Promoting Health and Cost Control in States: A Podcast Interview with Adam Lustig of Trust for America’s Health

by Camelia Singletary, MPH  JPHMP Podcast Adam Lustig


JPHMP Direct TALK is a podcast series that explores the many voices of public health and brings listeners conversations that bridge the gap between research and practice. 

The July/August issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice focuses on investments in population health.

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In this episode of JPHMP Direct Talk, we highlight Trust for America’s Health and its recent report titled Promoting Health and Cost Control in States (PHACCS). Adam Lustig, who is the manager of the Promoting Health and Cost Control in States initiative and one of the report authors, joins us to discuss key points that were highlighted by Trust for America’s Health. Be sure to read Adam’s new commentary, “Assisting States in Considering Evidence-Based and Promising Policies to Advance Health, Well-being, and Opportunity,” in the July issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice as well.

As we know, there are many factors that affect the lives of US citizens. In order for public health and medical professionals to make a difference, we must address issues that include, but are not limited to, mental health, environmental health, access to care, health equity, public health policies, chronic disease, and socioeconomic status. These factors, that can be contributors to poor health, are things that we, as a nation, must address for the sake of justice and equity. The PHACCS report serves as a menu of options for states to improve health and well-being by focusing on evidence-based methods for changing policies to benefit those who are otherwise underserved. JPHMP Podcast Adam Lustig

The report focuses on the following six overarching goals that include several accompanying objectives:

Adam Lustig is the Manager, Promoting Health and Cost Control in States (PHACCS) at TFAH. The PHACCS Initiative seeks to promote the adoption and implementation of effective, evidence-based state public health policies in a relatively short time period of five years. Prior to joining TFAH, he was the Senior Manager of Health Systems Transformation at the National Network of Public Health Institutes, where he developed strategies related to improving healthcare systems, alternative payment models, and supporting people-centered health systems. Mr. Lustig has also held positions at the Advisory Board Company, the National Pharmaceutical Council and the University of Pennsylvania. He received his MS in Health Policy from the Thomas Jefferson University College of Population Health and a BA in Public Policy from the State University of New York at Albany. JPHMP Podcast Adam Lustig

Listen to the Full Conversation 

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Camelia Singletary, MPH, received her master’s degree in public health from the University of South Carolina in 2015. Her research interests include exploring the implementation of school physical activity programs in combination with nutritional components. She is also interested in analyzing the adoption of physical activity and healthy eating skills from a social-cognitive perspective. As a public health communicator at JPHMP Direct, she hopes to create linkages between evidence-based research, public health coursework, and health certification competencies.