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Resources for Journalists

APHL works closely with journalists to share public health laboratory stories and experiences. We can provide resources, background information and connect you with the right experts.

Questions?

For news inquiries and interview requests, email [email protected]

What We Do

About APHL and Public Health Laboratories

About APHL

The Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL) represents over 120 state and local governmental public health, environmental and agricultural laboratories—known as public health laboratories—from every state, US territory and the District of Columbia, as well as many cities and regions.

Learn More About APHL

About Public Health Laboratories

Public health laboratories are America's first line of defense against a wide range of health threats. These laboratories perform diagnostic testing and disease surveillance, and form the backbone of a national laboratory network that responds to novel strains of disease, natural disasters, chemical spills, foodborne outbreaks and other health emergencies. 

Learn More About Public Health Laboratories

Work With Us

How We Can Help Inform Your Reporting

APHL can provide information and expertise on a range of topics related to public health laboratory science, disease detection and emergency response. Our focus areas include:

Hear from Us

Communications and Publications

APHL News Releases

To be added to APHL's media list, email [email protected].

Visit the Newsroom for previous news releases.

Stories From the Field

Read the latest news and stories about public health laboratory science in action from Lab Culture News and Lab Matters Magazine.

New
Lab Culture News article
04.07.26
Public Health Laboratory Work May Be Invisible—but It’s Also Indispensable: Perspective From a Public Health Laboratory Professional
Some of the most important returns in public health are written in the things that never got worse. It is important to communicate that to the public.
General, Advocacy
New
Lab Culture News article
03.30.26
How One State’s Public Health Laboratory Is Using Biomonitoring to Protect Kids
Due to their small stature, developing systems and normal play behaviors, young children are particularly vulnerable to the health hazards caused by the heavy metals and toxic chemicals found in some consumer products and the environment.
Environmental Health, Environmental Exposures, Environmental Monitoring
New
Lab Culture News article
03.24.26
World Tuberculosis Day Is March 24: 6 Questions for a 20-Year Veteran of TB Testing
In recognition of World Tuberculosis Day, we sat down with Kimberlee Musser, PhD, chief of bacterial disease, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health (NYDOH), and asked her six questions about tackling this ancient disease in a modern world.
Infectious Diseases, Tuberculosis
New
Lab Culture News article
03.19.26
How Public Health Laboratories and Federal Partners Uncovered a Multistate Outbreak of Dangerous Salmonella Infections
Between November 2025 and January 2026, seven people in seven states (as of this writing) became ill with an extensively drug-resistant strain of Salmonella Newport. All the illnesses were traced to certain lots of Rosabella-brand moringa powder.
Food Safety, General, Food Testing, Foodborne Disease, Genomics and Sequencing, Antimicrobial Resistance
New
Lab Culture News article
03.17.26
In 2023, a Growing—and Deadly—Outbreak of Listeria Was Reported in Washington State. How PulseNet Helped Lead Investigators to the Cause
In the first few months of 2023, six people in Washington State were sickened with the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes (L. mono), which can be found in food, water, soil and animals. Three people ultimately died from infection with the bacteria,
Food Safety, General, Food Testing, Foodborne Disease, Genomics and Sequencing
Lab Culture News article
01.28.26
Measles 2025: A Retrospective on a Record-Breaking Year
Infectious Diseases, Environmental Monitoring
View All
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Managing Sustainable Public Health Data Exchange at the National Level
The pandemic taught that rapid scale-up in response to emergencies is only sustainable when paired with a platform that can agilely connect public health systems and healthcare providers across the country. Enter the AIMS Platform.
APHL, Data Management, Knowledge Management, Laboratory Operations and Systems, Quality and Safety Systems
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
From Training to Trust: How PulseNet International Is Strengthening Foodborne Disease Surveillance
PulseNet International plays a crucial role in strengthening global capacity for genomic surveillance of antimicrobial resistant enteric pathogens through a robust program of training and collaboration activities.
Food Safety, Food Testing, Genomics and Sequencing, Chemistry, Antimicrobial Resistance
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Vermont Laboratory Discovers What a Difference a Fellow Can Make
The Vermont Department of Health Public Health Laboratory hosted its first Career Pathways in Public Health Laboratory Science fellow and things went better than they could have hoped.
APHL, Fellowships, Career Development
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Member Profile: Maryland Department of Health Laboratories Administration
The Maryland Department of Health Laboratories Administration, the oldest continuous operating unit in the Maryland Department of Health, provides objective and unaffiliated information to medical professionals, public health partners and others.
General, APHL
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
National Institute of Health Launches Biosafety Modernization Initiative
In September 2025, the NIH launched the Biosafety Modernization Initiative, an effort to modernize biosafety policies and practices. APHL Biosafety and Biosecurity Committee members share perspectives on how the initiative affects public health labs.
General, Biosafety and Biosecurity, Emergency Preparedness and Response
Lab Matters article
Spring 2026
Member Profile: Georgia Department of Agriculture Laboratory
The Georgia Department of Agriculture Laboratory, comprised of an Atlanta branch and a Tifton branch, houses eight unique laboratory sections ranging from food safety microbiology to fuel and oil that cover all 159 counties in the state.
General
View All

Technical Publications

We produce a host of technical publications to inform or guide laboratory work, including reports, guidance, survey data, fact sheets and toolkits.

Featured
Tool / Work Aid
2025
Public Health Laboratory Workforce Retention Scorecard
Laboratory leaders can use this scorecard to periodically assess employee retention practices to improve workforce retention strategies and reduce turnover.
Quality Systems and Analytics, Training and Professional Development, Workforce Development
Featured
Guide / Guidance
2025
Centralized Public Health Data Exchanges: A Toolkit for Platform Designers, Technologists and Public Health Decision Makers
A guide for laboratories around the world to design a road map for establishing a data exchange platform that meets your circumstances and needs.
Global Health, Informatics
Featured
Tool / Work Aid
2025
Laboratory Biosecurity Risk Assessment Tool: A Guide for Public Health and Clinical Diagnostic Laboratories
Evaluate potential biosecurity threats and vulnerabilities in public health and clinical laboratories related to biological materials, equipment, personnel and operations.
Public Health Preparedness and Response
Featured
Fact Sheet
01.06.24
Test Resource (all fields)
This is a test resource for displaying widgets.
Environmental Health, Biosafety and Biosecurity
Featured
Fact Sheet
01.06.24
Test Resource (all fields) Member Developed
This is a test resource for displaying widgets.
Environmental Health, Biosafety and Biosecurity
Featured
Toolkit
2024
Related Processes (Laboratory Test Verification and Validation Toolkit)
This section of the Laboratory Test Verification & Validation Toolkit provides information on sample stability/integrity, bridging studies, instrumentation, reagents and software related to verification and validation.
Quality Systems and Analytics, Infectious Diseases, Quality and Safety Systems
View All
Join Us

Events and Meetings

APHL convenes many events throughout the year. We offer press passes to some events; to learn more, please email [email protected]. Visit the APHL Events Calendar for all upcoming events and webinars, and learn more about our signature conferences below:
May
04
2026
Featured:
APHL 2026 Annual Conference
The APHL Annual Conference brings together leaders, scientists, influencers and partners of the public health laboratory community to share issues, trends and best practices driving laboratory science and public health today.
Location
Baltimore, MD
Open To
All, Registration Required
Cost
Varies
infant foot with bandage from newborn screening heel prick
Oct
11
2026
Featured:
APHL 2026 Newborn Screening Symposium
The Newborn Screening Symposium addresses state, national and international newborn screening, genetic testing and policy issues important to public health newborn screening systems.
Location
New Orleans, LA
Open To
All; Registration Required
Cost
Varies
Mar
15
2027
Featured:
APHL 2027 ID Lab Con
ID Lab Con is a forum to discuss the latest developments on detection and characterization of infectious diseases of public health concern.
Location
Atlanta, GA
Open To
All, Registration Required
Cost
Fee TBD