1128: Building the Future of Public Health Through Communication and Classrooms

How do you strengthen public health for the future? Start with better communication.  Amanda Kwong, director of Public Health Communications Collaborative at the de Beaumont Foundation, discusses why effective public health communications go far beyond social media posts and public awareness campaigns. She explains how communications should function as a core part of public health infrastructure rooted in community engagement, strategic leadership, and proactive planning rather than reactive messaging. Later, Ashley Nanthavongsa-Mosley, a senior analyst for workforce at ASTHO, highlights innovative efforts to introduce public health education into K-12 schools. From disease detective competitions in Connecticut to curriculum partnerships in Montana and professional development programs for teachers in Washington, states are creating new pathways for students to explore public health careers earlier than ever before. Public Health Communications for Impact: Approaches to Strengthening InfrastructurePublic Health Leadership Starts in the Classroom | ASTHOASTHO Learning Opportunity: ACEs Strategic Communications TrainingWastewater Testing for Arboviruses: Arizona’s Surveillance Approach | ASTHOStrengthening Public Health Response to Infectious Diseases Through Wastewater Surveillance | ASTHO