Final answer:
The ASTHO provides advocacy and support to SHAs, aiding in the development of public health strategies and policies bespoke to individual states.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) plays a significant role in supporting State Health Agencies (SHAs) and in the creation of public health policy agendas for individual states. The correct answer to what role the ASTHO plays is b) Advocacy and support. ASTHO provides guidance, conducts research, advocates for modern policies and approaches, shares best practices, and offers support for workforce development. It assists SHAs in forming effective public health strategies and policies tailored to their specific needs and challenges.