National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD)

01/08/2025

🚴‍♀️ From Kalkaska, Michigan: “The Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority and the Village of Kalkaska began a journey in 2015 to create a pedestrian-friendly community and made little to no progress. We encountered many barriers and closed doors for many years. Attending the Walkability Action Institute Workshop was the catalyst for us to reinvigorate our efforts. Since May 2023, we received a Rural Readiness Grant Program grant that was used to develop the Kalkaska Safety and Mobility Plan, which was adopted by the Village. We are now applying for a US DOT Safe Streets and Roads for All Planning Grant. The great strides we have made in the past 24 months were all due to the Walkability Action Institute.”
— Gayenell Gentelia, WAI Participant, Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority

More than a decade on the move: Breaking through barriers to create lasting change. https://chronicdisease.org/cahc/wai/

Photo: WAI participants perform a walk/move audit in Michigan.

01/08/2025

🏆 Last day to nominate someone for an Impact Award!
➡️ Nominations are due by today, Aug. 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more and submit your nomination: https://ow.ly/JjLx50WwVyM

Each year, NACDD recognizes outstanding public health professionals, health departments, and partners who are making a meaningful difference in chronic disease prevention and health promotion. Award categories include Community Impact, Mentor Award, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and more.

"We want to spotlight our Members' stories of leadership, creativity, and commitment that too often go unnoticed," said Interim CEO Jeanne Alongi, DrPH, MPH. "Whether it’s a leader who has shaped the profession for decades, or a new voice making bold strides, your nomination could be the spark that reminds someone their efforts are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated."

01/08/2025

A new report from our partners at CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity shows that not getting enough physical activity is linked to approximately $192 billion in U.S. health care costs. Being physically active is one of the most important things you can do to improve your health. It can also help save financially in the long run!

To access a journal article highlighting the new CDC report, visit https://doi.org/10.1177/08901171251357128.

31/07/2025

NACDD’s Center for Advancing Healthy Communities, with support from the American Lung Association, released an interactive Story Map that identifies areas of high childhood asthma burden, highlights strategies schools and communities are using to support students with asthma, and offers practical ideas for building asthma-friendly school environments.

Whether you work in public health or education, this resource can help guide your efforts in strengthening asthma prevention and management efforts in schools. Together, we can work towards a future where more children can breathe easier and focus on learning.

Explore it here: https://ow.ly/VvCj50WxrqH

The Diverse Strategies to Address Asthma in Schools Project

30/07/2025

The NACDD Arthritis Portfolio is featured in a new publication highlighting the Public Health Framework for Collaborative Arthritis Management and Wellbeing and current pilot efforts.

Explore this innovative partnership between primary care and community hubs designed to improve arthritis management and promote physical activity. Learn more: https://info.primarycare.hms.harvard.edu/perspectives/articles/arthritis-management-and-social-health-needs

Harvard Medical School Center for Primary Care

30/07/2025

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) invites states to apply to participate in a two-year Learning Collaborative to advance health in schools through supports for developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based policies, practices, and programs focused on the emotional well-being of students and staff.

Two to four states will be selected to participate for the 25-26 and 26-27 school years, along with at least one LEA per state. Each participating LEA will receive a stipend that may be spent at the discretion of the district. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis until the application closes on August 31, 2025, 11:59pm ET.

🔗Learn more and apply: https://ow.ly/4Jep50WxmAx.

29/07/2025

🏆 Just a few days left to nominate a colleague for an Impact Award!
➡️ Nominations are due by Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Learn more and submit your nomination: https://ow.ly/JjLx50WwVyM

Each year, NACDD recognizes outstanding public health professionals, health departments, and partners who are making a meaningful difference in chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

"We want to spotlight our Members' stories of leadership, creativity, and commitment that too often go unnoticed," said Interim CEO Jeanne Alongi, DrPH, MPH. "Whether it’s a leader who has shaped the profession for decades, or a new voice making bold strides, your nomination could be the spark that reminds someone their efforts are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated."

Award categories include Community Impact, Mentor Award, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and more.

29/07/2025

🏞️ Celebrating more than a decade on the move! Walkability Action Institute teams have been creating amazing physical activity opportunities in communities nationwide - from safe routes to schools to accessible parks and trails.

The best part? These improvements benefit EVERYONE - whether you’re 8 or 80, whether you walk, roll, or bike. When communities create welcoming, safe, and convenient places to be active, magic happens! ✨ https://chronicdisease.org/cahc/wai/

Tell us about your favorite place to be active in your community!

Photo: WAI participants measure the sidewalk width on a Walk/Move Audit in Provo, Utah.

24/07/2025

🏙️ From O’ahu, Hawaii: “As a result of their participation in the Walkability Action Institute (WAI), our cross-disciplinary team pursued the development of a comprehensive pedestrian plan for O’ahu to improve funding and collaboration around bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements. The team secured approvals and funding for developing the plan before the WAI ended. In December 2022, the Federal Highway Administration awarded $1.7 million through the Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program to O’ahu.” — Heidi Hanson-Smith, WAI Participant, Team Lead

🌟More than a decade on the move: When communities invest in comprehensive planning, federal funding follows. bit.ly/NACDDWAI
Photo: A WAI team from Oahu, Hawaii work on an action plan.

24/07/2025

🏆Deadline Extended! Nominate a colleague for an Impact Award by Friday, Aug. 1

Each year, NACDD recognizes outstanding public health professionals, health departments, and partners who are making a meaningful difference in chronic disease prevention and health promotion.

"We want to spotlight our Members' stories of leadership, creativity, and commitment that too often go unnoticed," said Interim CEO Jeanne Alongi, DrPH, MPH. "Whether it’s a leader who has shaped the profession for decades, or a new voice making bold strides, your nomination could be the spark that reminds someone their efforts are seen, valued, and deeply appreciated."

Award categories include Community Impact, Mentor Award, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and more.

📝 Nominations are due by Friday, Aug. 1, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Learn more and submit your nomination: https://chronicdisease.org/nominations-open-for-the-2025-impact-awards/

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) proudly announces the nomination period for the 2025 Impact Awards is now open. NACDD’s annual

23/07/2025

Filling Critical Data Gaps with the Youth Mental Health Tracker
🗓️ July 24 | 3 p.m. ET
🔗 Register now: https://ow.ly/UVKi50WqLg6

How can we better understand and support the mental health needs of young people across the U.S.?

Join NACDD and Surgo Health Health for an introduction to the Youth Mental Health Tracker (YMHT), a comprehensive data platform designed to inform youth-focused solutions nationwide. This powerful tool, along with ThriveAtlas™, helps identify the factors impacting youth mental wellbeing and provides the insights needed to drive smart, targeted action at the community level.

Learn how to:
✅ Use YMHT’s features to uncover trends in youth mental health
✅ Understand the six key drivers of wellbeing
✅ Leverage ThriveAtlas™ to guide strategic decision-making

Speakers: Saba Alemnew, MBA, Strategy & Operations Manager and Shums Alikhan, MPH, Consultant, Surgo Health

23/07/2025

In partnership, NACDD , applied for the National Extension Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (NEAFCS) Excellence in Multi-State Collaboration Award and was recently awarded 🥇FIRST PLACE in the Western Region for a multi-state award submission!

The Multi State Collaboration Award promotes and recognizes outstanding Extension Family and Consumer Sciences programs conducted by a multi – state team that demonstrates effective performance and significant results. 🔗 www.neafcs.org

🎉Congrats to the team of partners!
Arthritis Foundation
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
K-State Research and Extension
New Mexico State University
Oklahoma State University
OSU Extension and Engagement
University of Delaware Cooperative Extension
University of Minnesota Extension
University of New Hampshire
University of Wisconsin-Madison

July 30 @ 2 PM ET - Mental Health Resiliency During Times of Disaster and RecoveryJuly 24 @ 4 PM ET - Online Session Navigating Uncertainty: Understanding Policy, Funding, and the Value of ExtensionAugust 12 @ 2 PM ET - Picking Up The Pieces - Finding Hope and Direction After Job LossAugust 14 @ 2 P...