2023 Conference

The National League of Cities (NLC) collaborated with local partners, Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI) and Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) to encourage the utilization of wellbeing metrics in local policy through the Metro Atlanta Cities Wellbeing Initiative (MACWI). The MACWI is an eight-month experience for city leaders to expand their knowledge of wellbeing topics and use data to develop policy action plans. MACWI provides an example of the opportunity to build the capacity of city-level leaders to use data to impact community wellbeing. The initiative highlights the importance of engaging a variety of partners for wellbeing efforts.

Presenters:

Rebecca Baskam, MPH  
Wellbeing Research Professional, College of Public Health, University of Georgia 

Carrie Oliver, MPH, CHES, CNP, PMP  
Senior Innovation Manager, Atlanta Regional Collaborative for Health Improvement (ARCHI) 

Continuing the discussion began in April’s CPH Engage Learning online seminar on how a growing homelessness crisis in Georgia and nationwide intersects with the mission of public health, this session will cover the socio-economic and policy conditions that most impact unhoused populations, the role of substance abuse, and how homelessness is growing among families and children.

Presenters:

Shea Post 
Director, Athens Area Homeless Shelter 

John Morris 
THRIVE Community Programs Team Lead, Advantage Behavioral Health Services  
Chair, Athens Homeless Coalition 

This presentation focuses on how Georgia Department of Public Health has leveraged violence morbidity and mortality data, along with CDC’s Social Vulnerability Index, to create visualization tools that serve as a resource for community-level violence intervention and prevention.

Presenters:

Rana Bayakly, MPH 
Chief Epidemiologist, Georgia Department of Public Health 

Adan Oviedo, MPH 
GA-FASTER Epidemiologist, Georgia Department of Public Health 

Elizabeth Blankenship, MPH 
GA-VDSR Epidemiologist, Georgia Department of Public Health 

The Cooperative Extension National Framework for Health Equity and Well-being conceptualizes the role of Extension as a key player in national efforts to improve population health. We must engage in strategic partnerships to address the social, economic, and environmental disadvantages that determine population health outcomes through their impact on individual health behaviors and access to health care. Following this session, participants will describe community-engaged research partnerships with UGA Extension, discuss how these strategic partnerships may contribute to improving population health, and identify and evaluate opportunities for collaborations with their organizations.

Presenters:

Courtney Still Brown, PhD, RDN, LD 
Community Health Engagement Coordinator, UGA Biomedical and Translational Sciences Institute 
Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance 

Alison Berg, PhD, RDN, LD 
Associate Professor and Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist, UGA Extension 

Sarah T. Henes, PhD, RDN, LD 
Assistant Professor and Extension Nutrition Specialist, UGA EFNEP State Coordinator 

Allisen Penn, EdD 
Associate Dean for Extension and Outreach, UGA 

Brad Phillips, PharmD, BCPS, FCCP 
Director, Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance 

Beth Kindamo, MS 
Assistant Nutrition Educator and Program Coordinator, UGA Extension 

This session explores the impact of cross-sector collaboration and community partnerships in promoting health and achieving health equity. Using case examples from the Metro Atlanta American Heart Association, presenters will share successful interventions, discuss challenges, and highlight the importance of moving beyond traditional public health to impact population health.

Presenter:

Shana Scott, JD, MPH 
VP of Community Impact 

Hotter days and stronger storms are just a few of the challenges climate change has brought to Georgia communities. This session will cover the outcomes public health agencies and communities are experiencing and can anticipate impacting population health, and our presenters will offer their expertise and experiences planning to address climate-related health issues.

Presenters:

Paul Schramm, MS, MPH 
Health Scientist, CDC’s Climate and Health Program 

Aron Hall, AICP, ISA Certified Arborist, LEED Green Associate
Energy Program and Conservation Coordinator, Athens Clarke County Sustainability Office