trip was a success on multiple fronts, especially for Erin who visited Fenway Park for the first time and got to see her Baltimore Orioles beat my Boston Red Sox. (Author’s note: As of this writing the Red Sox are five games ahead of the Orioles in the American League East standings.)