The growing burden of chronic diseases impacts approximately six in ten Americans, with heart disease and cancer among the leading causes of death and disability. Chronic disease is shaped by a number of factors and public health plays an integral role to help prevent, reduce, and manage chronic diseases. As the local and state government public health workforce capacity changes, so does the need to better equip them to address chronic disease prevention and health promotion.
To address the needs of a changing public health landscape, the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) Center for Public Health Leadership launched a chronic disease certificate program in March 2025, “New to Public Health Track.” This program is designed to equip participants with management skills in chronic disease prevention, collaborative service delivery, data utilization for program planning, and policy analysis to enhance chronic disease practices and drive positive health outcomes.
The program consists of monthly two-hour, live sessions over 12 months, which are delivered virtually by subject matter experts. The program is designed for non-management public health professionals, recent graduates, and individuals new to state or local health departments who want to build a strong foundation in chronic disease issues. Participants can use this program as an opportunity to engage, network, and learn with their peers as well as thought leaders in chronic disease prevention and health promotion. A certificate of completion is awarded to participants who successfully complete the program, including a capstone project focused on chronic disease project.
The program currently has 23 participants enrolled from state and local health departments across the nation. Since its launch, the New to Public Health Track sessions have been received positively, with over half of participants surveyed (11) regarding session two session who indicated the live session met or exceeded expectations relative to chronic disease management and leadership. Additional feedback regarding the value of the session, includes “interactions with other chronic disease employees,” “peer to peer experience sharing,” and “learning about policy, systems, and environmental approaches in chronic disease research and practice.” Moving forward, ongoing feedback will be elicited from participants, so the value and impact of this program can be understood.
Interested in enrolling in this program? Check the NACDD Center for Health Leadership webpages for further details to participate in this rewarding experience.