As we begin a new fiscal year at NACDD this October, I’m feeling hopeful about what lies ahead. The past year brought its share of challenges across public health, but it also reminded us of the strength and resilience of our Members, partners, and the broader chronic disease prevention community. I’m grateful for the many opportunities we’ve had to learn, connect, and move this important work forward together. 

We’re starting FY2027 with a strong foundation. We are thankful to have received continued funding for most of the awards that supported our work last year, including CDC’s National Partners Cooperative Agreement (Strengthening Public Health Systems and Services through National Partnerships to Improve and Protect the Nation’s Health), the National Organization for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion cooperative agreement, and projects in cancer and tobacco cessation. 

As we recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to highlight one of our projects that we are thankful to have continued funding from CDC for: Supporting Young Breast Cancer Survivors, Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients, and Their Families. The project strengthens psychosocial and educational support for young Black breast cancer survivors and metastatic breast cancer patients in the Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. In its third year, NACDD and project partners will continue to expand survivor outreach, strengthen partnerships, and build healthcare provider and community-based support. (Learn more about the work).

I’m also thrilled to announce NACDD was recently awarded new funding to implement congressional priorities addressing lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and interstitial cystitis (IC). NACDD will collaborate with CDC and partners to develop healthcare provider training, strengthen community-clinical linkages, and expand public awareness of these conditions. 

This stability in funding allows us to continue investing in the programs, partnerships, and resources that Members rely on while looking for new ways to support your work and respond to emerging needs. We have spent the past year strengthening our business processes, aligning our work with our mission and vision, and being diligent stewards of the resources entrusted to us as we continue building a strong and sustainable future for NACDD. 

We’ve also welcomed a new Board of Directors. I’m looking forward to working alongside our new President Teresa Aseret-Manygoats, returning Board Members, and three new At-Large Directors—Tara Hylton, Edolem Ikerdu, and Tenneh Turner-Warren—who bring fresh perspectives and experience to the Association. I am beyond grateful for Lea Susan Ojamaa’s guidance as President the past two years, and thrilled that she will continue service this year in the role of Past President. I am also thankful for those whose Board service has come to an end. Their time, leadership, and commitment have helped strengthen NACDD and our work. 

This fiscal year we will remain focused on what Members tell us they need most: connection, information, professional development, and opportunities to learn from one another and share what is and isn’t working. These connections happen throughout the year through various meetings, communities of practice, webinars, and other opportunities to learn and collaborate, including the Chronic Disease Academy (Save the date for the 2027 CDA: Sept. 14-16). 

The 2026 Academy was a wonderful way to close out the fiscal year and look ahead to what’s possible. More than 80 speakers shared their knowledge, experience, and ideas—with many of those presenters being Members and peers who are doing this work every day—covering everything from AI and public health data to community health worker partnerships and blood pressure monitoring programs that are saving lives in rural communities. Our keynote speakers brought additional perspectives on what it takes to lead and create meaningful change. Together, their messages reinforced something we know well: chronic disease prevention is not a solo effort. It depends on people coming together, building trust, and finding ways to move forward through change.  

There will undoubtedly be challenges ahead, and public health won’t suddenly become predictable, but I am made confident in our future because of our Members. I’m inspired by you, by your willingness to collaborate, support one another, and continue looking for better ways to improve health outcomes in the communities you serve.
  

I look forward to all that we will learn, build, and accomplish together in FY2027.  

Warmly, 
Jeanne