As the holiday season approaches, it’s easy to get swept up in the excitement of celebrations, family gatherings, and festive events. But for many, the holidays can also bring a sense of stress, isolation, and emotional fatigue—what is commonly referred to as the “holiday blues.” While it’s often seen as a time for joy, the reality is that the demands of the season can negatively impact our mental and emotional well-being.

Understanding the Holiday Blues

The holiday blues is a term that describes feelings of sadness, anxiety, or stress that occur during the holiday season. These feelings are often linked to the pressures of holiday expectations, financial strain, loneliness, or even a mismatch between our idealized vision of the holidays and our actual experiences. For many people, the holidays can trigger or exacerbate pre-existing mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. Common factors contributing to the holiday blues include:

1. Social Pressure: The holidays often bring heightened expectations around family gatherings, gifts, and social engagements. For some, the pressure to meet these expectations can be overwhelming and lead to stress.
2. Financial Stress: With the expectation of buying gifts, hosting parties, or traveling, financial concerns can create significant anxiety, especially in an economy that may be uncertain or challenging.
3. Social Isolation: While some enjoy the company of loved ones, others may feel isolated during this time. Loneliness can be particularly pronounced for those who live far from family or have experienced a recent loss.
4. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): The reduction in daylight hours and colder weather can trigger symptoms of depression in some individuals, a condition known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. SAD is more common in northern latitudes where daylight is limited during the winter months.
5. Past Trauma or Loss: The holidays can be a reminder of lost loved ones or difficult experiences, triggering grief and emotional pain for some.

The Public Health Perspective

From a public health standpoint, the holiday blues are not just an individual concern; they can affect entire communities. Mental health issues like depression and anxiety are public health challenges that impact productivity, relationships, and overall well-being. During the holiday season, healthcare systems may see a rise in cases related to stress, substance abuse, and other mental health conditions.

Furthermore, the holiday blues can contribute to physical health problems. Stress, poor sleep, overeating, and lack of exercise during the holidays can worsen chronic conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. It’s important to recognize the interplay between mental and physical health, especially during a time of year when many people neglect self-care in favor of holiday demands.

Strategies for Coping with the Holiday Blues

While it’s natural to feel a bit down during the holidays, there are several strategies individuals can adopt to protect their mental health and well-being. Public health professionals recommend a holistic approach to managing the holiday blues, focusing on prevention, self-care, and seeking support when needed.

1. Set Realistic Expectations

The holidays do not have to be perfect. It’s okay if family gatherings aren’t picture-perfect or if you can’t afford to buy expensive gifts. Let go of the pressure to meet unrealistic standards and instead focus on what matters most: quality time, connection, and self-care.

2. Practice Self-Care

Maintaining your physical health during the holidays is crucial. Regular exercise, proper sleep, and eating nourishing foods can all help keep your mood stable and energy levels high. Avoid overindulging in alcohol or comfort foods, which can worsen feelings of depression or anxiety.

3. Reach Out for Support

You don’t have to go through the holidays alone. If you’re feeling isolated, consider reaching out to friends, family, or even community groups for connection. Many people feel similarly, and talking about your feelings can provide relief. If the holiday blues are severe, seek professional help. Therapy, counseling, or talking to a healthcare provider can offer support and coping strategies.

4. Volunteer or Give Back

Helping others can boost your own sense of well-being and provide a sense of purpose. Volunteering at local food banks, shelters, or community centers not only gives back to the community but also can combat feelings of loneliness or isolation. Acts of kindness—whether big or small—can have a profound impact on your mental health.

5. Manage Stress with Mindfulness

Stress management techniques like deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness practices can help reduce anxiety and prevent emotional overwhelm. Taking just a few minutes a day to practice mindfulness or yoga can improve your mood and increase feelings of calm.

6. Stay Connected with Nature

If you experience SAD or feel low due to a lack of sunlight, try to spend time outdoors whenever possible. Even brief exposure to natural light can help regulate mood and circadian rhythms. If you’re in an area with long winters, consider using a light therapy box to combat the effects of reduced sunlight.

The Role of Public Health Initiatives

Public health organizations play a crucial role in supporting individuals during the holiday season by promoting mental health awareness and providing resources. Campaigns that highlight mental health, especially around the holidays, can normalize the conversation about emotional well-being. Many public health campaigns encourage individuals to check in on their loved ones, practice self-care, and seek help when needed.

Communities can also provide support through holiday mental health programs, peer support groups, and accessible counseling services. By fostering a culture of understanding and empathy, public health initiatives can help reduce the stigma associated with mental health challenges during the holidays.

Conclusion

The holiday blues are a common experience, but with the right strategies, they can be managed in a way that promotes overall well-being. By setting realistic expectations, practicing self-care, and seeking support when needed, individuals can navigate the holiday season in a healthier and more positive way. From a public health perspective, addressing the holiday blues is about understanding the complex factors that contribute to mental health challenges during this time and providing the tools and resources necessary for people to thrive.

This holiday season, remember that it’s okay not to feel okay. Prioritize your mental health, and don’t hesitate to reach out for support if you need it. Together, we can create a season that supports emotional and physical well-being for everyone.

Click the link for trainings developed by the Region IV PHTC related to mental health during the holidays.

Every year, on the third Thursday of November, we celebrate National Rural Health Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the vital contributions of rural communities and the healthcare professionals who serve them. It’s a time to reflect on the unique challenges rural areas face and honor the resilience, innovation, and dedication that define rural healthcare.

The Significance of Rural Health

Rural communities are the backbone of our nation, providing essential resources, cultural richness, and an unparalleled sense of community. However, these areas often face significant healthcare challenges, including limited access to medical facilities, a shortage of healthcare providers, and higher rates of chronic diseases. National Rural Health Day highlights these issues, advocating for equitable healthcare access and celebrating progress in improving rural health.

Celebrating Healthcare Heroes

At the heart of National Rural Health Day are the healthcare professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the well-being of rural populations. These dedicated individuals often go above and beyond, providing comprehensive care with limited resources. From doctors and nurses to community health workers and telehealth providers, their commitment to serving rural communities is truly inspiring. This day is an opportunity to express our gratitude and support for their unwavering dedication.

Innovation and Resilience

Rural healthcare is marked by innovation and resilience. Despite the challenges, rural health providers continuously find creative solutions to deliver quality care. Telehealth has become a game-changer, bridging the gap between patients and providers and ensuring that even the most remote areas can access medical expertise. Community health initiatives, mobile clinics, and partnerships with local organizations further enhance healthcare delivery in rural settings.

Building a Healthier Future

National Rural Health Day is not just a celebration; it’s a call to action. It reminds us of the importance of advocating for policies and programs that support rural health. By investing in rural healthcare infrastructure, expanding telehealth services, and addressing workforce shortages, we can build a healthier future for all. It’s a collective effort that requires the support of policymakers, healthcare organizations, and communities.

Join the Celebration

As we celebrate National Rural Health Day, let’s appreciate the unique spirit of rural communities and the healthcare heroes who serve them. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a community member, or an advocate, your efforts make a difference. Together, we can ensure that rural areas receive the recognition and support they deserve, paving the way for a healthier, more equitable future.

Join the Region IV Public Health Training Center in celebrating National Rural Health Day and honoring the heartbeat of our communities. Together, we can make a lasting impact.

Click the link for trainings developed by the Region IV PHTC related to rural health.

With 10,000 Americans reaching the age of 65 daily, the aging population is growing at an unprecedented rate. This underscores the urgent need to address the unique health needs and challenges older individuals face. Public health departments and systems, therefore, play a crucial role in promoting the health and well-being of older Americans, making initiatives aimed at supporting the aging population more important than ever.

Public health departments can make important contributions to the health and productivity of older Americans by implementing age-friendly public health initiatives. These initiatives focus on promoting healthy aging, addressing specific health concerns, creating age-friendly environments, fostering social connectedness, and promoting preventive care. By integrating these principles into their activities, public health departments can play a significant role in building a healthier and more inclusive society for people of all ages.

Public health departments play a pivotal role in promoting healthy aging, a core component of age-friendly public health initiatives. By encouraging older adults to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyles, including regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and mental well-being, these departments support the overall health and well-being of older individuals. They facilitate access to resources, programs, and services that empower older adults to lead independent and fulfilling lives.

Addressing the specific health concerns of older adults is a complex but crucial aspect of public health initiatives. Chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis are more prevalent in older age, and public health departments can develop targeted interventions to manage and prevent these conditions. Additionally, mental health and cognitive well-being should be prioritized, and public health strategies should include programs that support older adults’ mental and emotional health.

Fostering social connectedness and community engagement is critical for promoting the health and well-being of older adults. Public health initiatives should aim to combat social isolation and loneliness by providing opportunities for older individuals to engage with their communities, participate in social activities, and maintain meaningful connections with others.

Preventive care and health screenings are paramount in supporting the health of older adults. Encouraging regular check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations can help identify and address health concerns early, leading to better health outcomes and improved quality of life for older individuals.

Trust for America’s Health and The John A. Hartford Foundation have recognized the significance of public health interventions for older adults and are partnering with state and local health departments to implement a public health framework within their activities. This partnership aims to provide support and resources to help public health departments effectively address the health needs of their older adult residents. Learn more about the initiative at Age-Friendly Public Health Systems — Trust for America’s Health.

National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM) is observed annually in August to emphasize the importance of vaccination for individuals of all ages.

Let’s RISE is a CDC initiative that provides practical strategies, resources, and data to help ensure that all Americans are up to date with their routine immunizations, protecting everyone from vaccine-preventable diseases and disabilities.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a concerning decrease in routine immunizations for both children and adults. While routine vaccination rates are increasing, it’s important to note that there remains a need for recovery across all groups. Many individuals, especially children and adults, who delayed vaccination during the pandemic are still behind schedule. As public health officials continue to assess the pandemic’s impact on routine immunizations, it’s crucial to ensure that everyone catches up with their routine immunizations. It’s important to know that children and teens can still receive missed vaccinations, even if they are delayed.

The CDC offers evidence-based strategies and available resources for healthcare professionals, schools, and partners to promote catching up on routine vaccinations and to communicate the importance of being up to date on routine vaccinations for maintaining good health. These resources and strategies are accessible here: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/partners/routine-immunizations-lets-rise.html

Routine vaccination serves to protect children, families, and communities. Now is an opportune time to encourage families to verify if everyone is current with their recommended vaccines and to consult a trusted healthcare provider.

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the importance of mental health awareness, with efforts made to understand and support individuals from all walks of life. However, amidst these strides, it is crucial to shine a spotlight on the unique mental health challenges faced by minority communities. From cultural stigma to limited access to care, there are various factors that can impact the mental well-being of individuals from minority backgrounds. As we strive to foster a more inclusive and supportive society, it is essential to address these issues and work towards creating a more equitable landscape for mental health support.

One of the primary barriers to mental health support within minority communities is the pervasive stigma surrounding mental illness. This stigma can stem from cultural beliefs, historical trauma, and a lack of awareness about mental health. As a result, individuals may feel silenced or marginalized, reluctant to seek help due to fear of judgment or discrimination. Shattering these stigmas and fostering open, non-judgmental conversations around mental health is a crucial step towards creating a supportive environment for all individuals.

Furthermore, access to adequate mental health resources remains a significant challenge for many minority groups. Socioeconomic factors, language barriers, and a lack of culturally competent care can hinder individuals from seeking or receiving the support they need. As a society, it is imperative to advocate for accessible and inclusive mental health services that address the diverse needs of minority communities. This may involve increasing the availability of multilingual and culturally sensitive mental health resources, as well as actively engaging with community leaders to bridge the gap between mental health services and minority populations.

As advocates for mental health awareness and inclusivity, it is our collective responsibility to amplify the voices of minority communities and advocate for policies and initiatives that address their mental health needs. This may involve supporting culturally relevant mental health programs, participating in community outreach, and advocating for greater representation of minority perspectives in mental health advocacy efforts.

In recognition of National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center Network (MHTTC) has compiled a list of upcoming events and resources to support these communities.

Together, we can break down barriers, challenge stigma, and pave the way for a more inclusive and supportive future for mental health.

Members of the Public Health Training Center Network (PHTCN) and the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI) recently participated in and presented at the Association of Public Health Nurses (APHN) Annual Conference in Denver, CO.

• Dena Fife (MPHTC – Region 7), Garlie St-Cyr (NNPHI), and Laura Prechter (NNPHI) presented “Applying Racial Justice Competencies: Why & How to Begin.”
• Laurie Walkner (MPHTC – Region 7), Sarah Davis (Region 8), and Betty Bekemeier (Region 10) presented “Brave Spaces for Health Equity and Anti-Racism Learning.”

• Laurie Walkner and Shirley Orr (APHN) presented “Systems Thinking in Public Health: Crafting a Blueprint for Workforce Development.”

• Dena Fife participated alongside Betty Bekemeier on a panel, “Public Health Nursing Workforce Development: Perspectives from National Partners.”

The Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center (RMPHTC – Region 8) team and PHTCN conference attendees shared information about the network at the PHTCN exhibit booth. RMPHTC provided exceptional support to the PHTCN members who traveled to Denver for the conference!

Pictured from left to right: Betty Bekemeier (R10), Garlie St-Cyr (NNPHI),
Sarah Davis (R8), Laurie Walkner (R7), Laura Prechter (NNPHI), and Dena Fife (R7)

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month and the perfect time to share facts about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias that affect the brain.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, a general term for memory loss and other cognitive abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of dementia cases. As a public health issue, it presents a significant challenge for individuals, families, and healthcare systems. Promoting Alzheimer’s awareness is crucial for early detection, intervention, and support for those affected by the disease.

One of the most important aspects of promoting Alzheimer’s awareness in public health is education. Many people are unaware of the early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s, which can lead to delayed diagnosis and intervention. By educating the public about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s, we can empower individuals and families to seek help at the earliest stages of the disease.

The National Institute of Aging (NIA) has many resources about Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and brain health that you can share in your community. Organizations that work with older adults can use the evidence-based resources related to dementias developed by the Healthy People 2030 inititative.

Collaboration among healthcare professionals, community organizations, and governmental agencies is a cornerstone of our approach to promoting Alzheimer’s awareness. By pooling our resources and expertise, we can raise awareness, improve access to care, and support ongoing research. By prioritizing Alzheimer’s awareness, we can make a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by the disease and work towards a future with better prevention, treatment, and care.

For more information about available resources for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, visit the Alzheimer’s Association or the National Institute of Aging.

Are you an emerging leader at a state or local health department, tribal health organization, or FQHC/FQHC Look-Alike?

“The Region IV Public Health and Primary Care Leadership Institute (PHPC-LI) was a terrific experience for diverse multidisciplinary cohort members to engage in various modalities of learning experiences, both in-person and virtually. The curriculum delivery was dynamic and thoughtful, and allowed for deepening one’s scope of leadership knowledge and self-awareness of strengths…I’m so pleased the PHPC-LI included me as their first ever Family Leader to broaden the diversity of the group…”

– Linda Starnes,
2022-2023 PHPC-LI Fellow

National Nutrition Month® reminds us to consider the impact of our food choices on our health and the environment. The theme “Beyond the Table” encourages us to look at the broader implications of what we eat and drink. Our daily food choices play a significant role in shaping our well-being and the sustainability of our planet. However, it is essential to acknowledge that access to nutritious food can be a challenge for some individuals and communities.

The Region IV Public Health Training Center (PHTC) recently hosted a meeting in Atlanta for members of its Steering Committee. The committee met to discuss priorities and challenges within the populations they serve, ways to strengthen connections between the Region IV PHTC and state health departments, and opportunities to expand the PHTC’s reach to underserved areas to advance health equity. In addition, the group discussed ways to engage new audiences and partners, specifically during student field placements, training, and leadership institutes.

Representing a diversity of public health perspectives, the role of the Steering Committee is to share information on the training needs of their workforce, speak on behalf of their organizational partners and underserved populations, provide content expertise, and share guidance on Region IV PHTC’s activities.

Members of the Steering Committee include representatives from across the Region IV PHTC network of eight southeastern states, including local, state, federal, and tribal public health organizations and academia. The Committee also includes staff from the Region IV PHTC Central Office as well as from its Community-Based Training Partners and Technical Assistance Partners.

Pictured (front row, left to right): Lisa McCormick, Debra Bragdon, Laura Lloyd, Elena Kidd, Sophia Lamb, Tiffaney Brown, and Taylor Dula. Second row (left to right): Moose Alperin, Deanna Zhong, Matt Fifolt, Kim Dittmann, Cynthia Lamberth, Susan Haynes Little, JacKetta Cobbs, Brandy Walker, Parnia Roghani, Erin Mundy, and Carolina Darbisi. Back row (left to right): Elizabeth Kidwell, Ken Harrison, Ryan Easterling, Janie Cambron, Anne Maynard Wenders, Matthew Coleman, Angie Gainey, and Mulugeta Gebregziabher. Not pictured is Becky Reamy.

Are you an emerging leader at a state or local health department, tribal health organization, or FQHC/FQHC Look-Alike?

“The Region IV Public Health and Primary Care Leadership Institute (PHPC-LI) was a terrific experience for diverse multidisciplinary cohort members to engage in various modalities of learning experiences, both in-person and virtually. The curriculum delivery was dynamic and thoughtful, and allowed for deepening one’s scope of leadership knowledge and self-awareness of strengths…I’m so pleased the PHPC-LI included me as their first ever Family Leader to broaden the diversity of the group…”

– Linda Starnes,
2022-2023 PHPC-LI Fellow

Looking for leadership training on Strength-Based Leadership? Members of the Public Health Training Center Network (PHTCN) responded to requests. Below is a listing of trainings available from each region.

Region 1 – New England Public Health Training Center

• Making the Economic Case for Public Health Programs
• Our Voice: Harnessing Local Expertise to Create Healthier Communities
• The Maliseet Food Sovereignty Initiative: Partnership to Promote Food Sovereignty and Food Security
• Engaging Indigenous Communities in Health Equity Activities

Region 2 – Region 2 Public Health Training Center

• Adaptive Leadership: Strategies for Public Health

Region 3 – Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center *

*Requires user to create a free account to access the training links.

• Public Health Leadership

Region 4 – Region IV Public Health Training Center

• 6 Episode Podcast Series – Adaptive Leadership for Public Health
• Region IV Public Health and Primary Care Leadership Institute
• Shaping Organizational Culture: The Role of Leaders

Region 5 – Region V Public Health Training Center

• Change Management and Adaptive Leadership (On-Demand – CE)
• Leadership and Whole-Systems Change (No CE)
• Managing Change: The Essential Leadership Skill (CE)

Region 6 – South Central Public Health Training Center

• Diversity Leadership: A Strategic Approach
• Resilient Leadership: Building an Organizational Culture of Resilience
• Advanced Leadership and Practice
• Advanced Leadership and Practice – Part II

Region 7 – Midwestern Public Health Training Center

• Great Plains Leadership Institute

Region 8 – Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center

• Communicating and Disseminating Evidence to Decision Makers

Region 9 – Western Region Public Health Training Center

• Leadership for Supervisors
• Setting Yourself Up for Success as a Supervisor

Region 10 – Northwest Public Health Training Center

• Leading with Insight

Looking for leadership trainings on Conflict Management? Members of the Public Health Training Center Network (PHTCN) responded to requests. Below is a listing of trainings available from each region.

Region 1 – New England Public Health Training Center

• Calling In, Not Calling Out
• Trauma-Informed Conversations

Region 2 – Region 2 Public Health Training Center

• Adaptation to Stress: Five Practices to Cultivate Resilience and Work-Life Wellbeing
• Change Management and You: How Change Impacts Public Health Professionals
• Strategic Skills Training Series: Introduction to Change Management

Region 4 – Region IV Public Health Training Center

• Podcast Series – Adapative Leadership for Public Health: Episode 4
• Change, Challenge, Adversity, and Resilience: Ideas and Tools for a Turbulent World
• Thriving Through Change

Region 6 – South Central Public Health Training Center

• Conflict Management
• Managing Conflict in the Workplace
• How to Manage Conflict So It Doesn’t Manage You

Region 8 – Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center

• Writing an Issue Statement Online Module

Region 9 – Western Region Public Health Training Center

• Mediation Skills: Peaceful Resolution and Soothing Communication Tips
• Relationships and Interpersonal Communication Skills in the Workplace

Region 10 – Northwest Public Health Training Center

• Conflict Resolution: Negotiation and Mediation
• Dispute Resolution Principles and Tactics

Looking for trainings on Persuasive Communication? Members of the Public Health Training Center Network (PHTCN) responded to requests. Below is a listing of trainings available from each region.

Region 1 – New England Public Health Training Center

• Storytelling for Public Health
• Creating Persuasive Public Health Messaging
• Marketing Public Health
• Health Literacy Response to COVID-19
• NEPHTC’s Live, Online and Coaching Options for Persuasive Messaging
• Creating Public Health Messages and Materials Using Plain Language
• Best Practices in Public Health Communication to Promote Equity and Inclusion

Region 2 – Region 2 Public Health Training Center

• Strategic Skills Training Series: Introduction to Persuasive Communication
• Building BRIDGES to Communicate with Multi-Sector Partners
• Combating the Opioid Crisis with Audience-Centric Communications Strategies
• Communicate More Effectively: Psychological Principles to Change Behavior and Improve Outcomes
• Confronting Barriers to Vaccine Acceptance: The Role of Effective Communication
• Assessing Your Audience for More Effective Cross-Sector Collaboration

Region 3 – Mid-Atlantic Regional Public Health Training Center *

*Requires user to create a free account to access the training links.

• Health Literacy
• Introduction to Effective Writing
• Motivational Interviewing: Eliciting Lasting Behavior Change
• Risk, Crisis, and Emergency Communication
• Using Plain Language to Improve Health Literacy

Region 4 – Region IV Public Health Training Center

• An Overview of Public Health Reaching Across Sectors
• Cross-Sector Collaboration – Easy to Say, Challenging to Do: An Introduction to PHRASES
• Using Message Framing Tools to Build and Sustain Cross-Sector Partnerships

Region 5 – Region V Public Health Training Center

• Cooperative Communication (CE)
• Effective Communications (On Demand – No CE)
• Advocacy Communications for Policy, Systems, and Environmental Change (CE)

Region 6 – South Central Public Health Training Center

• Leadership Management Communication
• Productive Communication Skills
• Improving Interpersonal Communication and Relationships
• Improving Your Communication Skills
• VCEHP110: Risk Communication Basics for Environmental Health Professionals

Region 7 – Midwestern Public Health Training Center

• Creative Persuasive Public Health Messaging

Region 8 – Rocky Mountain Public Health Training Center

• Facilitation Foundations

Region 9 – Western Region Public Health Training Center

• Motivation and Health Behavior Change
• Leadership Training: Communication and Negotiation Strategies
• Building Community Leaders: An Advocacy Guide
• Communicating with Parents and Caregivers About Weight
• Motivational Interviewing

Region 10 – Northwest Public Health Training Center

• Messaging Health Equity to Decision-Makers
• Visually Communicating Public Health Data
• Strategies for Successful Public Health Messaging

The Region IV Public Health Training Center (PHTC) recently hosted members of their Steering Committee. Held in Atlanta, the meeting focused on providing direction for the work of the Center through July 2026.

Members of the Steering Committee include representatives from across the Region IV PHTC network of eight southeastern states including local, state, federal and tribal public health organizations and academia. The Committee also includes staff from the Region IV PHTC Central Office, Community-Based Training Partners, and Technical Assistance Partners.

Representing a diversity of public health perspectives, the role of the Steering Committee is to share information on the training needs of their workforce, speak on behalf of their organizational partners and underserved populations, provide content expertise, and share guidance on Region IV PHTC’s activities.

Pictured (front row, left to right): Erin Mundy, Jennifer Bailey, Cynthia Lamberth, Kim Dittmann, Taylor Dula, Janie Cambron, and Kristin Unzicker; (back row, left to right): Elena Kidd, Debra Bragdon, Tara Poole, Becky Reamey, Kaye Bender, Marissa Levine, Matt Fifolt, Susan Haynes Little, Mulugeta Gebregziabher, JacKetta Cobbs, Kris Jones Adcock, Anne Maynard Wenders, Angie Gainey, Yvette Daniels, Ken Harrison, Deanna Zhong, Laura Lloyd, Leslie Meehan, Elizabeth Kidwell, Moose Alperin, Ryan Easterling, and Stacie Schmidt.

Not pictured: Tiffaney Brown, Carolina Darbisi, Lisa McCormick, Keisha McElroy, Andrea Smith, and Brandy Walker.

A new year typically coincides with New Year’s resolutions focused on exercising more and/or losing weight. With all the fitness trends and conflicting health advice flooding our news feeds today, it can be hard to grab people’s attention with accessible and evidence-based physical activity messages. The Move Your Way® campaign, developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), can help you promote physical activity in your communities.

The ODPHP developed the Move Your Way® campaign to share key recommendations from the second edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Released in November 2018, the guidelines provide evidence-based guidance to help Americans maintain or improve their health through physical activity. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, Move Your Way® emphasizes personalized, practical strategies that people can use to fit more activity into their busy lives, while clearly communicating the amount and types of physical activity Americans need to stay healthy.

You can help spread the word! The Move Your Way® campaign provides online resources – available in English and Spanish – that can be used to help communicate with your audiences about physical activity. The Community Resources page includes campaign materials, a community playbook, and a partner promotion toolkit. Health professionals, organizations, and communities can utilize audience-specific messaging and resources to reach adults, senior adults, parents, kids, and pregnant and postpartum individuals about the importance of physical activity. The materials include fact sheets, posters, videos, social media messages, and interactive tools to motivate people to be more active and start feeling the benefits of physical activity today.

Move Your Way® has been pilot tested in communities across the country! Findings from an outcome evaluation show that reported exposure to Move Your Way® was associated with higher odds of knowing recommended dosages from the Guidelines, likelihood of becoming more active in the future, higher physical activity self-efficacy, and higher physical activity levels. Check out the recently published manuscript: https://profpubs.com/index.php/jheal/article/view/49

To learn more about how public health agencies in North Carolina and Mississippi used the Move Your Way® campaign to support their communities, register for this free webinar on February 17, 2023.

Members of the Public Health Training Center Network (PHTCN) have been busy this year representing their regions in support of public health.  Check out the articles below that were authored by various PHTCN members and published this year in the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice (JPHMP), the American Journal of Public Health (AJPH), the Journal of American College Health, and the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. All articles are available for free download.

• Regional Public Health Training Centers: An Essential Partner in Workforce Development – authored by Regions 4 and 10
• Public Health Training Centers’ Support for Community Health Workers: Case Studies of Needs Assessment, Training, and Student Field Placement Initiatives – authored by Regions 1, 5 and 6
• Building Collective Efficacy to Support Public Health Workforce Development – authored by Region 3
• Creating a Vision for a Healthier Workforce Using a Systems-Based Approach – authored by Region 7
• Incorporating Systems Thinking Approaches into Practice-Based Training to Strengthen Policy-Making Skills – authored by Region 2
• Public Health Workforce Development During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic: Findings from a Qualitative Training Needs Assessment – authored by Region 5
• Enumeration of the Public Health Workforce in New York State: Workforce Changes in the Wake of COVID-19 – authored by Region 2
• COVID-19 Vaccine Administration: Phase 2 of an In-Progress Review in New York State Local Health Departments – authored by Region 2
• Training Public Health Professionals on Adaptive Challenges: An Innovative Approach Using Remote Learning Modalities – authored by Region 8
• “Hot Topics in Practice” Webinars: Best Practices for Public Health Webinar Development – authored by Region 10
• Learning to Lead: 3 Modules to Support Public Health Leadership Development – authored by Regions 4, 7 and 10
• Advancing Leadership Training to Address Health Equity and Respond to Public Health Emergencies – authored by Region 2
• Competency Status and Desire for Training in Core Public Health Domains: An Analysis by Job Level – authored by Region 9
• COVID-19 Outcomes Among the Hispanic Population of 27 Large U.S. Cities 2020-2021 – authored by Region 3
• Feasibility of student-designed, peer-led classroom physical activity breaks in graduate school – authored by Region 3
• OjO Latino: A Photovoice Project Seeking the Recognition of Latino Presence in Pittsburgh, PA – authored by Region 3

With the new interactive Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) dashboards, the de Beaumont Foundation and the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials have made it easy to access, compare, and visualize targeted data about the governmental public health workforce. Users can learn about workforce demographics, employee satisfaction and well-being, and more. Data can be filtered by workforce group (e.g., chronic disease, emergency preparedness, maternal and child) as well as by setting and region.

The Region IV Public Health Training Center (R-IV PHTC) uses PH WINS data in our ongoing, mixed methods training needs assessment process. The top training needs identified in Region IV by the 2021 PH WINS are: budget and financial management, systems and strategic thinking, community engagement, cross-sectoral partnerships, change management, and policy engagement. The R-IV PHTC Training Catalog, which can be filtered by strategic skill, includes many self-paced learning opportunities on each of these priorities.

• Budget and financial management trainings
• Systems and strategic thinking trainings
• Community engagement and partnerships trainings
• Change management trainings
• Policy engagement trainings

More data about the workforce in Region IV is available in this Summary Report. Individuals can also submit data use requests from de Beaumont by using this form.

The deadline for applications has passed.  

Are you an emerging leader at a state or local health department, tribal health organization, or FQHC/FQHC Look-Alike?

The interaction with colleagues from other states and with very varying points of view…. Building connections with my peers was the most useful part. I learned a lot about myself, including challenges that I want to learn to face. The most useful part was learning together and from one another!

– previous Leadership Institute participant

Program Learning Objectives
By the end of the Institute, participants will be able to:

• • Identify personal leadership strengths
  • Address a leadership challenge through a self-directed adaptive approach
  • Engage in peer consulting with Region IV colleagues
  • Apply leadership competencies in the context of public health

Seven self-paced learning modules produced by the Region IV Public Health Training Center have been accepted as part of the Public Health Learning Navigator. These courses were nominated for inclusion and then assessed by a panel of three peer reviewers using the National Network of Public Health Institutes’ Quality Standards for Training Design and Delivery.

The seven courses that successfully completed this rigorous process and are displayed in our training catalog with the seal (shown below) are:

An Overview of Public Health Reaching Across Sectors

Leading Change in Informatics and Data Analysis

An Introduction to Community Assessment and Data Collection

Community Assessment: Conducting Surveys

Community Assessment: Conducting Windshield and Walking Surveys

Community Assessment: Focus Groups

Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace through Mentorship

From how we work and learn to how we socialize and shop, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected most aspects of our lives as individuals. But how has the pandemic affected the landscape of public health? There’s no shortage of ways—both positive and negative—that the field has been challenged and shaped by the pandemic.

Applications are no longer being accepted for the 2021-2022 cohort.

Are you an emerging leader at a health department or tribal health organization?

Program Learning Objectives
By the end of the Institute, participants will be able to:

• Identify personal leadership strengths
• Address a leadership challenge through a self-directed adaptive approach
• Engage in peer consulting with Region IV colleagues
• Apply leadership competencies in the context of public health

Recent and ongoing horrific incidents in our country have drawn renewed attention to the fact that racism is not only a public health issue, but a public health crisis. The Emory University and the Rollins School of Public Health communities have been swift to respond with statements from leadership and student organizations, vigils and commemorations, resource and reading lists, and educational events.

Here at the Region IV Public Health Training Center, we, too, acknowledge that systematic racism and racist violence continue to hurt our communities and that we are responsible for working to address these tough issues. Specifically, we have taken these steps:

The Region IV Public Health Training Center is committed to measuring the impact of our training programs on the public health workforce. The infographic below provides an overview of the reach and evaluation findings from trainings held between September 2014 and June 2020.

Today’s public health challenges, like climate change and COVID-19, are complex and require public health professionals to lead large-scale changes that no one person can solve alone. They also require an adaptive public health workforce with diverse knowledge and skills to respond to evolving issues, engage in collective learning, and intervene at organizational, community, and systems levels.

The Public Health Learning Network acknowledges the enormity of this task and has developed a new framework and other tools for doing the work. You can find it all in their new resource, Creating a Learning Agenda for Systems Change: A Toolkit for Building an Adaptive Public Health Workforce.

Recognizing that individual skill building is important but often insufficient for supporting an adaptive workforce, the toolkit helps leaders think beyond training for individual competencies and instead facilitate organizational learning in response to community health needs. The framework embedded in the toolkit helps workforce specialists understand and define public health problems, align the problem with the type of change needed to address it—like increasing knowledge or addressing social norms—and recommend complementary learning strategies to tackle the problem with a vision of addressing systems change.

The toolkit also includes problem-solving tools for moving these concepts into action. The rapid self-assessment helps organizations identify community challenges and examine their current learning state to address them. The discussion guide helps leaders facilitate conversations as they move through each step of the framework. And the learning approach planning tool assists in designing learning opportunities that best fit the community challenge and desired level of impact.

“We want public health leaders and their partners to use this toolkit as a catalyst for their design thinking and planning to change the way their organizations approach learning. This is critical for building learning strategies that can facilitate more ongoing innovation in today’s public health workforce,” said Christina Welter, DrPH, MPH, lead author of the toolkit and associate director for the Policy, Practice, and Prevention Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health.

Are you ready to take your organization’s training and learning to the next level? Visit the Public Health Learning Agenda and download a copy of the toolkit today.

Interested and want to know more before you begin? View the on-demand kick-off webinar to hear more about how these concepts and tools fit together and about future pilot testing for the toolkit.

The Public Health Learning Network is a national coalition of 10 Regional Public Health Training Centers and their partners organized to meet public health workforce development needs.