As students head back to school this month, many of us find ourselves thinking about learning, growth, and new opportunities. In public health, we must be committed to continuous learning—it is how we adapt and discover better ways to work together in service of healthier communities. 

That’s why I’m especially looking forward to joining more than 50 of our Members from across the U.S. and territories this week for NACDD’s annual Chronic Disease Directors Meeting in San Francisco. Whenever these leaders come together, the conversations spark new ideas, strengthen partnerships, and remind me how much we can accomplish by learning from one another. It’s energizing to connect with leaders who are eager to learn, share, and return home with new perspectives. Supporting our Chronic Disease Directors is one of NACDD’s greatest privileges, as they help shape the future of chronic disease prevention in states and territories. 

That same spirit of learning and collaboration is a big part of NACDD’s Chronic Disease Academy (Sept. 15-17). This year’s theme, Connect, Engage, Innovate, captures what makes the Academy so valuable: bringing people together to exchange practical solutions, strengthen skills, and inspire new approaches to chronic disease prevention and health promotion. I encourage you to read Board President Lea Susan Ojamaa’s blog about the many ways the Academy supports professional growth. 

At the close of the Academy, we’ll hold our Annual Business Meeting (Sept. 17 at 5 p.m. AT/ 5 p.m. ET/ 2 p.m. PT and Sept. 18 at 7 a.m. ChT and 9 a.m. MHT) where we’ll share updates on the Association and plans for the upcoming year. We’ll also announce our FY 2027 Board of Directors and celebrate this year’s NACDD Impact Award recipients—always one of the highlights of the event. 

Throughout the year, NACDD supports your professional development through our biweekly Chronic Disease Connect webinar series, covering timely topics and sharing new resources. Recent webinars have explored strategic communications to promote child nutrition, sustaining diabetes prevention and management through leveraging CHI and PIN implementation codes, and building a modernized chronic disease information ecosystem. 

I encourage you to explore our webinar archive and to register for our August 13 Chronic Disease Connect, where experts will share how to implement collaborative approaches to arthritis management to reach more communities. 

Professional development is also available year-round whenever your schedule allows through NACDD’s Online Learning Center, featuring more than 20 no-cost courses designed specifically for chronic disease professionals. Whether you’re interested in strengthening your leadership skills through our newly updated Leadership Basics Series, completing the Chronic Disease Competencies Self-Assessment to create a personalized learning plan, or exploring topics such as school health, evidence-based public health, MENDS, clinical data, or vision and eye health, there’s something for every stage of your career—with even more courses coming soon. 

As we think about “back-to-school” season, it’s also worth recognizing that some of the most important public health work begins in our schools. NACDD continues to support state and local health and education agencies through professional development, technical assistance, and practical resources that strengthen school health. We partner with CDC, Child Trends, Mental Health America, and others to advance emotional health and well-being for both students and school staff. I encourage you to explore our School Health Resource Hub to discover resources that can help create healthier learning environments for every student. 

As this season of learning begins, invest in yourself as thoughtfully as you invest in the communities you serve. Every new skill, every new connection, and every shared idea strengthens not only your own work, but our collective ability to prevent chronic disease and improve health across the country. 

I look forward to learning alongside you in the months ahead. 

Warmly, 
Jeanne