The Open Forum Next Generation (NxGen) provides public health practitioners an opportunity to learn and engage with peers around critical topics currently facing both the public health workforce and the healthcare workforce. Through robust content and design, NxGen establishes a learning continuum that strengthens the capacity for practitioners to respond to future public health needs, as well as providing skills and resources to bolster the new generation of public health workers.

NxGen proposes to offer three (3) learning tracks: 1) Infection Prevention and Control; 2) Vaccine Access and Distribution Across the Life Course; and 3) Improving the Public Health Infrastructure. Each track is described in turn below: 

Infection Prevention and Control 

Infection prevention and control has moved to the forefront of public health surveillance, education, and outreach efforts due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This track will explore the role and influence that public health has in the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections including lessons learned, quality improvement, and building stronger connections with healthcare.  

Vaccine Access and Distribution Across the Life Course 

This track will offer sessions focused on the various aspects of the monitoring and evaluation of vaccination programs including how to improve program targets, monitor vaccination across the life-course, routinely monitor issues related to equity, and will discuss the importance of vaccination not only during a pandemic, but throughout life. 

Public Health Infrastructure 

This track is focused on innovations to support a capable and qualified workforce, up-to-date data and information systems, and agencies that can assess and respond to public health needs. Sessions in this track will offer specific tips, tools, and techniques that public health departments can use to strengthen capacity, performance, and effectiveness. 

Cross-cutting Topics 

Each track will feature sessions focused on (5) five cross-cutting topics relevant to public health post-COVID:

1. Health and racial equity;
2. Workforce development for the next generation of the public health workforce;
3. Public health law and policy;
4. Performance management and quality improvement (PM/QI); and 
5. Emerging issues or hot topics.  

For more information about the Open Forum NxGen, sign up for updates via our mailing list or contact us at convenings@nnphi.org.

The National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) is proud to announce its 21st Annual Conference will be held May 17-19, 2022 in New Orleans. Stay tuned here for additional updates. The call for abstracts will launch in early October and close mid-November and registration will open in December.

Since 2001, the Annual NNPHI Conference is the only national meeting that supports and highlights the work of the nation’s public health institutes. NNPHI members lead conference programming that explores fresh concepts and strategies for supporting healthy communities at the local, state, and federal levels.

The Public Health Improvement Training (PHIT) will be held virtually the week of June 6, 2022, featuring a series of hands-on, skill-building workshops designed to elevate practice to the next level for the public health improvement workforce in order to take action in public health performance improvement topics such as:

• Resource Management (workforce development and financial management)
• PHAB Accreditation or Reaccreditation
• Community Health Assessment or Health Improvement Planning
• Performance Management
• Quality Improvement
• Strategic Planning; and
• Other Strategic Skills (systems thinking, change management, persuasive communication, data analytics, problem solving, diversity and inclusion, and policy engagement)

PHIT attendees have the opportunity to select from a variety of interactive learning and skill-building sessions designed for all experience levels. At PHIT, participants gain practical tools, templates, resources, and contacts to support you to take action. Because smaller breakout sessions make for better learning.

Registration will open soon. For more information about PHIT, sign up or update your email preferences here.

The National Conference on Tobacco or Health (NCTOH) is one of the largest, long-standing gatherings for top United States tobacco control professionals. The convening attracts a diversity of public health professionals committed to best practices and policies to reduce tobacco use—the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States.

NCTOH conference participants include tobacco control professionals, researchers, and anyone interested in any of the following:

• Examining the latest evidence on what works in tobacco control and how to apply current research findings and best practices in tobacco control policy, advocacy, and programs
• Exploring practical ways to improve tobacco control programs and activities across the United States
• Renewing energy and commitment to the U.S. tobacco control movement
• Exchanging valuable ideas and tips with colleagues