09/04/2026

News for Local Health Departments

9/4/26

2027 Preparedness Summit: Start Planning Your Abstract

The Preparedness Summit, the country’s first and longest-running national conference on public health preparedness, will begin accepting abstracts in mid-September. The theme for the 2027 Preparedness Summit, “Preparing for What’s Next: Building Bridges for a More Connected Future,” focuses on how the preparedness ecosystem can continue to adapt, align, and sustain readiness during a period of ongoing change while maintaining the foundational capabilities that support readiness and response. The conference will be held April 19-21 at the Hilton Downtown Atlanta in Atlanta, GA. Click here to preview the abstract guidelines and start planning your submissions.

Join the Preparedness Policy Advisory Group

NACCHO’s Preparedness Policy Advisory Group (PPAG), its primary advisory body for local health department input on national public health preparedness policy, is seeking applicants. PPAG brings together LHD leaders to provide coordinated feedback on federal initiatives and strengthen the local voice in policies related to preparedness, response, and recovery. Click here to learn more about the opportunity and how to apply.

Join NACCHO’s Immunization Data-to-Action Community of Practice

With support from the CDC, NACCHO invites local health departments to apply for participation in a Community of Practice focused on increasing capacity to understand immunization data availability, data sources, and data use for identifying barriers and populations with low uptake or access to immunizations. This COP, which will run from October 2026 through July 2027, will engage up to twenty LHDs to cross-train LHD Immunization Program staff on best practices on taking data to action in areas with low vaccination coverage. Participating LHDs will benefit from technical assistance, capacity-building opportunities, and peer-to-peer learning facilitated by NACCHO.  Additionally, they will get the opportunity to participate in an in-person meeting at NACCHO headquarters in Washington, DC. Read the full announcement including project objectives, expectations, eligibility, and more. Please apply by completing this form by Wednesday, September 16, 2026, by 11:59pm PST. 

Join a State Falls Prevention Coalition

State falls prevention coalitions can help local health departments promote evidence-based falls prevention strategies, strengthen community partnerships, and support data-driven approaches to falls prevention. A new National Council on Aging resource sheet, created in collaboration with NACCHO, Tips for Engaging Local Health Departments in Falls Prevention, highlights the benefits of coalition engagement and ways LHDs can get involved.

Falls Prevention Awareness Week (Sept. 21-25) is coming up and is a great opportunity to partner with your state’s falls prevention coalition to raise awareness of strategies that can help older adults prevent falls and lead healthy and independent lives. Use NCOA’s directory to connect with your state's coalition!

Data Analysis Tools in Practice: How Local Health Departments Use Data Analysis Platforms

Choosing the right data analysis platform can shape how local health departments plan programs, evaluate outcomes, develop workforce capacity, engage communities, and communicate findings. Join NACCHO’s Flexible Local Epidemiology for X-Factor Emerging Diseases Learning Community on September 10, 2026, from 2:00-3:00 PM ET, for a webinar featuring LHD professionals who will share their practical experiences with ArcGIS, Power BI, and R. The session will explore how these agencies gained access to the tools, developed internal skills, and selected platforms based on project goals and organizational needs. Learn more and register here. 

Virtual Training Opportunity: Reducing Stigma Associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs)

Join us Wednesday, September 16, 2026 from 11am-1pm MDT (1-3pm EST) for Reducing Stigma Associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs), an interactive, two-hour virtual training presented by the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University (MSU) in collaboration with NACCHO. This engaging training provides the opportunity to interact with other participants via a breakout session and dive into practical approaches for reducing stigma around FASDs. Please note that this is an interactive, synchronous training. Cameras are encouraged to be on, and participants will be asked to actively engage in discussions with others. Please see the full training description and registration here. 

Narrowing Care Gaps in the HIV Care Continuum | Sept. 22 | 2-3 PM EST

Join NACCHO and Gilead Medical Affairs for an informative discussion on narrowing gaps in the HIV care continuum. Learn about current HIV epidemiology trends, challenges affecting diagnosis and retention in care, and evidence-based strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce transmission. This session is designed for public health professionals, healthcare providers, and others working to strengthen HIV care and prevention efforts. Register here.

Missed Opportunities for PrEP | Sept. 30 | 2-3 PM EST

Join NACCHO and Gilead Medical Affairs for a discussion on missed opportunities for PrEP and strategies to address gaps in HIV prevention. This webinar will explore barriers that affect PrEP uptake, including stigma and access challenges, and highlight patient-centered approaches that can support equitable access to HIV prevention services. Public health professionals, healthcare providers, and community health partners are encouraged to attend. Register here.