Facilitator: Sana Hashim

Some people who have been infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 can experience long-term effects from their infection, known as Long COVID or Post-COVID Conditions (PCC). Long COVID is broadly defined as signs, symptoms, and conditions that continue or develop after initial COVID-19 infection. In July 2021, Long COVID was added as a recognized condition that could result in a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The cases brought to this GEAR Group will take a nuanced look at the reality of how Long COVID shows up within chronic disease prevention, management, and programming as well as promising and/or innovative strategies to assess for, measure, and mitigate Long COVID. Case presentations or proposals may elevate approaches for assessment and mitigation of Long COVID as well as how to conceptualize, approach, or treat Long COVID as a chronic disease.

NOTE: GEAR Groups are case-based opportunities for state employee members of NACDD and applicants must provide a case overview for application to be considered complete.

Facilitators: Sana Hashim & Kristin Nelson-Garcia

As younger Millennials and Gen Z enter and take on progressive responsibility in the fields of public health and chronic disease, the way these workforce cohorts approach work, leadership, authority, change, equity, and decision-making can appear different from past generations and can present opportunities for reflection and growth. This GEAR group is for both emerging leaders as well as those who support, mentor, or manage them. Individual emerging leaders, individual mentors/managers, and collaborating pairs of an emerging leader and their mentor/manager are all welcome to apply to participate in this group. Cases will focus on professional development goals and pathways for emerging leadership. NOTE: GEAR Groups are case-based opportunities for state employee members of NACDD and applicants must provide a case overview for application to be considered complete.

a. Week 1: Emerging Leaders and Mentors/Managers will participate together in the introductory orientation session

b. Weeks 2 & 3: The group will split up and meet in two separate cohorts to hear and respond to cases from peers (Group 1: Emerging Leaders; Group 2: Mentors/Managers)

c. Week 4: The full group will meet together once again to share takeaways and apply cross-group learnings

4. Exploring Upstream Strategies to Advance Rural Health (June 4, 11, 18, 25, 2024)

Facilitator: Kristin Nelson-Garcia

The 46 million U.S. residents living in rural areas in 2020 made up 14 percent of the U.S. population. When it comes to preventing and mitigating the impacts of chronic disease, areas with low population density have considerations and opportunities that are distinct from more densely populated, urban areas. Factors that impact health, like poverty or the COVID-19 pandemic, are experienced differently in a rural context. Residents who live in smaller and more isolated rural settings often face greater difficulties accessing healthcare or preventive health services. From an equity perspective, the makeup of rural populations of color is shaped by highly regionalized variations in the concentration of Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and other groups of people across the nation. The cases that participants bring to this GEAR Group will focus on ongoing or planned work to address unique chronic disease considerations in the rural context.

NOTE: GEAR Groups are case-based opportunities for state employee members of NACDD and applicants must provide a case overview for application to be considered complete.

Facilitator: Sana Hashim

Population-level chronic disease prevention and management requires collaboration with a variety of partners, including community-based organizations, health systems, private partners, and even other state entities. The ways in which partnerships and coalitions are initiated and sustained can have a critical impact on public health outcomes. The cases that participants bring to this GEAR Group will focus on ongoing or planned public health partnerships and coalitions, including their supports, challenges, and opportunities.

NOTE: GEAR Groups are case-based opportunities for state employee members of NACDD and applicants must provide a case overview for application to be considered complete.

Facilitator: Kristin Nelson-Garcia

Inspired by the current NACDD Board President’s Challenge, the focus of this GEAR Group will be on opportunities and challenges to support and sustain a thriving chronic disease prevention and health promotion workforce. A strong and resilient Public Health Workforce is quintessential for a solid public health infrastructure and to meet the public health needs of the population. Engaged and healthy employees are more productive at work and are committed to the mission and vision of the organization. Cases that participants bring to this group may include topics such as: Workplace Engagement, Preventing Burnout, Mental Health, and others. NOTE: GEAR Groups are case-based opportunities for state employee members of NACDD and applicants must provide a case overview for application to be considered complete.

Facilitator: Kristin Nelson-Garcia

Chronic disease practitioners are constantly navigating seas of change, some in familiar waters and others uncharted. Whether related to the COVID-19 Pandemic, staffing, or the number of other ever-changing priorities, being ready to quickly adapt and pivot with limited resources, while keeping an eye on a long-term vision is key to effectively addressing chronic disease. However, this can often feel like an impossible juggling act. The cases brought to this GEAR group will focus on the successes, challenges, and promising practices behind change management in chronic disease programming.

NOTE: GEAR Groups are case-based opportunities for state employee members of NACDD and applicants must provide a case overview for application to be considered complete.