Richard Hughes IV, MPH

Mr. Hughes is the Director of State Health Policy with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, where he oversees the association's state law and policy projects. His work at ASTHO has focused on state legislative advocacy, regulatory approaches to policymaking, and the role of state boards of health.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee appointed Mr. Hughes as the youngest ever member of the Arkansas State Board of Health at age 22. He served three years as an active board member, deciding appeals before the health department, approving grant allocations for capital investments, participating in rulemaking proceedings, and comprehensively reviewing the state’s immunization policies.

A brain cancer survivor, Mr. Hughes was a staunch public health advocate in his home state. His advocacy activities included lobbying members of Congress and the state legislature concerning cancer, tobacco and vaccine issues, making numerous local media appearances to discuss cancer and vaccines, and publishing op-ed pieces on national health reform and immunization policy.

In addition to his advocacy and political experience, Mr. Hughes has a strong background conducting research and comparative analyses of state laws and policies.

Mr. Hughes received his BS in Management from Arkansas State University and Master of Public Health from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He is a member of the national Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health and will begin pursuing a law degree at The Catholic University of America in fall 2010.