New Guide Elevates Association’s Calls for Racial and Health Equity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Paige Rohe
ATLANTA (May 12, 2021) – The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) has published its 2021 Member Guide, “Resilient and Resolved: Strengthening the Impact of the Public Health Workforce.” In addition to serving as a general guide to NACDD Membership, the Guide features an enhanced collection of resources on racial and health equity to help Members respond more effectively to the persistent and deepening racial inequities of chronic disease burdens in the United States.
“Now, more than ever, our country is awakening to the critical role chronic disease practitioners provide in promoting health, preventing disease, and advocating for health equity,” said NACDD CEO John W. Robitscher, MPH. “As the only organization representing all State and Territorial Chronic Disease Directors and their staff, we are proud to support you in your efforts to reduce the impact of chronic diseases on the population and to advocate for prevention policies and programs.”
Since being founded in 1988, NACDD has become a highly respected force for health equity and professional development within the public health community, which is highlighted within the theme and design of the new Guide.
Additionally, this year, the Guide includes information on several new areas within the Association to benefit Member activities, including the Coordinating Center for Public Health Practice and the Center for Community and Environmental Health, both of which will enhance inclusion, capability, and capacity within Chronic Disease Units.
The new practice areas reflect the Member-led organization’s dramatic growth in recent years, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Association boasts a network of more than 7,000 state and territorial chronic disease program staff and other public health practitioners. NACDD has expanded its headquarter staff to 40 and subject matter expert consultants to 52, who now support a program portfolio of 45 projects generating approximately $45 million in program revenue.
So that Members can take the most advantage of all that NACDD has to offer, the Guide also lists Member services and benefits as well as provides updated information on how Members can keep in touch with their Association—such as through updating their Member profile, managing their communication preferences, or by using the directories of staff, subject matter experts, Board Members, and Representative Members that are available in the Guide.
“There truly is something for everyone in this publication, whether you are new to NACDD or have been active with our Association for a long time,” said Tamika Smith, MS, MBA, PMP, Senior Director of Project Management and Member Services. “We look forward to continuing to respond to the needs of our Members in this rapidly changing public health environment so that they can bring their best skills and their passions to the communities that they serve.”
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The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors
Promoting Health. Preventing Disease.
The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) and its more than 7,000 Members seek to strengthen state-based leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control in states and nationally. Established in 1988, in partnership with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, NACDD is the only membership association of its kind to serve and represent every chronic disease division in all states and U.S. territories. For more information, visit chronicdisease.org.