BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
X-WR-CALNAME:phir2026
X-WR-CALDESC:Event Calendar
METHOD:PUBLISH
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
PRODID:-//Sched.com Public Health in the Rockies 2026//EN
X-WR-TIMEZONE:UTC
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T130000Z
DTEND:20260922T230000Z
SUMMARY:Registration
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:REGISTRATION
LOCATION:Main Lobby\, 633 Tennis Club Rd\, Dillon\, CO 80435
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f6669edc2c3642200cfb4b41beb8d1cc
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/f6669edc2c3642200cfb4b41beb8d1cc
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Building Policy Power Through Community and Municipal Partnerships
DESCRIPTION:The Aurora Tobacco Retail License+ (TRL+) campaign exemplifies the conference theme\, Stronger Together: Public Health in the Heart of the Rockies. This work united two local public health agencies\, the City of Aurora\, a long-standing community coalition\, multiple national and statewide public health advocacy organizations\, the business community\, and technical support provided through the STEPP grant. Coalition membership reflects this wide range of partners\, and these relationships continue to support education\, implementation\, enforcement\, and evaluation of the TRL+ ordinance. Because the policy process was complex and required coordinated expertise\, shared leadership\, and deep community engagement\, it could not have succeeded without strong cross-sector collaboration around an evidence-based policy approach. The Aurora TRL+ campaign demonstrates that meaningful public health progress happens when diverse partners move forward together\, truly embodying the theme that we are stronger together. In March 2026\, Aurora City Council unanimously approved the TRL+ ordinance\, expanding compliance checks to reduce youth access to tobacco\, nicotine\, kratom\, and psychoactive hemp products\, and establishing inspections to prevent the sale of unscheduled psychoactive substances and drug paraphernalia. This achievement was made possible through a coordinated advocacy campaign where each partner contributed roles aligned with their expertise\, agency parameters\, and available resources. Following the March 2026 approval by City Council\, the coalition transitioned efforts toward a new phase of the policy continuum focused on supporting the City of Aurora as the licensing program is implemented. A subset of coalition partners will assist with retailer education and program evaluation to ensure effective rollout and long-term policy impact. This presentation aligns strongly with Colorado’s Core Public Health Services and Foundational Capabilities by illustrating how the Aurora TRL+ policy advanced health equity and the social determinants of health through community-driven strategies to reduce youth access to harmful substances. It demonstrates policy development and support by walking attendees through the collaborative policy process\, ordinance structure\, and negotiation strategies used with policymakers and stakeholders. The session showcases robust partnerships\, highlighting how youth coalitions\, residents\, city leadership\, advocacy organizations\, and local public health agencies worked together across systems. It reflects key organizational competencies\, including communication\, stakeholder engagement\, adaptive problem-solving\, and coordinated advocacy. Finally\, the content directly supports chronic disease prevention by addressing substances that contribute to long-term health risks and by equipping participants with practical policy-advocacy skills to advance prevention strategies in their own communities. Participants will work through complex policy scenarios from the viewpoints of public health\, youth\, local government\, business\, and community stakeholders\, negotiating which ordinance elements are essential and which can be modified. This interactive exercise builds real‑world skills in balancing health goals with political\, economic\, and equity considerations. Participants will strengthen their ability to navigate competing interests and build consensus around ordinance language that advances health equity.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8323ca79d224e7b3fe201bc36009df8d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/8323ca79d224e7b3fe201bc36009df8d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Fundamentals of Survey Design
DESCRIPTION:Public health initiatives depend upon accurate\, actionable and community-driven data\, collected through systematic and collaborative approaches. Surveys are one of the most efficient mechanism to gather insights that serve community members\, program partners\, and institutional stakeholders as they seek to frame data with community voice. This interactive session is tailored for public health practitioners who want to build skills in survey design\, especially those seeking to collect and translate data into meaningful public health action. Grounded in the conference theme\, Stronger Together\, this workshop is designed to elevate community perspectives and priorities. We introduce foundational survey design concepts and practical tools\, and focus on evidence-based strategies to engage unique and hard-to-reach populations and best capture their authentic perspectives. The workshop uses a unique practice-oriented approach. A didactic overview of survey design is followed by a hands-on seminar where participants identify a research question and define a population of interest. Through a series of modules using real-world examples and applied group and individual exercises\, participants will build their own survey and explore free\, commonly used resources and online survey tools. Workshop modules address common pitfalls\, types of bias\, participant privacy concerns\, and resource management. Example Modules include: * What are you asking? Together we will examine the intent of the survey including engaging stakeholders\, defining metrics\, avoiding ‘nice-to-know’ topics (Have you ever experienced the ‘How did my five-item survey become 20 minutes?’ conundrum)\, and prioritizing demographic information. * Who are you talking to? Populations [SC1] of Focus\, Modes of Contact and Modes of Completion: Populations of focus often determine contact mode\, protocol and other considerations such as available resources\, timeline for data collection\, and use and type of incentives. These concepts are inter-dependent and each has unique challenges and solutions. We also discuss engagement strategies to increase response rates in an environment where people are inundated with “junk” communications. * What do you mean? How questions and response options are worded is critical to ensuring you are collecting what you intend. We will discuss the pros and cons of using validated questions\, assessing neutrality and reading comprehension using AI tools\, recognizing and avoiding ‘double-barreled’ questions\, when to use open-ended versus close-ended questions\, and randomization of choice sets. We also illustrate the importance of survey validation among a sample of the intended populations\, leveling surveys for reading comprehension\, and the importance of trusted translations\, as well as methods to encourage honest responses and ways to detect fraudulent responses. * You are asking THIS first? Visual impact and ordering of questions is a rarely discussed but crucial art form in survey design. We review survey ‘blocks’ and the importance of question ordering and instructions\, especially for topics that are complex\, sensitive or may bias responses to subsequent questions. We also discuss using internal logic in various survey modes.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:99e081ee16338219b559920c4ef80170
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/99e081ee16338219b559920c4ef80170
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Leadership Is Everyone's Work: Building Healthy Organizational Cultures
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals are trained to solve problems. But the most persistent challenges facing public health organizations today — burnout\, equity gaps\, community trust\, cross-sector coordination — resist the kind of solving we are trained for. They are adaptive challenges\, not technical ones. And adaptive challenges cannot be resolved by authority alone. They require leadership from everyone in the system\, regardless of role or title. This session begins with a single\, clarifying distinction: authority and leadership are not the same thing. Authority is the act of providing direction and order in exchange for cooperation. Leadership is mobilizing yourself and others to make progress on daunting challenges. Authority is a role. Leadership is an activity — and anyone can exercise it. Participants will explore what this distinction means in practice and where in their own organizations the two are most commonly confused. From there\, participants will apply the technical versus adaptive challenge framework to a real challenge from their own work. This is not a theoretical exercise. Participants will examine an actual problem they are facing\, diagnose its nature\, and begin to surface what kind of response it actually requires — and who needs to be involved in making progress. The session closes with a structured peer consultation practice using Troika Consulting from Liberating Structures. In rotating groups of three\, participants bring a real challenge\, receive powerful questions from peers\, and listen without defending. The experience builds the habit of asking before advising — a foundational leadership behavior that transforms how teams diagnose and respond to adaptive challenges together. Participants will leave with one reframed challenge\, a set of questions worth sitting with\, and a leadership practice they can use the following week. Instructional Methodologies: Brief didactic framing of authority versus leadership and technical versus adaptive work\; individual challenge identification and small-group diagnosis\; Troika Consulting (Liberating Structures) as structured peer practice\; large-group debrief focused on insight and next action. Measuring Skill Development: A brief post-session reflection will ask each participant to name the challenge they brought\, the most useful question they received\, and one leadership action they will take within the next two weeks.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2ea91f1de20fc6c0cc9c7ab079d1ae30
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/2ea91f1de20fc6c0cc9c7ab079d1ae30
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Stronger Together Through Story: Data Storytelling for Rural Public Health
DESCRIPTION:Purpose and Need. Public health professionals in rural and frontier communities have access to a lot of powerful stories in their community health assessments\, program reports\, surveillance data\, and field observations\, but most don't exactly know how to turn those data into a narrative that resonates with community members\, school boards\, and local media who need to hear it. Data storytelling is a learnable\, practical skill\, and it is one of the best communication tools available to small\, under-resourced health departments trying to demonstrate impact\, build trust\, and make the case for public health investment. This session teaches the basics: what data storytelling is\, why it works\, and how to build a story from data you already have. Content and Best Practices. The session opens with a 20-minute interactive framing block grounded in a five-element data storytelling framework: context\, relevance\, clarity\, connection\, and call to action. The presenter will introduce each element using a worked rural public health example that walks participants through the full arc from raw data point to audience-ready story. Content addresses how to find the story in your data\, how to frame it for a non-technical local audience\, how to pair data with narrative without distorting either\, and how to close with a call to action specific enough to act on. Examples draw from real community health work in small\, rural jurisdictions. Hands-On Activity and Share-Out. Following the framing block\, participants work in small groups for 20-30 minutes on a rural communication challenge using a fictional rural Colorado county case set — a composite mountain and agricultural community with a seasonal workforce\, tourism economy\, and wildfire exposure whose profile mirrors other rural and frontier communities across the state. Each group receives a jargon-heavy public health text and a pre-assigned local audience\, such as county commissioners\, agricultural workers\, or rural seniors\, and works together to translate the text into a plain-language story using the five-element framework. A full-group share-out follows\, with each group presenting their translation and the facilitator drawing out key differences in how the same data story shifts across audiences. This discussion is where the deepest learning happens. Participants leave having heard multiple approaches to the same problem and having reflected on what made each one work for their community. Relevance to the Conference Theme. Data storytelling is\, at its core\, a Stronger Together practice: it only works when public health professionals listen carefully enough to their communities to know what a story needs to say\, and when they trust their audiences enough to speak plainly. Instructional Methodology. The session uses adult-learning best practices throughout\, including interactive framing with a working example\, collaborative small-group skill practice\, and structured full-group reflection.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1821722b44f39778f900281be1d04d27
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/1821722b44f39778f900281be1d04d27
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Motivational Interviewing for Vaccine Uptake & Other Health Behaviors
DESCRIPTION:Colorado is facing a critical moment\, both for immunizations and trust in healthcare as a whole. As of April 30\, 2026\, the U.S. is dealing with myriad challenges in the immunization landscape\, from infectious disease outbreaks to erosion of evidence-based policy. So far this year\, there have been 1\,803 confirmed measles cases in 37 states\, with 17 cases in Colorado. Motivational Interviewing (MI) is an evidence-based tool that providers\, health educators\, and public health professionals at all levels can utilize to help increase trust in the healthcare system and to more effectively communicate with the public.\n \n This 1.5 hour interactive session will summarize the history of anti-vaccine rhetoric in the United States\, the current immunization landscape in Colorado\, and common misconceptions about individuals who question vaccines\; attendees will spend the majority of the session learning how to utilize MI in a variety of vaccine-related contexts. Presenters will discuss the use of presumptive language in vaccine recommendations and the core steps of MI: Open-ended questions\, Affirmations\, Reflective listening\, and Summary (OARS). Participants will have the opportunity to learn MI utilizing group discussion\, one-on-one role play\, and practice scenarios. Skills built during this session will be measured through a pre- and post-test that will measure knowledge of basic MI concepts and individuals’ self-efficacy in utilizing the skills they learned in their role.\n \n This session is relevant to public health professionals\, regardless of whether they deal with immunizations on a daily basis. The concepts and communication tactics taught in this session will be applicable to many areas of health behavior change\, and participants will be encouraged to apply what they learn to their area of work. MI is an exceptionally powerful interpersonal communication strategy that perfectly embodies the conference theme of “Stronger Together” because it works to bring health educators and the public closer together\, one conversation at a time. With vaccination rates declining and confidence waning\, this tool is critical for protecting Colorado communities. MI fundamentally centers empathy\, increases trust\, and focuses conversations on what unites us\, rather than what divides us.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:824797cf3b5985b1efe2bc90659e7dfb
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/824797cf3b5985b1efe2bc90659e7dfb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Finding Your Voice in Public Health Policy Advocacy & Communication
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals are uniquely positioned to inform policy\, yet many lack formal training in how to effectively translate information into actionable policy change. This skill-building session addresses that gap by equipping participants with practical tools to engage confidently and strategically in the policy-making process. Grounded in an overview of the Colorado Public Health Association’s 2026 legislative priorities\, this session provides both foundational knowledge and applied skill development for students\, early-career professionals\, and practitioners. Participants will gain clarity on the distinctions between advocacy and lobbying\, including the ethical and legal considerations that guide public health engagement. Participants will also learn the basic steps of how a bill becomes law in Colorado\, how ballot measures reach voters\, and how to use public tools such as the Colorado General Assembly website and public lobbying information to follow policy activity and understand how policy ideas move from concept to implementation. A central focus of the session is strategic communication\, which is an essential competency for advancing public health priorities. Attendees will learn how to translate complex information into clear\, compelling narratives and tailor messaging to resonate with diverse decision-makers. Emphasis will be placed on identifying policy windows\, aligning messages with stakeholder priorities\, and delivering concise\, persuasive policy pitches in small groups. To support skill development\, participants will engage in interactive learning activities\, including a policy message sorting exercise and role-playing scenarios. These hands-on components allow attendees to practice crafting and delivering policy arguments\, responding to feedback\, and adapting their communication approach in real time. This applied practice is designed to build both confidence and competence in policy engagement. This session reflects public health best practices by centering evidence-informed decision-making\, cross-sector collaboration\, and effective communication as drivers of policy change. It aligns with the conference theme\, Stronger Together: Public Health in the Heart of the Rockies\, by emphasizing the collective role public health professionals play in shaping policies that improve population health outcomes. By the end of the session\, participants will be better prepared to engage in policy discussions\, contribute to advocacy efforts within their organizations and communities\, and translate evidence into actionable policy solutions. Ultimately\, this session empowers attendees to move from data to decision-maker\, strengthening their ability to “get a seat at the table” and advance impactful public health policies.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:95741f14a6d6a564d0dfcfe77f639c2a
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/95741f14a6d6a564d0dfcfe77f639c2a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Systems Thinking in Action: A Public Health Teamwork Simulation
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals increasingly work in complex\, interdependent systems where decisions made by one program\, discipline\, agency\, or community partner affect outcomes across the broader public health infrastructure. Persistent challenges such as emergency preparedness\, behavioral health access\, communicable disease response\, workforce shortages\, health equity\, and community trust require more than technical expertise. They require systems thinking\, interprofessional collaboration\, adaptive problem-solving\, role clarity\, shared leadership\, and coordinated action. This skill-building session will use Friday Night at the ER©\, an interactive team-based simulation game\, to help participants practice these competencies in a dynamic\, engaging\, and low-risk learning environment. This skills-based simulation game is also part of the interprofessional Teamwork and Collaboration micro-credential\, and University of Colorado Anschutz public health students are eligible to earn this badge. Participants will work in small interprofessional teams to manage patient flow\, resource constraints\, and competing priorities across a simulated hospital system. While set in a healthcare environment\, the learning principles directly translate to public health practice. Participants will experience how siloed decision-making\, limited communication\, and narrow role focus can undermine system-level performance\, while shared situational awareness\, flexible leadership\, resource sharing\, and coordinated planning can improve outcomes system-wide. The session bridges public health workforce development and interprofessional education by emphasizing core competencies: teamwork\, communication\, values and ethics\, roles and responsibilities\, collaborative decision-making\, and systems-based practice. In public health settings\, these competencies are enacted not only among health professionals but also across governmental public health\, community-based organizations\, schools\, healthcare systems\, social services\, emergency management\, and policy partners. This applied learning experience allows participants to examine their own team behaviors\, practice collaboration under pressure\, and reflect on how professional roles and organizational structures influence collective action. The session includes a brief orientation to systems-thinking and interprofessional collaboration\, facilitated gameplay\, structured reflection\, and application to real-world public health contexts. The debrief will explore how teams communicated across roles\, managed shared resources\, responded to competing priorities\, and shifted from individual task completion to collective system performance. Participants will then translate lessons from the game to public health scenarios such as outbreak response\, cross-agency coordination\, community partnership development\, workforce deployment\, health equity initiatives\, and crisis communication. This session supports best practices in professional development by using experiential learning\, simulation\, team-based reflection\, and facilitated debriefing to build transferable skills. Pilot evaluation data from an initial implementation supports the relevance and feasibility of this approach. Participants reported strong learner response\, including that the experience was valuable\, fun and engaging\, relevant to their work\, and useful for practicing collaboration. Qualitative feedback highlighted increased awareness of the whole system\, the need to think beyond assigned roles\, the importance of sharing resources\, and the value of communicating and planning collectively before acting. This session is highly relevant to public health professionals and the conference theme\, “Stronger Together\,” because it moves collaboration from concept to practice. Participants will leave with concrete strategies for strengthening teamwork\, systems thinking\, and interprofessional collaboration across programs\, agencies\, disciplines\, and community partnerships.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:49c8d381bccf57d1c85f07064fa7ef9b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/49c8d381bccf57d1c85f07064fa7ef9b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Turning Community Voice and Local Data into Public Health Action
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals are often asked to communicate complex community needs\, program impact\, and next steps in ways that are clear\, compelling\, and useful for both community members and local decision-makers. However\, many communication products rely heavily on data tables\, long reports\, or technical language that may not fully reflect community priorities or support timely action. This skill-building session responds to the need for practical\, equity-centered tools that help public health professionals translate local data and community voice into concise\, accessible\, and actionable public health briefs. This interactive workshop will guide participants through a reusable five-part framework for developing one-page public health briefs. The framework includes: identifying what needs to be communicated and to whom\; selecting relevant local and state data\; integrating community voices\, quotes\, themes\, or lived experience findings\; structuring the narrative for different audiences\, including community members and local stakeholders\; and using simple data visualization and layout strategies to create a brief that is easy to understand\, share\, print\, QR-code\, or use in meetings. Participants will apply the framework through a guided practice exercise using a Local Health Agency topic\, such as vaping\, as an example. Presenters will walk through how the same public health topic can be framed differently depending on the audience. For community members\, the brief may emphasize accessible language\, shared priorities\, community strengths\, resources\, and what comes next. For local stakeholders\, the brief may highlight data trends\, service gaps\, community-identified needs\, program impact\, and action steps for planning or policy. Participants will then practice selecting key messages\, identifying appropriate data points\, incorporating community voice\, and considering simple visual strategies that support the intended narrative. This session supports best practices in public health communication\, community engagement\, health equity\, and applied data translation. By pairing quantitative data with qualitative community voice\, participants will practice moving beyond simply reporting numbers toward creating communication products that reflect both evidence and lived experience. The session also supports skill development by giving attendees hands-on experience with a practical template and process they can adapt for future topics\, programs\, assessments\, reports\, grant updates\, coalition meetings\, and community engagement efforts. The session is relevant to local\, state\, tribal\, and federal public health professionals\, community health staff\, evaluators\, coalition partners\, and others working to translate data into meaningful public health action. Aligned with the conference theme\, Stronger Together\, this workshop emphasizes that public health communication is stronger when local and state data are combined with community priorities\, barriers\, strengths\, and lived experience. Attendees will leave with actionable strategies for creating public health briefs that inform\, engage\, elevate community voice\, and support shared decision-making.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6060e71dba1c4908c4168c388ac66ce3
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/6060e71dba1c4908c4168c388ac66ce3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Cultivating Equity and Empathy in Public Health Practice
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals are increasingly called to address complex inequities rooted in systemic racism\, trauma\, and historical mistrust. Yet many professionals have not been given the tools to navigate conflict\, build authentic trust across difference\, or recognize how implicit bias and emotional responses impact communication with strategically undervalued populations. This skill-building session is designed to strengthen participants’ ability to practice equity-centered\, trauma-informed\, and empathetic public health engagement. This interactive training will help public health professionals better communicate with and listen to QBIPOC communities while building empathy for the structural injustices that shape health outcomes and lived experiences. Participants will examine how conflict avoidance\, defensiveness\, implicit bias\, and countertransference can interfere with effective communication\, relationship-building\, and equitable public health practice. The session will also explore how white supremacy shows up in workplace dynamics\, systems\, and patient care\, particularly through urgency\, perfectionism\, and avoidance of discomfort. Participants will develop practical emotional intelligence and communication skills that support stronger public health relationships\, more responsive community engagement\, and increased capacity to navigate difficult conversations with compassion and accountability. Through equity education\, discussion\, and real-world application\, attendees will leave with tangible tools to strengthen their anti-racist public health practice and deepen trust with the communities they serve. This session aligns with best practices in public health by centering cultural humility\, trauma-informed engagement\, equity-informed communication\, and community-centered approaches to care. The training supports workforce development by equipping professionals with interpersonal and reflective skills necessary for effective collaboration\, cross-sector partnership\, and equitable patient care in increasingly diverse communities. Instructional methods will include a lecture-style presentation with slides\, facilitated discussion\, reflective exercises\, scenario-based application\, and opportunities for peer learning and dialogue. Skill development will be measured through participant self-reflection\, interactive discussion\, applied practice exercises. This session directly supports the conference theme\, Stronger Together\, by helping public health professionals build the empathy\, communication skills\, and relational capacity necessary to foster resilient communities\, collaborative partnerships\, and a more equitable public health future.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fa4cf321bcf23d1595779c83d8db4412
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/fa4cf321bcf23d1595779c83d8db4412
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Colorado Immersion Training: Building Capacity in Community Engagement
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals know that meaningful change starts with community. Yet building authentic\, lasting community partnerships is often learned on the job\, without the time\, training\, or infrastructure to do it well. When engagement is rushed or surface-level\, interventions don't fit local realities\, participation lags\, and the trust we depend on erodes. Strengthening community engagement capacity across the public health workforce is essential to creating useful programs\, improving health outcomes\, and grounding public health efforts in the lived experiences of the populations we serve. Since 2010\, the Colorado Immersion Training in Community Engagement (CIT) has prepared public health and health care professionals to partner with communities through an immersive\, community-led approach. Over six months\, participants combine coursework with a week-long\, community-based experience. This week-intensive is guided by trusted local partners with deep knowledge of place\, and relevant health concerns. Across 15 years\, 167 participants from multiple disciplines have completed CIT\, in partnership with eight Colorado communities serving as track sites. A recent review of CIT identified the partnerships\, infrastructure\, and practices required to support meaningful\, sustainable training. This session shares those lessons and equips participants\, including public health practitioners\, program leaders\, and researchers\, to bring an immersive engagement training model to their own institutions. In the first 30 minutes\, participants will hear how CIT is structured and what it has produced\, with a closer look at one community track. The next 40 minutes are hands-on: in small groups\, participants will assess their own organizational and community readiness\, map the partnerships and resources needed to launch an immersive training model\, and outline concrete next steps. The final 20 minutes open into facilitated discussion to share insights\, anticipate common barriers like funding\, staffing\, and capacity\, and identify ways to sustain this work locally. This session will help participants envision\, plan\, and advocate for engagement training that addresses public health challenges\, strengthens partnerships\, lifts up community leaders\, and advances public health practice. Through hands-on activities\, participants will build essential skills in stakeholder engagement\, program planning\, and implementation\, while reinforcing the importance of community leadership. By centering community voices\, the session models how strong partnerships produce more relevant programs\, better uptake\, and the kind of trust that builds trust in public health.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fd418b96b3afa637bb109070c30b210d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/fd418b96b3afa637bb109070c30b210d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T143000Z
DTEND:20260922T160000Z
SUMMARY:Communicating Public Health in Complex and Contested Spaces
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals are increasingly required to engage in complex\, and often contentious\, conversations—particularly around vaccines and other high-profile health issues. While access to accurate information is essential\, research consistently shows that data alone is insufficient to influence decision-making or build trust. There is a clear need for skill development in communication strategies that are grounded in evidence\, responsive to community concerns\, and adaptable across diverse audiences. This skill-building session is designed to address that gap by equipping participants with practical tools to communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders\, including community members\, healthcare providers\, and policymakers. The session will focus on key content areas including audience-centered messaging\, strategies for addressing misinformation\, and approaches for translating complex public health data into clear\, actionable\, and accessible messages. Particular attention will be given to how communication strategies can be adapted to reflect community values\, lived experiences\, and varying levels of trust in public health systems. The session is grounded in best practices from public health communication\, behavioral science\, and motivational interviewing. It emphasizes the importance of trust-building\, active listening\, and framing messages in ways that resonate with different audiences. Participants will learn how to move beyond one-directional information sharing and instead engage in meaningful\, two-way dialogue that supports informed decision-making and strengthens relationships between communities and public health systems. This session directly supports skill development by focusing on real-world application. Rather than a lecture-based format\, the session is designed to provide participants with opportunities to practice and refine communication strategies that can be immediately applied in their professional settings. The skills developed in this session are critical for public health professionals working in clinical\, community\, and policy environments\, particularly as they navigate increasing misinformation and polarization. This session aligns with the Public Health in the Rockies theme of Stronger Together by emphasizing collaboration\, shared learning\, and the importance of engaging across differences. By centering communication as a tool for building trust and advancing health equity\, the session supports CPHA’s commitment to fostering a more equitable public health system. It recognizes that historical and structural inequities—including racism—shape how communities experience and respond to public health efforts\, and it provides participants with strategies to communicate in ways that are inclusive\, respectful\, and responsive. Ultimately\, this session is relevant to a wide range of public health professionals seeking to strengthen their ability to communicate effectively\, use data to support advocacy\, and build more resilient\, community-centered public health systems.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:297f060ee97a898f73795a86957e645e
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/297f060ee97a898f73795a86957e645e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T160000Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Exhibit Hall & Silent Auction
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:EXHIBIT HALL & SILENT AUCTION
LOCATION:Main Lobby\, 633 Tennis Club Rd\, Dillon\, CO 80435
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d985ddc1952df000c4df585232dc0248
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d985ddc1952df000c4df585232dc0248
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:Crisis as a Catalyst: How Outbreak Response Shaped Our Culture and Capacity
DESCRIPTION:The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment’s (DDPHE) Epidemiology & Disease Intervention Team\, as it exists today\, is celebrating five years as a program later this year. Some could argue themes affecting the public health workforce in the last five years include uncertainty\, reductions\, decreased public confidence\, increased burnout\, a sense of urgency to continue the important work but “do more with less.” Denver's team has directly contended with these issues\, but as we reflect back on the last five years\, the resiliency\, team culture\, and positive impacts shine through the challenges. How did we get here despite all we’ve been thrown? This session will briefly introduce DDPHE's Epidemiology & Disease Intervention Team and then dive into strategies\, approaches\, lessons learned\, and intentional efforts to build staff resiliency\, engagement\, and retention following infectious disease outbreak responses that significantly impacted the team over the last five years. Each response will be described briefly to highlight the impact to staff and provide context. Tied with each response will be a deeper dive into how the team’s approach to the response and recovery after had an impact on the program\, staff engagement\, and future preparedness. During these sections\, attendees will be invited to discuss how they see these themes reflected in their own work and teams. Sixty minutes will allow for structured engagement during each example. Examples of responses that will be covered include: * 2022 mpox outbreak * 2023 migrant crisis and varicella outbreak associated with temporary shelters * 2023 West Nile virus cases * 2024 meningococcal disease outbreak impacting persons experiencing homelessness in Denver metro area * 2025 measles outbreak and response Finally\, the presentation will conclude with a summary of additional efforts within the team that have promoted engagement\, retention\, and growth\, including professional development\, creating a celebratory culture\, and breaking down silos and collaboration.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2244434e9bc3992a70022389b4639d54
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/2244434e9bc3992a70022389b4639d54
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:Denver's CHA: Leveraging Tech & Innovation for Community-Driven Results
DESCRIPTION:The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) showcases how an equity-centered\, technology‑enabled Community Health Assessment (CHA) can elevate community voice\, strengthen data integration\, and produce actionable insights to guide health improvement planning. Following the MAPP 2.0 framework\, DDPHE redesigned its CHA to prioritize community empowerment\, strengthen analysis\, and enhance accessibility while emphasizing how social determinants of health (SDOH) shape conditions. First\, DDPHE recruited Denver partner organizations and residents who supported the CHA on several unique steering and advisory committees. These committees informed research design\, co-developed focus group protocols\, and interpreted data analyses. Next\, DDPHE leveraged ArcGIS Online tools in two ways. Survey123 supported a citywide survey with more than 2\,200 responses with geolocation data\, enabling qualitative input to be linked to neighborhood-level SDOH indicators. Second\, publishing the CHA as a StoryMap transformed it into an interactive narrative\, improving usability and appeal. DDPHE also piloted an innovative qualitative analysis by comparing manual coding of 10 focus groups with an AI tool using a large language model. Manual coding yielded rich\, descriptive data for the CHA. Some differences were revealed when compared to the AI-generated output. However\, results confirmed AI’s strong potential\, particularly since the tool required minimal fine-tuning and reduced staff time. Thus\, a "human-in-the-loop" approach emerged as a promising solution for resource-constrained departments. Lastly\, a structured data triangulation session integrated survey results\, focus group themes\, and more than 100 quantitative indicators. Partners and residents assessed disparities\, identified opportunities for health improvement\, and generated ten health priority areas. Overall\, DDPHE’s approach shows how aligning MAPP 2.0 with geospatial and AI tools can create a more equitable\, engaging\, and actionable CHA\, and offers a replicable model for other public health jurisdictions. An hour session is needed to ensure attendees leave with adaptable strategies they can apply in their own departments.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fab9f94c59a9fcf056334afdf89beb46
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/fab9f94c59a9fcf056334afdf89beb46
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:The AI Remix Lab: Practical AI Skills for Real Public Health Work
DESCRIPTION:Artificial intelligence is showing up everywhere\, in the news\, in our inboxes\, and increasingly in our workflows\, but for many public health professionals\, the big question remains: how does this actually help me do my job? This interactive skill-building session is designed for practitioners who are curious about AI but haven't yet found their footing. No prior expertise required\, just an openness to experimenting. In this 90-minute hands-on session\, presenters from Omni Institute will guide participants through a structured exploration of AI tools applied directly to public health challenges. The session opens with a warm-up activity designed to lower the stakes\, spark creativity\, and build both confidence and community among participants. From there\, participants will work in small groups through a series of facilitated exercises using real AI tools. Each exercise is anchored to common public health tasks such as synthesizing community feedback\, drafting communications\, exploring data patterns\, or designing program materials\, with guided prompts that participants can adapt and take back to their own organizations. Small groups will also have the opportunity to apply what they've learned to a realistic public health scenario\, practicing how to integrate AI tools into their existing workflows. The session closes with structured reflection and peer sharing. Participants will leave with practical strategies and resources tailored to public health use cases that they can begin applying immediately.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:50a22156bae1d23afc83bcaec0e7a092
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/50a22156bae1d23afc83bcaec0e7a092
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:Beyond the Checklist: Building Internal Motivation in Youth
DESCRIPTION:Rural youth face compounding barriers to behavioral health — geographic isolation\, limited access to mental health services\, under-resourced schools\, and systems that too often focus on managing behavior rather than building capacity. The result is young people who cycle through school discipline\, diversion\, and family crisis programs without ever developing the internal skills to interrupt that pattern. The Messy in Between (MiB) is an identity-based\, skill-building coaching framework developed by Soul Grower Industries specifically for this gap. MiB gives youth a practical\, jargon-free structure for recognizing their own thought–feeling–action patterns\, clarifying personal values\, setting meaningful goals\, and developing the internal compass that sustains behavior change after formal intervention ends. It is designed to work across settings — from school-based intervention and community prevention to youth diversion and family engagement — without requiring new programs\, additional staff\, or significant budget. MiB has been in active use for over seven years across Colorado's 13th Judicial District\, one of the state's largest and most rural judicial districts. School-based implementation through a three-day discipline intervention program — in place with one district partner for five years — has produced practitioner-reported outcomes of 75% no-repeat referral rates among youth who complete the program. Youth Diversion implementation has produced practitioner-reported recidivism rates below 5%. Qualitative feedback from youth participants consistently reflects themes of self-efficacy\, hope\, and ownership — outcomes that align directly with behavioral health promotion and long-term wellness goals. Recognizing that rural youth often cannot consistently access in-person services\, Soul Grower Industries is actively developing digital delivery tools\, including an online coaching curriculum and a mobile app platform designed to extend MiB coaching beyond the walls of any single program. These tools represent a health equity infrastructure investment — bringing identity-based skill-building to youth in frontier communities where geography has historically meant no access at all. This 1.5-hour session will introduce attendees to the core MiB framework and provide hands-on practice with the thought–feeling–action pattern tool — the same activity youth encounter in the program. Attendees will experience the tool as a participant\, then engage in a facilitated small-group debrief focused on adaptation across professional roles\, including public health\, school health\, behavioral health\, and community prevention. Youth behavioral health is a public health issue. When young people lack internal coping skills\, goal direction\, and self-efficacy\, the downstream costs appear across every system — emergency departments\, juvenile justice\, child welfare\, and adult behavioral health. MiB addresses upstream determinants of those outcomes by building skills during the critical adolescent window when intervention has the most impact. The digital expansion of MiB directly addresses health equity by removing geographic access as a barrier to quality behavioral health skill-building for rural youth and families. Instructional methodology includes experiential activities\, facilitated small-group debriefs\, whole-group discussions\, and brief didactic content. Skill development will be measured through a post-session reflection tool completed before attendees leave.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b97f3757495f62777f8671e218d44d34
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b97f3757495f62777f8671e218d44d34
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:Holding the Line: Practice\, Care\, and Sustainability in Public Health
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals are being asked to advance equity and anti-racist practices while working within systems shaped by funding requirements\, tight timelines\, staffing shortages\, and competing priorities. Equity is often named as a value\, yet many practitioners wrestle with what it looks like in everyday decisions—program planning\, community partnerships\, internal governance\, and resource allocation. This session focuses on that gap: how equity shows up in the daily structures and choices that shape public health work. The purpose of this training is to help participants identify where community voices may be unintentionally constrained and determine practical shifts that increase authentic community influence without adding burden to already stretched communities. Rather than staying theoretical\, we will work through public health scenarios grounded in Colorado contexts—rural\, urban\, and frontier—and examine how decision-making hierarchies\, grant expectations\, timelines\, and performance measures influence whose knowledge is centered. The session opens with a brief framing of anti-racist public health practice and systems-level decision-making. Most of our time will be spent in guided\, case-based discussions where participants analyze real challenges\, assess where equity may be limited\, and identify structural adjustments—such as revisiting decision points\, clarifying roles\, or strengthening feedback and accountability loops. Participants will also reflect on one of their current initiatives and outline one equity-centered action they can take immediately. This training strengthens core public health skills in systems thinking\, ethical practice\, community engagement\, and shared accountability. It reinforces that equity is not an add-on—it is reflected in how decisions are made\, how power is shared\, and how success is defined. Participants leave with practical strategies to adjust processes\, lead stronger equity-centered conversations\, and align their work with community voice. As Colorado communities face widening disparities and capacity gaps\, public health professionals need structured approaches that keep equity central—even under pressure. This session supports the conference theme by turning equity commitments into actionable skill development and strengthening leadership in community-informed public health practice. Participants will leave with clear next steps\, practical tools\, and peer connections to sustain this work in their daily roles
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9524ab5e1adc593d8d911a3dc08dea68
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/9524ab5e1adc593d8d911a3dc08dea68
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:Crafting Narratives for Health Policy Change
DESCRIPTION:Policies founded in evidence-based public health research and practice have the potential to benefit people and sustainably improve community health. Many policymakers want the information that public health practitioners and researchers can provide. However\, evidence and research with policy implications frequently fails to make it into the hands of decision makers or is not packaged in a way that is accessible or understandable by a wide variety of relevant and influential audiences\, including organizational and governmental policymakers\, advocates\, and civically engaged groups. Public health practitioners and researchers need tools and strategies to translate their knowledge for decision makers to advance timely\, evidence-based policy. After a didactic presentation on theory and scholarship related to public narrative\, participants will break out into small groups to collectively develop and improve a narrative to support policy change. Selection of characters\, characters’ portrayal as heroes\, victims\, or villains\, setting descriptions\, and placement of the narrative at the individual\, organizational\, or structural level shift the understanding of audiences\, directing attention in ways that can influence support. Participants will receive effective tools and tailored feedback they can use in their own current\, planned\, or recent public health activities. Participants will develop skills that directly apply to Colorado’s core foundational public health capabilities of communications and policy development and support. Content to be presented: Participants will learn how to develop persuasive\, strategic stories that motivate change for specific audiences. The presenters will provide tools to help attendees develop narratives that can drive timely and actionable policy change within governments and organizations. Proposed schedule: Didactic presentation (approximately 40 minutes): discussion on persuasive messaging and public narrative rooted in academic research and scholarship. Small group breakouts (approximately 30 minutes): participants will break into small groups to collectively develop and improve their narrative to support policy change. Large group report-out and discussion (20 minutes): all participants will reconvene and share their experiences and reflections about the session. Evaluation and measurement of skills developed: this will happen during the small group breakout sessions and large group report out of the activity\, during which attendees’ communications strategies will be evaluated and workshopped in real time. Participants will also complete a post-workshop evaluation.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a64e98192c4ba020ffca14514443c81f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a64e98192c4ba020ffca14514443c81f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:AI in Public Health: Prompting\, Verification\, and Practice
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals are increasingly moving beyond introductory conversations about artificial intelligence (AI) and seeking practical skills that support responsible integration of AI into everyday work. As generative AI tools become more common across public health practice\, research\, teaching\, communication\, and administration\, workforce development efforts must also evolve to address emerging competencies related not only to AI use\, but also to critical evaluation\, verification\, and ethical implementation. This interactive skill-building session will focus on two emerging areas of need identified through previous AI workshops\, participant feedback\, and ongoing workforce conversations: 1) prompting and meta prompting strategies that improve AI-supported workflows and outputs\, and 2) approaches for critically evaluating\, validating\, and fact checking AI-generated information. Building upon multiple years of AI-focused public health trainings\, facilitators will provide an “AI in Public Health: State of the Union” overview to contextualize current patterns\, opportunities\, concerns\, and workforce readiness related to AI adoption in public health settings. Participants will engage in hands-on activities designed to strengthen practical AI skills through real-world public health scenarios. Activities will include developing and refining prompts for public health communication and programmatic work\, exploring structured and reusable prompting frameworks (“meta prompting”)\, comparing AI-generated outputs across tools\, and practicing strategies for verifying information accuracy\, identifying hallucinations or misinformation\, assessing source quality\, and maintaining evidence-informed decision-making practices. Throughout the session\, facilitators will encourage collaborative discussions around ethics\, health equity\, bias\, accessibility\, privacy\, workforce implications\, organizational readiness\, and the importance of maintaining human judgment and accountability in AI-supported work. Rather than positioning AI as a replacement for public health expertise\, this session emphasizes how thoughtful\, collaborative\, and critically engaged approaches to AI can strengthen public health capacity and resilience. The session will prioritize interactive learning through demonstrations\, collaborative exercises\, audience polling\, discussion\, and real-world case studies drawn from public health practice and education settings. Participants will leave with practical prompting frameworks\, strategies for evaluating AI-generated content\, and resources to support continued learning and organizational capacity building. This session aligns with the conference theme of “Stronger Together” by supporting collective learning\, interdisciplinary collaboration\, and shared approaches to responsible AI integration across the public health workforce. As public health professionals navigate rapidly evolving technologies\, building communities of practice around ethical and evidence-informed AI use will be essential to strengthening public health systems and advancing health equity.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:24a516cdcd31ec99edddd9b678b0db9f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/24a516cdcd31ec99edddd9b678b0db9f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:Science\, jargon\, and equity: why clear info is critical to public health
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: Public health depends on our ability to not only interpret complex science\, but to inspire action through communication. Behavioral and social sciences provide the critical “how” for this mission. This session serves as a primer on risk communication science\, designed to help professionals move beyond traditional messaging models and address community needs through evidence-based outreach. Methods: This session showcases communication models that blend technical expertise with cultural humility. We use behavioral science to explore how risk perception —often a mix of actual hazard and public “outrage” — impacts community response. Participants will apply structured frameworks to maintain transparency\, including the Hazard-Impact-Action (HIA) model for public health action directives and the Know/Don’t Know model for navigating evolving scientific information and uncertainty. Results: These models ensure that health messages remain clear\, consistent\, and supportive. By translating complex data into actionable and accessible information\, we empower individuals to make informed decisions. Focusing on the “so what” and “what now” increases the effectiveness of guidance while reducing the cognitive load on communities during high-stress situations. Implications: Our technical expertise is most powerful when paired with an understanding of human behavior. Attendees will gain practical tools to support language justice and bridge the gap between science and community action\, ensuring no community is left behind. Interactive plan: A 60-minute session is essential to bridge the gap between theory and application. We will use real-time polling to visualize "outrage factors" that drive community concern versus actual scientific hazard. We will also lead a collaborative “message surgery” where we take jargon-heavy technical excerpts and use the HIA framework to transform dense data into clear\, empathetic\, and actionable guidance. Integrating frequent “pulse-checks” ensures the content remains relevant to diverse public health roles. We are open to a 90-minute slot if the committee prefers a deeper dive.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:36c81a78f6661020f7439730eb7ed9c9
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/36c81a78f6661020f7439730eb7ed9c9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:Embedding Youth as Partners: Building a Roadmap for Youth Engagement
DESCRIPTION:Traditional mental health research has often limited the involvement of underrepresented groups\, including youth\, in research development\, limiting the applicability of findings and reinforcing inequitable power dynamics. Although evidence demonstrates that engaging youth in all phases of the research process improves relevance\, youth participation remains limited to passive roles rather than active partners. Many initiatives sparingly involve youth\, rather than full collaboration in all stages of the research process. Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)\, a specific type of Community-Based Participatory Research focused on youth engagement\, seeks to address these inequities. Project YAM (Youth-engaged Approaches to Mental Health) is a qualitative research study focused on using YPAR approaches to explore youth engagement frameworks for mental health settings. We took a unique youth-adult collaborative approach to qualitative YPAR by completely integrating youth researchers as team members in all project phases. In this skill-building session\, we will examine contextual barriers and facilitators to youth engagement in public health settings with a focus on integrating youth into qualitative research and evaluation teams. Attendees will gain experience in utilizing a bidirectional youth-adult partnership approach to co-create strategies for effective youth engagement. Our youth facilitators will support attendees in tailoring YPAR methodology to integrate youth in the projects and settings relevant to attendees. Our study was co-developed with a youth co-PI\, who formulated the research question and co-led the successful submission of a grant proposal. We recruited and hired a team of five youth researchers\, and completed youth-focused research ethics and qualitative methods training. Youth-adult teams completed interviews\, with youth facilitating and taking field notes. Data analysis utilized a co-led qualitative rapid matrix approach. By embedding youth voices\, we enhanced and made significant modifications to our qualitative research procedures leading to more precise\, youth-tailored results that have a better chance at improving youth engagement efforts. Consequently\, we developed a “roadmap” for youth participation in all phases of the qualitative research process. Throughout the presentation attendees will engage in small group discussion guided by reflective questions and interactive case studies intended to support application of skills learned in the session to real world situations. Each activity builds on presented knowledge and skills culminating in an actionable roadmap that can be implemented as a practical guide for incorporating YPAR in their organization. This roadmap outlines key stages\, including detours highlighting common challenges along with strategies for navigating them and fast lanes\, like existing partners/tools that can accelerate the process. Application questions will prompt attendees to reflect on how and why they want to engage in YPAR\, helping them clarify purpose\, readiness\, and next steps for their team By centering youth engagement and applying YPAR approaches\, we were able to innovate a process for integrating youth into qualitative public health research. The roadmap presented and applied in this workshop provides infrastructure to embed and leverage youth’s lived experiences and insights to produce meaningful participation. Applying this roadmap and considering novel forms of youth engagement has the potential to co-create equitable and tailored solutions for youth.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6a076a6fee89b19e5fdfdc6796f871ef
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/6a076a6fee89b19e5fdfdc6796f871ef
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:From Self-Care to Co-Care: The Science and Skill of Co-Regulation
DESCRIPTION:In an increasingly individualistic society\, the prevailing narrative suggests that "self-care" is the primary antidote to burnout and trauma. We are told that if we only practice enough mindfulness or take enough bubble baths\, we can endure any professional or systemic stressor. However\, for a social mammal\, the idea of regulating purely in isolation is a biological fable. Human beings have survived and evolved through the ongoing process of co-regulation—the process by which our nervous systems settle and find safety through the presence and support of others. This interactive workshop challenges the "self-care" myth by introducing the framework of Co-Care. While individual wellbeing is foundational\, the most impactful resilience occurs within our professional relationships and relational ecosystems. How we navigate emotions and interpersonal dynamics at work directly dictates the quality of our outcomes and the sustainability of our missions. When we lack the tools to support one another through conflict\, we often fall into maladaptive social patterns such as gossip\, triangulation\, or conflict avoidance. These behaviors don't just damage morale\; they stifle curiosity and diversity of thought. Conversely\, when a team learns to regulate through emotions and engage in healthy conflict\, the collective capacity for growth expands. By staying regulated in the presence of conflict\, we allow our biases and judgments to be challenged\, leading to more innovative and equitable public health solutions.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:485755295b64efe238888372d4044199
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/485755295b64efe238888372d4044199
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T161500Z
DTEND:20260922T171500Z
SUMMARY:Just Picture It! An Introduction to a Systems Thinking Tool
DESCRIPTION:Public health is facing decreasing funding and increasingly complex health challenges like high rates of chronic diseases\, substance misuse\, multi-state outbreaks\, rising suicide rates\, and natural disasters. There are no single\, simple solutions to these problems and no organization can do it alone. To affect system-wide changes\, we must first understand how the system is currently functioning and work together with partners to identify opportunities for change.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ff78a69962154d7cf3642698e1351f50
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/ff78a69962154d7cf3642698e1351f50
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Collecting and linking hospitals’ publicly available data to CO APCD
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: The Hospital Price Transparency Rule requires hospitals to publicly post pricing information for services rendered\; however\, the usability\, and the completeness of these data remain uncertain. This project aims to systematically collect and compile publicly available hospital pricing data into a structured repository and compare these data with the Colorado All-Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) to understand overall reliability. Methods: Hospital price transparency files were collected from Colorado hospitals’ websites. Data were cleaned\, standardized\, and loaded into a centralized repository. Key variables such as procedure\, description\, setting\, gross charge\, and payer-specific charges were extracted. These data were then linked to the CO APCD and compared to allowed amounts for corresponding service-level estimates using variables such as hospital National Provider Identifier (NPI)\, procedure codes\, modifiers\, and care settings. Analyses were conducted to evaluate differences\, variation\, and completeness across data sources. Results (Phase I): Preliminary findings indicate substantial variation in how hospitals report pricing data\, including inconsistencies in formatting\, completeness\, and definitions. Differences in reporting across hospitals- particularly for variables such as modifiers and payer classifications- as well as structural differences in the CO APCD\, required additional methodological approaches to enable meaningful comparisons. Implications: This project demonstrates both the potential and limitations of hospital price transparency data. While a centralized\, standardized repository can improve data accessibility\, inconsistencies in reporting create methodological challenges and may reduce comparability. These findings highlight the need for stronger standardization and enforcement to enhance transparency efforts and support informed decision-making among policymakers\, researchers\, and consumers. The project also demonstrates the potential for analyses linking both data types for evaluations.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4da3171e3139be737612bbecc8cade24
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/4da3171e3139be737612bbecc8cade24
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Firearm Access Among Rural American Indian/Alaska Native Youth in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Analysis Focus: This study analyzes patterns of firearm access among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth in Colorado\, with a specific focus on rural populations. The primary objective is to estimate the prevalence of firearm access among rural AI/AN youth and to assess whether access differs by geographic context. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the 2025 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKC) were analyzed among respondents identifying as AI/AN. The primary variable of interest is firearm access\, defined as the presence of a firearm in the home. Rurality\, based on school location\, is examined as the primary explanatory variable. Weighted descriptive statistics were used to estimate the prevalence of firearm access among AI/AN youth overall and stratified by rural status. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between rurality and firearm access. Models adjusted for demographic characteristics and other relevant covariates. Survey weights were applied to account for sampling design and population representation. Results (Preliminary / Anticipated): Firearm access is expected to be more prevalent among rural AI/AN youth compared to their non-rural counterparts. Adjusted models are anticipated to show higher odds of firearm access among rural youth relative to those in urban and suburban settings. Implications: Findings identify rural AI/AN youth as a population with elevated levels of firearm access. These results support the need for geographically targeted and culturally appropriate approaches to firearm access and safety in rural AI/AN communities.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:16ce13df4877bc15d31e778f906ad066
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/16ce13df4877bc15d31e778f906ad066
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Leveraging Local Partnerships to Enhance Colorado Private Well Stewardship
DESCRIPTION:In the United States\, ~14.1% of the population relies on private wells for drinking water. In Colorado\, that estimate is closer to 7%. Although the Safe Drinking Water Act charges the Environmental Protection Agency with setting regulations for water quality to ensure that specified contaminants are not present above the Maximum Contaminant Level\, private wells are not included under the umbrella of regulatory authority for public water systems. Concurrently\, there exists a very limited support framework for domestic well users in Colorado and nationally. The purpose of this session is to share what private well stewardship workshops revealed about how community members learn\, engage with\, and act on well water management\, and to help others apply such insights in their own programs. The session will cover the following content: 1) Private Well Stewardship and Why It Matters 2) Workshop Design & Approach 3) Stakeholders and Community Engagement Strategies 4) Key findings from the workshops. Alongside a short presentation from the facilitators\, participants will engage in several hands-on activities to build their skills. Examples include interactive activities where participants will assess how private well use becomes a public health issue\, a real-world case study of the Boulder County Public Health–academic partnership\, small-group mapping of key stakeholders and partnership strategies\, and guided discussions on how local public health agencies can adapt private well stewardship efforts within their own county context. Audience polls will be used to explore participants’ current familiarity with private wells\, perceived local public health agencies (LPHA) roles\, and barriers to engaging private well users. An applied activity will invite participants to identify one potential partner\, one local barrier\, and one first step for advancing private well stewardship in their jurisdiction. The session will conclude with an open forum for participants to ask questions\, share insights\, and discuss opportunities for strengthening private well stewardship across Colorado communities. Recommendations for resources and partnership approaches to support future LPHA engagement in private well stewardship will be provided. This session supports best practices and skill development by introducing practical approaches for private well stewardship\, helping participants strengthen skills in community engagement\, partnership development\, and applied public health practice. Through the Boulder County case study\, participants will examine how LPHAs can collaborate with academic partners to better understand private well users’ concerns\, testing behaviors\, and stewardship practices. The session will also highlight regulatory gaps\, equity considerations\, and communication challenges in private well use. By engaging in applied activities\, participants will identify local opportunities\, barriers\, and potential partners for advancing private well stewardship within their own communities. A pre- and post-workshop assessment will be used to measure knowledge and skills developed during the session. Using a brief survey\, participants’ knowledge\, attitudes\, and perceptions regarding private well stewardship\, LPHA roles\, community engagement\, and partnership development will be assessed before and after the workshop. A brief qualitative assessment will also be included post-session to understand what participants’ most valuable takeaways\, learnings\, and how they plan to apply private well stewardship strategies within their own public health context.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c36756ea63ab5f97ce1c6c2070b00b4b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/c36756ea63ab5f97ce1c6c2070b00b4b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Measuring Impact\, Not Just Outcomes: A Toolkit for Co-Response Evaluation
DESCRIPTION:This presentation introduces a practical evaluation toolkit developed specifically for co-response and alternative response programs. For public health professionals\, this toolkit addresses a critical gap: how to measure what actually matters in behavioral health crisis response\, moving beyond arrest and incarceration metrics toward outcomes that reflect health\, well-being\, and recovery. The toolkit is directly relevant to public health practice in several ways. First\, it supports program planning and accountability by helping teams clarify goals and select outcomes aligned with public health values\, such as connection to care\, reduced emergency department utilization\, and improved client well-being. Second\, it promotes equity and trauma-informed practice by embedding person-centered principles into data collection\, ensuring evaluation methods respect the dignity of individuals in crisis. Third\, it strengthens community and funder communication\, equipping programs to tell compelling\, evidence-based stories that justify investment and sustain operations. Public health professionals working in crisis services\, community mental health\, health departments\, or emergency preparedness will find this toolkit applicable across settings and program models. As co-response programs continue to expand nationally\, standardized\, impact-driven evaluation frameworks will be essential for building the evidence base\, informing policy\, and ensuring these models deliver on their promise to improve population health outcomes — particularly for those most vulnerable to behavioral health crises.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ece4f3e0ecc5b00d0034b600c38c83f5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/ece4f3e0ecc5b00d0034b600c38c83f5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Routine Syphilis\, HIV\, and HCV Testing in CSH Denver Emergency Departments
DESCRIPTION:Background: FOCUS is a novel HIV\, HCV\, Syphilis screening program which launched on 1/1/2025 at St. Anthony North\, 84th Ave\, and St. Anthony Hospital emergency departments. This grant funded program with support from CDPHE and Gilead\, is one of the first of its kind for the region and has served as a pilot program to provide evidence for efficacy in the state of Colorado. This showcase aims to provide a template for future programs and explore challenges and successes to improve learning. Methods: A structured approach\, starting with clear goals and a SWOT analysis\, informed strategic planning and decision-making for this program. Clinical staff (Registered Nurses\, Critical Care Technicians\, Physician Assistants\, and Medical Doctors) were instrumental in guiding workflow integration and program implementation. Key partnerships enabled the creation of a 'Patient Navigator' role\, complete with standard operating procedures (SOPs)\, to facilitate efficient access to care and prevention services. Additional SOPs were developed to effectively identify reactive test results and patients at elevated risk for Syphilis\, HIV\, or HCV. The program then leveraged a continuous quality improvement (CQI) process to monitor and ensure its success\, improve patient satisfaction\, and achieve positive population health outcomes. Results: As a result of effective program planning and implementation there were significant increases in screening across all 3 disease types (2253.9% increase in HIV tests\, 1466.7% increase in HCV tests\, 349.51% increase in Syphilis tests. 2024 v 2025). Additionally\, there was a 5133% increase in patients successfully linked to prevention services\, and a 86.7% successful linkage to care rate for patients with active syphilis infections. Implications: Integrated and standardized opt-out screening of STIs in Denver area Emergency Departments is an effective strategy to address rising STI rates among Colorado communities and improve prevention and general health education related to STIs.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a7fec6f9943b40a4c880d9072368b455
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a7fec6f9943b40a4c880d9072368b455
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Enhancing Healthcare Disaster Readiness Through Regional PH Partnerships
DESCRIPTION:Healthcare emergency preparedness and response depend on strong collaboration between healthcare systems\, public health agencies\, emergency management organizations\, and community partners. The Regional Disaster Health Response System (RDHRS) in Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region VIII was established to strengthen medical surge capabilities\, improve regional coordination\, and build partnerships that enhance readiness for catastrophic events. One capability developed through this effort is the Patient and Family Reunification Virtual Call Center\, a scalable\, low-cost solution created through collaboration between the Mountain Plains Regional Disaster Health Response System (MPRDHRS)\, the Colorado Volunteer Mobilizer (CVM)\, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The reunification program was designed to address a recurring challenge during disasters and mass casualty incidents: healthcare systems are often overwhelmed by family inquiries while simultaneously managing patient care operations. Over five years\, the capability was refined through planning\, stakeholder engagement\, operational design\, drills\, and full-scale exercises involving healthcare systems\, public health agencies\, volunteer organizations\, emergency management\, and community partners across Colorado and HHS Region 8. The model uses a cloud-based virtual call center staffed by trained volunteers and supported by a secure\, shared database providing privacy-compliant patient location information. Exercises and operational testing demonstrated that the virtual call center can rapidly scale to manage several hundred calls per hour\, reducing the burden on hospitals and improving coordination among response partners. Participants will leave the session with an understanding of the RDHRS program\, lessons learned from the first five years of implementation\, opportunities for regional collaboration\, and practical strategies for building or strengthening reunification capabilities within their own jurisdictions.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:456c7245583bf1d4c62ce4bf232256f0
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/456c7245583bf1d4c62ce4bf232256f0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Colorado EnviroScreen Version 3.0: Development and Public Outreach Report
DESCRIPTION:Background: Colorado EnviroScreen\, an interactive environmental justice mapping tool provided by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)\, was launched in 2022\, and saw its first revision (version 2.0) in 2024. Colorado EnviroScreen brings together data about the environment\, health\, and socioeconomic factors to understand the cumulative impacts of environmental injustice and to identify cumulatively burdened communities as defined in Colorado’s Environmental Justice Act. Methods and Results: CDPHE is preparing to release Colorado Enviroscreen 3.0 in June 2027\, following a process of consultation with subject matter experts and public feedback. Tool developers from the CDPHE Office of Environmental Justice will provide background on the tool\, an overview of proposed tool updates (including changes to indicators\, methods\, and the platform)\, as well as major conclusions from public engagement sessions held May 4 - July 6\, 2026. Implications: Colorado EnviroScreen allows Colorado state agencies\, communities\, academics\, regulated industries\, and other stakeholders to identify communities that experience cumulative impacts. Historically\, environmental law and policy have focused only on one pollutant or one environmental medium (air\, water\, soil) at a time. Sometimes\, that means missing the bigger picture of communities that are exposed to cumulative impacts from multiple sources and types of pollution. Colorado EnviroScreen is a foundational tool to advance environmental justice initiatives throughout CDPHE as well as for Local Public Health Authorities\, community-based organizations\, individual residents\, and beyond.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:39ff623b1b7a42a5c611d13cfe13bbf5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/39ff623b1b7a42a5c611d13cfe13bbf5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:HPV Vaccine Communication for Non-Clinicians in A Primary Care Setting
DESCRIPTION:Background: Medical assistants (MAs) and nurses are often among the first to discuss vaccination with families in primary care\, yet little is known about how they communicate about HPV vaccination. Their interactions may shape parental perceptions\, prime clinician conversations\, and influence vaccine acceptance\, but their communication practices have not been described. This study aimed to describe self-reported HPV vaccine communication practices\, attitudes\, and training needs among MAs and nurses working in primary care clinics. Design/Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of MAs\, nurses\, and other non-clinician staff (e.g.\, certified nursing assistants\, licensed practical nurses\, and other non-licensed clinical support roles) at 22 primary care clinics in Kansas and Missouri. Eligible staff interacted with families before the clinician’s visit. The survey assessed the frequency\, timing\, and style of HPV vaccine discussions\, responses to vaccine hesitancy\, and perceived role in vaccine communication. Results: Of 247 invited staff\, 185 completed surveys (75% response rate) across all 22 clinics. Most (78%) reported using a presumptive communication style\; however\, only 24% described a fully presumptive initiation style. Only 7% reported using motivational interviewing techniques when parents express hesitancy\, and 36% accepted initial refusal and deferred to the clinician. Registered nurses (RNs) were significantly less likely than MAs\, LPNs\, and CNAs to initiate vaccine discussions proactively (81% vs. 93%\; p=0.01). Most respondents (87%) perceived clinicians as extremely or moderately receptive to their involvement\, 75% viewed their own role as important\, and 82% wanted additional vaccine communication training. Conclusions: Non-clinician staff regularly discuss HPV vaccination with families but frequently use inconsistent and non-evidence-based approaches\, with a substantial gap between self-reported technique use and described practice. These findings highlight the underrecognized role of this workforce in vaccine delivery and underscore the need for structured\, role-specific training interventions.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b6df87103ff7c7b0b44f811dedf4f661
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b6df87103ff7c7b0b44f811dedf4f661
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Stronger Together: Building Colorado’s Rural Public Health Workforce
DESCRIPTION:Rural public health systems across Colorado continue to navigate complex workforce challenges related to recruitment\, retention\, infrastructure\, training capacity\, and evolving community health needs. At the same time\, rural communities\, public health agencies\, academic institutions\, and community partners are developing innovative and relationship-centered approaches to strengthen workforce pathways and support sustainable public health capacity. This showcase session will provide an overview of emerging insights and practice-informed lessons related to rural public health workforce development in Colorado from the perspective of academic and community partnership efforts. Drawing from ongoing collaborations involving workforce development initiatives\, rural public health partnerships\, student training programs\, academic health department relationships\, and statewide conversations with rural practitioners and leaders\, presenters will highlight themes that are shaping current workforce needs and opportunities across Colorado’s rural public health landscape. The session will explore topics such as workforce recruitment and retention\, student development\, training and mentorship needs\, cross-sector collaboration\, infrastructure challenges\, rural practice-based learning opportunities\, and the importance of relationship-building in sustaining rural public health systems. Presenters will also discuss how rural public health partners are navigating changing expectations\, limited resources\, and emerging opportunities for innovation and collaboration. Rather than presenting a single program model or finalized research project\, this session is intended to foster dialogue and shared learning around the evolving realities of rural workforce development in Colorado. Attendees will gain exposure to current partnership approaches\, emerging strategies\, and practical considerations for strengthening rural public health capacity through collaborative and equity-focused efforts. This session aligns with the conference theme of “Stronger Together” by emphasizing the importance of partnerships\, shared learning\, and collective investment in the future of Colorado’s rural public health workforce.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9733c5508869624d8643338e410bfa4a
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/9733c5508869624d8643338e410bfa4a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:A Social Return on Investment Study of a Perinatal Substance Use Initiative
DESCRIPTION:Background: Public health and quality improvement (QI) initiatives are increasingly expected to demonstrate measurable value alongside clinical outcomes. Practical applications of Social Return on Investment (SROI) methodology in maternal health QI remain limited. The Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative (CPCQC) partnered with the Center for Social Investment at Omni Institute to conduct an SROI study of Turning the Tide (TTT)\, a hospital-based QI initiative designed to reduce pregnancy-associated overdoses\, a leading cause of pregnancy-associated death in Colorado\, and improve engagement in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. Methods: Using an SROI framework adapted from the New Economics Foundation\, the study estimated the social and economic value generated through improved postpartum engagement in treatment. TTT data from 2022-2025 were analyzed to estimate outcomes associated with screening\, referrals\, social work consultation\, and treatment engagement. Results: Across 25 participating hospitals\, 87% of birthing people were screened for substance use and 94% of those who screened positive received a referral or treatment. The analysis estimated that 34 additional birthing people maintained engagement in SUD treatment due to program implementation\, generating an estimated $681\,990 in social and economic value through reduced healthcare and criminal justice costs. Overall\, TTT generated an estimated return of $1.99 for every $1 invested\, suggesting that hospital-based perinatal substance use QI initiatives can generate measurable economic benefits alongside improved treatment engagement. Implications: This presentation offers attendees a practical framework for applying SROI methodology to public health and QI initiatives using implementation-based data. Presenters will discuss methodological considerations\, data limitations\, strengths and challenges\, and lessons learned. Finally\, presenters will highlight how lessons learned are being applied to CPCQC’s community-facing program\, IMPACT BH\, for a future SROI analysis. Attendees will gain practical insight into how SROI can support evaluation\, sustainability planning\, and communication of program impact in maternal and behavioral health settings.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a596642eec382ff934fa6f70a411ec2f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a596642eec382ff934fa6f70a411ec2f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T173000Z
DTEND:20260922T180000Z
SUMMARY:Precision Public Health: Mapping Medicaid Shortages with the V2SFCA Model
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: Colorado faces significant healthcare access disparities driven by economic\, geographic\, and systemic barriers. Federal workforce shortage models fall short in modeling these gaps because they exclude non-physician clinicians\, fail to capture demographic variations in demand\, and use a relatively coarse geographic resolution. In 2018 in response to these limitations\, Board of Health Rule 6 CCR 1015-6 created authority for state health professional shortage area (sHPSA) designation to be administered in parallel with federal HPSAs. In this presentation\, we debut our latest advancement to this work: Our newly developed Medicaid-specific sHPSAs. Methods: Data capturing the supply of Medicaid health services were available via a custom Medicaid Claims data extract from the Colorado All-Payer Claims Database (CO APCD). The annual volume of Medicaid encounters is summed for each healthcare facility and health discipline (primary\, dental\, behavioral\, and perinatal). Demand is based on Census Block Group Medicaid enrollment estimates\, and is adjusted for varying rates of need by age\, sex\, and health discipline. The Variable Two-Step Floating Catchment Area method is used to calculate the ratio between supply and demand for each census block group. Results: Medicaid sHPSAs yield a highly accurate\, localized assessment of shortage by comparing actual Medicaid claims data to the demographic-specific needs of the enrolled population. Similar to all-payer models\, shortages are most severe in rural and frontier communities\; however\, Medicaid sHPSAs reveal a distinct geographic pattern relative to all-payer models. Implications: Medicaid-specific shortage models are increasingly important given the evolving federal policy landscape\, constrained state budgets\, and changing Medicaid eligibility requirements. Relying solely on all-payer models risks obscuring specific access barriers experienced by the Medicaid enrolled population. This strategic approach accurately maps where shifts in Medicaid coverage intersect with safety-net capacity\, enabling state and local organizations to direct interventions efficiently and optimize limited public resources.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:9cc56225dc06197be277ac6c2f25fcb6
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/9cc56225dc06197be277ac6c2f25fcb6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T180000Z
DTEND:20260922T193000Z
SUMMARY:Opening Keynote & Lunch Buffet
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:LUNCH
LOCATION:Columbine Ballroom\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8f46c9404566596d22cdf9b999278220
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/8f46c9404566596d22cdf9b999278220
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:Beyond the Press Release: Building Trust Through Public Health Podcasting
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose Public health agencies face increasing challenges in reaching communities due to misinformation\, declining trust\, and limited communications capacity. Traditional\, reactive messaging is often insufficient to build meaningful engagement. This project examines the use of a locally produced podcast as a strategic communications tool to increase transparency\, elevate trusted voices\, and strengthen community connection. Key questions include: (1) Can podcasting effectively extend the reach of public health messaging? (2) How can it be integrated into routine practice with limited resources? and (3) What impact does it have on engagement and trust? We hypothesize that a consistent\, locally focused podcast can expand reach and strengthen trust in public health. Methods In 2026\, the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment launched Healthier Together: Larimer County's Public Health Podcast\, that features staff\, partners\, and subject matter experts. Episodes are aligned with strategic priorities\, recorded\, edited\, and distributed via major platforms. Promotion occurs through multiple channels. Metrics include podcast analytics\, social media engagement\, and qualitative feedback. Data are routinely reviewed to assess reach\, engagement\, and content performance. Results Between January-April 2026\, the podcast produced 15 episodes and reached over 700 listeners\, with consistent month-over-month growth and sustained engagement. Episodes featuring local voices and timely public health topics demonstrate the highest listener retention and interaction. Internal participation has increased\, signaling growing staff capacity to contribute to communications efforts. The podcast has expanded message reach beyond traditional channels and created new opportunities for cross-sector visibility. Early feedback indicates audiences perceive the content as accessible\, relevant\, and credible. Implications Podcasting is a practical\, scalable strategy for modern public health communication. Key takeaways: prioritize authentic storytelling\, align content with public health priorities\, integrate podcasting into existing workflows\, and equip non-communications staff to share their expertise. This approach strengthens transparency\, trust\, and community engagement.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5a0d4b2ce346d880b20046d7bce926fd
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/5a0d4b2ce346d880b20046d7bce926fd
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:The Power of Purposeful Partnerships
DESCRIPTION:This session will highlight The Power of Purposeful Partnerships and how the Healthy Families Partnership (HFP) of Douglas County directly embodies the conference theme\, Stronger Together. Established in 2023 in response to community-identified needs\, HFP brings together 15 expert organizations—including all four county hospitals—to improve maternal and child health across the community. Guided by child fatality review data\, the Public Health Improvement Plan (PHIP)\, and continuous community feedback\, HFP builds strong connections across sectors to enhance access to essential services and resources that promote maternal and child health. The partnership was intentionally designed to break down traditional silos and create meaningful\, sustained collaboration among healthcare providers\, community organizations\, local agencies\, and families. HFP was developed through collaboration with 15 subject matter expert organizations\, including all four county hospitals\, local government\, schools\, libraries\, mental health providers\, and other family-focused agencies. The initiative distributes specially prepared “new family bags” containing a sleep sack\, safe sleep education\, developmental milestone information\, child passenger safety guidance\, perinatal mental health resources\, and materials from partner organizations. Community engagement involving individuals with lived experience is central to HFP’s model and continues to inform the evolution of services. Since its launch\, HFP has strengthened cross-sector relationships\, increased family engagement in planning\, aligned messaging across organizations\, and expanded coordinated access to services from birth onward. In its inaugural year\, HFP distributed bags to more than 4\,300 families who gave birth in Douglas County\, demonstrating tangible community impact. Participants will gain actionable strategies to launch and sustain community-centered partnerships rooted in shared purpose and responsive to community-identified needs\, strengthening maternal and child health outcomes. Request for 1-Hour Session: Requesting a 60-minute session ensures at least 15 minutes for participants to engage with presenters through discussion and questions\, supporting meaningful dialogue and practical application to their own community contexts.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:52818dea30a4abca7c5c9bb981313b6d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/52818dea30a4abca7c5c9bb981313b6d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:Using Family Voice to Strengthen Coordinated Public Health Approaches
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose Health systems continue to face challenges related to fragmented referrals\, disconnected services\, and limited opportunities for family partnership in systems planning. Boulder County Public Health leveraged its community alignment infrastructure through Family Connects and created the Family Voice Ambassador (FVA) model to strengthen collaboration across public health\, healthcare\, early childhood\, and community-based systems to better understand community strengths and barriers. Methods Through Family Voice Ambassador engagement\, cafecitos hosted by Family Voice Ambassadors\, collaborative planning discussions\, outreach activities\, and cross-sector partnership meetings\, caregivers with lived experience shared feedback on developmental referrals\, behavioral health navigation\, access to preventive care\, food and childcare resources\, and overall system coordination. We incorporated this feedback into our discussions on the Whole Person Care framework\, coordinated referral pathways\, outreach strategies\, and systems improvement efforts. Results Family Voice Ambassadors helped identify recurring barriers families experience when navigating multiple systems\, including confusion surrounding developmental referrals\, limited awareness of available resources\, language-access barriers\, and fragmented communication across services. The community alignment structure strengthened collaboration among partners and guided improvements in outreach\, culturally responsive engagement strategies\, and discussions around more coordinated approaches to supporting families. Examples include: * Whole Person Care Framework * Developmental referral process improvement * Improved navigation of resources * Reduction in appointment cancellations * Informs public policy project to improve access to food Why Requesting a 1-Hour Session: The additional 30 minutes will allow presenters to facilitate audience discussion and interactive reflection related to integrating family voice into public health and systems collaboration. Attendees can participate in a guided discussion activities using the Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership framework to explore how organizations can move beyond traditional outreach and incorporate community voice into systems improvement\, planning\, and partnership strategies. Participants will have opportunities to identify strengths\, barriers\, and actionable next steps relevant to their own communities and organizations.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:55f9be2e88923fbee670ad6c24d15f53
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/55f9be2e88923fbee670ad6c24d15f53
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:Answering the Call: 988 Colorado Data\, Trends\, and Insights
DESCRIPTION:The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line provides individuals experiencing emotional\, mental health\, or substance use concerns with 24/7 access to trained crisis specialists through call\, text\, and chat services. As Colorado continues to strengthen statewide behavioral health infrastructure\, understanding how communities utilize 988 Colorado services and how the system can support broader public health efforts is increasingly important. The Evaluation Center (TEC) at the University of Colorado Denver partners with the 988 Colorado team to provide evaluation and data analytic support related to service utilization and outcomes. This session will include three components. First\, representatives from 988 Colorado will provide an overview of the service model\, available supports\, and the role of 988 within Colorado’s behavioral health response system. Second\, TEC staff will present utilization data and evaluation findings\, including trends in call\, text\, and chat volume over time\; common reasons individuals contact 988\; and regional differences in service utilization across Colorado. Findings will highlight patterns relevant to public health and behavioral health professionals working in diverse communities throughout the state. The final portion of the session will focus on facilitated audience discussion and interactive engagement. Participants will be invited to reflect on how utilization patterns align with their professional experiences\, discuss perceptions and awareness of 988 within their communities\, and identify opportunities for collaboration across public health and behavioral health systems. The additional 30 minutes requested for this session will support meaningful dialogue\, peer learning\, and discussion of practical strategies for strengthening awareness\, access\, and coordination related to 988 services in Colorado. Participants will leave with increased awareness of 988 Colorado as a statewide behavioral health resource and with actionable ideas for supporting crisis response and prevention efforts within their own communities.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b55964ab28161c8133ea221418d51272
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b55964ab28161c8133ea221418d51272
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:Prevalence of Critical Congenital Heart Defects in CO Compared to the U.S.
DESCRIPTION:Background: Congenital heart defects (CHDs) are the most common birth defects\, affecting approximately 1% of births annually in the United States. Critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs)\, comprising approximately 25% of CHDs\, are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Elevated risk of CCHDs has been suggested among pregnancies occurring at moderately high altitude (4\,921–8\,202 feet). Colorado\, the highest elevation state in the US\, has an average elevation of 6\,800 feet. We sought to determine whether Colorado has a higher prevalence of CCHDs at birth compared with national estimates. Methods: Data from the statewide birth defects surveillance system\, Colorado Responds to Children with Special Healthcare Needs (CRCSN)\, were analyzed for the years 2016–2021 to identify CCHD cases using International Classification of Diseases\, Ninth and Tenth Revision (ICD-9 and ICD-10) diagnostic codes recommended by the National Birth Defects Prevention Network (NBDPN). National comparison data were obtained from population-based estimates derived from 13 U.S. surveillance programs for 2016–2020. Prevalence estimates of CCHDs\, overall and by defect category\, were calculated as cases per 100\,000 live births. Results: Case-level data were available for 381\,168 live births in Colorado between 2016 and 2021. A total of 1\,025 CCHD cases were identified\, corresponding to a prevalence of 26.9 per 100\,000 live births. Colorado has higher prevalence estimates for several CCHD subtypes compared with national estimates\, including coarctation of the aorta (10.4 vs. 5.8 per 100\,000)\, hypoplastic left heart syndrome (5.2 vs. 2.6 per 100\,000)\, interrupted aortic arch (4.0 vs. 1.0 per 100\,000)\, pulmonary valve atresia (2.8 vs. 1.5 per 100\,000)\, and single ventricle defects (2.5 vs. 0.7 per 100\,000). Implications: These findings raise concern that Colorado’s high-altitude environment may contribute to increased prevalence of selected CCHDs. We will discuss strategies to strengthen surveillance infrastructure to improve prevalence estimation and support early detection and prevention efforts.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a06e1c256d09ddd32d927d847f1cae40
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a06e1c256d09ddd32d927d847f1cae40
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:TRAC Dashboard: Maximizing Tobacco Data Availability to Inform Local Change
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: The tobacco retail environment is a critical touchpoint for reducing youth tobacco and nicotine use and eliminating disparities. In Colorado\, tobacco retailer licensing and compliance monitoring are managed by multiple agencies and published independently. The Tobacco Retail Access Colorado (TRAC) Dashboard integrates these disparate datasets into an interactive geospatial mapping application. TRAC empowers communities\, especially those disproportionately impacted by tobacco harms\, to visualize their local tobacco retail landscape and drive evidence-based change. Methods: TRAC was developed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Tobacco Program through a participatory process with end-users\, including Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs)\, policy experts\, and compliance inspectors. The dashboard integrates state tobacco licensing data with compliance checks from multiple agencies (federal\, state\, and local). Data are overlaid on a map with school locations\, youth-serving facilities\, and area-level sociodemographic indicators. The information can be viewed item-by-item or summarized at multiple geographic scales (municipal\, county\, multi-county collaborative region) to support everything from individual retailer education to jurisdiction-wide policy planning. Results: TRAC increases data accessibility and visibility statewide. It is actively used by LPHAs and community partners to monitor compliance\, uncover trends\, and communicate with stakeholders. To ensure equitable access for jurisdictions with limited geospatial capacity\, the tool is deployed alongside training and ongoing technical assistance. Implications: Consolidating disparate data at multiple scales enables a more complete understanding of retailer behavior and strengthens local capacity for targeted monitoring\, enforcement\, and advocacy. By increasing transparency\, public health professionals can implement actionable\, equity-focused tobacco control strategies to protect youth. Audience Engagement: To offer attendees a chance to experience the dashboard in action\, this session will feature a live demonstration of the dashboard followed by a hands-on data-gathering exercise. Attendees will navigate the dashboard to extract jurisdictional metrics and brainstorm evidence-informed policy recommendations.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e6bc18cd43974f16a065f25c0d545a22
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/e6bc18cd43974f16a065f25c0d545a22
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:Community Resilience and Public Health Lessons 5 years post-Marshall Fire
DESCRIPTION:The 2021 Marshall Fire destroyed over 1000 homes and damaged hundreds more in Boulder County. Approaching the five year anniversary of the state’s most destructive wildfire\, this session will share lessons from our community-engaged research and facilitate an audience discussion about how public health scientists\, practitioners\, and policy-makers can support community health post-disaster. The Marshall Fire Resilience Working Group engages scientists\, community\, and decision-makers to collect and share information about the Marshall Fire impacts and recovery process. The Working Group’s household survey collected information from residents at 6\, 12\, and 24 months post-fire\, covering topics including rebuilding/relocation\, insurance\, public policy participation\, and health symptoms. Working closely with a Community Advisory Board of affected residents\, our research team is expanding on survey findings through focus groups to further explore the experiences of groups that may have faced barriers to recovery\, including renters\, mobile home owners\, Spanish-language speakers\, and residents with smoke and ash damage. Drawing on these data sources\, we will share insights into the disasters’ impacts. During the first 30 minutes of the session\, we will provide background on the Marshall Fire and our community-engaged research results\, and share key findings relevant to public health research and practice. During the remaining 30 minutes\, we will engage the audience in small group discussions about implications for key sectors anticipating or responding to this type of wildland-urban interface (WUI) fire\, including researchers\, industrial hygienists\, insurers\, public health agencies\, and decision-makers\, among others. Discussion prompts may include: 1. How can researchers build relationships with key partners before a disaster occurs to facilitate authentically community-engaged post-disaster research? 2. What are local agencies currently doing/not doing to address the needs of key groups\, such as renters and non-English speakers? 3. How can key sectors\, like housing\, be integrated into disaster preparedness and response?
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7464f210fd18f5efa11a3700b5874612
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/7464f210fd18f5efa11a3700b5874612
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:Skip the Hit: Youth as Public Health Partners in Media Campaign Development
DESCRIPTION:Background: Youth nicotine use remains a public health concern and is closely connected with mental health. Public health campaigns are often adult-led and rely on deficit-based\, abstinence-focused messaging that may limit meaningful youth engagement and behavior change. In contrast\, Skip the Hit\, a youth-led\, co-designed media campaign\, applied the Social Justice Youth Development framework by partnering with young people as public health leaders. This approach centers youth voice and lived experience to shape messaging that more authentically reaches youth\, supports incremental behavior change\, and promotes mental health. Methods: Fourteen young people participated in a three-phase leadership and media development initiative over 30 weeks in partnership with Jefferson County Public Health. Phase One built knowledge of nicotine use\, mental health\, media literacy\, and critical analysis of industry influences and systemic factors. Phase Two involved collaboration with a creative agency to co-design campaign branding and messaging. Phase Three centered on youth-led production of social media content and participatory decision-making about campaign budget and implementation. Throughout\, youth were compensated\, and adults engaged in ongoing coaching and reflective practice. Results: This project produced a media campaign made by and for young people\, offering supportive\, honest\, and non-judgmental messaging to promote healthy decision-making. It also influenced shifts in adult attitudes and beliefs about youth\, including the adoption of equitable\, anti-adultist practices. Evaluations to date indicate increased levels of trust\, balance of power\, psychological empowerment\, and mutual learning between youth and adults. Implications: Social justice–driven\, youth co-designed approaches strengthen public health education while building leadership capacity. One hour allows for presenting on planning/facilitation of meetings with youth\, campaign co-creation/implementation\, analytics\, and lessons learned. Attendees will discuss/compare current youth engagement approaches to a Social Justice Youth Development model and will identify organizational constraints to power-sharing and actionable changes to support equitable youth engagement.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:09cdd066767948025d3b02f20f1b8ce4
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/09cdd066767948025d3b02f20f1b8ce4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:More Than Words: Advancing Language Justice in Public Health Systems
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Language Justice is the principle that all people have the right to communicate\, understand\, and be understood in their preferred language and that all languages should be valued equally. Within public health and environmental settings\, effective language services are essential to equitable community engagement and meaningful participation in decision-making processes. At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment\, particularly within the Office of Environmental Justice\, staff have identified a growing need for culturally competent translation and interpretation practices that build trust and improve accessibility while navigating operational and funding constraints. Methods: This session will present practices and lessons learned from implementing language access strategies within public health and environmental justice work. Presenters will discuss approaches used to improve translation consistency and quality\, including shared glossaries\, coordination with external vendors\, and review processes that prioritize cultural and contextual appropriateness. The session will also examine interpretation practices such as advanced interpreter preparation\, sharing technical materials before meetings\, and supporting interpreters with subject matter context. Presenters will additionally discuss emerging technologies\, including AI-assisted translation tools\, and their appropriate role within language justice efforts. Results: These practices have improved consistency across multilingual communications\, strengthened interpreter preparedness\, and supported more meaningful community participation in public health and environmental discussions. Presenters have also identified persistent implementation barriers\, including limited funding\, staffing capacity\, and organizational misconceptions that language access can be fully replaced by automated tools. Implications: Participants will leave with practical strategies for strengthening language services within their own organizations while critically assessing the opportunities and limitations of AI and other technologies in language access work. The additional 30 minutes requested for this session will allow for facilitated audience discussion\, small-group reflection activities\, and peer-to-peer sharing on implementation challenges and best practices in support of the conference theme\, “Stronger Together.”
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ad665a1d5f51c3bcc931e625a80a883b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/ad665a1d5f51c3bcc931e625a80a883b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:Participatory Mapping as a Tool for Strengthening Food Systems Evaluation
DESCRIPTION:The Healthy Food for Denver’s Kids initiative (HFDK)\, established through a 2018 ballot measure\, expands access to healthy food and food-based education for children and families. HFDK funds nonprofit organizations\, local government entities\, and public schools working across Denver’s food system. CAI serves as the external evaluator\, developing shared process and outcome measures\, tools\, and resources to describe impact and promote sustainability. CAI developed interactive geospatial maps and multi-level analyses to visualize where and how grantees delivered services across Denver. Using grantee reporting data on service delivery site locations\, neighborhood-level indicators\, and ArcGIS\, CAI created customized maps to examine service reach for youth and families\, potential gaps\, and areas of overlap. CAI facilitated an interactive grantee convening where grantees reviewed maps\, discussed patterns\, and contributed community knowledge to contextualize the findings. This participatory process generated insights that would not have emerged from CAI analyzing the maps alone. For example\, grantees noted that two apparently underserved neighborhoods included a large golf course and cemetery\, helping explain the absence of service sites and refine how potential gaps were interpreted. Grantees also recommended additional layers\, including transit lines and food pantry locations\, to help determine whether apparent gaps reflect limited access\, transportation barriers\, or existing resources not captured in the maps. Lastly\, grantees identified opportunities to explore partnerships with school districts beyond Denver Public Schools in border neighborhoods where families may otherwise fall through the gaps. This session will highlight how participatory data interpretation can support community health planning and policy development by helping to identify service gaps\, strengthen partnerships\, and translate data into actionable recommendations. Attendees will review the facilitation structure and mapping activities used with grantees\, then participate in a small-group exercise replicating the grantee experience. A one-hour session is requested to allow sufficient time for both presentation and interactive application.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3a7b68367b758c8eaba0a99eb1a269d0
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/3a7b68367b758c8eaba0a99eb1a269d0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T194500Z
DTEND:20260922T204500Z
SUMMARY:Reclaiming Purpose: A Reflective Ritual for Public Health Leaders
DESCRIPTION:Public health professionals are navigating increasing levels of burnout\, compassion fatigue\, workforce strain\, and disconnection from the deeper purpose that brought them into this work. This interactive wellness and professional development session is designed to create intentional space for reflection\, restoration\, and reconnection through guided journaling\, facilitated mindfulness practices\, and peer connection. Participants will engage in a series of reflective prompts exploring identity\, values\, resilience\, leadership\, boundaries\, hope\, and purpose within both their personal and professional lives. Through trauma-informed facilitation and narrative reflection\, attendees will be invited to reconnect with the motivations and commitments that sustain their work in public health and community care. The second half of the session will focus on structured networking and community-building through paired and small-group dialogue. Participants will have the opportunity to share insights\, experiences\, and commitments in a supportive environment that fosters authentic connection and collective encouragement. This session is designed not only as a moment of personal renewal\, but as a practical professional development experience that strengthens reflective leadership\, emotional sustainability\, relationship-building\, and workforce resilience. Attendees will leave with actionable reflective practices\, deeper peer connections\, and renewed clarity around the impact and purpose of their work.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7b42c06e811bd885c515b1b5c50070d5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/7b42c06e811bd885c515b1b5c50070d5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Addressing the Unmet Need of People with IDD From The Colorado DD Council
DESCRIPTION:The Colorado Community Survey Data Results Report offers a comprehensive\, statewide snapshot of the lived experiences\, challenges\, and priorities of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Across 503 responses\, 288 of which were validated\, participants shared a resounding call for systems that are accessible\, person-centered\, and inclusive across every stage of life. The findings reveal both progress in areas like respect\, engagement\, and access to medical care\, and continued disparities in communication\, behavioral health\, housing\, and employment.\n Respondents consistently reported difficulty navigating fragmented systems\, especially during major transitions such as aging out of school or the loss of family caregivers. Families emphasized the importance of succession planning\, clear benefits guidance\, and conflict-free case management to sustain quality of life and autonomy over time.\n \n \n Employment data showed both potential and inequity\, 57% have work experience\, but only 15% feel confident in finding jobs without rejection. Families cited inconsistent job coaching and employer bias as major barriers. In education\, only 28% of respondents were currently enrolled\, revealing significant gaps in accommodation\, communication\, and accountability within schools.\n Most respondents live with family (57%)\, reflecting limited access to affordable\, accessible\, and independent housing options. Transportation challenges\, especially in rural areas\, compound these barriers\, with 78% depending on family or informal supports and only 22% using public transit. Accessibility and safety issues were widespread.\n \n Thematic and content analyses from focus groups reinforced survey findings: participants value belonging\, meaningful work\, and community engagement\, while expressing deep concern about system fragility\, workforce shortages\, and aging caregiver crises. Families urged for a shift from reactive systems to proactive\, disability-informed solutions that honor lived experience.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0b8b993f59d202533a0f12d6d0acb170
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/0b8b993f59d202533a0f12d6d0acb170
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Building Community Health Capacity Through Long Term Engagement Partnership
DESCRIPTION:Background: Health equity requires sustained\, meaningful partnerships with communities most affected by health disparities. This presentation will outline how the Colorado Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute’s Community Engagement Core (CCTSI CE) has built a pipeline of programming\, training\, coaching\, and leadership grounded in long-term community partnerships. We will show how opportunities are co-developed and integrated across all areas of programming\, ensuring relevance to diverse populations statewide and advancing public health at the local and state level. Methods: The CCTSI CE programmatic pipeline was created in 2008 and quickly built a foundation for fostering and strengthening long-term community-academic partnerships. This includes training that connects public health practitioners and researchers with underrepresented communities in Colorado\, a pilot grants program to support relationship-building between practitioners and communities\, and follow-up funding for collaborative projects. Governed by Community Research Liaisons and a Council that includes community members\, academic partners\, and a Public Health Institute\, to ensure community priorities guide the work. We will highlight meaningful metrics that reflect how sustained engagement and training opportunities increase trust in community-academic partnerships and encourage practitioners to prioritize engagement in their work long term. Results: Our pipeline has strengthened relationships between practitioners and underrepresented communities while expanding leadership opportunities for community members. Many continue to deepen their involvement\, becoming pilot grant reviewers\, committee members\, trainers\, or Council members\, completing the full cycle of engagement. We will highlight success stories\, best practices\, and the impact of long-term partnerships on health equity goals\, including our natural shift toward community-centered approaches that embed equity across all program areas. Implications: Linking training\, funding\, and leadership opportunities through sustained community relationships been essential for or equitable public health practice. This model offers practical\, replicable strategies for public health professionals and organizations seeking to deepen community engagement\, strengthen partnerships\, and advance health equity in Colorado.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a34fe19e110c690bdc90d408c2ffff6d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a34fe19e110c690bdc90d408c2ffff6d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Generating Shared Insights from HealthSpace with Power BI Reporting
DESCRIPTION:This project describes the development of a standardized and semi-automated Environmental Health (EH) performance dashboard (Power BI) designed to improve reporting consistency\, support program evaluation\, maintain accountability and strengthen data-informed decision-making across EH programs. The dashboard supports public health professionals by reducing manual reporting burden\, improving operational transparency\, and enabling more consistent workload assessment across teams. The project also aligns with the conference theme\, “Stronger Together\,” by fostering cross-team collaboration and a shared framework for standardized reporting\, data visualization\, and better utilization of Environmental Health data across programs. Background/Purpose: At El Paso County Public Health\, the built-in reporting features in HealthSpace\, an EH data management system\, lacked standardized metrics. Thus\, inspection data across Retail Food\, Child Care\, Water Recreation\, Waste Tire\, and Body Art programs remained inconsistently reported. This resulted in limited visibility into workload distribution\, staff activity\, and operational equity across programs. Methods: An internal EH performance dashboard was developed using a SharePoint–Power BI pipeline to standardize key metrics and automate reporting workflows. HealthSpace data exports were integrated into a structured data model with consistent metric definitions applied across programs. Supporting tools\, including a metric dictionary and dashboard guide\, were developed to enhance usability and interpretation. Key metrics included standardized indicators related to inspection activity\, workload distribution\, operational performance\, and geographic patterns across programs. Results: Implementation of the dashboard improved consistency and transparency in performance reporting\, enabling managers to better assess workload distribution. The dashboard was embedded within SharePoint\, improving centralized visibility for all EH staff while reducing reliance on manual reporting and review processes. Implications: This project demonstrates how EH programs can use standardized metrics\, automated reporting workflows\, and dashboard visualization techniques to improve performance management. Attendees will gain practical strategies for structuring EH data into usable dashboards that support operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a386f7a0ae9d6507f4b5d851ed8d0d8f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a386f7a0ae9d6507f4b5d851ed8d0d8f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Improving CO Birth Outcomes: Physiologic Labor and Trauma-Informed Training
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: The state of Colorado continues to see variation in cesarean birth rates by facility and persistent disparities in maternal outcomes\, highlighting the need for consistent\, evidence-based labor support. Trauma-informed care and physiologic birth practices are proven strategies\, but they are not reliably integrated into everyday care. The CPCQC Labor Support Workshop was developed to address this gap by building skills\, providing state context\, and supporting a shared approach to patient-centered labor support across disciplines. This session will highlight how the workshop is being implemented by our SOAR program across Colorado and its role in improving outcomes and advancing equity. Methods: The workshop brings together nurses\, providers\, midwives\, and doulas for interactive training that combines didactic content with hands-on practice\, such as patient positioning and comfort measures. Participants learn practical techniques to support physiologic labor and apply trauma-informed communication. Ongoing evaluation includes participant feedback\, self-assessed confidence and skill use\, and tracking of primary cesarean rates. Feedback from participants and sites also helps identify barriers and opportunities for implementation. Results: Participants report increased confidence in providing hands-on labor support and incorporating trauma-informed approaches into care. Hospitals have noted improved communication across teams and more consistent labor support practices at the bedside. Early trends suggest progress toward reducing variation in care and supporting lower cesarean rates\, with continued evaluation underway. Implications: This work demonstrates how a practical\, skills-based training can support systems-level change in maternity care. Public health professionals can use similar approaches to scale evidence-based practices\, strengthen the workforce\, and advance equitable\, respectful care. Participants will leave with concrete ideas to implement and sustain trauma-informed labor support in their own settings.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4b65c5c4e4ca0b79aed934f02eb9f477
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/4b65c5c4e4ca0b79aed934f02eb9f477
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Strengthening Public Health Measurement through Factor Analytic Methods
DESCRIPTION:Stigma surrounding substance use remains a major barrier for people seeking overdose prevention services\, treatment\, and recovery support. First responders interact daily with individuals who use drugs and play a critical role in overdose response\, care\, and support. As overdose prevention increasingly relies on cross-sector collaboration\, reliable assessment tools are needed to measure knowledge\, perceptions\, attitudes\, and experiences related to substance use and overdose prevention. High-quality assessment data help identify gaps\, guide evidence-based interventions\, and strengthen collaboration across public health partners. However\, many assessment tools have not been adequately validated for specialized workforce populations such as first responders. This session shares the use of factor analysis\, a statistical method used to identify underlying patterns or groupings among related variables\, to assess perceptions related to substance use stigma among Denver first responders and to strengthen assessment design and interpretation in public health work. Methods: factor analysis was used to identify underlying dimensions within survey responses (n=120) and examine how perception items clustered into meaningful constructs. Results: five constructs were generated from the instrument through identification of coherent stigma-related perception domains\, reduced redundant items\, and improved interpretability. Implications: factor analysis provided advantages for public health evaluation practice. It supports construct validity and internal reliability. It improves interpretability of complex survey results\, thus strengthening the practical use of findings for program planning and implementation. Also\, grouping related survey items into meaningful domains facilitates communication to stakeholders and decision-makers. This session highlights the importance of using validated instruments in public health assessment and demonstrates how factor analytic methods can improve assessment quality\, strengthen measurement practices\, and support data-informed approaches to overdose prevention related public health initiatives. Moreover\, this session emphasizes how rigorous assessment approaches can enhance cross-sector partnerships and provide the evidence needed to jointly develop\, implement\, and sustain public health workplans.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c5f589c0697962473cc8665921ff8f07
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/c5f589c0697962473cc8665921ff8f07
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Reconnecting with CDPHE's Open Data website: Maps\, Local Data and More!
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Searching for data to support improving our public health planning has never been easier. Navigating through\, summarizing\, visualizing and making sense of the data remains difficult. To make your job easier and to promote community engagement with data\, CDPHE’s team of mapping experts are promoting the use of our Open Data website. What is Open Data? A free and easily accessible website where you can search for\, compare\, download data and create your own maps and data visualizations using over 150 updated geographically-enabled datasets directly related to Colorado’s public health\, environmental quality\, emergency preparedness\, socio-demographic\, economic\, and housing concerns. Methods/Results: Examining data with a geographic lens allows us to understand variations and patterns among data\, and to explore the contributing factors that may be influencing these shifting patterns. The CDPHE Open Data website was developed to support mapping and visualization\, data management\, analytics\, decision support\, sharing and collaboration. The website provides access to recently updated health outcome and risk behavior datasets including risk behaviors (e.g. mental distress\, obesity\, physical activity\, smoking)\, key health equity indicators (e.g. diabetes\, low birth weight\, opioid poisoning\, health professional shortage areas)\, and established socio-demographic and economic factors (e.g. employment\, housing costs\, income\, educational attainment). In addition\, address-level locational data on community level resource providers are also published including health facilities\, community behavioral health centers\, disability-resource providers\, licensed childcare providers\, schools\, and substance-abuse treatment programs. Implications: Attendees of this presentation will receive a thorough tour of the CDPHE Open Data website and its tools\, enabling them to create their own data visualizations and provide feedback as to how it could be applied in their work. Instructors will also lead the audience through a case study in how the tools provided through the Open Data website can be applied to create community-level data visualizations.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:28f1387bddf5158ba4c6b832bdeba2ff
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/28f1387bddf5158ba4c6b832bdeba2ff
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Nothing About Us Without Us: Why Youth Voices Matter in Tobacco Education
DESCRIPTION:How local government engages with young people is crucial in shaping the future development of a community. Adult-centrism refers to the bias that our society places on the views of adults in comparison to that of young people. Beyond the physicality of educational spaces\, youth are often viewed as only passive recipients of services within these spaces\, rather than as active participants who can provide valuable contributions. As a result\, this leaves few to no opportunities for youth to represent their own interests\, while also distinguishing adult concerns from youth\, creating a hierarchy between the two rather than a collective concern. The Nicotine Awareness and Tobacco Prevention team at the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment centers youth as partners by equipping them with the knowledge\, skills\, and confidence to raise awareness about the harms of nicotine and tobacco use. Through youth programming and broader community feedback\, as well as a recognized gap in accessible educational platforms for community partners\, staff developed an adaptable curriculum called Breathe Easy\, a pilot initiative grounded in continuous improvement and community feedback. The curriculum includes interactive\, age-specific modules for elementary\, middle\, and high school students\, covering nicotine products\, health and environmental impacts\, industry marketing tactics\, refusal skills\, and cessation resources. It is designed as both a train-the-trainer model and a self-guided resource\, allowing educators\, community members\, and youth to facilitate learning within their own communities. Youth Engagement Specialists (YESs)\, embedded as paid staff\, lead youth coalitions and play a central role in co-developing\, refining\, and delivering the curriculum. In practice\, youth coalition members have implemented Breathe Easy in their local communities\, demonstrating increased civic leadership and advocacy for healthier environments. By integrating youth voice into program design and delivery\, local public health efforts can foster more responsive\, sustainable\, and community-driven approaches to prevention.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5753e4d425fd541637a6cfe177bf61f5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/5753e4d425fd541637a6cfe177bf61f5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Colorado County Profiles: Local Data for Community Health Planning
DESCRIPTION:Colorado’s rural communities often face unique health care challenges\, including provider shortages\, longer travel distances for care\, and limited access to timely\, locally relevant data to support community health assessment and planning. Yet county-level health care data are frequently fragmented across multiple systems\, making them difficult to access and interpret. To address this gap\, the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) developed the Colorado County Profiles\, a publicly available resource that draws on data from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) to compile health care enrollment\, access\, utilization\, and cost indicators for all 64 Colorado counties. This session will present the development\, structure\, and early implementation of the Colorado County Profiles\, including the integration of ongoing health care enrollment data with population\, spending\, and utilization measures. Particular emphasis will be placed on how county-level Medicaid and commercial enrollment data can help rural communities monitor coverage trends\, identify emerging needs\, and inform local planning efforts. Presenters will highlight rural and regional variation in health care costs\, utilization\, and enrollment\, demonstrating how the profiles translate complex data into concise\, community-focused reports. The session will also explore how longitudinal enrollment tracking can help counties assess the effects of federal and state policy changes\, including expected shifts in Medicaid and commercial coverage related to HR 1 and ongoing affordability challenges. Early engagement demonstrates growing interest among local public health agencies and community organizations seeking practical tools to support Community Health Assessments and planning activities. Rural counties\, which often have limited capacity for independent data analysis\, may benefit in particular from accessible\, regularly updated county-level information. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for using county-level enrollment and population data to support rural health assessment\, collaborative planning\, and data-informed public health action.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f74594c079873ebd229d93e9863ff626
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/f74594c079873ebd229d93e9863ff626
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Healthy Kids\, Stronger Futures: Transforming Substance Use Prevention
DESCRIPTION:Youth substance use remains a critical public health concern\, with prior Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) data (2017–2019) in Denver Public Schools (DPS) indicating concerning trends and a clear need for targeted intervention. In response\, DPS established an intentional partnership with the Colorado School of Public Health to strengthen the collection\, analysis\, and application of student health data. This collaboration was designed to ensure that prevention strategies were grounded in reliable data and aligned with identified student needs\, advancing a shared goal of improving youth health outcomes. Through this partnership\, HKCS data were collected from middle and high school students and analyzed across multiple years\, comparing baseline data from 2017–2019 with more recent data from 2023–2025. Analyses focused on identifying changes in substance use prevalence and patterns over time\, as well as examining how data-informed strategies were implemented in response to earlier findings. These strategies included enhanced prevention education\, early intervention efforts\, and coordinated supports across school communities. Results indicate a measurable decrease in reported student substance use in the 2023–2025 data compared to earlier years\, suggesting positive impacts of targeted\, data-driven interventions. These findings highlight the effectiveness of aligning public health and education efforts through intentional collaboration. This session is highly relevant to public health professionals as it demonstrates how cross-sector partnerships can generate actionable data to inform programming and evaluate outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical approaches for analyzing state public health survey data to guide decision-making\, implement effective prevention strategies\, and measure impact.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b49a34b7b11cbaac4a26aafc475ab656
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b49a34b7b11cbaac4a26aafc475ab656
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T210000Z
DTEND:20260922T213000Z
SUMMARY:Strengthening Local Data Capacity: Shared Tools & Technical Assistance
DESCRIPTION:Across 2024-2025\, the Colorado Association of Local Public Health Officials (CALPHO)\, in partnership with the Colorado Health Institute (CHI)\, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE)\, and local public health agencies (LPHAs)\, conducted a statewide data assessment to better understand local public health data capacity. Using a mixed-methods approach that included journey mapping workshops and key informant interviews\, the assessment identified key barriers\, strengths\, and actionable opportunities to improve Colorado’s local public health data ecosystem. Findings from the assessment highlighted a strong need for accessible resources and direct technical assistance designed to meet agencies where they are and support immediate application within local contexts. In direct response to barriers and opportunities identified through the assessment\, CALPHO has developed a range of practical capacity-building support resources and launched a data assistance program to help agencies use data more effectively. This session will highlight applied tools\, customizable support services\, and real-world examples of how local public health agencies are using these supports in practice. Topics will include CALPHO’s Data Modernization Toolkit & Framework\, direct technical assistance\, and collaborative peer learning opportunities designed to support shared learning and approaches that can be adapted across agencies of varying size and capacity. Through local public health use cases\, attendees will leave with a clear understanding of what shared resources currently exist\, how they can be used within their own agencies\, and how to engage in ongoing statewide data modernization efforts moving forward.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0abb07730930f49dcc88abfd17666294
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/0abb07730930f49dcc88abfd17666294
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Collaboration That WORKS: A New Health Systems & Public Health Partnership
DESCRIPTION:Background: In December of 2024\, Denver Metro non-profit hospitals met with local public health partners to form a unique collaborative addressing the following needs: Lack of awareness about Community Health Needs Assessment processes\, gaps in communication between Public Health and Health Systems\, and duplicative programming and assessment efforts. Methods: Meeting monthly\, this group became an innovative space for public health and hospital partners across the Denver Metro. The group created 3 goals: * Develop a shared awareness of the initiatives and programming being done * Share timelines for Community Health Needs Assessment processes * Use shared data and community input to identify areas where collaboration will strengthen existing efforts\, and reduce duplication Group members: * Hospital Partners: AdventHealth\, Children’s Hospital\, CommonSpirit\, Craig Rehabilitation Hospital\, Denver Health\, Intermountain Health\, UCHealth\, Kaiser Permanente * Local Public Health Partners: Adams County Health Department\, Arapahoe Public Health\, Boulder Public Health\, Broomfield Public Health and Environment\, Denver Department of Public Health and Environment\, Jefferson County Public Health Results: Beyond meeting initial goals\, the group produced a deliverable in the first year: a shared statement on gun violence with emphasis on injury prevention and safe storage. This statement received 100% sign-on and was disseminated on National Injury Prevention Day (11.18.2025) along with a social media campaign. The group invited guest presenters from CHAS\, CDPHE\, and other agencies to speak to the group about shared health priorities over the year. In 2026\, the group will focus on social connection\, using recommendations from the US Surgeon General’s advisory. Implications: The siloed nature of public health and health systems can be overcome with a willingness to be creative\, show up\, and acknowledge our shared goal: improving health in Colorado. This partnership has resulted in group members connecting offline\, sharing information\, and building better strategies due to the shared understanding of each other’s work.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0c8ac5a590295ae7a6a0d9371cd650e2
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/0c8ac5a590295ae7a6a0d9371cd650e2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Design Your Own Flourishing Fest: A Practical Framework
DESCRIPTION:As first year medical students interested in medical student well-being\, we initiated a literature review on well-being initiatives by medical training institutions. Our review revealed that while wellness interventions such as mindfulness\, reflection\, and compassion-based curricula have been well received and shown variable benefits in reducing stress and burnout\, their effectiveness is limited when programs are isolated from curriculum or fail to address structural stressors. Outcome measures remain inconsistent and students from underrepresented backgrounds face additional burdens that are largely unacknowledged\, with few interventions using culturally responsive approaches or disaggregating outcomes by identity. Motivated by these findings\, we created and implemented an event called “Flourishing Fest\,” a novel initiative grounded in the KNN Framework for Flourishing. Flourishing Fest took place over two-weeks and was designed to mitigate identified barriers to flourishing. The student-led\, self-guided activities were chosen to promote connection\, physical activity\, playfulness\, presence\, and renewal. Students participated via bingo format that encouraged exploration and personal choice in selecting activities aligned with individual needs and preferences. Using an anonymous post-event survey with validated Likert-scale questions\, we assessed multiple dimensions of flourishing. Survey results and qualitative feedback demonstrated students’ appreciation for the impact on connection\, physical activity\, mindfulness\, and its contribution to an institutional culture that supports flourishing. We have adapted the Flourishing Fest bingo card for subsequent events as well as for a KNN Student Conference. For PHiR\, we have created a collaborative design activity. Small groups would identify barriers to flourishing within their own organizations and design their own Flourishing Fest bingo card tailored to their organizational context including implementation planning. Bingo cards would be displayed and there would be a gallery walk for participants provide feedback to each other. Facilitators will highlight common themes\, celebrate innovative approaches\, and reinforce the framework of inclusive inquiry\, implementation\, evaluation\, and iteration.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8cee9c41ef9ebebffd8d6ae72e5b05e2
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/8cee9c41ef9ebebffd8d6ae72e5b05e2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Policy and Communication Reponses to Changes in Immunization Policy
DESCRIPTION:Background: Several different factors influence public health policy\, only one of which is scientific evidence. The current situation regarding the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) is a fascinating saga fueled by things like mistruths\, misinformation\, and disinformation while receiving support from cultural cognition\, where individuals accept facts and perceived risks and benefits in relation to their personal beliefs and values. With this in mind\, the sitting ACIP members were dismissed by the new HHS Secretary in 2025 and replaced by members who all shared ideological commonalities regarding vaccines and COVID with the secretary. Since then\, the Committee has undone many longstanding evidence-based recommendations made by prior Committee members. Methods: The Colorado General Assembly passed pre-emptive policies to provide a basis for Colorado to respond to changes anticipated under the new HHS secretary. With the leadership and policy recommendations released by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other national professional organizations\, Colorado responded with public health orders\, standing orders\, and emergency rule-making hearings to assure vaccine access. Legislation passed in the 2026 session further strengthened state immunization policy. Most recently\, all actions by the HHS secretary in relation to the ACIP changes have been stayed\, the HHS Secretary has appealed and announced other changes to ACIP recommendations. The Board of Health has passed supportive rules for school entry vaccines. Results: All Colorado children have access to the vaccine schedule that was enacted in February 2025\, before the actions of the current HHS Secretary. All Other Public Health Fields actions are being considered to protect coverage for Medicaid-covered children. Implications: Colorado health and public health providers must collaborate on communication strategies to continue support and uptake of evidence-based vaccine recommendations for both children and adults\, to support the public health of our residents.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5d20e91642e5e42da3fcc5feb6f46063
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/5d20e91642e5e42da3fcc5feb6f46063
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Men’s Mental Health: Education and Policy to Address a Public Health Crisis
DESCRIPTION:Men’s mental health is a growing public health concern marked by rising rates of suicide\, substance use\, and what are often described as “deaths of despair.” Despite these trends\, men remain significantly less likely to seek help or engage in traditional health services. Compounding this challenge is the lack of coordinated public health infrastructure: there is currently no federal Office of Men’s Health\, and only a small number of states have established dedicated offices addressing men’s health needs. This absence reinforces a broader gap in prevention\, outreach\, and intervention efforts for men. This presentation draws on the development and implementation of MSU Denver’s Men’s Health academic program—the first of its kind in the region—including courses such as Men’s Health\, Men Across Cultures\, Fathers and Health\, Anger in Men\, and Aging Warriors. Evidence from these programs suggests that when men are effectively engaged\, benefits extend beyond individuals to positively impact women\, children\, families\, and broader community health outcomes. The session explores the often hidden landscape of men’s mental health\, including patterns of disengagement\, identity struggle\, and coping strategies such as excessive gaming\, pornography use\, and substance reliance. These behaviors are examined as adaptive responses to unresolved internal challenges and sociocultural pressures rather than simply pathologies. Participants will engage with a framework that situates men’s mental health within broader contexts of masculinity\, cultural expectations\, race\, aging\, and developmental transitions. The presentation argues for expanding male-centered programming and explores the potential role of state Offices of Men’s Health as structural interventions to improve population-level outcomes. Attendees will leave with practical insights for designing initiatives that effectively reach and resonate with diverse populations of men.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cffc529aa1ddf9fea485673bbeb1492b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/cffc529aa1ddf9fea485673bbeb1492b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Identifying Gaps in Measles Immunity Using a Clinical Decision Support Tool
DESCRIPTION:Background: Measles outbreaks among unvaccinated communities are becoming increasingly common. Two outbreaks have been reported in Colorado within the last year\, including an ongoing outbreak in Broomfield County. In response\, Denver Health has implemented a clinical decision support tool\, an Epic OurPractice Advisory (OPA)\, to identify gaps in measles immunity among adult patients. Methods: Between May and October 2025\, approximately 62\,444 adults visited Denver Health outpatient clinics. The OPA flags patients with no record of either a measles antibody results or prior measles vaccination. Patients are excluded from further testing if a provider accepts a verbal report of prior vaccination or infection. Providers then order a measles antibody titer and administer vaccination if the titer is low or undetectable. A descriptive analysis was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of the OPA in identifying patients in need of follow-up. Results: The OPA flagged 28\,383 unique patients lacking documented measles immunity. Of these\, 24\,145 (85%) were eligible for serologic testing after clinical assessment\, but only 5\,447 (22.6%) of those eligible had titers ordered. Of those with orders\, 3\,540 patients (65%) completed testing. Among those with orders\, there were 1\,097 (31%) without evidence of immunity. Of those with no evidence of immunity\, a total of 348 (32%) patients returned for follow-up after testing\, and 160 (46%) received the MMR vaccination. Implications: The OPA effectively identified patients lacking protective measles antibodies\, with approximately 45% of the patient population lacking documentation. This clinical decision support tool proves valuable in prompting conversations about measles immunity and strengthening surveillance within a safety-net hospital setting. While the tool demonstrated strong identification capabilities\, subsequent follow-up and vaccination rates were low. These findings show that a screening tool is an important first step\, but future studies are needed to find best practices to bridge the gap between screening and care.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:abf1a9aa2856ca6876df29211fb70ac1
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/abf1a9aa2856ca6876df29211fb70ac1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:PM Exposure at School Athletic Fields and Childcare Centers in Utah
DESCRIPTION:Poor air quality poses risks to children and young adults\, with student athletes being particularly vulnerable due to their elevated breathing rates during physical activity. To better characterize youth exposures\, we deployed a network of low-cost sensors that measure outdoor PM2.5 and PM10 at 35 high school athletic fields across Utah\, and that measure indoor PM2.5 and CO2 at 15 early childhood education centers. During approximately one year of measurements (April 2024–May 2025)\, fifteen high schools recorded a total of 28 days exceeding the PM2.5 24-hour AQI threshold for Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (35.5 µg/m³) and 2 days exceeding the Unhealthy threshold (55.5 µg/m³). Meanwhile\, 21 schools recorded 46\, 11\, 4\, and 6 exceedance days for PM10 at the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (155 µg/m³)\, Unhealthy (255 µg/m³)\, Very Unhealthy (355 µg/m³)\, and Hazardous (425 µg/m³) thresholds\, respectively. Indoors\, mean PM2.5 concentrations were low across early childhood education centers (1.32±1.18 µg/m3)\, yet eight childcare centers experienced a total of 50 days exceeding the WHO 24-hour PM2.5 concentration guideline (15 µg/m3). Additionally\, our team has collaborated with the State Board of Education\, the State Department of Public Health\, athletic trainer/medical associations\, and school nurses to develop uniform air quality guidelines for outdoor activities. These guidelines have led to state legislation that is currently under consideration. These results support the need for localized\, actionable air quality information in school environments.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:69843e363f1f604736122b4dea0c47aa
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/69843e363f1f604736122b4dea0c47aa
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Building Community Resilience: A Feasibility Study of Low-Cost Air Cleaners
DESCRIPTION:The Mountain West Hub (MWH)\, a partnership between the Colorado School of Public Health and community members in West Denver (WD) and the San Luis Valley (SLV)\, is conducting an implementation study on DIY indoor air cleaners. Both communities have expressed concerns about poor air quality\, and DIY air cleaners offer an economical and effective solution for improving indoor air quality. The study has three objectives: (1) evaluating adoption\, use\, and maintenance of air cleaners\; (2) assessing indoor particulate matter (PM) exposure associated with ambient PM\; and (3) evaluating the impact of DIY air cleaner usage on physical and mental health outcomes. A feasibility study was carried out in early 2026 to identify potential challenges and gather feedback from participants and community navigators prior to launching the full study. Fourteen households participated in the feasibility study: 7 from WD and 7 from the SLV. Participation included receiving a DIY air cleaner\, completing three home visits with a community navigator\, and completing an online midpoint survey. Data collected during home visits and surveys included self-reported mental and physical health indicators\, household characteristics\, air cleaner feedback\, and biometric outcomes. Focus groups were held with participants and community navigators following study close to gather additional feedback and inform full study planning. Feasibility study findings highlighted several logistical challenges\, including scheduling difficulties and time burden for participants and community navigators\, a need for stronger communication channels\, and technical issues with data collection tools. These lessons have directly informed full study procedures. Findings from the feasibility study underscore the value of early community engagement in refining study procedures and strengthening study design. This community-centered approach has the potential to improve health disparities on a local scale and serve as a model for similar efforts to combat environmental health challenges in the Mountain West and beyond.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:20ad35434e5ff0f59a474273e00b88ef
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/20ad35434e5ff0f59a474273e00b88ef
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Delivery: Improving Postpartum Care in Medicaid Through Partnership
DESCRIPTION:Improving postpartum care utilization among Medicaid members remains a persistent public health challenge. While roughly 70% of Coloradans access care within a year of delivery\, only 66% of Medicaid-covered individuals do\, and rates have dropped in recent years. To address gaps in postpartum visit completion and connect members to supportive services\, Colorado Access and Family Connects partnered in Arapahoe County and Denver County to leverage Colorado Access member incentives to encourage participation in nurse-led postpartum home visits and completion of 6-week postpartum care. This project examines whether incentives\, combined with trusted community-based care\, increase engagement in home visitation and timely postpartum care. \n \n Beginning in March 2026\, Colorado Access collaborated with Family Connects programs housed at Denver Health and Arapahoe County Public Health\, both of which provide evidence-based nurse home visits 3–12 weeks after birth. Eligible members received gift card incentives for completing a home visit and for attending their 6-week postpartum visit. The evaluation will compare postpartum visit completion rates between participants and non-participants. Implementation processes\, including workflows across varying electronic health record systems and incentive distribution models\, will be assessed to identify operational strengths and challenges. \n \n Preliminary findings indicate variability in implementation across sites due to differences in systems and workflows. Early data suggest increased interest in postpartum care engagement among participants receiving incentives. More outcome analysis will be available at the time of presentation. \n \n This partnership highlights the importance of collaboration across healthcare and public health systems to improve maternal health outcomes. While multi-organizational partnerships introduce complexity\, strong communication\, adaptability\, and shared goals are critical to success. This work demonstrates that we are stronger together when leveraging community partnerships to enhance care access and support for postpartum individuals.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b03572b9fed8e5ad32dabb10b93d3eea
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b03572b9fed8e5ad32dabb10b93d3eea
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Empowering Access: Transforming Mobile Healthcare Delivery in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: Access to preventative care and outbreak response remains a persistent challenge for underinsured\, uninsured\, newcomer\, and geographically isolated populations across Colorado. Childhood immunization gaps—particularly MMR rates among kindergartners remaining below 90%—highlight the need for innovative\, scalable delivery models. This project asks: how can mobile clinic infrastructure improve equitable vaccine access and strengthen public health resilience? We hypothesize that deploying independent\, technology-enabled mobile clinics can expand reach\, improve vaccination rates\, and enhance outbreak responsiveness while fostering cross-sector collaboration—aligning with the conference theme\, Stronger Together. Methods: We implemented mobile vaccination vans as fully independent clinic sites equipped with advanced cold-chain technology and data systems. Clinics were deployed in both urban and rural counties\, targeting underserved populations. Operational improvements included streamlined registration systems\, diversified staffing\, and culturally responsive care practices. Data were collected on clinic frequency\, geographic reach\, patient demographics\, and vaccines administered from September 2023 to January 2026. Results: The program delivered 40\,664 vaccines to 15\,427 individuals across 801 clinics in 44 of 64 counties. Over 65% of recipients were underinsured or uninsured. Transitioning to independent mobile units increased clinic frequency and capacity\, particularly in rural areas\, while improving workflow efficiency and access for diverse populations. Implications: Mobile public health clinics are a scalable\, adaptable solution for improving healthcare access\, addressing immunization gaps\, and strengthening outbreak response. Key takeaways include the importance of operational flexibility\, technology integration\, and culturally responsive care to reduce barriers and advance health equity.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ada6e62b6e05c63f4e47dc008b1f3640
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/ada6e62b6e05c63f4e47dc008b1f3640
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Syringe Access Program Point-in Time (PiT) Survey
DESCRIPTION:Background: In 2024\, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) moved from collecting client-level data for all funded Syringe Access Program (SAP) interactions to an annual point-in-time survey (PiT). This change aligned with best practices for estimating demographic reach\, client needs\, and effectiveness of SAP services\, while reducing data entry burden for SAP staff. Methods: The PiT was administered to a sample of SAP participants in 2024 and 2025. Target sample sizes were calculated based on the estimated number of participants served annually at each SAP. Surveys were entered into REDCap\, and analysis was completed using R. Infographics describing results were created and disseminated to funded SAPs and other stakeholders. Results: 2\,425 participants completed the PiT across 15 SAPs in 2024 and 2025. The average age of respondents was 43 years\, most were White (48%) and/or Hispanic/Latine (32%). Men made up 66% of respondents\, and 60% of respondents reported their housing status as homeless. The top SAP services included safer smoking/snorting supplies\, syringe pickup\, and Naloxone provision. The top SAP referrals were food/nutrition assistance\, shelter/housing assistance and HIV Testing. 8% of participants reported sharing syringes/needles\, and 25% reported reusing syringes or needles. Implications: SAPs are a critical access point for prevention and supportive services. The proportion of respondents who reported syringe/needle sharing and reuse highlights the need for safer use education\, increased access to sterile supplies\, and expanded interventions that lower injection-related risks. Collecting this survey annually allows for monitoring of demographic shifts and changing needs over time. This data informs program improvement and planning\, supports advocacy for continued funding\, and guides expansion of services offered and referral networks.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cb10dad0aa7cd3861d16e26859be9312
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/cb10dad0aa7cd3861d16e26859be9312
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T214500Z
DTEND:20260922T221500Z
SUMMARY:Primary Care Readiness for Long COVID Care in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background: Long COVID impacts thousands of Coloradans\, causing a wide range of chronic symptoms requiring comprehensive care. Primary care is typically the first point of health system contact for patients experiencing Long COVID symptoms. As part of the Colorado Multidisciplinary Translation Network (CO-MTN) project\, we surveyed primary care clinicians and staff from 17 different practices to understand their perspectives on provision of Long COVID care. Methods: Data were collected via REDCap and descriptively analyzed. Survey questions included perceived importance of\, satisfaction with\, barriers to\, and confidence in ability to provide Long COVID care. We also assessed discrimination and stigma towards Long COVID patients using the Medical Condition Regard scale. Results: We received survey responses from 249 primary care clinicians and staff (75% response rate). Most (69%) indicated they thought that primary care practices should provide treatment and symptom management for patients with Long COVID. When asked how satisfied they were with their practice’s ability to help patients manage Long COVID symptoms\, 42% reported satisfaction while half reported that it depended on the patient or that they didn’t know. Frequently cited concerns regarding provision of Long COVID care included lack of workflows\, gaps in clinician knowledge\, and limited time. Nearly half of clinicians reported low confidence in their ability to provide high-quality Long COVID symptom management. Few respondents answered the Medical Condition Regard scale questions in ways that strongly indicated discrimination or stigma towards patients with Long COVID. However\, only 39% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that “working with patients like this is satisfying.” Implications: There is room for improvement in primary care teams’ abilities and capacities to care for Long COVID patients. The CO-MTN project is now implementing a variety of supports for primary care practices to address these gaps.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e20addd1f97479c5562d2658226c520a
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/e20addd1f97479c5562d2658226c520a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260922T221500Z
DTEND:20260922T233000Z
SUMMARY:Opening Reception: Sunset Socializing\, Sips\, & Snacks
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:SOCIAL
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:16d2a02be489021af8457aaf220fdc76
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/16d2a02be489021af8457aaf220fdc76
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T130000Z
DTEND:20260923T140000Z
SUMMARY:Audiobook Walking Club
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a community walking club with other fellow book and audiobook lovers! Take time to enjoy your current book or enjoy chatting with new and/or friends.
CATEGORIES:WELLNESS SESSION
LOCATION:Meet at Registration\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:011f8e6363451706c62fe92ce32ca7b3
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/011f8e6363451706c62fe92ce32ca7b3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T130000Z
DTEND:20260923T140000Z
SUMMARY:Birding
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:WELLNESS SESSION
LOCATION:TBA\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:75b35af4a8786a41f0284594c1f7b3b8
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/75b35af4a8786a41f0284594c1f7b3b8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T130000Z
DTEND:20260923T140000Z
SUMMARY:Nature as Medicine: The Power of Forest Bathing for Wellbeing Promotion
DESCRIPTION:1. Engage in sensory‑based techniques that support nervous‑system down‑regulation and emotional recovery.\n \n 2. Identify nature‑based strategies that can be incorporated into clinical wellness\, burnout‑prevention\, or self‑care routines.\n \n 3. Experience how guided nature connection can enhance presence\, reduce cognitive load\, and improve overall wellbeing.
CATEGORIES:WELLNESS SESSION
LOCATION:Meet at Registration\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b5553b90d39f4b56e6caea0235e48a40
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b5553b90d39f4b56e6caea0235e48a40
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T130000Z
DTEND:20260923T140000Z
SUMMARY:Running Activity
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:WELLNESS SESSION
LOCATION:TBA\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:24aae9338fafbd68540d6951db8cf3d5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/24aae9338fafbd68540d6951db8cf3d5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T140000Z
DTEND:20260923T151500Z
SUMMARY:Breakfast Buffet
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:BREAKFAST
LOCATION:Columbine Ballroom\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:134d4d37864ba0af19634f5189866ae0
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/134d4d37864ba0af19634f5189866ae0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T140000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Exhibit Hall & Silent Auction
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:EXHIBIT HALL & SILENT AUCTION
LOCATION:Main Lobby\, 633 Tennis Club Rd\, Dillon\, CO 80435
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3f2f7265040e63c6c29dee1d702a10d1
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/3f2f7265040e63c6c29dee1d702a10d1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T140000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Registration
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:REGISTRATION
LOCATION:Main Lobby\, 633 Tennis Club Rd\, Dillon\, CO 80435
SEQUENCE:0
UID:97f45c0ac3b4b7b50c9ece607ba50583
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/97f45c0ac3b4b7b50c9ece607ba50583
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:A Student-Led Toy Drive: Program Evaluation and University Belonging
DESCRIPTION:University campuses are diverse ecosystems of students\, faculty\, and staff\, many of whom are involved in the care of children and dependents. College student parents (CSPs) and other campus guardians struggle to find ways to integrate this identity with their campus roles. These challenges include standard access barriers and a sense of belonging to an environment where the focus is to develop and support incoming young adults. Protecting campus guardians and developing a family friendly campus benefits not only the guardians on campus\, but all campus community members. A request-driven toy drive (TD) was developed and implemented by students at the University of Northern Colorado to provide support without requiring navigation of institutional barriers. To enhance accessibility\, materials were offered in both English and Spanish. The TD was evaluated using a survey that included a sense of belonging (SOB) Likert scale and open-ended questions guided by the RE-AIM framework (Reach\, Effectiveness\, Adoption\, Implementation\, Maintenance). The survey was distributed to TD participants\, including volunteers who donated gifts and guardians who received them\, all affiliated with the institution (students\, staff\, and faculty). Qualitative responses were coded using RE-AIM domains\, while SOB data were analyzed using descriptive statistics\, a one-way ANOVA\, and independent samples t-tests. Results for SOB showed no difference between groups but did show that institutional SOB was high. Qualitative results communicated the TD overall was successful in adoption\, implementation and maintenance\, but had areas of improvement for effectiveness and reach. This study provides important insight into the effectiveness of student-led initiatives\, like TDs\, in addressing the needs of campus subcommunities who are often traditionally excluded from campus programs\, while facilitating opportunities for meaningful campus engagement. This study also demonstrates that the RE-AIM framework can be a useful tool in evaluating low-barrier charity programs.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:436e1ef4688afdf9b05f45b2f4910278
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/436e1ef4688afdf9b05f45b2f4910278
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Accreditation In Action: Exploring PHAB’s Tools\, Services\, and Impact
DESCRIPTION:Background: Public health accreditation is positioned as a powerful driver of performance and quality improvement\, accountability\, and community impact. This presentation explores how accreditation through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) strengthens health departments by advancing key Foundational Capabilities\, including Assessment & Planning\, Communications\, Policy Development & Support\, and Organizational Competencies. Through real-world examples\, attendees will gain insight into how accreditation fosters a culture of continuous quality improvement\, enhances cross-sector partnerships\, and supports data-driven decision-making. In addition to accreditation\, the presentation will introduce PHAB’s broader suite of services and resources that support agencies at all stages. From exploring resources to strengthen Foundational Capabilities\, to assessing accreditation readiness\, to maintaining accreditation status\, to embedding continuous quality improvement efforts throughout daily operations\, attendees will gain insight to the many benefits of being PHAB accredited. methods: In alignment with Colorado’s Core Public Health Services\, this session will highlight how departments aligned with PHAB’s standards are better equipped for Communicable Disease Control\, Chronic Disease Prevention\, and Emergency Preparedness. Particular emphasis will be placed on the role of accreditation in embedding health equity in public health programming. implications: Aligned with the conference theme\, Stronger Together: Public Health in the Heart of the Rockies\, this session emphasizes benefit of collaboration between local health departments across the State of Colorado through Partnership and Resource Sharing and benefits of Accreditation.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a571c1e803b7b36b2dcbeeed15a78c24
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a571c1e803b7b36b2dcbeeed15a78c24
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Alcohol in rural Colorado – Impacts and Possible Interventions
DESCRIPTION:Alcohol is a leading underlying cause of injury\, illnesses\, and premature death in Colorado. This session will focus on identifying ways to effectively communicate and intervene to decrease alcohol’s harms in areas outside of the Denver metro area. The session will begin with a review of quantitative epidemiologic data on the alcohol’s adverse health impacts on key health outcomes (injuries\, hospitalizations\, Emergency Department visits\, deaths) and access to care for substance use disorders in areas outside the metro area. There will then be a panel discussion of the qualitative impacts of alcohol\, including ways to communicate about these harms\, and promising policy interventions. Alcohol has serious adverse health outcomes in areas outside the Denver metro area. Interventions will require statewide support\, so we need effective methods for communicating about alcohol to rural areas. Ways to promote attendee interaction and discussion – We will assure that there will be at least 30 minutes for the panel discussion\, including time for comments and questions from attendees.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:18fc58da397d0f18ba9b04794f404b65
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/18fc58da397d0f18ba9b04794f404b65
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Awareness of Ordinances to Restrict Sales of Flavored Nicotine Products
DESCRIPTION:Background: Public health policies\, including tobacco regulations\, are powerful tools for promoting health equity and behavior change. Since 2019\, several Colorado communities have enacted policies to prohibit flavored nicotine sales to curb youth consumption. However\, evaluating local impacts is challenging\; standard behavioral surveys lack geographic granularity\, and sales tax data is only available at the state level. Using data from a longitudinal panel of Colorado adults\, we examined awareness of local flavor ordinances stratified by geographic region\, nicotine use\, and demographics. Methods: The Colorado Health Survey is administered once every three years to a random sample of Colorado adults\, with consenting participants joining a longitudinal panel that is surveyed annually. In 2026\, 11\,340 panelists were invited to complete a survey that includes questions about local flavor ordinances. Although recruitment is active through June 30\, 2026\, we have identified 896 current respondents residing in communities with post-2019 ordinances. Awareness estimates were stratified by current\, former\, or never nicotine use. Final descriptive statistics will be generated upon recruitment completion. Results: Overall\, 33% (293/896) of participants were aware of their local ordinance. Awareness was significantly higher among current nicotine users at 60% (56/94)\, compared to 30% (84/286) of former users and 30% (153/515) of never-users (p < 0.05). Implications: Preliminary results indicate that current nicotine users—the primary target of these regulations—are most aware of local policies. Final analyses will demonstrate the degree to which Colorado adults are sensitive to local tobacco policies and illustrate how awareness varies across geographic and demographic strata to inform future municipal policy design.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:489d5ffd642e732b90f5da420eae8e20
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/489d5ffd642e732b90f5da420eae8e20
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Compliance: Building Action-Oriented CHA/CHIP Processes
DESCRIPTION:Community health assessments and community health improvement plans (CHA/CHIPs) are essential tools for public health accreditation\, community benefit\, funding alignment\, and shared action. Yet many agencies and partners experience these processes as time-intensive compliance exercises that result in reports but do not always translate into feasible\, measurable improvement strategies. This session will showcase a practical approach for streamlining CHA/CHIP work while strengthening equity\, data use\, cross-sector partnership\, and implementation readiness.\n \n HMA and Metopio have developed and refined a set of CHA/CHIP tools and methods\, including engagement instruments\, survey approaches\, qualitative and quantitative analysis processes\, dashboard and reporting products\, governance structures\, and CHIP implementation and performance measurement templates. These methods draw from MAPP 2.0 principles and experience supporting local public health agencies\, hospitals\, regional collaboratives\, and community partners. The session will present examples of how teams can integrate secondary data\, community voice\, facilitation\, priority setting\, and action planning into a more coherent and lower-burden process.\n \n Participants will leave with practical takeaways about how to select data for specific decisions\, align assessment findings with community priorities\, move from findings to measurable strategies\, and design processes that support both accountability and shared ownership. We are requesting a 1-hour session because the topic requires both presentation of examples and meaningful peer discussion. The additional time will be used for an interactive scenario-based exercise in which participants discuss what data they would choose\, for what purpose\, and how those choices shape priority setting and implementation. At least 15 minutes will be reserved for facilitated discussion and audience exchange.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:912736b753a73e8bb6165ab7f52be29b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/912736b753a73e8bb6165ab7f52be29b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Building Momentum for Statewide Change: Flavored Tobacco Policies
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Youth use of nicotine products\, particularly flavored e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches\, continues to evolve rapidly and presents ongoing challenges for schools\, families\, and communities as well as substantial health risks. Local communities throughout Colorado are adopting evidence-based tobacco control policies to reduce youth access and exposure to these highly addictive products. This session will examine how local policy action can build momentum toward broader statewide change while advancing health equity and protecting young people. Methods: This presentation will review emerging national data from the CDC Foundation’s Tobacco Epidemic Evaluation Network (TEEN+) Study and the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS). Presenters will also highlight examples of local tobacco control strategies\, including flavored tobacco sales restrictions\, tobacco retail licensing programs\, and pricing policies. Tobacco control policy experts will discuss policy trends\, coalition-building efforts\, impacts of flavor restrictions on youth access\, and a renewed statewide campaign (Flavors Hook Kids Colorado) to end the sale of flavored tobacco products statewide during the 2027 legislative session. Results: Recent data demonstrate continued youth use and exposure to flavored tobacco products alongside increasing use of nicotine pouches and disproportionate impacts of flavored products on specific populations underscoring the need for comprehensive prevention and policy approaches. Local policy initiatives have shown success in reducing product availability\, increasing retailer accountability\, and strengthening public awareness and engagement around tobacco prevention and cessation. Research shows that states or localities with flavor tobacco restrictions have lower youth use\, with the strongest protective effects seen under comprehensive restrictions. Implications: Participants will leave with practical insights into emerging tobacco use trends\, evidence-based policy approaches\, and strategies for building momentum for a statewide flavored tobacco policy in 2027. The session will emphasize collaboration\, coalition-building\, and health equity as essential components of effective tobacco control and broader public health policy efforts.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e8e011245ea6719a50fcd5ff063ae80c
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/e8e011245ea6719a50fcd5ff063ae80c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Data Management & Team Engagement within a Natural Disaster Working Group
DESCRIPTION:The Marshall Fire Resilience Work Group was formed in early 2022 in response to Colorado’s most destructive wildfire to date\, which destroyed over 1\,000 homes in Boulder County at the end of December\, 2021. Since its formation\, the group has conducted a multi-wave household survey\, interviews with community members and local-decision makers\, policy analyses\, and focus groups. Core values of the group are producing collaborative research based on these data\, collecting data in a community-engaged and trauma-informed manner\, and disseminating results back to community\, government agencies\, and other researchers on a regular basis. As the 5 year anniversary of the Marshall Fire draws near\, this poster will serve as a look back at the practical successes and challenges to managing such a work group. In particular\, this session will focus on the following: 1. The reasoning behind the work group’s design\, how it supports community needs and rigorous science\, and why this model could serve other natural disaster research contexts. 2. When and how different sectors have been engaged throughout the work group’s history. 3. An overview of research products the group has produced and feedback the work group has received over time 4. Strategies to keeping team members engaged over time as well as the practical needs for managing and sharing diverse and complex data within the team.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:dc77d025e4b925ece1f48fea2f2e9a7f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/dc77d025e4b925ece1f48fea2f2e9a7f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Distance Traveled for Maternal Healthcare and Birth Outcomes in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background: Access to maternal healthcare is essential for strong maternal and infant health\, yet rural communities often face barriers to adequate care. This study investigates how maternal healthcare accessibility varies by rurality across Colorado counties and its impact on birth outcomes. We hypothesize that greater distance traveled to access maternal healthcare is associated with poorer birth outcomes\, proving a need for addressing this lack in health equity. Methods: Using county-level data from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and the Colorado Hospital Association (CHA)\, we analyzed distance traveled to maternal healthcare facilities\, rurality classifications\, and infant health outcomes during the period between 2015 and 2024. We assessed the relationship between distance traveled and annual birth defects and preterm birth counts by county using Quasi-Poisson regression models\, adjusting for county-level percentage of Women\, Infants\, and Children (WIC) participation\, percentage of births on Medicaid\, and an offset for all annual births in each county. Results: Distance traveled to access maternal healthcare is higher among rural counties (median = 40 miles) compared to urban counties (median = 5 miles). Quasi-Poisson models indicated that an interquartile range (IQR) increase in distance traveled (32 miles) was associated with a 24% increase (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5%\, 53%) in birth defects and a 5.5% increase (95% CI: 0.8%\, 10%) in preterm births in rural counties. Corresponding results for urban counterparts were attenuated. Implications: Our findings indicate that limited access to maternal healthcare independently predicts poorer birth outcomes. Maternal care deserts are predominantly located in rural areas\, and our research underscores geographic disparities as a key driver of health inequities affecting rural Colorado families. These findings demonstrate the need for public health efforts toward fostering equitable maternal and infant health outcomes across Colorado.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fd5cdfd8163f893a3f14fff58df37be5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/fd5cdfd8163f893a3f14fff58df37be5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Epidemiology of Invasive and Noninvasive Carbapenem-Resistant Infections
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections are a major healthcare concern. We compared risk factors\, comorbidities\, and outcomes of invasive and noninvasive CRE infections among a patient cohort identified through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Emerging Infections Program Healthcare-Associated Infections Community Interface. Methods: We defined incident CRE cases as Enterobacterales resistant to one or more carbapenems from normally sterile sites or urine among Denver metropolitan area residents between 2013 and 2024. We categorized exposures as invasive (normally sterile site) or noninvasive (urine only) CRE infection. Outcomes included hospitalization on the day of incident specimen collection (DISC) or 29 days after\, ICU admission within seven days of DISC\, post-acute care\, and mortality. We compared demographics\, age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI)\, risk factors\, and outcomes using t-tests and Chi-square tests. Results: Among 1\,104 incident CRE cases\, (968 patients) 215 (19.5%) were invasive. Compared to noninvasive cases\, invasive cases were predominantly male (63.7% vs. 36.8%\, p
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1982e6aed00043737c147ddd6d6d3852
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/1982e6aed00043737c147ddd6d6d3852
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Evaluating Community-Driven Overdose Prevention
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Overdose prevention efforts increasingly rely on community-based organizations to provide low-barrier\, relationship-centered services that reach people underserved by traditional healthcare systems. This poster presents findings from the Denver Department of Public Health & Environment’s (DDPHE) Year 3 evaluation of selected activities within the CDC-funded Overdose Data to Action (OD2A) program\, including overdose prevention education and supply distribution\, linkage to care\, and drug checking efforts. The evaluation examined how these services were implemented across Denver communities and identified factors that supported or hindered engagement in overdose prevention efforts. It also explored how community partnerships\, peer-led outreach\, and low-barrier approaches contributed to equitable\, community-informed overdose prevention. Methods: Using a qualitative\, implementation-focused evaluation approach\, DDPHE conducted interviews with 18 community-based organizations\, outreach workers\, peer staff\, and public health partners involved in overdose prevention services. Interviews were recorded and transcribed in full. Evaluators used a combined deductive and inductive thematic approach to identify implementation strengths\, barriers\, and recommendations for future program improvement. Results: Participants emphasized that trust\, dignity\, peer support\, and nonjudgmental care were central to successful overdose prevention efforts. Partnerships supported access to naloxone\, safer use supplies\, behavioral health services\, and referrals to care. Persistent barriers included housing instability\, stigma\, transportation challenges\, criminalization\, staff capacity\, and delays in sharing drug checking results. Participants also identified gaps in reaching some communities\, particularly communities of color and individuals outside current outreach areas. Recommendations included expanding outreach\, strengthening referral systems\, increasing staffing and training\, and improving drug checking infrastructure. Implications: Findings point to the need for stronger systems coordination\, more responsive drug checking infrastructure\, and reduced administrative burden for community partners. Recommendations include investing in faster local testing capacity\, strengthening referral and follow-up systems\, improving real-time public communication of drug trends\, and expanding culturally responsive outreach approaches to support equitable and sustainable overdose prevention efforts.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c74b546361e34cefa490a9c73be4fe58
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/c74b546361e34cefa490a9c73be4fe58
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Health is Relationships: A Social Networks Study in Diverse Communities
DESCRIPTION:Social networks in minoritized communities are not peripheral to health systems\; they are the primary structures through which care becomes possible amid structural inequities. This study conceptualizes social networks not simply as interpersonal connections but as critical health infrastructures that shape health experiences\, including how health is understood and how communities collectively respond to inequities (Perry & Pescosolido\, 2015). In these contexts\, social networks serve as essential mechanisms for navigating systems that often define health in fragmented\, exclusionary\, or culturally misaligned ways. The meaning of health is shaped through interactions within social networks and the health system\, rather than residing solely within individuals or collectives. It is recognized\, negotiated\, and supported by family\, peers\, communities\, and institutions\, making it inherently relational. This study shifts from a purely behavioral focus to a meaning-centered approach\, integrating relational processes across levels with social network structures\, and centering communities that are often underrepresented in network-health research. Focusing on Latine\, Vietnamese\, and Native communities in a highly diverse urban neighborhood in Colorado\, we examine how health emerges at the intersection of personal experience\, shared contexts\, and interactions with health systems. This mixed-methods study combines unstructured\, relational interviews with social network analysis (SNA) surveys\, integrating ethnographic and survey approaches simultaneously. This ethnosurveys design captures the complexity of multilevel data\, including life histories and relational contexts\, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of lived experience. Public health officials\, education leaders\, policymakers\, and community advocates discuss and worry about outcomes of systemic structural factors or interpersonal experiences of discrimination. However\, the structural mechanisms governing our closest relationships often remain unrecognized. We seek to bring focus to the impact of local social structures on meaning-making and resource mobilization\, to elevate opportunities for interventions that\, when enacted locally and informed by local social structures\, can build solutions to population health challenges.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:725e03748b2d2e831522b03ced444e9f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/725e03748b2d2e831522b03ced444e9f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Helicobacter Pylori Transmission: Implications for Public Health
DESCRIPTION:Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram negative bacterium that thrives in acid rich environments like the stomach. Once inside a host's stomach\, it causes a chronic infection that predisposes the host to gastrointestinal illness including gastric cancers (Vakil\, 2025). Recognizing routes of transmission of H. pylori and employing interventions to prevent transmission is important for gastric cancer prevention. Purpose: The purpose of this presentation is to summarize routes of transmission of H. pylori and to discuss the public health strategies that can be used to reduce its transmission. Methods: A scoping literature review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses-Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) process. Search engines included Academic Search Complete\, Medline\, and Cummulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature - Complete (CINAHL Complete). Inclusion criteria included peer reviewed articles published in the past five years\, written in English\, available in full text\, and focused on routes of transmission. Articles were reviewed first with an abstract review and then a full text review. A literature matrix was developed and articles were synthesized to identify transmission routes. Results: Results suggest that there are five primary routes: fecal-oral\, oral-oral\, gastric-oral\, anal-oral\, and genital-oral. Exposures result from person-to-person\, animal-to-human\, foodborne\, and occupational exposures. We describe evidence-based strategies to decrease H. pylori transmissions. Implications: Decreasing H. pylori transmission has the possibility to reduce gastrointestinal illnesses\, including gastric cancer\, caused by H. pylori infection. Public health professionals have the capacity to employ strategies to decrease H. pylori infections\, thereby improving the health among at-risk populatioins.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7c825c849c6db90300a724afdd5270f3
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/7c825c849c6db90300a724afdd5270f3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Key Functional Drivers of Coalition Motivation to Build Resilient Programs
DESCRIPTION:Background Public health coalitions are essential for community-level prevention\, yet evaluation methods on effective coalition functioning remain unsystematic. This study investigated which coalition characteristics most effectively drive motivation to ensure the success of the Community Organizing for Prevention (COFP) program within their community\, measured by the COFP coalition survey. Methods Data were collected from 380 coalition members across 26 community coalitions within the COFP program. Using site-level aggregation\, we analyzed 14 independent variables (IVs) across three components: Broadening the Power Base\, Organized Community\, and Collective Impact. To identify the organizational drivers of coalitions’ motivation to ensure the success of COFP\, a variable-specific median split strategy was used. For each IV\, sites were ranked in descending order of mean scores to create high and low performing groups. Welch’s Independent Samples T-tests were then used to identify statistically significant mean differences and standard deviations in motivation scores. Results Ten of 14 variables showed statistically significant associations with increased motivation (p < 0.05). The largest motivation differences were found in Goal Directedness (0.35) and Coalition Decision Making (0.31). Across variables\, high-scoring sites exhibited a narrower standard deviation range (0.11–0.22) compared to low-scoring sites (0.26–0.33)\, suggesting that better-functioning coalitions are more motivated to ensure success of the COFP program. Implication A relationship exists between coalitions’ motivation for successful implementation of the COFP program and effective coalition functioning. By prioritizing coalition functioning\, broadening the power base\, and collective impact\, coalitions may strengthen motivation for success and increase the probability of achieving long-term community impact. These findings may help establish a strategic example set of significant functional drivers for coalitions to focus on. This work aligns with the Stronger Together theme by providing a data-driven list of functional drivers of coalition motivation for building resilient and aligned public health coalitions.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:99d08af7fe0afdf00d48b830143f4b95
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/99d08af7fe0afdf00d48b830143f4b95
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Launching Ahead: Using CFIR to Fast Track a Needs Assessment
DESCRIPTION:This session examines how the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) was applied within a statewide communicable disease needs assessment and strategic planning process in rural Wyoming. Rural public health systems face unique challenges related to geography\, workforce limitations\, stigma\, funding instability\, confidentiality concerns\, and fragmented access to care. The purpose of this project was to identify barriers and facilitators influencing communicable disease prevention\, testing\, treatment\, and service delivery\, and to develop a data-informed strategic plan responsive to local context and system capacity. Methods included a mixed methods approach integrating epidemiological surveillance data\, provider interviews\, listening sessions\, stakeholder engagement\, surveys\, and systems-level analysis. Participants included healthcare providers\, public health professionals\, community stakeholders\, and Wyoming residents. CFIR-guided protocol development\, qualitative inquiry\, data organization\, and interpretation of implementation barriers and facilitators in rural settings. The framework also supported accelerated analytic processes following delays caused by disruptions to government funding. Findings demonstrated that geographic isolation\, workforce shortages\, stigma\, inconsistent service availability\, and structural barriers continue to influence communicable disease outcomes and care-seeking behaviors in rural communities. Results also highlighted the importance of community engagement\, cross-sector collaboration\, and localized approaches when translating surveillance data into actionable public health strategies. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for integrating implementation science and mixed methods approaches into needs assessments\, strategic planning\, and public health practice. The requested 1-hour format allows additional time for discussion of real-world CFIR applications\, audience engagement on implementation challenges\, and collaborative dialogue on adaptable strategies for rural and resource-limited systems.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:971bbf764496bc152e231643008c79d5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/971bbf764496bc152e231643008c79d5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Linkage to Hepatitis C Treatment
DESCRIPTION:Here\, we present a clinical initiative to proactively identify patients with HCV who have clinical encounters within a large healthcare system in Colorado (UCHealth) and connect them with treatment using a dedicated care navigator. A repository of patients previously diagnosed with HCV who were hospitalized was created by extracting positive HCV PCR test results from the electronic health record (EHR) for patients hospitalized between Jan 1\, 2025 and Dec 31st\, 2025. In addition\, the care navigator queried the EHR weekly to identify patients with newly positive HCV PCR over the past 7 days. The care navigator then reviewed the charts of all identified patients to determine whether each patient had already been linked to HCV care. Results are preliminary as this project is ongoing. Of 297 charts reviewed\, 20.5% were not yet connected with care and were eligible for inclusion. Of other 236 patients\, 198 (83.9%) were already encaged in care and 15 (6.4%) were deceased. To date\, 55 patients have attempted contact. 25 were unreachable (49%)\, which meant that they no longer had an operational phone number\, or I was unable to leave a message. 11 (21.6%) answered the phone and\, of those\, 8 were interested in care navigation. 1 was successfully connected with care. The patient mix is 66% male\, 33.3% female\, 0.3% non-binary\, and 0.3% trans female. Preliminary results demonstrate that many patients with HCV encountered in acute care settings have unique barriers to treatment. Medical and social barriers to care were frequently encountered barriers to linkage to HCV care. Although our findings demonstrate the potential challenges of initiatives targeting high-risk patient populations that may not be receiving longitudinal care\, they also highlight the importance of leveraging any clinical opportunity to engage patients in care\, including emergency department and inpatient hospitalization encounters.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:daab153e822e4d6c13676dfe1c026e2c
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/daab153e822e4d6c13676dfe1c026e2c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Live Training: Infection Prevention and Antimicrobial Stewardship
DESCRIPTION:Background. The Colorado Pay for Performance (P4P) program provides funding to long-term care facilities that meet specific quality measures in antimicrobial stewardship (AS) and infection prevention and control (IPC). To support these initiatives\, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) partnered with the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to deliver statewide training in implementation of AS and IPC initiatives to nursing homes and assisted living residences. Method. We conducted two 90-minute virtual training sessions in June and October 2025. We collaborated with the Colorado Health Care Association and Center for Assisted Living (CHCA) and Telligen (a Quality Innovation Network-Quality Improvement Organization) to promote the events. The curricula focused on AS\, catheter-associated urinary tract infection prevention\, enhanced barrier precautions\, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Infection Control Assessment and Response tools. We used post-training surveys to evaluate content relevance\, participant confidence\, and future educational needs. Results. A total of 210 participants from 130 facilities across 116 zip codes attended the June (n=116) and October (n=94) sessions\, with five attending both (Figure 1). The most frequent roles included infection preventionists (26%)\, directors (18%)\, and registered nurses (16%) (Figure 2). Among 44 survey respondents\, the most applicable topics were EBP\, IPC modules\, and personal protective equipment. The median confidence score for applying the training was 4 (range: 1-5). Respondents expressed the most interest in future training regarding EBP\, AS\, and multidrug-resistant organisms. Conclusions. Linking public health training to existing P4P incentives enabled broad educational reach across a geographically diverse provider population. This interagency partnership successfully engaged a multidisciplinary workforce and increased participant confidence in implementing IPC and AS initiatives. This model demonstrates how leveraging financial incentives can effectively align state-level public health goals with facility-level quality improvement.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4a6312c38128d6d9932deb24e3a7ff9b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/4a6312c38128d6d9932deb24e3a7ff9b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Malnutrition Among People with Tuberculosis at Urban Public Health Clinic
DESCRIPTION:Background: Tuberculosis (TB) remains the number one cause of mortality from an infectious disease globally. Malnutrition is both a driver and a result of TB and is associated with disease progression and unfavorable treatment outcomes. Methods: We reviewed medical charts for people starting treatment for active TB in seven Colorado counties to describe the prevalence of malnutrition and its association with selected demographic\, clinical\, and social factors. Malnutrition was defined as body mass index (BMI) 5% of total body weight in 6 months or >10% at any time point. Results: Eighty-three patients began treatment in 2025. Of these\, 17 (20%) met our definition of malnutrition. Ten patients had a BMI
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ecd4b6fcd348ff768710f8699079d9aa
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/ecd4b6fcd348ff768710f8699079d9aa
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Medicare Advantage Use and Spending vs. Traditional Medicare in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: MA enrollment has grown rapidly nationwide and now represents a majority of Medicare enrollment in Colorado. As enrollment patterns change\, understanding differences in utilization and spending between MA and TM populations is increasingly important for public health planning\, health system decision-making\, and policy discussions. This study evaluated enrollment growth\, utilization\, and spending trends among Colorado MA and TM beneficiaries from 2018–2024. Methods: Researchers conducted a retrospective claims-based analysis using CO APCD data from 2018–2024 among MA and TM beneficiaries. Outcomes included inpatient hospitalizations\, emergency department (ED) visits\, 30-day readmissions\, and per member per month (PMPM) medical spending. Measures were evaluated annually to assess changes over time and compare across coverage types. Results: Between 2018 and 2024\, MA enrollment increased from 353\,232 to 584\,992 beneficiaries\, while TM enrollment declined from 590\,970 to 544\,954. By 2024\, MA represented approximately 52% of the combined MA and TM population. TM beneficiaries consistently demonstrated higher inpatient hospitalization and 30-day readmission rates. Hospitalization rates declined in both populations\, from 138 to 111 per 1\,000 in MA and 182 to 145 in TM. PMPM medical spending increased overtime in both programs\; however\, MA spending remained consistently higher despite lower inpatient utilization\, suggesting important differences in care delivery\, pricing\, or service mix. Implications: As MA enrollment continues to grow\, differences in utilization and spending patterns between MA and TM populations may increasingly influence Medicare spending\, access\, health care delivery\, and future policy discussions across Colorado communities. Findings from this analysis highlight the importance of using statewide claims data to support collaborative public health and policy planning.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1f61b7efd1d77790d6e5ebbbab2ec03b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/1f61b7efd1d77790d6e5ebbbab2ec03b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:No-show Appointments: Identifying Gaps and Opportunities for Intervention
DESCRIPTION:Background: As part of Colorado's largest safety-net hospital system\, the Infectious Disease Clinic at Denver Health provides primary care for patients living with HIV and follow-up care for other serious infections. The clinic experiences a 20% no-show rate for appointment outcomes\, defined by an unanticipated patient absence from a scheduled appointment. Missed appointments disrupt care continuity and clinic efficiency. This analysis evaluated demographic\, appointment\, and access-related characteristics associated with no-show outcomes to ensure standard reminder procedures meet the diverse needs of the patient population. Methods: We examined 22\,904 scheduled appointments for 3\,253 patients seen at the Infectious Disease clinic between January 2024 and June 2025. We used multivariable log binomial regression\, clustered by patient\, to assess the associations between age\, race/ethnicity\, prior no-show history\, appointment lead time\, time of day\, day of week\, insurance type\, and distance to clinic with a no-show outcome. Results: When evaluating these characteristics\, we found that younger patients (17–25 years) had the highest risk of a no-show outcome compared to those aged ≥66 years [adjusted risk ratio (aRR)=2.34\, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.86–2.93]. Hispanic and Black\, non-Hispanic patients had higher risk than White\, non-Hispanic patients (Hispanic aRR=1.33\, CI: 1.20–1.48\; and Black\, non-Hispanic aRR=1.35\, CI: 1.19–1.53). Patients with Medicare/Medicaid/financial assistance had a higher risk of a no-show outcome compared to commercial insurance holders (aRR=1.82\, CI: 1.66–1.99). Prior no-show outcomes within 365 days (aRR=1.36\, CI: 1.26–1.46) and scheduling appointments >31 days in advance (aRR=2.68\, CI: 2.35–3.05) were also associated with an increased risk of a no-show outcome. Implications: The risk of a no-show outcome varies across patient subgroups and appointment characteristics\, indicating that uniform reminder strategies are insufficient. Targeted\, equity-focused interventions addressing structural and behavioral barriers may improve attendance\, clinic efficiency\, and continuity of care.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8b5149b0a9b176377fc4d518e5773866
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/8b5149b0a9b176377fc4d518e5773866
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T151500Z
SUMMARY:Poster Presentation & Judging
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:575accc1bd8f5d66d808d87438951b45
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/575accc1bd8f5d66d808d87438951b45
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Priority groups for public health interventions in Larimer County
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted multiple aspects of community health\, including mental health\, healthcare access\, physical activity\, and household economic stability. Although data collected in 2022 do not reflect current conditions in 2026\, they provide an important early post-pandemic baseline to identify local public health priorities and populations requiring continued monitoring. This study used the 2022 Larimer County Community Health Survey to describe key community health needs and inform potential areas for local intervention. Methods: A weighted descriptive analysis was conducted using 2\,700 adult respondents from the 2022 Larimer County Community Health Survey. Survey weights were applied to improve representativeness. Main outcomes included frequent mental distress\, diagnosed mental or psychosocial condition\, food insecurity\, physical inactivity\, skipped dental or medical care during the pandemic period\, and healthcare access barriers. Weighted prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated overall and stratified by age\, gender\, income\, education\, and food insecurity status. Results: In weighted analysis\, 38.5% of respondents reported a diagnosed mental or psychosocial condition\, 38.7% were physically inactive\, 31.8% skipped dental or medical care during the pandemic period\, and 25.5% reported frequent mental distress. Adults younger than 65 years\, women\, low-income residents\, and food-insecure individuals consistently showed higher burden across multiple outcomes. Residents at or below 100% of the federal poverty level had substantially higher prevalence of food insecurity (37.6% vs. 2.3%)\, physical inactivity (60.0% vs. 34.5%)\, skipped care (51.5% vs. 28.1%)\, and mental distress (41.0% vs. 20.0%) compared with residents above 400% FPL. Implications: Findings highlight important early post-pandemic public health needs in Larimer County. Results support targeted interventions focused on mental health\, food security\, healthcare access\, and low-cost physical activity programs\, particularly for younger adults\, women\, low-income\, and food-insecure populations. Comparison with 2025 Health Survey may help assess whether these differences persisted or changed over time.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d5e6a340a8fa279f2e192966b3168a73
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d5e6a340a8fa279f2e192966b3168a73
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Safety\, Sustainability & Savings: One Sharps Container at a Time
DESCRIPTION:This session highlights a public health initiative aimed at improving clinical safety\, reducing environmental impact\, and lowering costs through the transition from single‑use to reusable sharps containers. The purpose of this work was to examine safety concerns related to sharps‑handling incidents across clinical and off‑site settings\, assess the environmental burden of disposing nearly 1\,000 pounds of plastic waste annually\, and evaluate whether a reusable sharps container system could address these needs while remaining cost‑effective. Methods included reviewing documented safety events among clinical staff\, analyzing workflow patterns for sharps container use across Sexual Health\, Immunizations\, WIC\, school‑based\, and community programs\, and conducting a cost and waste assessment comparing single‑use and reusable systems. Data was drawn from staff reports\, vendor contract information\, and clinic utilization patterns. Results showed repeated safety incidents involving overfilled or unsecured sharps containers\, a large annual plastic waste footprint from single‑use containers\, and a projected cost savings of approximately $8\,081.55 or more per year with reusable containers. Transitioning to reusable containers also reduces staff exposure risks by providing secure\, vendor‑maintained units that can be safely swapped on site. Implications for public health professionals include recognizing how operational decisions directly influence staff safety\, environmental sustainability\, and program costs. Participants will leave with actionable insights into how sustainable systems can be integrated into clinical operations without added burden\, how to evaluate similar waste‑stream challenges within their own organizations\, and how small‑scale system improvements can contribute to broader public health goals in environmental stewardship\, worker protection\, and resource optimization.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:633e08f12abdf529d600554efe20553e
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/633e08f12abdf529d600554efe20553e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:The Effect of CAP Laws on Firearm Storage in US Households with Children
DESCRIPTION:Background: Unsafe storage of firearms in households with children is associated with increased risk of suicide and unintentional injury. Since 2015\, numerous states have passed Child Access Prevention laws (CAP laws) to reduce youth access to firearms. This study examines the association of CAP laws on unsafe gun storage among US households with children. Methods: A blocked cross-sectional study was conducted using household responses from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The study sample included 22\,979 households in 2017\, 2021\, 2022\, 2023\, and 2024 that reported having children and firearms present in the home. States were categorized based on having a CAP law in effect during survey years. The primary outcome was self-reported unsafe firearm storage. Differences in unsafe storage between CAP law states and non-CAP law states were estimated with a 95% confidence interval. Results: Households in states with CAP laws reported a 5.85% decrease in unsafe gun storage compared to states without CAP laws (95% CI\, 5.09%-6.61%). However\, data restricted to the years 2017 and 2021 did not indicate a significant difference\, indicating nuance in the data. Implications: CAP laws are associated with a decrease in reported rates of unsafe gun storage in households with children. Prior studies have suggested that decreasing access to lethal means of suicide has a significant impact on reducing youth suicide mortality. Variability in sections of the data suggests that although CAP laws should be included included in youth suicide prevention measures\, complimentary interventions like physician counseling and public education should likely be considered a well.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:92a09871796fe2e38449df6c6dfa97cf
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/92a09871796fe2e38449df6c6dfa97cf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Trust\, Engagement\, and Health Communication in Digital Health Communities
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Social media influencers (SMIs) are increasingly shaping how individuals with health conditions access information about their health\, engage with online support systems\, and engage in behaviors and treatment. Online health communities are becoming pivotal spaces for health education\, support\, and behavioral influence. This ongoing mixed-methods study investigates health communication among four health conditions: arthritis\, diabetes\, perinatal mental health\, and neurodiverse parenting. Based on the elaboration likelihood model\, we aim to understand the interaction of influencer characteristics and communication styles with audience trust\, engagement\, and health behavior change. Methods: Participants included SMIs and their followers and were recruited from Instagram. Influencers were invited to complete a survey\, participate in a qualitative interview\, and facilitate recruitment of their followers. Followers also completed a survey\, and a subset participated in focus group interviews. We will use qualitative and quantitative approaches to understand the relationships between influencer characteristics\, audience trust\, involvement\, and self-reported behavioral engagement. Projected Results: Preliminary observations suggest that online health communities respond significantly differently to digital health research and influencer-based communication. Researchers anticipate that influencers who are viewed as more trustworthy\, relatable\, knowledgeable\, and connected to their communities may encourage greater audience engagement and participation within online spaces. Implications: Findings from this work may help shape future public health communication efforts within digital spaces. By better understanding how people build trust\, engage with health content\, and connect within online communities\, researchers and public health professionals can develop more effective and community-centered approaches to digital health outreach\, education\, and support.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a04c0449d2e52626629da38eb810d4e6
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a04c0449d2e52626629da38eb810d4e6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T144500Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:War and the Pets of Ukraine
DESCRIPTION:Emergency response in a war zone is a challenge for first responders and public health workers\, requiring a highly collaborative and coordinated response. Practitioners must be able to provide care with limited resources\, often with additional challenges including limited access to resources such as power\, fuel\, transportation\, equipment\, supplies and volunteers. In this poster\, an early response to the Russian invasion in Ukraine is described where a veterinary tent is set up at a border station on the Danube River in Romania. The following year\, a mobile veterinary clinic is built in Arizona and deployed to the front lines of Ukraine. Implications of the migration of over six million Ukrainian refugees\, and their pets\, must be considered in regard to the spread of zoonotic and other infectious disease during the early stages of the conflict.
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:19dae960addca78f3f67c0397e75a82d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/19dae960addca78f3f67c0397e75a82d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T150000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Poster & Exhibitor Showcase
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:POSTER PRESENTATIONS
LOCATION:Red Cloud & Shavano\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0dfffa7afec6f002859569e9e0125d77
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/0dfffa7afec6f002859569e9e0125d77
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Advancing Youth Vaping Prevention and Cessation Interventions
DESCRIPTION:Background: Youth vaping has become a significant public health concern\, with increasing numbers of young people using electronic vapor products. Emerging research links vaping not only to nicotine addiction\, respiratory problems\, and potential long-term effects on brain development\, but also to higher rates of anxiety\, depression\, and trauma-related symptoms. Research on cessation treatments for youth is limited and continues to evolve. Denver Health was awarded funding from the Denver Department of Public Health and Environment in late 2024 to identify specific mental health challenges associated with youth vaping\, design and implement evidence-informed mental health interventions\, provide trauma-informed counseling tailored to youth who vape\, and implement and manage nicotine replacement therapy as a core cessation strategy. Methods: Denver Health staff worked closely with a Youth Advisory Board to center youth input on program development and translate those insights into practical strategies across various settings including medical clinics\, school-based clinics\, and community organizations. Data collection included a youth focus group\, surveys from youth and young adults (130) and medical and behavioral health providers (86)\, and provider interviews (24). Qualitative data were thematically analyzed and synthesized into 4 main intervention categories. Results: Findings emphasized the importance of combining mental health assessment\, counseling\, Nicotine Replacement Therapy\, and other youth-informed strategies to support both mental well-being and vaping cessation for youth and young adults across clinical and community settings. The findings also underscored the need for clinical care settings to provide consistent\, routine screening for mental health conditions and vaping use\, protect patient confidentiality\, and offer ongoing follow-up opportunities to support vaping cessation and address mental health concerns. Implications: Engagement of youth and healthcare providers highlights the feasibility and value of a collaborative\, co-design approach that integrates lived experience with clinical expertise to develop effective programs to support vaping cessation and mental health among youth.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e357c60065e6119e8e32671b0aaae482
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/e357c60065e6119e8e32671b0aaae482
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Creating Clean Air Schools through Youth Participatory Action Research
DESCRIPTION:Across the US\, 7.4 million children are exposed to wildfire smoke annually. Children are one of the most susceptible populations to the health effects of air pollution\, seen in changes in lung function\, lung development\, and existing respiratory disease exacerbation. Recent evidence also shows the mental health effects of wildfire smoke exposure\, with children exhibiting symptoms of depression\, anxiety\, and other “internalizing symptoms” up to one year after exposure. School programs have been effective in implementing interventions to address obesity\, suicide\, sexual health\, and other public health concerns. As exposure to air pollution in home environments can vary greatly between children\, schools are a common ground among youth to reduce exposure to both wildfire smoke and other airborne pollutants. We partnered with five high schools in Colorado to implement a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) project where youth learn about air quality\, collect and analyze air quality data\, and create and implement interventions to better prepare and protect their school community from exposure to airborne pollutants. YPAR is a youth-led\, adult-guided approach to involving youth in research projects from start to finish\, allowing youth to voice their experiences\, develop research skills\, and be agents of change. In this presentation\, we will cover our approach and lessons learned from the first three years of the project\, and discuss emergent themes from interviews with teachers and administrators engaged in our project. Our preliminary results revealed that teachers were enthusiastic about their students learning about air quality through this project\, but were concerned about engagement and commitment\, as the students who typically get involved are high achievers with several other commitments on their plates. To address these concerns\, we will discuss strategies to increase student engagement through project-based learning and student incentives (i.e.\, Seal of Climate Literacy).
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:310eaad697ac8c43d084ad0c1238ba6d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/310eaad697ac8c43d084ad0c1238ba6d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Randomized Care Navigation Intervention for Latent Tuberculosis Infection
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Since 2016\, 715 Coloradans have had a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-confirmed case of active tuberculosis. Many of these cases could have been prevented by treating patients’ latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) before it progressed to contagious\, active tuberculosis disease. The care cascade for LTBI includes 1) chest x-ray completion\, 2) treatment initiation\, and 3) treatment completion. Patient navigators assist patients throughout the care cascade by identifying barriers to care\, connecting patients to resources\, and providing education and helpful reminders. We sought to explore the association between receiving LTBI-focused navigation and failure to progress along the LTBI care cascade. Methods: This project took place at a safety-net health system in Denver\, Colorado between October 1\, 2023 and September 30\, 2025. Among 1\,136 primary care patients with positive interferon-gamma release assay\, we randomized 50% (n=566) to receive LTBI-focused care navigation and 50% (n=570) to receive standard clinic care. We used multivariable log-binomial regression modeling that accounted for clinic-level clustering to compare chest x-ray noncompletion\, treatment non-initiation\, and treatment noncompletion among patients with LTBI receiving LTBI-focused care navigation and those receiving standard clinic care. Results: We found that patients receiving care navigation had a significantly decreased risk of chest x-ray noncompletion [adjusted risk ratio (aRR) = 0.90\, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.86-0.95\, p
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3d9e2fca8336c1cf7e7cb253ec5fe3a6
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/3d9e2fca8336c1cf7e7cb253ec5fe3a6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Frequency: Cannabis Exposure Frameworks for Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Colorado’s evolving cannabis landscape has created significant challenges for public health surveillance\, clinical assessment\, and research translation. Despite increasing product potency and diversification\, including concentrates\, edibles\, and vaporized products\, many healthcare systems continue to rely on binary or frequency-only cannabis screening approaches that provide limited insight into real-world exposure patterns. This session presents the Pueblo Cannabis Use Measurement Initiative (PCUMI)\, a developing public health and clinical research framework designed to improve cannabis exposure characterization by integrating quantity\, potency\, and route of administration into standardized exposure classifications. The project directly aligns with the 2026 PHiR theme\, Stronger Together\, by highlighting collaborative partnerships among healthcare systems\, public health agencies\, academic researchers\, and community stakeholders working to strengthen Colorado’s public health infrastructure. Methods include a systematic review and adaptation of existing cannabis-use instruments\, the development of structured exposure categories aligned with Colorado product-labeling norms\, and pilot planning for implementation in emergency and behavioral health settings in Pueblo County. Planned procedures include clinician feedback\, workflow assessment\, and evaluation of feasibility indicators such as completion rates\, participant comprehension\, item-level missingness\, and integration into electronic health record systems. Preliminary development findings suggest substantial gaps in current cannabis-use documentation practices\, particularly regarding potency and mode of administration. Early framework development demonstrates the feasibility of a scalable\, clinically interpretable measurement approach capable of supporting more consistent data collection across healthcare environments. Participants will compare traditional cannabis-use screening approaches with dose-centered frameworks\, assess how standardized exposure classifications may improve clinical documentation and public health surveillance\, and evaluate the broader implications of increasing cannabis potency and product diversification in Colorado. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for improving cannabis-related public health data collection\, strengthening translational research capacity\, and supporting more informed public health decision-making across Colorado health systems.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:bd765d770c577f8431f00150d6e67f28
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/bd765d770c577f8431f00150d6e67f28
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Hidden in Plain Sight: Lead Exposure Sources in Colorado Homes
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: The Colorado Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program conducts in-home environmental investigations for children and pregnant women with confirmed elevated blood lead levels at or above the CDC reference value of 3.5 µg/dL. All confirmed cases are contacted by a lead risk assessor and offered a free investigation. These investigations assess categories of potential lead exposure: paint\, dust\, food\, water\, soil\, and consumer products. After the investigation\, a report is generated that summarizes findings and provides recommendations to address any lead exposures. Methods: Investigations conducted between July 2024 and December 2025 were included in this analysis. Data collected included demographic information\, housing characteristics\, and laboratory results for tested environmental samples and consumer products. Analyses examined the frequency and type of lead exposure sources identified\, the presence of multiple exposure categories within a home\, demographic patterns\, and follow-up blood lead testing after the investigation. Results: A total of 80 investigations were completed for 91 people. At least one lead exposure source was identified in 92.5% of homes. Consumer products were the most common source\, with 62.5% of homes containing at least one product with elevated lead levels. Dust was the second most common source\, with elevated dust levels found in 47.5% of investigations. In addition\, 62.5% of homes had two or more lead exposure sources across multiple categories. After receiving recommendations\, 56.6% of families obtained follow-up blood lead testing. Among those retested\, 86.2% had lower blood lead levels\, and approximately half fell below the CDC reference value. Implications: These findings demonstrate the feasibility of the program for identifying sources of lead exposure in Colorado homes. Results can inform targeted prevention strategies\, support exposure reduction efforts\, and encourage follow-up blood lead testing.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d919ea6d99b72ff99051e7e91f822c3c
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d919ea6d99b72ff99051e7e91f822c3c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Evaluating MSU Denver's Inclusive Peer Health Ed Program in Denver Schools
DESCRIPTION:Background: Today more than ever\, providing inclusive and comprehensive health education to youth and young adults is critical to support the promotion of health and well-being\, particularly in our under-served communities. This presentation will demonstrate the application of evidence-based health education practices and health education curriculum through the MSU Denver Peer Health Education (PHE) Program which serves under-resourced public schools in the Denver Metro area. Methods & Results: The presentation will examine evaluation study design as well as data from current and past evaluation projects which indicate: 1) increased knowledge of student participants\; 2) overall satisfaction of participating youth\, college mentors\, and partnering schools\; 3) qualitative stories of all engaged in this program\; and 4) opportunities for improvement in the delivery of the PHE program. Implications: As public health is seeing unprecedented obstacles and challenges\, promoting the importance of inclusive\, and comprehensive health education is critical for today's youth and young adults. This presentation highlight the PHE curriculum approach\, as well as identify effective near-peer facilitation methods and strategies implemented in under-resourced Denver metro high schools. Working within school districts requires adaptability\, collaboration\, and sometimes patience\, to ensure that we develop methods and messages speaking to the realities of the students we work with.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:689ce183479f6508378b516aa3ff8a37
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/689ce183479f6508378b516aa3ff8a37
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Following Up on Food Insecurity: what happens after screening and referral?
DESCRIPTION:Background: Primary care practices often screen for food insecurity. However\, short-term patient outcomes after screening are not well understood. We used a mixed-methods approach to examine satisfaction with screening and connection to resources among adults screening positive for food insecurity at two Western Slope federally qualified health centers. Methods: Patients completed REDCap surveys on food assistance resource referrals and usage at three timepoints: identification of food insecurity\, one\, and three months later. Interviews were conducted with a subset of survey respondents using a semi-structured guide and were analyzed via rapid qualitative analysis. Results: Thirty-four patients completed surveys and 18 also participated in interviews. Among survey respondents\, 69% reported receiving a referral to food assistance programs. Of those referred\, 75% rated referrals as ‘very helpful’ and 25% as ‘a little bit helpful.’ At baseline\, 25% of respondents reported current use of the Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) and 28% reported past use. At months one and three respectively\, 39% and 36% reported current use of SNAP. At baseline\, 34% reported current use of community food pantries and 34% reported past use\, increasing to 40% at one month and 42% at three months. Topics emerging from key informant interviews included: limited recall of screening processes but no specific objections\; few new resources received following screening\; patients in acute medical or socio-economic crisis recalled attention to social needs more clearly\; and inability of current community options to meet needs due to barriers such as pantry schedules\, dietary needs\, and transportation. Implications: Screening for food insecurity can identify needs\, but existing resources may be insufficient. Healthcare and community organizations may need to deepen collaboration and communication to advocate for policies and funding that increase availability and accessibility of food assistance resources.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d1c368d480ec700bb1280d4ce1bd2146
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d1c368d480ec700bb1280d4ce1bd2146
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:One Health Mobile Outreach: An Innovative Model for Community Health
DESCRIPTION:Access to care is an important component of One Health efforts to provide care to people and pets. One Health Mobile Outreach\, currently being piloted in Colorado\, is a novel and innovative enterprise that takes interprofessional teams\, primarily volunteer\, to underserved areas of Colorado to provide free healthcare services in the form of a Community Health Fair. Typically the communities served are rural and relatively small. Teams include veterinary\, medical\, dental (human)\, social work\, addiction counseling and other associated assistance\, and the Health Fairs occur as one day events on weekends. Professional students\, with preceptors\, are an important component of the venture. Volunteer teams typically travel to one community each day within several hours drive of each other. One of the unique features of COHMO (Colorado One Health Mobile Outreach) is that the veterinary team is the umbrella organization\, providing equipment and supplies for other providers and event coordination. Also\, veterinarians and their team are effective at quickly establishing trust with pet owners and can serve as a bridge of trust to other healthcare practitioners\, where there is often resistance on the part of individuals who may have had a negative experience previously\, are wary of figures of authority or seek to avoid any discomfort or bad outcomes that may be involved. \n \n Collaborative community healthcare is a novel model of providing preventive healthcare services to those in communities that are economically challenged\, using the principle of Bring the Medicine to the People. It involves a One Health approach that integrates care for people and pets taking into account local environmental factors. There is a strong emphasis on dental care\, the most neglected aspect of health care in underserved communities.\n \n The presentation will be highly graphical and detail visits to multiple Colorado communities in the past several years.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:6b0e82b0a5c620d0a32ee1415c1990a6
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/6b0e82b0a5c620d0a32ee1415c1990a6
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:STEP in Colorado: Developing a Statewide Fall Prevention Initiative
DESCRIPTION:Background Falls are the leading cause of injury among older adults in Colorado\, costing the state $739 million/year. Evidence-based fall prevention programs exist\, but they’re underutilized and not systematically implemented statewide. The multi-year Scaling Trusted Evidence-based Fall Prevention (STEP) initiative scales evidence-based fall-prevention programs across Colorado and evaluates their real-world impact. We aimed to identify 10 fall-prevention program delivery sites across Colorado using a data-driven approach. Methods We mapped Colorado evidence-based fall prevention programs\, then calculated county-level\, age-specific\, fall-associated ED visit incidence rates. Using 2019-2023 Census population estimates\, SVI (Social Vulnerability Index)\, and CO Department of Public Health and Environment injury dashboard data\, we created a series of choropleth maps showing Colorado counties with the highest density of older adults\, highest frequency and rates of falls-associated ED visits\, and highest SVI. Input from the STEP advisory board and the Colorado Falls Coalition informed the mapping tool and guided identification of high-priority regions for delivery site implementation. After candidates were identified\, we conducted outreach to assess interest and distributed surveys to evaluate suitability. Results Areas (counties) identified as high-priority included the Denver Metro area (Adams\, Jefferson\, Arapahoe\, and Denver)\, Front Range outside the Denver Metro area (Pueblo\, El Paso\, Weld\, and Larimer)\, Western Slope (Mesa\, La Plata\, Montezuma\, and Montrose)\, Central Mountains (Fremont\, Summit)\, San Luis Valley\, and Eastern Plains (Morgan\, Las Animas). Thus far\, we have identified 48 potential delivery sites. Final delivery site information will be finalized and available at time of conference. Implications Utilizing publicly available data sources can be a powerful way to aid public health program site exploration or research design. It allowed us to identify and target Colorado areas experiencing the highest need for fall prevention programs based on health care utilization data and falls risk factors.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0b736c736e16dc9b1d116dcaab330fa2
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/0b736c736e16dc9b1d116dcaab330fa2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T153000Z
DTEND:20260923T160000Z
SUMMARY:Creation of a Public Health Curriculum for the APP Learner:
DESCRIPTION:APPs (Advanced Practice Providers) provide both clinical care and clinical education to APP learners across numerous health systems in Colorado. APP training pathways have significantly fewer clinical hours than physician training models\, therefore creation of high-quality clinical education programs for APP learners is all the more important to ensure ongoing high quality medical care for our patients. Creation of a Public Health curriculum would aim to optimize the educational value of this limited clinical time through structured\, competency-oriented modules that encompass the scope of the Public Health Institute at Denver Health. The intent of this curriculum is to ensure a comprehensive experience for the learner by ensuring development of foundational skills that can translate into competency and confidence in early career. Additionally\, the goal is to attract students passionate about public health and help support their career development\, encouraging them to enter the field post-graduation. In collaboration several clinical experts at the Public Health Institute at Denver Health\, we have developed a curriculum including clinical modules\, competencies and resources. Additionally\, we developed pre/post surveys for learners and Public Health Practitioners to evaluate the impact of this intervention. The following will be measured via before and after intervention: ·APP learner experience ·APP learner confidence ·Public Health Practitioner willingness to host learners ·Public Health Practitioner perception of learner preparedness This is an area of novel development. Research suggests longitudinal programs for medical students are successful in creating providers that outperform counterparts in clinical skills and knowledge. This is an unstudied area for APP learners. Yet\, we hypothesize that a framework for longitudinal curriculum for APPs could also yield the similar outcomes while attracting and retaining highly competent and confident Early Career APPs in Public Health. Our hope is that this curriculum will provide a transferrable framework for any institution to use.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:93b19db50630f90fa1a7ede110149697
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/93b19db50630f90fa1a7ede110149697
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:Sharing Power for Better Data & Relationships: CDPHE's Baby & You Program
DESCRIPTION:BACKGROUND: Data equity is key to advancing health equity. Intentional oversampling or priority populations paired with shared decision making with communities can support the collection of more inclusive and meaningful data that reflects the values\, cultures\, and strengths of the communities we seek to represent. METHODS: To inform programs and policies that advance health equity for birthing people and families\, the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) Baby & You Program surveys Coloradans at four time points during the first three years postpartum. The program’s dedicated state funding and non-prescriptive mandate provides unique flexibility to share power and be guided by community needs. To this end\, Baby & You has democratized its survey and data product development processes (e.g.\, open calls for survey proposals\, open & flexible participation for survey development\, partner-led data product development\, compensation for community participation) RESULTS: Since 2023\, Baby & You has convened 166 people over 38 working meetings to co-develop surveys and data products\; co-hosted a retreat and community discussion for Black birthing people\; and collaborated on a Native community baby shower and discussion. Baby & You collaborated with partners and community to develop four program surveys\, including a new supplement on birth experiences. In evaluations\, 100% of participants agreed that their opinions/perspectives were respected and helped shape survey content\, their time was well spent\, and they would choose to participate again. We completed our first collaborative data product development process in 2025\, resulting in a report on perinatal mental health for healthcare/legislative decision-makers. In 2026\, we are hosting community data chats among priority populations. IMPLICATIONS: Building a community-led data collection system within a government context takes resources\, time\, commitment\, flexibility\, diplomacy\, transparency\, and humility\, but can yield more meaningful data through trusting\, reciprocal relationships with partners and community.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f0c4458bd689b1ab539ceabe98ad6350
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/f0c4458bd689b1ab539ceabe98ad6350
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:Using Cumulative Impact Analysis to Advance Environmental Justice
DESCRIPTION:This session will describe CDPHE's Environmental Equity and Cumulative Impacts Analysis work\, including a pilot research study underway in the East Colfax neighborhood of Aurora. The presenter will discuss the study methodology\, how it will offer a novel understanding of the effects of multiple environmental exposures\, and the intended public health benefits to residents of the community. More broadly\, the presenter will describe how this pilot can inform an understanding of cumulative impacts across the state and subsequently guide policy. The session will include an overview of a variety of resources under development to support local cumulative impacts work. Participants will have the opportunity to reflect on how this work is applicable in their community and explore available data.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d82275bb4902006bd78af0dc4871fa8c
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d82275bb4902006bd78af0dc4871fa8c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:Building Regional Networks to Address Public Health Concerns
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose:\n The Colorado State Epidemiological Outcomes Workgroup (SEOW) is a network of state agencies and data experts that collaborate to examine the patterns\, context\, and impacts of substance use to inform prevention\, treatment\, and recovery efforts across Colorado. In 2021\, the Colorado SEOW conducted a statewide needs assessment with public health and prevention professionals that identified a strong need for timely\, localized substance use data to support community decision-making. In response\, the Colorado SEOW developed Health Statistics Regional Profiles. This presentation highlights key data from the 2026 profiles as a practical resource for local public health professionals\, coalitions\, and community organizations.\n \n Methods:\n The Regional Profiles include publicly available statewide and regional surveillance data from multiple public health and partner agency sources. Indicators include youth and adult substance use prevalence\, risk and protective factors\, alcohol and cannabis outlet density\, prescription rates\, mental health indicators\, treatment utilization\, and fatal and nonfatal overdose trends. Data were compiled and analyzed to identify regional patterns and emerging trends across Colorado. The publications are then reviewed by public health and subject matter experts for context and data visualization to ensure the data are easily digestible for all Coloradans interested in talking with their communities about substance use trends.\n \n Results:\n The 2026 Regional Profiles provide accessible\, community-level insights into substance use trends. Findings demonstrate regional variation in substance use behaviors\, behavioral health indicators\, and prevention resources\, highlighting the importance of localized data in informing targeted public health responses.\n \n Implications:\n \n Attendees will gain awareness of emerging substance use trends at both the state and regional levels and learn how to apply the Regional Profiles to support grant writing\, community assessments\, program planning\, policy development\, evaluation\, and local prevention initiatives.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b33af2e16c964b2c135469fa8a6f31ef
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b33af2e16c964b2c135469fa8a6f31ef
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:Test Yourself Colorado: Addressing STIs through at-home self-testing
DESCRIPTION:Background: Syphilis remains a public health priority nationally and in Colorado. Test Yourself Colorado (TYC) is an online\, at-home STI testing program administered by the Denver Sexual Health Clinic that provides free mailed HIV tests and/or gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) testing statewide. In 2026\, TYC launched a pilot at-home syphilis self-testing program as an additional service for clients reporting never having syphilis.\n\nMethods: The TYC at-home syphilis pilot utilizes the First to Know® Syphilis Test\, the first FDA authorized over-the-counter self-administered test. The test utilizes fingerstick blood and results in 15 minutes. Clients are provided with resources for seeking further clinical evaluation in the event of reactive results. Syphilis test kits were offered as part of TYC first from 2/15/2026 -2/28/26 and then again starting 4/10/2026. We report initial programmatic results from the syphilis at-home testing pilot program as of 5/8/2026. Future evaluations will assess client satisfaction and barriers to use.\n \n Results: During the pilot\, 417 total orders were placed with TYC. Of these\, 154 (37%) included a syphilis test. Of syphilis orders\, 45 (29%) were among cis-men\; 106 (69%) were among cis-women\; 2 (1%) were among trans clients. Eighty-seven (56%) syphilis orders were among White\, Non-Hispanic individuals\; 7 (5%) were among Black non-Hispanic clients\; and 31 (20%) were among Hispanic clients. The remaining orders (29\; 19%) were among individuals who preferred not to answer the race/ethnicity question or who identified as a different race/ethnicity. Fifteen (10%) syphilis orders were among men who have sex with men.\n \n&nbsp\;Implications: Initial utilization of TYC’s at-home syphilis testing service indicated modest interest in the syphilis test. Ongoing efforts to promote the program in addition to the importance of syphilis screening among priority populations are merited. As efforts continue to address the syphilis epidemic\, at-home testing services should be considered.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d1f9b93b712f75675ea9c9410670028f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d1f9b93b712f75675ea9c9410670028f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:Dental Cost and Utilization in Colorado: Insights from the CO APCD
DESCRIPTION:Background: Syphilis remains a public health priority nationally and in Colorado. Test Yourself Colorado (TYC) is an online\, at-home STI testing program administered by the Denver Sexual Health Clinic that provides free mailed HIV tests and/or gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) testing statewide. In 2026\, TYC launched a pilot at-home syphilis self-testing program as an additional service for clients reporting never having syphilis.\n \n Methods: The TYC at-home syphilis pilot utilizes the First to Know® Syphilis Test\, the first FDA authorized over-the-counter self-administered test. The test utilizes fingerstick blood and results in 15 minutes. Clients are provided with resources for seeking further clinical evaluation in the event of reactive results. Syphilis test kits were offered as part of TYC first from 2/15/2026 -2/28/26 and then again starting 4/10/2026. We report initial programmatic results from the syphilis at-home testing pilot program as of 5/8/2026. Future evaluations will assess client satisfaction and barriers to use.\n \n Results: During the pilot\, 417 total orders were placed with TYC. Of these\, 154 (37%) included a syphilis test. Of syphilis orders\, 45 (29%) were among cis-men\; 106 (69%) were among cis-women\; 2 (1%) were among trans clients. Eighty-seven (56%) syphilis orders were among White\, Non-Hispanic individuals\; 7 (5%) were among Black non-Hispanic clients\; and 31 (20%) were among Hispanic clients. The remaining orders (29\; 19%) were among individuals who preferred not to answer the race/ethnicity question or who identified as a different race/ethnicity. Fifteen (10%) syphilis orders were among men who have sex with men.\n \n Implications: Initial utilization of TYC’s at-home syphilis testing service indicated modest interest in the syphilis test. Ongoing efforts to promote the program in addition to the importance of syphilis screening among priority populations are merited. As efforts continue to address the syphilis epidemic\, at-home testing services should be considered.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5731bf9b1af6bea7ddb6f4e52297cf5e
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/5731bf9b1af6bea7ddb6f4e52297cf5e
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:BREATHE: Advancing Equity in Pediatric Environmental Asthma Care
DESCRIPTION:Background\n The ongoing substance use crisis continues to disproportionately impact rural communities with limited access to behavioral health services and high stigma surrounding substance use disorder (SUD). Las Animas and Huerfano rural Colorado counties show high rates of youth substance use\, mental health concerns\, and overdose risk compared to state averages. This project highlights the participatory co-design\, implementation\, and pilot evaluation of Change the Narrative\, a community-informed multicomponent digital public health educational anti-stigma campaign developed to reduce substance use and mental health stigma and increase access to care. \n \n Methods\n Using participatory design and Boot Camp Translation-like methodology\, a coalition of public health organizations\, healthcare providers\, and community members collaborated to develop culturally responsive evidence-based educational materials for stigma reduction. Mixed-methods evaluation\, stakeholder feedback\, and social media analytics help assess feasibility\, acceptability\, engagement\, access\, and preliminary impact.\n \n Results\n Over 15 community and health service organizations participated in campaign development and dissemination. More than 60 community members\, including youth\, adults\, providers\, and coalition members\, participated in iterative testing and evaluation activities. Over 50 co-designed and iteratively enhanced materials focused on the impact of substance use\, prevention and access\, dismantling stereotypes and stigma\, seeing the whole person\, recovery\, and hope. Components included: a) printed outreach materials distributed across hospitals\, restaurants\, park\, schools\, other community venues)\; b) prevention action-focused educational website\; c) youth-centered social media (Instagram\, Tiktok). Preliminary findings demonstrated acceptability of messaging and shifts in community perceptions. \n \n Implications \n \n This project supports the feasibility of community-engaged digital campaigns to reduce stigma and strengthen substance use prevention and mental health resources in rural communities. Youth-informed messaging\, social media engagement\, and culturally responsive resources may improve outreach\, build community capacity\, and advance health equity. Results highlight the importance of partnerships between local public health workforces and communities to develop evidence-based\, community-driven prevention interventions.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:46a3fc629560e9f7234e01489dd57d8a
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/46a3fc629560e9f7234e01489dd57d8a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:Assessing Sexual and Reproductive Health Education Content Delivered in K-12 Public Schools in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:The state of Colorado utilizes a unique model for delivery of SRH information in public schools. While the state encourages school districts to provide instruction on SRH topics\, it does not mandate that such content be provided to all students. Instead\, the state stipulates that if a district chooses to provide SRH instruction\, it is required to do so in a way that is “comprehensive\, age-appropriate\, culturally sensitive\, inclusive of a positive youth development framework\, and medically accurate” (Colorado HB19-1032).&nbsp\;\nWe will be discussing our project plan to use a web-based survey instrument to assess the sexual and reproductive health content that recent Colorado high school students have been exposed to in public schools. Development of content areas and themes will be done using intentional feedback sessions with stakeholders working in this space and will be informed by a Youth Advisory Council we develop to facilitate intentional youth engagement and participation throughout the duration of the project. Specifically\, our study will gather information on content required by the state when teaching comprehensive human sexuality education\, including contraception\, pregnancy outcome options\, consent\, and inclusion of lesbian\, gay\, bisexual\, intersex and transgender individuals. We aim to assess the scope of material presented and whether it corresponds with state policy guidelines to build a body of evidence on the current landscape for students in Colorado.\n
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:03337e6e2e22ee52f77a5994912becac
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/03337e6e2e22ee52f77a5994912becac
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:The Wellbeing of Place: Results from Colorado's Rural Health Equity Report
DESCRIPTION:Oral health is a critical component of whole-person health\, yet significant gaps in access\, utilization\, and affordability persist across Colorado\, particularly in rural and underserved communities. To address the lack of accessible statewide dental data\, the Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC) partnered with the Colorado Dental Association to develop Colorado’s first public Dental Health Dashboard\, using data from the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD). This project reflects the conference theme\, Stronger Together: Public Health in the Heart of the Rockies\, by demonstrating how collaboration among public health organizations\, dental providers\, and health care stakeholders can advance data-driven solutions to improve community health.\n \n This session will present findings from 2022–2025 commercial and Medicaid claims data\, examining dental utilization\, procedure frequency\, and out-of-pocket costs across rural and urban communities\, payer types\, and demographics (including age groups\, sex\, and race/ethnicity). Presenters will demonstrate the interactive Dental Dashboard\, highlighting disparities in utilization and spending patterns\, including lower rates of care among rural residents\, younger adults\, and some racial and ethnic populations\, alongside higher treatment costs in rural communities and among older adults.\n \n Attendees will learn how publicly available claims data can support oral health planning\, outreach\, policy development\, and equity-focused interventions. Participants will leave with practical strategies for using the dashboard to identify disparities\, inform local decision-making\, and strengthen collaboration between oral health and broader public health initiatives. Time for attendee discussion and interactive dashboard exploration will encourage participants to share challenges\, identify potential applications in their own communities\, and provide feedback to inform future dashboard enhancements.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2e4863394989d202b3df440ec8e7d6ef
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/2e4863394989d202b3df440ec8e7d6ef
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:Colorado SEOW 2026 Regional Profiles: Local Data for Community Action
DESCRIPTION:Background: Rural populations experience a wide range of health disparities\, including higher rates of cancer and heart disease death. Persistent inequities in the social determinants of health\, such as lower access to quality public services\, underlie many rural health disparities. Yet\, rural contexts vary both across and within states\, and the particular needs and resilience capacity of Colorado’s rural populations have been insufficiently characterized. This research showcase will report on a two-year project led by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to assess rural health equity statewide and inform policy responses.\n \n Methods: The presentation will compare rural\, rural resort\, and urban geographies on 40 health and social determinant indicators\, drawing on a novel dataset that combines vital statistics and survey data for all 64 counties in Colorado. The presentation will also report on a qualitative analysis of interviews and focus groups and a review of Colorado public policy.\n \n Results: Rural populations fared worse than urban populations on 75% of health indicators\, including premature mortality and deaths from chronic disease. Rural areas also fared worse on 55% of social determinant indicators tested\, such as uninsured rates and food insecurity\, but fared better on 30%\, including the violent crime rate. Rural resort populations\, by contrast\, actually fared better than urban ones on 87% of health indicators. They also fared better on 50% of social determinant indicators\, while faring worse on just 20%. Social connections are core strengths of both rural and rural resort communities\, with participants routinely reporting a strong sense of belonging and interdependence.\n \n Implications: Colorado’s rural populations face interlocking disadvantages across most health and social determinant indicators\, but they also hold strengths that can be reinforced through strategic investments and expanded support. The presentation concludes with a discussion of promising approaches and lessons for advancing rural health equity.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8922d6ca033f4b845a530ccde28ce518
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/8922d6ca033f4b845a530ccde28ce518
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T161500Z
DTEND:20260923T164500Z
SUMMARY:Together Change the Narrative: A Rural Colorado Stigma Reduction Initiative
DESCRIPTION:Regional networks can leverage the strengths of diverse organizations to address behavioral health service shortages. This presentation will overview a year-long translatable process for building and sustaining such networks\, including a case example in which this approach was sequentially implemented across three different rural regions of Colorado to address nicotine use. \n \n The Regional Networks for Comprehensive Tobacco Treatment (RNCTT) leveraged the Performance Partnership Model (PPM) to engage leaders from different communities in directed\, collaborative goal setting. The RNCTT focused on pursuing what communities can accomplish innovatively and rapidly\, using their existing infrastructure and no additional funding. Each year\, the RNCTT convened a new regional network in a rural part of Colorado which included public health organizations\, health care providers\, hospitals\, community-based organizations\, school districts\, and more. Networks collectively identified goals to address nicotine use at the regional level\, while also pursuing supportive organizational-level goals.\n \n Each regional network was launched by an in-person Action Forum. During this event\, didactic\, regional information related to nicotine was relayed. Project facilitators led the organizations in network building and goal setting activities. Throughout the project year\, organizations met regularly to share updates\, successes\, and challenges. They also received tailored technical assistance that supported goal achievement and free access to evidence-based trainings designed to increase knowledge and capacity to treat nicotine use. Each project year culminated in an in-person Sustainability Meeting at which project facilitators supported the creation of a sustainability plan to guide future progress and strategically relinquished leadership to the network itself. The RNCTT project empowered three rural regions in Colorado to develop new regional connections and enhanced their capacity to address nicotine use. Thus\, the RNCTT project demonstrates the potential for diverse organizations in a region to convene and collaborate to leverage their respective specialties to collectively address public health concerns.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:42cb00a5595f6276937350385d4f8d8d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/42cb00a5595f6276937350385d4f8d8d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:Preparing the Dental Workforce for HPV Vaccination: Student Perspectives
DESCRIPTION:Background: As Colorado expands dental scope of practice to include immunizations related to oral and respiratory health\, understanding future oral health professionals’ preparedness for human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated oropharyngeal cancer prevention is essential. This study assessed HPV-related knowledge\, attitudes\, and willingness to vaccinate among Colorado dental and dental hygiene students. It was hypothesized that greater HPV knowledge and stronger perceptions of HPV prevention as a dental professional responsibility would be associated with willingness to vaccinate. Methods: Colorado dental and dental hygiene students were recruited to complete an anonymous cross-sectional survey. The survey\, adapted from prior dental student HPV research\, included HPV knowledge questions and Likert-style items assessing communication comfort\, barriers\, professional role perceptions\, curricular experiences\, and vaccine training and administration interest. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses evaluated predictors of willingness to engage in vaccination training and administration. Results: 88 students were surveyed. 88.6% and 80.7% believed discussing HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer and recommending HPV vaccination are appropriate dental roles\, respectively. 93.2% expressed at least some interest in administering HPV vaccines within dental settings. However\, only 9.1% reported comfort discussing sexually transmitted infection-related topics with patients. Regression analysis showed willingness to vaccinate was significantly associated with perceiving HPV prevention as a dental professional role (p < 0.001)\, while HPV knowledge was not independently associated with willingness to vaccinate. Implications: Oral health students generally support expanded HPV prevention efforts but may benefit from additional communication training and stronger curricular emphasis on HPV prevention. As Colorado implements dental immunization authority\, strengthening HPV vaccination education within oral health programs may support interdisciplinary oral-public health collaboration\, expand preventive care workforce capacity\, and improve access to cancer prevention services. Future work will evaluate educational and systems-level implementation strategies to prepare oral health professionals for vaccine delivery.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:370bc315bba817a2c196a368f05f4e51
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/370bc315bba817a2c196a368f05f4e51
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:Urban Heat\, Ozone\, and Asthma Disparities in NYC: A Multiscale Analysis
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Urban heat islands accelerate ground-level ozone formation through photochemical reactions\, creating compound exposures that increase asthma emergency visits by 6–8% per 1°C temperature rise. This study examines how surface temperature\, ozone\, and built environment factors jointly drive asthma prevalence across New York City. Methods: Asthma prevalence for 2\,071 Census Tracts was obtained from the CDC 500 Cities database. Fifteen indicators were integrated — including spring and winter land surface temperature (Landsat)\, ozone concentration\, building density\, land use mix\, employment accessibility\, food environment access\, income\, car ownership\, and race/ethnicity. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and Multiscale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) captured spatial heterogeneity across scales. XGBoost-SHAP analysis identified non-linear predictor importance and interaction effects beyond the capacity of regression models. Results: MGWR substantially outperformed OLS (R²≈0.90 vs. 0.47)\, confirming significant spatial non-stationarity in the built and social environmental drivers of asthma prevalence. correlation analysis indicating significant seasonal variation in the thermal environment's effect on asthma risk. MGWR assigns each predictor its own optimal bandwidth\; smaller bandwidths indicate more localized effects. High-income proportion was the strongest factor (bandwidth=56\, most localized)\, while car-free household proportion showed the strongest positive association with asthma (bandwidth=2\,000\, city-wide). Black/non-Hispanic population share significantly elevated asthma burden at a meso-scale (bandwidth = 500)\, reflecting persistent spatial inequities linked to historical residential segregation. Preliminary SHAP analysis further identified non-linear threshold effects\, where asthma risk accelerates significantly above critical ozone concentration levels. Implications: Heat and ozone co-exposure create spatially concentrated asthma disparities in low-income\, minority neighborhoods. MGWR and SHAP together pinpoint where cooling infrastructure\, street greening\, and transit interventions can most effectively reduce asthma burden.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e4d4bc5002c876676eb2313bdda76686
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/e4d4bc5002c876676eb2313bdda76686
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:Examining Stigmatizing Language in K-12 State Sex Education Laws in CO & AL
DESCRIPTION:Over the past decade in the United States\, there have been considerable shifts in policy around requirements of sexual education. A significant factor in this is the lack of policy at the federal level\, allowing states to choose whether sexual education is a requirement at all. Currently\, only 36 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring a form of sexual education to be taught in schools. A notable consequence of states making their own individual laws around sexual education is the use of stigmatizing language within the policy itself. This can include use of language around abstinence-only education\, how STIs are described and framed\, pregnancy management and options\, and provision of parental consent. This qualitative study aims to begin to examine state-level K-12 sexual education policies\, starting with Colorado and Alabama as comparative case studies. Using inductive analysis\, the state’s policy documents will be systematically coded to identify key themes\, allowing for the creation of a comparative thematic matrix. Based on noted patterns in the matrix\, implications for public health research\, policy\, health equity\, and marginalized populations can be identified. By analyzing how language functions within these policies\, questions around participation\, inclusion\, accessibility\, and relevance of content can begin to be answered.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:41a2769968054bc389fb4ad4d7cd5ba0
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/41a2769968054bc389fb4ad4d7cd5ba0
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:For The Youth\, By The… Adults?: Youth-Driven Substance Use Programming
DESCRIPTION:Inside Out Youth Services (IOYS) believes that young people have an integral role in informing\, shaping\, and delivering programming responsive to health and wellness. By providing agency for young people to develop and facilitate educational programs\, we recenter youth voice within their own care. IOYS serves LGBTQIA2+ young people ages 13-24 in a variety of modalities to best meet youth where they are at. One of the ways we sought to achieve this was the development of the Peer Program Internship in 2025\, including a Substance Use Prevention Intern. These interns have the opportunity to learn leadership qualities\, actively participate in civic engagement\, and facilitate youth-led programming. To measure the impact of programs\, data is collected through Program Feedback Forms\, and twice-annual Outcome Assessments measure the broader impact IOYS has had on young people in areas like healthy relationships\, support systems\, and substance use. Since then\, IOYS has seen the highest growth scores in Outcome Assessment data among responses related to understanding substance misuse and increased awareness of where to find support. Higher rates of attendance and engagement are also observed when programs are facilitated by other young people. To us\, we implement the theme of ‘Stronger Together’ every day in our work with young people. We encourage other practitioners to consider how including youth voice within public health processes sets a foundation for greater agency for young people navigating healthcare settings\, especially for young people who face increased barriers to service.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a4cf014275e0b41ec8dc775522d3bd61
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a4cf014275e0b41ec8dc775522d3bd61
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:Addressing Psychological Birth Trauma: A Call to Action
DESCRIPTION:BACKGROUND: Psychological birth trauma (BT) is a prevalent yet underrecognized complication of childbirth that can lead to short- and long-term impacts on maternal and family wellbeing. This study aimed to quantify the population-level burden of BT in Colorado and identify specific supportive interventions necessary for maternal recovery. METHODS: This mixed-methods public health study utilized two sources of data. Quantitative estimates of BT prevalence and care utilization rates were calculated using novel maternal health surveillance data from new mothers in Colorado (2023-2024). This was complemented by a qualitative study involving in-depth semi-structured interviews with women who experienced traumatic births to explore their experiences and the supports that facilitated their recovery during and beyond the postpartum period. RESULTS: Preliminary surveillance estimates from 2023 indicate a BT prevalence rate of 9% among new mothers in Colorado (over 4800 mothers/year)\, with only 46% of those affected receiving helpful\, timely care. Qualitative findings identified five critical areas where women and families lack adequate support: 1) Understanding the cognitive and behavioral impacts of BT\; 2) Learning adaptive coping strategies for difficult emotions (anxiety\, rage) and reactions (isolation\, hypervigilance\, overcontrol)\; 3) Addressing immediate and long-term physical health conditions resulting from pregnancy and childbirth\; 4) Navigating mental health and medical care to determine the viability of subsequent\, healthy pregnancies\; 5) Accessing paid parental leave that reflects the actual time needed for postpartum recovery and caring for babies discharged from the NICU. IMPLICATIONS: The high prevalence of BT coupled with low rates of care indicate a critical gap in the perinatal care continuum. Public health and clinical strategies must shift toward systemic\, trauma-informed models. This includes educating providers\, women\, partners\, and families\; improving postpartum mental health screenings\; integrating behavioral health within obstetric care\; and enacting supportive labor policies like comprehensive paid parental leave to facilitate long-term maternal recovery.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:38e8808ca9590d05fab60d8dc5b9c473
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/38e8808ca9590d05fab60d8dc5b9c473
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:Bridging the Gap: Education and Resource Access to Address Period Poverty
DESCRIPTION:Background: Menstrual health can significantly impact physical\, mental\, and social well-being. Period poverty is defined as "The lack of access to safe and hygienic menstrual products\, inaccessibility to basic sanitation services\, facilities\, and menstrual hygiene education" (Jaafar et al.\, 2023). It is estimated that 25% of menstruators in the United States will experience period poverty at some point during their life (Casola et al.\, 2022). This review examines how period poverty resources bridge gaps by addressing access to menstrual education\, sanitation materials\, and services. Methods: A literature review began with a PubMed search for “menstrual health”\, identifying the Hennegan et al. (2021) framework. Hennegan’s framework defined multiple components of menstrual health\; this review focused on the two components of the framework closely linked to period poverty: information and materials\, facilities\, and services. A subsequent search in PubMed and Google Scholar was completed\, adding the keywords "health literacy”\, “accessibility”\, and “period poverty". Nine scholarly sources were mapped to explore if period poverty resources can bridge gaps in these two components of menstrual health. Results: This literature review found that period poverty resources could bridge gaps by improving access to menstrual education\, products\, facilities\, and services necessary for optimal menstrual health. Yet\, combating period poverty is complex\, in part due to long-standing stigmatization and shaming that have made discussing the menstrual cycle difficult. Given the complexities\, further research is needed to address additional gaps related to menstrual health. Implications: Action can take place at the individual level through conversations and involvement in local efforts. Through coordination efforts\, academic institutions\, medical facilities\, governments\, policymakers\, and non-profit organizations such as Period Kits Colorado (PKC) can improve menstrual health equity by increasing menstrual education and expanding access to products and services\, directly benefiting menstruators in Colorado.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a69ad16b0309094d112e55c31bf7dd30
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a69ad16b0309094d112e55c31bf7dd30
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:Enhancing HRQOL & Patient Activation: A Health Promotion Program Evaluation
DESCRIPTION:Chronic disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S.\, with modifiable lifestyle factors contributing to disease burden. Lifestyle-based health programs that incorporate education and coaching have demonstrated improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and patient activation (ability to manage one’s health)\, both associated with better chronic disease outcomes. In partnership with CU Anschutz Medical Campus\, Whole Health Collaborative (WHC) identified the need to conduct a program evaluation (PE) of its nurse-led health promotion program to examine its impact on HRQOL and patient activation across partner organizations following program inception. A PE guided by the RE-AIM framework was conducted across three cohorts. The intervention included 5-weekly group lifestyle education sessions followed by 15-weeks of individualized clinical support and health coaching. Outcomes were measured using the Short Form-36 and Patient Activation Measure (PAM-13) at baseline\, post-class\, and program completion. ANOVA and descriptive statistics were used to analyze outcomes\, process\, and balancing measures. All cohorts achieved ≥10% improvement in at least one HRQOL domain. Patient activation improved across all cohorts\, with two cohorts meeting the ≥10% goal. Significant cohort differences were observed in general health (p = .003). Patient activation differed by time (p = .034)\, cohort (p = .010)\, and showed a significant overall model (p = .016). Role functioning–physical showed a significant cohort x time interaction (p = .036). Results support the effectiveness of the evaluated program. Integrating ongoing HRQOL and patient activation measurements can guide continuous improvement and scalability\, strengthening WHC’s community-based initiatives to advance chronic disease prevention.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:999ecf0e05c44e8901c543f729856771
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/999ecf0e05c44e8901c543f729856771
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:From Crisis to Connection: Building a medical clinic in a navigation center
DESCRIPTION:Individuals experiencing homelessness and housing instability often rely on emergency departments and 911 responses for urgent or primary care needs\, contributing to system strain and fragmented care. We partnered with the Aurora Regional Navigation Center to co‑locate a FQHC‑based walk‑in clinic that provides same‑day primary care\, behavioral health\, and care coordination directly within the shelter environment. This work is relevant to public health professionals because it addresses health equity\, access to care\, and community‑based crisis response for one of the most vulnerable populations. The main questions guiding this work were: 1) Can embedding a walk‑in clinic within a Navigation Center reduce avoidable ED or 911 use? and 2) How can cross‑sector partnerships strengthen linkage to ongoing primary and behavioral health services? Clients accessing the Navigation Center’s walk‑in clinic are triaged by nursing and medical staff and then seen by a clinician when appropriate. Data from the first reporting period were extracted from the clinic’s electronic health record to count the total number of clients seen and the number seen by a clinician. The goal was to estimate how many encounters represented opportunities to address urgent or primary care needs in a lower‑acuity setting and thus likely negated an emergency department visit or 911 call. De‑identified aggregate counts were analyzed descriptively to characterize volume and service patterns. During the reporting period\, the Navigation Center–based clinic engaged 1\,121 clients\, of whom 599 were seen by a clinician. Early findings suggest this model reduces the need for higher‑acuity crisis responses while connecting clients to community‑based care. Embedding a walk‑in clinic within the Aurora Regional Navigation Center is a practical\, equity‑centered strategy to divert individuals from emergency departments and 911 responses into primary and behavioral health services.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d5184cd325b662fc4ff541d1d696578f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d5184cd325b662fc4ff541d1d696578f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:Stronger Together: Engaging French-Speaking African Communities
DESCRIPTION:Background: French-speaking African immigrant communities in Colorado remain underrepresented in public health outreach\, leadership initiatives\, and Community Health Worker (CHW) development efforts. Language barriers\, cultural differences\, and limited access to culturally responsive health information may reduce engagement with public health systems. VIE Colorado partnered with the Patients Navigation & Community Health Worker Training (PNCT) program to strengthen relationships with French-speaking African community leaders and increase participation in public health initiatives. Methods: The initiative applied the “3 C’s of Community Engagement” framework: Connect\, Collaborate\, and Communicate. Relationship-building efforts focused on engaging community leaders\, faith communities\, and immigrant-serving organizations through bilingual outreach and culturally responsive dialogue. Collaboration between VIE Colorado\, PNCT\, and community stakeholders created opportunities to discuss health priorities\, leadership development\, and pathways to community health workforce engagement. Communication strategies included adaptation of public health materials into French\, participation in community-centered events\, and ongoing conversations regarding health access and prevention. Results: The initiative strengthened visibility and participation of French-speaking African communities within local public health spaces. Community engagement activities created opportunities for dialogue between public health partners and community leaders around oral health education\, community health priorities\, and representation in civic spaces. Participation in cultural celebrations\, local government events\, and collaborative meetings helped reinforce trust and encouraged stronger leadership involvement in community health discussions. Community leaders also contributed perspectives on health needs affecting their communities and participated in advocacy efforts supporting youth-focused initiatives. These efforts positioned community leaders as trusted messengers capable of strengthening connections between immigrant communities and public health systems. Implications: This initiative demonstrates how culturally responsive partnerships and multilingual engagement strategies can strengthen trust\, shared leadership\, and inclusion in public health practice. The 3 C’s framework serves as a practical model for engaging multilingual and historically underrepresented immigrant communities across Colorado.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3fd82ec41196f2467ecd0fa64e8a83bf
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/3fd82ec41196f2467ecd0fa64e8a83bf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:A Multi-Sector Communication Strategy for Functional Neurological Disorder
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is a common neurological condition associated with disability\, psychiatric comorbidity\, stigma\, fragmented care\, and high healthcare utilization. Despite growing evidence supporting FND treatment\, inconsistent diagnostic communication and limited provider education remain major barriers to engagement and continuity of care. This project aimed to design a multi-sector communication strategy to improve diagnostic understanding\, reduce stigma\, strengthen referral pathways\, and support sustainable care delivery within an academic FND clinic. Methods: Using principles from the Health Belief Model\, stigma theory\, and implementation science\, a multi-level communication intervention was developed for six stakeholder sectors: patients\, caregivers\, referring providers\, behavioral health clinicians\, administrators\, and payers. Materials were designed to align with real-world clinical workflows and included standardized diagnostic scripts\, patient-facing educational materials\, provider referral guides\, transition-of-care toolkits\, executive briefs\, and a proposed website redesign. A pragmatic evaluation framework was developed to assess patient-\, provider-\, and system-level outcomes using pre/post implementation measures. Results: The intervention established a standardized communication ecosystem designed to improve diagnostic clarity\, reduce stigmatizing language\, increase treatment engagement\, and support continuity of care following participation in a 12-week Multimodal Adapted Psychotherapy (MAP) program. Planned evaluation metrics include diagnostic understanding\, provider confidence\, referral appropriateness\, treatment engagement\, and healthcare utilization indicators. Implications: This project positions communication as a scalable public health intervention capable of improving engagement and reducing fragmentation in complex neurological conditions. The model demonstrates how interdisciplinary communication strategies can strengthen integrated behavioral health systems\, improve equity in access to specialty care\, and support sustainable implementation within academic healthcare settings.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e4730819d23853c1a5dbfe4fca0827df
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/e4730819d23853c1a5dbfe4fca0827df
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:All in This Together: Strengthening Local Data Through Partner Support
DESCRIPTION:Community organizations know the importance of reliable\, representative\, local data\, especially for smaller geographical areas and subpopulations. The landscape of local data is changing\, and public health agencies need to adapt as well. Since 2007\, the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) has conducted a triennial household-based Community Health Survey (CHS) using scientific random sampling to obtain population-level metrics for Weld County adults. Over the past few survey cycles resident response rates have steadily declined (similar to national trends). Therefore\, for the 2025 CHS WCDPHE collaborated with healthcare partners (who utilize WCDPHE’s local data)\, to launch an incentive program in the hope that it would boost the response rate. Agreements were made with local healthcare partners for their financial support and in return preliminary findings were shared with them in advance of the public data release. The CHS was sent out to 20\,000 randomly selected households with instructions to claim a “$5 reward for completing the survey”. As part of the program a reward platform vendor was selected to distribute the post-survey incentives. The 2025 CHS response rate increased by 36% with the most improvement in Greeley/Evans and the Southwest regions of the county. Younger and lower income residents requested incentives more often compared to older and higher income residents. This indicates there is potential for incentives to boost response rates for the aforementioned hard-to reach groups. Overall cost of the incentive program was around $12\,500. Higher incentive request rates from hard-to-reach populations support the notion that incentive effectively promote survey participation. This successful partnership demonstrates that robust\, high-quality data at a local level is still achievable in a time when data is getting harder to come by.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5c393c75a373211692facf51a0d32db9
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/5c393c75a373211692facf51a0d32db9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T170000Z
DTEND:20260923T180000Z
SUMMARY:Data Outputs Inform. Humans Decide: Decision Intelligence in Public Health
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Public health professionals make complex decisions amid competing priorities\, rapid change\, limited resources\, and expanding data. However\, more data does not consistently lead to better decisions. Decision Intelligence (DI) is a framework that integrates data\, human judgment\, and context to improve decision quality. DI Maps relationships between actions and outcomes\, enabling faster learning compared with testing one intervention at a time. This presentation introduces two DI interventions and their results. Methods: A DI framework was applied within two continuous quality improvement projects. Participants included public health staff and clinical partners. Procedures included elicitation sessions to develop Causal Decision Diagrams\, a DI tool that maps decision-making by identifying goals\, outcomes\, external factors\, actionable levers\, and intermediates. One project focused on increasing referral capture within a practice\, while the second examined conversion of referrals into scheduled visits. Data sources included referral volume\, provider participation\, and scheduling outcomes tracked over time. Analysis involved iterative PDSA cycles\, trend monitoring\, and refinement of decision levers to improve system performance. Results: The first of two DI projects is more mature\, with initial results showing meaningful improvements in outcomes. Referrals increased from a baseline of 30% to 34% in Q4 2025 and was sustained at 33% in Q1 2026\, with average monthly referrals increasing from 12.5 to approximately 14–14.25. The number of referring providers increased from three to six. These outcomes\, alongside the associated Fussing Hard campaign\, generated interest from Family Connects International for nationwide scaling. The second DI project\, focused on conversion of referrals to scheduled visits\, is newer\, with preliminary results expected in September. Implications: DI helps public health professionals move faster and with greater clarity in complex systems. Rather than relying on slow\, trial-and-error approaches\, DI makes it possible to identify high-impact actions earlier and focus effort where it matters most.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:39bf3daa4f07172c560dac2871afad1f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/39bf3daa4f07172c560dac2871afad1f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T180000Z
DTEND:20260923T194500Z
SUMMARY:Lunch Buffet
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:LUNCH
LOCATION:Columbine Ballroom\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:16dbe02b38bb0fcfbc2c875c70135302
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/16dbe02b38bb0fcfbc2c875c70135302
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T181500Z
DTEND:20260923T191500Z
SUMMARY:Panel Speakers: Stronger Together - Community Voices in Public Health
DESCRIPTION:The panel will take place from 12:15pm - 1:15pm in the Columbine Ballroom. The audience is welcome to ask questions to the panelists.&nbsp\;
CATEGORIES:LUNCH
LOCATION:Columbine Ballroom\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3be2a10e89c201e8a4db2c0eedc818ca
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/3be2a10e89c201e8a4db2c0eedc818ca
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:Community-Based Organizations in Public Health and Supportive Partnerships
DESCRIPTION:Background: The Trailhead Institute is a Public Health Institute and partners extensively with community-based organizations (CBOs). Community-driven solutions involve approaches that are led\, informed\, and sustained by the communities they aim to serve. This approach prioritizes local knowledge and equitable partnerships. These solutions take different forms and necessitate support from behind or beside the people advancing the work. CBOs are essential\, on-the-ground\, trusted partners in public health\, yet they often lack the resources or support to provide these important services. Methods: This session provides capacity-supporting organizations such as Trailhead Institute\, local governments\, and funders with examples of structural and administrative support to help CBOs be rooted and stable resources for their communities. Administrative and capacity-building services are highly necessary for the health of an organization and yet often undervalued. This has led many individuals\, unincorporated collectives\, 501c3\, and even LLCs to seek fiscal sponsorship for their philanthropic endeavors. In its 32 years of existence\, Trailhead has fiscally sponsored over 85 different projects through four of the six fiscal sponsorship models. Investing in trusted\, values-aligned partnerships sustains incredible\, innovative work that can transform public health. Results: Providing organizational support has a multiplier effect that allows public health to have a greater reach\, while recognizing the need to adjust our work so we can walk alongside communities rather than driving a rigid model. A relationship-focused\, fiscally sound\, and constructively critical approach creates mutually beneficial growth and success. Implications: The session will show how working with unlikely partnerships that are aligned in mission and values leads to a multi-tiered approach for public health to achieve its goals. Once attendees understand the "why and how" of our approach\, we will also share how we are advancing our work beyond our partnerships to provide technical assistance to other nonprofits.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1b98c64a043fea4df4b2073db40b962f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/1b98c64a043fea4df4b2073db40b962f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:Riders on the Storm: Co-evaluating Health Equity Programming with Grantees
DESCRIPTION:Background: Health equity initiatives in Colorado are navigating mounting uncertainty due to shifts in public funding and the social safety net. In September 2025\, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Office of Health Equity sustained a significant budget reduction to its Health Disparities and Community Grant program\, which supports 27 grantees statewide to deliver projects that advance health equity. The Office pivoted from an external evaluation vendor to an internally led evaluation focused on grantee-responsiveness. This presentation reports on the redesign process and examines how its new evaluation strategies strengthened program implementation and adaptiveness amid ongoing uncertainty. \n \n Methods: To inform this redesign\, the Office conducted several interviews to understand the limitations of the prior evaluation and identify ideas for improvements. Interviews revealed that reporting processes were burdensome\, ambiguous\, and did not always capture grantee projects. The Office then comprehensively redesigned the evaluation plan\, protocols\, and tools. For example\, evaluators replaced written progress reports with video calls and created a collaborative data collection process using a living\, mixed-methods form. The Office also provided technical assistance to help grantees define success\, ensuring metrics became more useful and reflective of project goals. The Office’s evaluators conducted extensive data quality assurance using a rubric to assess criteria such as completeness\, validity\, and community responsiveness. The team then conducted data remediation and delivered tailored technical assistance for grantees with lower evaluation capacity. \n \n Results: The first year of implementation substantially improved grantee satisfaction and data quality. This redesign allowed the Office to fulfill its evaluation aims while also enhancing grantee evaluation capacity.\n \n Implications: This collaborative model demonstrates that state grantmaking evaluations can be reimagined to be more responsive to grantees and shifting circumstances without sacrificing methodological rigor. The presentation concludes with lessons to inform more equitable evaluation in uncertain times.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:334d1de072ed6dfd3cdd7c452f6d7f0b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/334d1de072ed6dfd3cdd7c452f6d7f0b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:Expanding Access: On-Site GC/CT Testing in Rural Public Health
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: Rural communities face significant barriers to STI care\, including limited local services\, transportation challenges\, cost\, and stigma. In Grand County\, the public health department is the only provider of free/reduced-cost sexual and reproductive health services. We aim to evaluate whether implementing on-site (point-of-care) gonorrhea and chlamydia (GC/CT) testing in a local public health department can improve timeliness of care and expand equitable access. We hypothesize that same-day testing and treatment will improve clinical outcomes and patient engagement. We will also consider the impact on clinic efficiency through reduced reliance on specimen transport and external lab processing. Methods: A rural public health department will implement on-site GC/CT testing beginning June 2026 as part of comprehensive reproductive health services. Participants will include patients seeking STI testing and related care. Procedures will include same-visit specimen collection\, rapid testing using a CLIA-waived platform\, and immediate treatment when indicated. Data will be collected through the electronic medical record and program tracking tools\, including visit volume\, demographics\, insurance status\, language preference\, and time to treatment. Descriptive analyses will assess changes in access and care delivery. Results: Results are pending\, as implementation will begin in June 2026. Anticipated outcomes include increased uptake of STI testing\, reduced time to diagnosis and treatment\, and decreased barriers to follow-up\, particularly among uninsured and non-English speaking patients. We also will assess clinic efficiency through reduced reliance on specimen transport and external lab processing. Implications: On-site GC/CT testing has the potential to improve access and reducing disparities via timely\, patient-centered education\, support\, and treatment. (Note: we could do a 30-minute presentation if preferred\, however\, there is a lot to present!)
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:17656379f32cdcb89ab0e3c1cf05c374
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/17656379f32cdcb89ab0e3c1cf05c374
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:Examining the Association Between Long COVID and Medical Gaslighting
DESCRIPTION:Long COVID is a complex and emerging chronic condition. Patients frequently encounter provider interactions in healthcare settings where symptoms are invalidated\, downplayed\, or dismissed\, a phenomenon known as medical gaslighting. This research sought to analyze if having symptoms of Long COVID was associated with higher odds of experiencing medical gaslighting\, hypothesizing that it would be. Perceived reasons for this medical gaslighting were further examined in those with Long COVID symptoms and those without. This addresses the need for continued exploration of the Long COVID patient experience through quantitative data analysis\, providing information specific to the Colorado population and relevant to Colorado health practitioners. This study utilized data from the 2025 Colorado Health Access Survey\, a cross-sectional survey of Colorado that employed oversampling and population weighting to improve representation. This analysis included 3\,782 individuals. Covariates evaluated include age\, gender\, race\, and insurance type. The analysis utilized multivariate logistic regression models to estimate prevalence odds ratios. Additionally\, secondary sub-analyses used logistic regression on a subset of participants (N=454) which examined perceived reasons for medical gaslighting. This analysis found that those with Long COVID symptoms had 3.06 times the odds [95% CI: 2.42\, 3.86] of experiencing medical gaslighting in comparison to those without. Further\, these individuals had 2.40 times higher odds of feeling ignored\, 1.94 times higher odds of feeling that they were not provided with a treatment plan or referral\, and 1.67 times higher odds of feeling that their symptoms were attributed to mental health. This analysis demonstrates that patients with Long COVID face significant challenges in receiving care\, further examining the reasons that these patients felt that they were ignored\, dismissed\, or had their medical concerns go unaddressed. This work aims to be integrated into Colorado health practitioner training to shape the landscape of Long COVID diagnosis and treatment.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7b394536dd1d9f5b75175c3cd4e3ce85
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/7b394536dd1d9f5b75175c3cd4e3ce85
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:Building the Table Before You Need It: Lessons in Cross-Sector Partnership
DESCRIPTION:When the contract with the external evaluator for Colorado's Electronic Healthy Incentive Program (eHIP) pilot was canceled in early 2025\, it left a gap: no evaluation funding and no clear path to capturing what the state was learning. What stepped in to fill it was a cross-agency workgroup that had been meeting informally for months with no fixed agenda\, just an intention to share work and think out loud together. Colorado was one of three states awarded the eHIP grant to pilot an EBT-integrated SNAP nutrition incentive program. Colorado SNAP Produce Bonus (CSPB)\, launched in July 2024\, instantly reimburses SNAP households on their EBT cards for purchases of eligible fruits and vegetables. When federal evaluation support disappeared\, staff from the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS)\, Nourish Colorado\, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) drew on their different organizational strengths to piece together a collaborative evaluation plan. CDPHE leveraged funding through its CDC SPAN grant and the expertise of its internal evaluators\; Nourish Colorado brought on-the-ground relationships with farmers and customers\; CDHS provided program infrastructure and data access. Together\, the partners conducted customer and farmer surveys\, focus groups\, and farmer interviews. Results show 97% of customers say the program helps them eat more fruits and vegetables and 80% of farmers report it helps them sell more produce. Nourish Colorado has used the findings to advocate at the state and federal levels for continued investment beyond the pilot. This session explores how three organizations — a state human services agency\, a public health department\, and a nonprofit — used an open-ended\, generative partnership to respond to evolving priorities. Attendees will leave able to identify the strengths different organization types bring to community health planning work\, and explain why diverse partnerships matter\, especially when funding becomes uncertain.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f70857663fe45308d6811f06d168b1a4
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/f70857663fe45308d6811f06d168b1a4
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:Heavy Metals in Groundwater: Predicting Risk to Prioritize Well Sampling
DESCRIPTION:Background: Approximately 400\,000 Coloradans rely on private wells for drinking water\, leaving a significant portion of the state’s population outside the purview of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. While the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) offers subsidized private well testing for contaminants like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)\, heavy metals in groundwater remain a critical\, yet under-monitored\, public health concern. CDPHE is launching a pilot program to test heavy metals in certain private wells\, and this study aimed to map high-priority well locations to support testing resource prioritization. Methods: We developed an evidence-based strategy to predict heavy metal occurrence in private wells. We integrated historical mining data\, local geology\, and environmental datasets\, focusing on six key analytes: Arsenic\, Cadmium\, Manganese\, Lead\, Uranium\, and Zinc. Using Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) Regression Prediction\, we merged sparse historical data with environmental predictors to create state-wide risk maps that bridge information gaps in unsampled regions. Results: The analysis created a series of comprehensive risk maps for each metal\, alongside a generalized index map. These tools do not predict specific outcomes for individual wells\, but rather identify areas of elevated concern where environmental and historical factors suggest a higher probability of naturally occurring or introduced heavy metals. By comparing these areas with permitted well locations\, we can better visualize which regions may benefit most from increased community outreach and subsidized testing resources. Implications: Colorado’s diverse mineral geology and mining legacy present ongoing concerns for groundwater contamination. By integrating these factors into spatial risk maps\, CDPHE can effectively prioritize sampling and resource allocation. As funding becomes available\, this data-driven framework will enable targeted outreach\, testing\, and health education\, empowering private well users to make informed decisions about their water quality.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:910df8436cbcf634a22920f26a7b7774
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/910df8436cbcf634a22920f26a7b7774
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:The Lead on Lead: Educating Providers\, Improving Competence
DESCRIPTION:* Background / Purpose: Medicaid requires 100% of enrolled children to be tested for lead at 12 and 24 months of age. Yet in 2025\, only 3.44% of Colorado Medicaid-eligible or enrolled children received testing at both ages. While the Colorado Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program passively expanded provider outreach through webinars and mailings\, the program recognized that blood lead test results were unreported or incorrectly reported. This gap highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and healthcare providers. * Methods: We delivered 10 one-hour educational presentations in clinics across Colorado. The presentations focused on blood lead testing protocols\, reporting requirements\, and necessary case management steps. Attendees voluntarily completed an 8-question pre-presentation survey and an 11-question post-presentation survey\, both using a 5-point Likert scale (1 = No knowledge\, 5 = Very knowledgeable)\, to assess changes in competency. * Results: Data from approximately 70 survey respondents showed a marked increase in knowledge of testing and reporting requirements. The proportion of participants rating themselves as “very knowledgeable” about Medicaid blood lead testing requirements increased from 1.4% (n=1) pre-presentation to 50.0% (n=36) post-presentation. Similarly\, the proportion rating themselves as “very knowledgeable” about Colorado blood lead testing and reporting requirements increased from 2.8% (n=2) to 44.9% (n=31). Additionally\, 68.9% (n=31) of attendees reported that the content provided new\, relevant information with a definite impact on their professional performance. Qualitative feedback described the presentations as informative and useful. * Implications: Direct\, clinic-based education improved provider self-reported knowledge of lead testing and reporting requirements. This collaborative\, scalable approach may strengthen surveillance\, improve reporting\, and support other public health programs seeking to improve community health outcomes.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d6c225e2a93fabfbef6e1897d9e01b45
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d6c225e2a93fabfbef6e1897d9e01b45
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:Political Stress and Health Care Access Among Spanish-Speaking Immigrants
DESCRIPTION:Political rhetoric often stigmatizes immigrants as a drag on the U.S. health care system\, but the Colorado Health Access Survey (CHAS) finds that immigrants use less health care than U.S.-born residents. The pattern is consistent for every form of health care use measured by the CHAS. It reflects a mix of interconnected factors\, such as cost\, access\, and\, more recently\, fears about federal immigration actions that have led many immigrant community members to delay or avoid care altogether. By combining data from the 2023 and 2025 CHAS surveys\, CHI examined interactions with the health care system through the lens of insurance coverage\, care utilization\, employment\, education\, and food and housing security. One of our strongest findings shows a 12-point gap between immigrants and U.S.-born Coloradans who had at least one health care visit in the previous year. For immigrants who speak Spanish at home\, the gap is twice as large. The environment has shifted even since the survey was in the field. One multistate survey found that 84% of health care workers reported a significant or moderate decrease in immigrant patient visits following the January 2025 executive orders on immigration. Physicians have reported increased no-show rates among immigrant patients\, and the presence of Immigration enforcement near health care settings has been driving care avoidance\, including among people with legal status. These fears carry real health consequences. When people avoid care\, conditions go unmanaged\, and outcomes worsen. This is an important issue for public health professionals because health care settings have long been understood as spaces where safety and care are guaranteed regardless of background. When patients fear that seeking care could lead to an immigration enforcement encounter\, the result is a chilling effect that extends well beyond undocumented people and into mixed-status families and communities broadly.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f126c52ad5227094a69ba115a4321f1f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/f126c52ad5227094a69ba115a4321f1f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:Colorado Alcohol Impacts Coalition
DESCRIPTION:The Colorado Alcohol Impacts Coalition (CAIC) is a newly formed statewide coalition dedicated to fostering a more healthful environment around alcohol use in Colorado. Excessive alcohol consumption remains a significant and often under-addressed public health concern\, contributing to chronic disease\, injury\, mental health challenges\, and health inequities across our state. CAIC brings together public health professionals\, community organizations\, researchers\, and advocates to address these harms through a unified\, evidence-based approach. This presentation will introduce CAIC's founding mission\, coalition structure\, and strategic framework — centered on education\, data\, and policy — and outline priority areas for collective action in the months and years ahead. Attendees will learn how to engage with and contribute to this growing coalition as we shift Colorado's alcohol landscape toward one that better supports health and well-being for all. We request 60 minutes because our presentation covers a wide variety of topics\, from founding to current activities to funding. We hope this session will grow our coalition to include early public health professionals\, rural stakeholders\, and people affected by alcohol use. Therefore\, we will include audience participation\, coalition sign-ups\, and material on funding for a new\, advocacy-focused nonprofit. Audience members will be encouraged to share stories about alcohol impacts in their community to help us understand how the Coalition can better serve them.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4354e7fd0db64cb6806103a61b6334bf
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/4354e7fd0db64cb6806103a61b6334bf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T200000Z
DTEND:20260923T203000Z
SUMMARY:What Profits the People? Applying Business Strategy to Increase Utilization
DESCRIPTION:* Background/Purpose: What happens when public health thinks like a business partnership? Faced with low referral volume into the Family Connects program\, we adopted a business development/sales approach to drive utilization. This project examined the effectiveness of this strategy. Research question: Can a business development/sales approach increase referrals from physician offices into a program? Hypothesis: Aligning referral processes with provider workflows\, identifying mutual value with clinical partners\, and addressing barriers will increase referrals and provider participation. * Methods: Participants included families with newborns and referring physician practices. This project employed intervention procedures and methods of data collection and analysis over a two-year period. Intervention procedures applied business development and sales strategies to identify mutual value with clinical partners and align referral processes with provider workflows. Key activities included designing workflow-integrated referral processes\, conducting targeted provider engagement\, identifying and addressing barriers\, and integrating pathways into healthcare systems. Instrumentation included EHR-based transmissions and faxed forms. Data collected included referral volume from physician offices\, number of referring providers\, and clinical sites. Measures were tracked to assess outreach effectiveness. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and trend analyses\, including time series analysis\, to evaluate changes in referral patterns and assess the impact of outreach strategies. * Results: Referrals from physician offices increased from 0 to an average of 50/month\, with growth in the number of referring clinical sites and providers. The capture rate relative to the estimated eligible population also improved. Trend and time series analyses demonstrated a sustained increase in referral volume. * Implications: Business development strategies can transform public health outreach from promotion into a structured function that improves utilization. Organizations can replicate this approach using business strategies\, resource allocation\, and strategic relationship management to build sustainable\, scalable access pathways. * Additional time enables hands-on application\, small-group discussion\, and audience examples using a structured workbook.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:71770fb8155a327c1f1a595fe437d386
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/71770fb8155a327c1f1a595fe437d386
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:AI in Public Health: Ethics\, Bias\, and Community Trust
DESCRIPTION:Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare systems\, communications\, education\, social services\, and public health infrastructure. Yet\, many public health professionals have received little training on how to ethically evaluate\, responsibly use\, or critically respond to AI tools that increasingly shape community health outcomes\, public trust\, and access to information. As AI becomes more integrated into public-facing systems\, public health professionals need practical skills to navigate emerging ethical challenges while maintaining equity-centered\, trauma-informed practices. This interactive skill-building session introduces participants to a practical framework for trauma-informed AI ethics in public health practice. The training will explore real-world applications of AI in communications\, program development\, data analysis\, healthcare access\, education\, and community engagement. Participants will examine key ethical concerns including algorithmic bias\, misinformation\, digital inequities\, privacy concerns\, accessibility barriers\, and the disproportionate impacts AI systems can have on strategically undervalued communities. The session emphasizes practical application rather than technical expertise. Participants will learn to critically assess AI-generated information\, identify harms and biases\, apply equity-centered decision-making frameworks\, and develop safer communication practices when using AI tools in public health settings. The training will also provide guidance for strengthening public trust and maintaining human-centered approaches in increasingly digital environments. Beyond understanding the ethical implications of AI\, participants will be guided through a structured process to develop their own AI ethics framework. Through reflection and facilitated exercises\, attendees will identify their values\, define boundaries around AI use\, establish criteria for when AI should and should not be used\, and begin drafting ethical guidelines that can inform organizational policies and decision-making. Participants will leave with greater confidence in evaluating AI tools and a foundation for responsible AI governance within their workplaces and communities. Instructional methodologies will include interactive discussion\, case-study analysis\, guided reflection\, scenario-based learning\, and individual framework development. Participants will engage with public health scenarios involving AI-generated messaging\, ethical dilemmas\, and community trust challenges. Skill development will be measured through participant engagement in scenario analysis\, application of ethical evaluation frameworks during group activities\, and completion of a personalized AI ethics framework that demonstrates their ability to identify risks\, apply trauma-informed principles\, articulate values-based boundaries\, and propose ethical public health responses. Participants will leave with practical tools\, discussion frameworks\, and a customizable ethics guide they can immediately apply within their organizations and communities. This session supports best practices in public health by centering health equity\, cultural humility\, accessibility\, ethical communication\, and community trust. It aligns with Colorado’s Foundational Public Health Capabilities\, including Health Equity and the Social Determinants of Health\, Organizational Competencies\, Communications\, and Policy Development & Support. The training is especially relevant as public health professionals increasingly encounter AI technologies without sufficient ethical guidance\, policy frameworks\, or workforce preparation. By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaborative learning around emerging technologies\, this session directly supports the conference theme\, Stronger Together: Public Health in the Heart of the Rockies. It encourages participants to collectively build responsible\, equitable\, and community-centered approaches to AI that strengthen public health systems while protecting human dignity\, trust\, and accountability.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d2998ec8f5c20d070c497626e344961b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d2998ec8f5c20d070c497626e344961b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:The Human–Animal Bond in SDoH: Determinant & Moderator
DESCRIPTION:Background: A growing body of research demonstrates that the human-animal bond (HAB) influences physical and mental health and health-related behaviors. However\, prevailing Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) frameworks do not account for this factor\, despite its influence on care access\, housing stability\, and system engagement. This session examines how the HAB functions as both an independent influence on health outcomes and a modifier within established SDoH domains\, and explores the implications of its omission for public health systems. Methods: This session synthesizes interdisciplinary research on the human-animal bond and health outcomes\, including a recent qualitative study on how SDoH shape access to veterinary and human services\, alongside insights from AlignCare’s multi-year pilot model. Results: Findings indicate that the HAB is associated with health behaviors\, resilience\, and social connection\, while also shaping care-seeking and engagement with services. Across sources\, it functions as a protective influence and a constraint under conditions shaped by economic instability\, housing limitations\, and access to care. When systems do not account for this dynamic\, individuals may delay or forgo care\, encounter barriers to housing and services\, or face trade-offs that negatively affect health outcomes. Recent policy developments in Colorado reflect this emerging recognition. Implications: Failure to account for the HAB may contribute to gaps in service delivery and inequities in access to care\, particularly for populations facing structural barriers. Integrating this factor into public health frameworks offers an opportunity to improve system alignment\, strengthen cross-sector collaboration\, and enhance care accessibility. These approaches have implications for improving health outcomes\, reducing system inefficiencies\, and advancing more coordinated models of care. Additional time is requested to support application of session concepts to participants’ practice settings. Participants will engage in reflection and small-group discussion to identify where the HAB intersects their work and assess system gaps within existing programs and policies.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:de375a1b20b2aa11ee2cf41de3587107
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/de375a1b20b2aa11ee2cf41de3587107
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:Advancing LGBTQ+ Data: The Journey and the Partnerships that Make it Happen
DESCRIPTION:The ability of public health professionals and institutions to fulfill their missions of advancing community health has become increasingly fraught. With fewer resources and heightened pressure to divest from health equity\, it is imperative that we work creatively and collaboratively to ensure the well-being of all those in our community. Together\, the Colorado Health Institute (CHI)\, Broomfield Public Health and Environment (BPHE)\, and Rocky Mountain Equality (RMEQ) propose a showcase on our collaborative and respective research on LGBTQ+ public health data in Colorado and our work to localize the data to make it actionable at the county level. We will tell the story of our partnership along a visualized map of our journey — the moments that inspired us to pursue our data projects\, the funding that supported us\, and the findings we identified along the way. In this journey\, we explore the search for data on loneliness and social isolation\, and the challenges and opportunities presented to make the data relevant at the local level. That approach required this collaboration and the use of mixed methods to localize the data on the LGBTQ+ community in Broomfield. We will share data from primary data collection efforts by BPHE as well as data from the Colorado Health Access Survey. The session will provide lessons learned throughout this two-year endeavor to showcase gaps and areas of opportunity for other LPHAs across the state. The unique and continuing journey of the partnership of CHI\, BPHE\, and RMEQ will encourage attendees to think about partnering with other organizations. Presenters chose the one-hour session time because they want to engage with participants in their own journey mapping to understand where they could establish partnerships to meet the needs of community members.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1c94b5febca3ac2f948c53de7417d0b1
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/1c94b5febca3ac2f948c53de7417d0b1
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:Quantifying the ROI of Multisector Partnerships: Networks & Econometrics
DESCRIPTION:BACKGROUND: Recently-enacted cuts in government funding for Medicaid\, public health\, and social service programs threaten to increase uncompensated medical care and medical debt levels as more people lose insurance coverage\, experience preventable health conditions and seek treatment in costly emergency department and hospital settings. Intentional efforts to align medical\, social\, and public health delivery systems can help communities share resources and mitigate these problems. We use novel data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Public Health Systems (NALSYS) to identify which communities have achieved strong alignment among these different systems\, and to quantify the health end economic benefits of this alignment. METHODS: We followed a national sample of 618 U.S. communities using NALSYS collected approximately every two years from 2014 through 2026\, including 32 Colorado communities. Public health officials reported information about the implementation of 20 guideline-recommended public health practices\, and the networks of organizations that collaborate to implement each practice\, including medical\, public health and social service organizations. We constructed network measures of systems alignment in each community\, including shared financing\, decision-making\, and service delivery. We linked NALSYS with contemporaneous CMS data on uncompensated hospital costs and data on medical debt from consumer credit records. Generalized linear models with two-way fixed effects are estimated to assess how changes in system alignment influence uncompensated care and medical debt. RESULTS: 28% of communities improved system alignment by at least 10 percentage-points (pp) over the 12-year period\, while 37% experienced reduced alignment of at least 10 pp. Improved alignment was associated with a 5.9 pp decrease in hospital uncompensated care (p
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:19d26e8b3eec57f29f5dbc39860335f3
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/19d26e8b3eec57f29f5dbc39860335f3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:From Shade to Policy: A Cross-Sector Skin Cancer Prevention Model
DESCRIPTION:Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the United States\, yet prevention efforts continue to focus primarily on individual behavior change\, with limited integration of environmental strategies that shape exposure. Public health agencies are increasingly recognizing the need to incorporate structural approaches into prevention programming. This session presents a collaboration between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and an academic partner to integrate built environment interventions\, specifically shade infrastructure\, into a broader skin cancer prevention framework. CDPHE identified gaps in addressing environmental exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in public spaces. In response\, a multi-phase\, mixed-methods shade assessment was conducted across diverse site typologies including parks\, schools\, and community spaces. Methods combined field-based audits\, spatial analysis\, and stakeholder engagement to evaluate shade availability\, distribution\, and equity. Findings revealed consistent disparities in shade access\, particularly in high-use areas\, and identified priority sites for intervention. Results from this collaboration informed the development of practical tools\, including shade design guidelines and site prioritization strategies\, which are now being integrated into CDPHE programming. The session will highlight how research findings were translated into actionable resources and discuss the opportunities and challenges of embedding built environment approaches within existing public health systems. Presenters will also discuss emerging policy pathways to support implementation\, including funding mechanisms\, cross-sector partnerships\, and regulatory considerations. A 1-hour session is requested to allow both presentation and interactive engagement: the first 30 minutes will present the program and findings\, followed by a 15-minute small-group activity applying site prioritization strategies to a sample scenario\, and a 10-minute facilitated discussion on implementation barriers and policy adoption. By situating built environment strategies within a statewide prevention program\, this session demonstrates how cross-sector collaboration can expand the scope of public health practice and support more equitable\, sustainable approaches to cancer prevention.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:22cb8a01a418ce9271c6ee240a471e61
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/22cb8a01a418ce9271c6ee240a471e61
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:Strengthening Evidence Synthesis Through Hybrid AI-Assisted Workflows
DESCRIPTION:As AI-assisted research tools continue rapidly expanding\, public health researchers are increasingly faced with questions surrounding which tools are useful\, how they can be integrated into evidence synthesis workflows\, and what methodological and ethical considerations should guide their use. These challenges are especially relevant in interdisciplinary public health research\, where fragmented terminology\, inconsistent indexing\, and evidence dispersed across multiple disciplines can make comprehensive literature searching particularly difficult. \n \n This session presents a practical hybrid evidence synthesis workflow that combines traditional review methods with selectively integrated AI-assisted tools to strengthen search development\, terminology refinement\, citation mapping\, and supplemental evidence discovery while maintaining transparency\, reproducibility\, and methodological rigor.\n \n Using a scoping review on tobacco cessation interventions as a case study\, the session will walk participants through each stage of the workflow. The presentation will include: \n \n * How traditional database search strategies are initially developed and refined.\n * How AI-assisted tools such as Elicit and Research Rabbit can be used to identify related terminology\, map citation networks\, and uncover supplemental literature that may have been missed through traditional keyword searching alone.\n * Examples of how search terms and concepts may evolve throughout the review process in response to interdisciplinary terminology differences.\n * Demonstrations of practical workflow integration across stages including evidence discovery\, screening support\, citation organization\, and documentation practices.\n * Discussion surrounding methodological tradeoffs\, reproducibility concerns\, ethical considerations\, and limitations associated with integrating AI-assisted tools into evidence synthesis.\n \n Participants will engage with example workflows and practical demonstrations and apply them to their own research question to demonstrate how hybrid approaches can support evidence synthesis across a variety of public health topic areas. The session will emphasize that AI-assisted tools are intended to complement\, not replace\, researchers' expertise\, predefined inclusion criteria\, manual screening processes\, and transparent reporting practices. \n \n Attendees will also discuss practical considerations for selecting appropriate AI-assisted tools depending on project goals\, research questions\, and stages of evidence synthesis. By focusing on adaptable workflows and critical evaluation rather than automation alone\, the session aims to provide participants with transferable skills they can apply to their own interdisciplinary public health research environments. \n \n This session is particularly relevant for public health researchers\, graduate students\, practitioners\, and interdisciplinary teams conducting evidence synthesis in emerging or under-indexed topic areas where traditional search strategies alone may not fully capture the available literature.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a819bf68e4e332da87c1582bb39def25
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a819bf68e4e332da87c1582bb39def25
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:Stronger Together Through Shared Risk and Protective Factors
DESCRIPTION:In January 2025\, Adams County Health Department (ACHD) launched a Shared Risk and Protective Factors (SRPF) internal Community of Practice (CoP) to strengthen collaboration across programs and increase collective impact on five interconnected health outcomes: chronic disease\, mental health\, substance use\, suicide\, and firearm violence. The CoP brings together over 20 staff from Nutrition\, Nursing\, Environmental Health\, Operations\, Epidemiology and Data Science (EDS)\, and Strategic Health Initiatives to address upstream public health challenges through a shared framework and coordinated approach. This presentation will highlight the development of the CoP\, SRPF selection process\, and current action-planning efforts. The CoP meets monthly and is grounded in three objectives: 1) build a supportive network of direct service and systems-change staff across ACHD\; 2) align at least three SRPFs with upstream\, midstream\, and downstream strategies that center social drivers of health\; and 3) integrate professional development opportunities that support ACHD planning efforts. The planning team utilized the Communities That Care model to guide implementation phases and collaborative action planning. Over the past year and a half\, the CoP identified three priority SRPFs for coordinated action: social connection\, access to care\, and coordination of resources and services. Methods included cross-divisional collaboration\, internal mapping of existing initiatives\, review of county and departmental data\, and development of SRPF profiles. The EDS Division created data presentations using BRFSS\, HKCS\, CHAS\, and Belonging Barometer data to support prioritization and planning. Results to date include increased cross-divisional collaboration\, identification of overlapping initiatives\, and development of coordinated action plans. Implementation is planned for Summer 2026 through December 2027. This work reflects the conference theme\, “Stronger Together\,” by demonstrating how intentional collaboration across disciplines can strengthen public health systems and create more connected\, aligned\, and impactful approaches to community health.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:716e32a966553774162a11a0a78abf90
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/716e32a966553774162a11a0a78abf90
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:Community-Based Suicide Prevention in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Suicide continues to be a prominent public health concern in Colorado\, even as the statewide age-adjusted suicide rate has stabilized in recent years. Because suicide is complex and isn’t caused by a single factor\, suicide prevention requires multiple strategies and diverse\, collaborative partnerships - which the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention calls community-based suicide prevention. Since 2019\, the Colorado Office of Suicide Prevention has led and funded the Colorado-National Collaborative (CNC) to implement local community-based suicide prevention strategies in 15 Colorado counties with high counts and/or rates of suicide fatalities. Using a collective impact model\, local CNC backbone organizations coordinate local partnerships and activities to reduce suicide by implementing and evaluating efforts to increase connectedness\, education and awareness\, access to economic supports\, access to safer suicide care\, lethal means safety\, and postvention support. This presentation shares the following findings to date from the CNC implementation: 1) What are the key activities needed to implement a community-based suicide prevention program? and 2) How can a community-based comprehensive suicide prevention program be evaluated and monitored using a collective impact model? Using data from the CNC’s ongoing evaluation efforts\, the presenters will also share findings on how the CNC’s six pillar strategies might be expanded into similar community-based comprehensive suicide prevention models in new communities.\n \n \n \n \n (30-minute session submitted for consideration\, but addendum below addresses activity for 1-hour session. ) Presenters will lead an interactive session that guides attendees through a planning exercise to bring community-based suicide prevention efforts to their community. In doing so\, this session will introduce how a collective-impact design can be used by local backbone organizations to effectively collaborate with community partner organizations to develop local suicide prevention strategies. This exercise will also show how a collective impact model informs data collection for program evaluation when resources are limited.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ed50bfcf37dff64f5686c57a4c6f9f70
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/ed50bfcf37dff64f5686c57a4c6f9f70
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:Quantifying connection: Meeting needs for data on isolation and loneliness
DESCRIPTION:To address local data needs\, the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) conducts a household-based Community Health Survey (CHS) using scientific random sampling to obtain population-level metrics for Weld County adults every three years. This survey's robust sample size along with weighting the results allow for disaggregation to highlight disparities. In 2023 the then US Surgeon General released an advisory describing loneliness and social isolation as an epidemic. Between this report and coalition activities focused on reducing loneliness\, many external and internal partners expressed a need to understand the impact of social isolation and loneliness in Weld residents. While creating the 2025 Weld CHS\, the WCDPHE data team added two new validated questions about social isolation and loneliness to meet partners’ data needs. The survey was sent out to around 20\,000 randomly selected households in Weld County. A total of 2\,802 residents completed the survey. The data was then weighted using Weld census data so that the results are representative of the county’s adult population. Over 1 in 4 Weld residents reported being lonely\, and over 1 in 10 never or rarely get the social and emotional support they need. Disparities in social isolation and loneliness were found when breaking the data down by income\, gender\, and race/ethnicity. Additionally\, both loneliness and social isolation were much higher in residents with indicators of poor physical and mental health. These results show how social connection can be quantitatively measured through survey data in large populations to produce useful metrics to guide and improve programs. Incorporating these metrics into Weld’s Community Health Assessment enables the county to better address the physical and mental health needs of residents through improved and targeted programming.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0070309f061b5da7e303b7f9ef12c5f8
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/0070309f061b5da7e303b7f9ef12c5f8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:The Barriers Add Up: Affordability Findings from a Community Health Survey
DESCRIPTION:The rising cost of living\, housing\, and healthcare costs were the top three challenges facing the state\, identified by residents in the 2025 Colorado PULSE poll. Weld County’s triennial Community Health Survey (CHS) captures several metrics relating residents’ affordability concerns to factors influencing their health. This presentation will share findings on food insecurity\, rising housing cost burden\, and cost as a barrier to healthcare from a random sample\, mail-based survey sent to 20\,000 Weld County households in 2025. Weighted results offer a representative picture of how these issues affect county residents. The 2025 Weld CHS revealed that roughly 4 in 10 residents are worried or stressed about affording medical care\, health insurance\, and healthy meals. Additionally\, cost remains the most frequently cited barrier to accessing healthcare\, behavioral healthcare\, and insurance. The percent of residents who are housing cost burdened (spending 30% or more of household income on rent or mortgage and utilities) rose significantly from the previous survey cycle in 2022 (43% versus 33%\, respectively). While affordability concerns affect a broad swath of Weld’s population\, young adults and those living in low-income households bear a disproportionate burden. These findings support Weld County’s efforts to expand access to care and adequate nutrition\, addressing cost barriers through free health screenings\, a public health mobile unit\, and free\, high-quality chronic disease prevention/nutrition programming. The impact of the Weld CHS does not end with the health department\; these findings are disseminated to a multitude of community partners leading to continued improvements to service delivery addressing financial barriers to health care\, behavioral healthcare\, housing\, and food access. Continued inclusion of affordability measures as part of the CHS strengthens this collaborative effort across a broad coalition of community organizations and healthcare partners.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:1d6e526b54fff87d56d5a98890337e42
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/1d6e526b54fff87d56d5a98890337e42
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T204500Z
DTEND:20260923T214500Z
SUMMARY:Connected Care Coordination for Workforce and Community Access
DESCRIPTION:Healthcare and public health systems are facing increasing pressures from workforce shortages\, fragmented care coordination\, behavioral health demands\, rural access challenges\, and growing community health inequities. Many organizations continue to operate independently\, creating barriers to continuity of care\, patient navigation\, and coordinated workforce support. This session explores how regional care coordination ecosystems—supported through collaborative command center models—can strengthen connected public health networks\, improve equitable access\, and support workforce resilience across communities. Rather than focusing solely on hospital operations\, this presentation reframes command centers as community coordination platforms capable of supporting: * regional workforce collaboration\, * hybrid and virtual care coordination\, * behavioral health escalation pathways\, * patient navigation\, * rural specialty access\, * multilingual outreach\, * community health engagement\, * telehealth coordination\, * and continuity of care across settings. Methods include interdisciplinary planning workshops\, ecosystem mapping\, operational workflow analysis\, and collaborative future-state planning exercises involving healthcare systems\, public health leaders\, operational teams\, clinicians\, and infrastructure strategists. Emerging findings suggest that connected coordination ecosystems can reduce fragmentation\, improve communication pathways\, strengthen workforce sustainability\, and create more resilient systems capable of responding to both daily operational challenges and future public health emergencies. The session also explores how digitally enabled coordination models may support underserved populations through improved navigation\, outreach\, and access pathways while strengthening collaboration between healthcare organizations and public health agencies. Participants will leave with practical planning strategies\, implementation considerations\, and future-focused approaches for building stronger and more connected public health ecosystems across urban\, rural\, and regional communities.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:63a8b1bf3339430e798f6c920088dd6c
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/63a8b1bf3339430e798f6c920088dd6c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Advancing Community Psychiatry via a Consultation-Training Feedback Loop
DESCRIPTION:Background: Timely access to psychiatric support remains limited for primary care clinicians in rural and underserved communities\, yet many available resources like provider-to-provider consultation programs remain underutilized. To address underutilization and integrate such programs with workforce training\, we developed a data-guided educational model using psychiatry consultation patterns. \n \n Methods: Requests were reviewed from two psychiatry consultation programs at the University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine: eConsults\, an asynchronous\, EHR-based service\, and Effective Access and Support from Psychiatry (EASY)\, a phone-based service. Submissions (97 EASY\; 2\,136 eConsults) were reviewed to identify diagnoses\, submission characteristics\, and clinical questions\, informing the development of an Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) curriculum for primary care clinicians. ECHO sessions included case-based discussions and peer exchange\, promoting application and reflection while aligning with practice-based instructional design theory. Post-series evaluations assessed learning\, confidence\, and intended use of consultation pathways. \n \n Results: Thirty-three individuals participated\; nine completed a post-series evaluation. Most participants were direct care providers (85%) and served Medicaid patients (73%)\; one-third worked in Colorado’s rural or frontier counties (32%). All respondents reported increased understanding of how and when to submit consultation requests. Seventy-eight percent intended to use eConsults and 89% intended to use EASY within six months. Self-reported high confidence using psychiatry access programs increased from 11% pre- to 44% post-series. In open-ended responses\, most respondents planned to submit higher-quality consultations or use consultation pathways more frequently. \n \n Implications: This consultation-training feedback loop offers a practical strategy for strengthening community psychiatric care. By converting consultation experience into training\, the model improved clinicians’ understanding\, confidence\, and intended use of access supports. For communities with limited access to psychiatric specialists\, this approach may reduce reliance on referrals which require travel\, delay care\, or impose high costs. The model is adaptable to other specialties seeking to align consultation and access-focused practice.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Crestone 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c53e25fc6d27f895d5343be3a87ab642
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/c53e25fc6d27f895d5343be3a87ab642
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Polling: A Strategic Tool for Public Health Policy Change
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Public opinion polling can be a valuable tool for advancing public health policy initiatives\, yet many advocates and organizations are uncertain about when and how to effectively incorporate polling into campaign strategy. This session will explore how polling and message research can support policy change efforts across a range of public health issues\, including tobacco prevention\, environmental justice\, rural healthcare access and community health initiatives in Colorado. Methods: Presenters will share case studies and practical examples from Colorado-based public health and policy campaigns that used polling to guide strategy\, develop persuasive messaging\, generate earned media\, and educate policymakers. The session will feature insights from a leading Colorado survey research firm with experience conducting public opinion research on statewide and local issues\, alongside experienced campaign leaders who have successfully advanced local and statewide policy initiatives. Results: Case studies will demonstrate how polling helped advocates better understand community attitudes\, identify effective messages\, strengthen coalition alignment\, counter opposition narratives\, and build public and policymaker support for policy change. Examples will highlight both publicly released polling and internal strategic research used to inform campaign decision-making. Implications: Participants will leave with lessons learned for integrating polling into public health advocacy efforts and strategies for using polling to provide cost-effective guidance on high-impact messages and how to deploy them.The session will emphasize how research-informed strategies can strengthen partnerships\, improve communications\, support health equity goals\, and build more effective campaigns that advance healthier communities across Colorado.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Castle Peak 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:75e35682fadce4fc977c4f741a8db4f2
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/75e35682fadce4fc977c4f741a8db4f2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Healthy Kids Colorado Survey and AI/AN Oversample Project
DESCRIPTION:Background: The Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) is a school-based health surveillance survey conducted in middle and high schools across the state. The oversample project partnership began in 2013 to increase representation of American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Youth. Focused on schools within the Southwest Region 9 service area of the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center (AASTEC) within the Albuquerque Area Indian Health Board (AAIHB)\, the project’s priority is to develop representative youth data reports for partner Tribal Nations. Methods: The HKCS is facilitated through a partnership between the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment\, the Colorado School of Public Health\, and community networks. After survey completion\, AAIHB/AASTEC staff travel to their service area to deliver gift bags to survey coordinators and teachers. Through a data agreement\, AAIHB/AASTEC receives and cleans the dataset\, creates reports\, and responds to data inquiries for the Southwest Colorado Tribal area. Results: HKCS and oversample participation metrics as well as statewide results of the 2025 data will be presented. Since 2013\, AAIHB/AASTEC has been able to provide Southwest Colorado Tribal area reports and has the capacity to share yearly trend data and analysis of associated risk and protective factors among AI/AN youth. Implications: The HKCS oversample project is a tool to leverage the experiences of AI/AN youth and promote resources for continued wellbeing. When there are lower numbers of survey responses and data are not representative of the population\, small numbers can be easily skewed and misleading. With appropriate\, well-intentioned\, and protected dissemination of data\, organizations have the capacity to better understand youths’ wellbeing and enact policy\, programming\, or apply for grants accordingly. It is important to build partnerships and awareness across schools so that we can work together to support the health of all youth.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:fe52bfe0b0230d58dd18dd4910d58692
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/fe52bfe0b0230d58dd18dd4910d58692
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Measles and more: Denver’s local response and perspective
DESCRIPTION:Background Emerging and re-emerging infections continue to challenge public health disease control programs. The United States’ measles elimination status is currently at risk of revocation. In 2025\, the U.S. had 2\,288 cases of measles\, compared to 191 in 2015. Local public health must reexamine internal processes and employ more sustainable approaches to time-intensive communicable disease investigations. Methods The Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) Epidemiology and Disease Control team has 9 staff tasked with responding to communicable diseases\, including measles. DDPHE’s nursing and emergency preparedness programs are also intimately involved in response efforts\, as well as colleagues from jurisdictions across the region and The Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE). Results Two hundred and fifty contacts were identified in response to a single Denver County infant measles case in 2025. Three additional Denver cases were identified between April and August 2025\, totaling 4 cases for the year. Additionally\, DDPHE further responded to 520 measles contacts in 2025 and coordinated post-exposure prophylaxis for numerous residents. In response to out-of-jurisdiction cases identified in 2026\, DDPHE has already investigated 35 contacts (as of May 2026). To accommodate increased workloads while maintaining core services\, DDPHE has had to thoughtfully adjust investigation methods. Strategies have included: * Use of current epidemiologic data to adjust measles testing and assessment criteria * Use of mHealth surveys and press releases * Partnership with The Public Health Institute at Denver Health * Use of CDPHE’s Team EDIT for support * Prioritization of moderate/high-risk contacts for direct follow-up * Virtual delivery of quarantine and isolation orders * Early coordination with neighboring jurisdictions Implications Strained budgets and the threat of new and re-emerging diseases continue to stress public health capacity. Methods to create sustainable and practical response strategies are imperative to balance staff burnout and disease prevention in our communities.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:56399ede0bcc9dbd62c7e1e9f0d91516
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/56399ede0bcc9dbd62c7e1e9f0d91516
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Breastfeeding Support via Community-Trained Telephone Specialists
DESCRIPTION:Background: Access to timely\, culturally responsive lactation support remains a significant barrier in underresourced communities. In Colorado\, data from the Colorado WIC Program (2024) indicate that breastfeeding prevalence declines from 53% during the first postpartum week to 32% at six months postpartum\, while only 3.5% of individuals report receiving breastfeeding information via telephone\, according to the Baby & You Survey (2024). These gaps highlight the need for accessible\, community-based breastfeeding support strategies and continuity of care. Objective: To evaluate the development and early implementation of a training program preparing community members to provide telephone-based breastfeeding support. Methods: Surveys and interviews will assess the feasibility and early outcomes of the program. Feasibility measures include recruitment\, retention\, and training completion rates among lactation counselor participants. Participants are recruited through a community leadership initiative and complete an accredited online training program covering lactation fundamentals\, counseling skills\, common breastfeeding challenges\, referral pathways\, and culturally responsive peer support. Weekly study sessions facilitated by a lactation consultant reinforce learning and practical application. Post-training surveys will assess changes in perceived competence\, self-efficacy\, and preparedness to provide breastfeeding support. Trained participants will deliver telephone-based support to postpartum individuals experiencing early breastfeeding challenges\, caregiver confidence\, and access to timely\, evidence-based guidance. Breastfeeding participants will be recruited through maternal and child health referrals. Outcomes\, including breastfeeding confidence and access to lactation information\, will be evaluated through pre- and post-intervention surveys. Open-ended responses will explore program acceptability and opportunities for improvement. Results: LactiConnect is currently implementing a structured training program for community members to become breastfeeding support specialists. Implications: Training community members as breastfeeding support specialists may strengthen the lactation workforce and improve access to culturally responsive care. Telephone-based peer support offers a scalable model to reduce barriers and improve breastfeeding outcomes.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b131da9cd4bbae64dd6e9a1c36f1555a
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b131da9cd4bbae64dd6e9a1c36f1555a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Power of Partnership: Evaluating outreach to support private well users
DESCRIPTION:The Toxicology and Risk Assessment Program (TARA) at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) continues to grow the PFAS Testing and Assistance Program (PFAS TAP) following its successful statewide expansion in 2025. PFAS TAP provides Colorado residents using private wells with free PFAS testing and supplies eligible participants with free filters that meet NSF standards for contaminant reduction. In addition\, the program conducts targeted outreach in priority areas to focus resources where they are most needed. We’re partnering with Boulder County and the San Luis Valley Public Health Partnership this year. This presentation compares outreach strategies and lessons learned from engaging with regions across Colorado. We will also share high-level results of our program efforts and the impact of providing free water filters to eligible households. Key takeaways from this session include: * How evaluation findings were applied to improve communication and build trust with underrepresented populations. * Insights into regional differences in outreach effectiveness and how to better serve diverse communities across the state. * The impact of PFAS TAP across Colorado to date and plans for moving forward. We will highlight how PFAS TAP has evolved into a sustainable\, statewide framework\, and we offer a scalable model for other agencies or organizations seeking to improve outreach and engage private well users.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2d32f1b4d8a7f793b653dd2036fdee8c
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/2d32f1b4d8a7f793b653dd2036fdee8c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Bridging the Gap: Leveraging Partners & Centralized Systems to Address SDoH
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: The Broomfield Network consisting of 80 organizations utilizes the Unite Us platform to address social determinants of health by streamlining the connection between individuals and essential health and social services. The primary objective is to move away from fragmented referral methods to a centralized system that directly connects individuals to services and provides closed loop feedback to providers. The network organizations meet regularly to discuss data\, process improvements\, and coordinate on referrals. Methods: Performance was measured by analyzing referral volume\, median acceptance speeds\, and resolution outcomes across various service types. Network growth was monitored by tracking the addition of partners per service category. Results: January 2024-March 2026\, 2\,081 individuals were referred to services via Unite Us by the Broomfield network for a total of 2\,698 referrals (average 1.3 per person)\, with 2\,390 processed on-platform and 308 managed “off-platform”. Of the platform-based referrals\, 73.1% were accepted by receiving organizations\, and 13.4% were redirected to alternative agencies. By April 2026\, 55.7% of all referrals reached a successful resolution\, successfully connecting 1\,225 individuals to needed services. Of the unresolved referrals\, 313 were closed as “Unable to Contact Client”. Due to implemented process improvements by the network\, accepted referrals rose from 58% in 2025 to 75.2% in Q1 2026. Implications: The system demonstrated significant procedural improvements and network growth in partners. Despite these gains\, "Unable to Contact Client" remained the leading cause of unresolved cases across all years. The implementation of a centralized referral network has coordinated partner engagement and increased service completion rates for clients getting them connected to services within days. To further improve outcomes\, partners will focus on client engagement to reduce "unreachable" closures and continue expanding network coverage in high-demand\, high-rejection areas such as Benefits Navigation\, Housing\, and Transportation.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a6dfc9dc51380019097bb2195d8687ad
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a6dfc9dc51380019097bb2195d8687ad
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Pathways to Equity: Addressing SDOH in Rural Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Rural Colorado communities continue to experience persistent health inequities influenced by social determinants of health (SDOH)\, including healthcare workforce shortages\, transportation barriers\, housing instability\, food insecurity\, limited broadband access\, behavioral health service gaps\, and geographic isolation. These challenges disproportionately affect older adults\, agricultural populations\, low-income families\, and frontier communities. This presentation examines the question: How can public health professionals and community partners create sustainable\, equity-focused approaches that improve health outcomes in rural communities? The session explores how cross-sector and community-driven strategies can address barriers while strengthening resilience and well-being. Methods: This presentation draws upon community assessments\, rural behavioral health initiatives\, public health literature\, and applied examples from Colorado communities. Participants will review population-level data related to rural health disparities and examine case examples of collaborative interventions. Methods highlighted include community engagement approaches\, collective impact strategies\, systems-level partnerships\, and implementation frameworks designed to improve access and equity. Existing research and practice demonstrate that integrated and community-centered approaches can improve access to care\, strengthen service coordination\, reduce barriers to behavioral and physical healthcare\, and enhance community capacity. Emerging evidence suggests that partnerships involving healthcare systems\, Extension services\, community organizations\, and local stakeholders can create more sustainable solutions for addressing SDOH and reducing disparities. Participants will leave with practical tools for identifying key social determinants affecting their communities and strategies for designing collaborative\, equity-focused interventions. Take-home messages include the importance of leveraging community assets\, strengthening cross-sector partnerships\, and implementing systems-level solutions that support long-term health improvement. Additional time is requested to allow participants to engage in facilitated discussion and small-group activities focused on identifying local barriers and developing actionable strategies that can be adapted to their own communities. Interactive discussion will promote shared learning and peer-to-peer problem solving aligned with the conference theme of strengthening communities through collective action.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:4c9ccf9861fb050c871fe1b2a8c64f7a
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/4c9ccf9861fb050c871fe1b2a8c64f7a
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Demonstrating a New Dashboard of Motor Vehicle Crashes in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background: Roadway safety remains a critical public health challenge across Colorado\, where factors such as population density and roadway type vary significantly in different regions of the state. Effective prevention strategies rely on the timely identification of high-risk locations and a nuanced understanding of contributing factors to motor vehicle crashes. Existing tools for crash data analysis are currently aggregated to the county level\, but there is limited information available statewide about the factors of individual crashes. The purpose of this presentation will be to describe the development of a new Crash Map Dashboard\, and provide a demonstration of the map. Methods: The Crash Map Dashboard was developed to address input of stakeholders from local public health agencies\, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)\, and injury and built environment specialists at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Geocoded crash data collected by the Department of Revenue and managed by CDOT were obtained for 2024. The data were cleaned and locations were validated against a street network database to map precise locations of crashes. The maps were integrated into an online interactive ArcGIS Dashboard. Results: Preliminary results from beta testing indicate that the Crash Map Dashboard can provide key insights into contributing factors for individual crashes. Crash-level data are now accessible for all 64 counties in Colorado. Some of the functionality requested by partners that has been incorporated into the dashboard include selection tools for identifying crashes that occur near schools and symbology for differentiating crashes that involve vulnerable road users. Implications: The Crash Map Dashboard offers an accessible and user-friendly tool that allows public health professionals to access data that can be incorporated into injury prevention programs. The next phase of the project seeks to provide additional levels of analysis and years of data to improve upon the dashboard.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:74830df4d157e0f1b004bf22a8806725
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/74830df4d157e0f1b004bf22a8806725
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T220000Z
DTEND:20260923T223000Z
SUMMARY:Food Insecurity Experiences and Beliefs Among Colorado Healthcare Workers
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Healthcare organizations can play a key role in addressing food insecurity among their patients. Although healthcare workers’ experiences and beliefs likely shape how their organizations address food insecurity\, little is known about those perspectives\, particularly in rural areas. We therefore sought to assess lived experience with and beliefs about food insecurity among healthcare staff and clinicians in western Colorado. Methods: We distributed an online survey to healthcare organizations across western Colorado. Following descriptive and bivariate analyses\, we used structural equation modeling to examine constructs of interest. These included perspectives attributing food insecurity to “structural” influences (e.g.\, high cost of food) and “individual” level influences (e.g.\, “budgeting poorly”)\, as well as perceived negative judgement around use of assistance programs. Results: We received responses from 347 clinicians\, support workers\, and operations staff across 16 counties. Eighteen percent reported current food insecurity\; 46% reported past food insecurity. Sixty-nine percent and 95% believed that food insecurity was caused by individual and structural influences\, respectively. Over 60% believed that there was negative judgment around use of food assistance programs in their community. The structural equation modeling indicated that respondent factors (age\, sex\, personal experience with food insecurity) may influence 1) beliefs about causes of food insecurity and 2) perceived judgment around use of food assistance programs. Implications: These findings raise concerns that nearly one-fifth of the health care workers surveyed were food insecure themselves as well as questions about how healthcare organizations can address food insecurity in an effective and non-stigmatizing manner.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:eef7e7b40a6ff5d00ed630595fa7bc55
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/eef7e7b40a6ff5d00ed630595fa7bc55
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T223000Z
DTEND:20260923T233000Z
SUMMARY:Incline & Power Hair Trail Hike
DESCRIPTION:No driving needed! The hike starts directly east of the conference center on Saint John Road. We will be hiking part of the Incline and Power Hair trail. We will ascend about 600 feet through the forest and get nice views of Keystone and surrounding mountains. This is an out and back hike so we will hike for about 1.5 - 2.0 miles in one direction and then turn around after getting some nice views at the top along with a water break before descending making the total distance 3 to 4 miles. &nbsp\;&nbsp\;https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/colorado/incline-powerline-and-power-hair-loop&nbsp\;\nThe weather can change quickly in the mountains. Please prepare by wearing hiking boots\, and bringing several layers including a rain jacket. Also bring sunscreen and water to stay protected from the sun and hydrated. I look forward to being your guide on this hike!\n
CATEGORIES:WELLNESS SESSION
LOCATION:Meet at Registration\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8475c4c687323e5558ffde8cd56788c9
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/8475c4c687323e5558ffde8cd56788c9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260923T223000Z
DTEND:20260923T233000Z
SUMMARY:The Well of Being: Yoga\, Meditation\, & Art
DESCRIPTION:Wellness professionals are among the most burnout people in our society\, constantly using their energy to give to others. Through The Well of Being\, I help those professionals reconnect back to themselves. Yoga\, meditation\, and art are different doorways to the same destination: inner peace. When we can tap into this inner peace\, our own inner well of being\, we can live more authentic and embodied lives\, thus improving our careers and the ability to give to others. I'd love to share this practice at the conference\, to provide wellness and healthcare professionals with the tools needed to center and ground themselves.
CATEGORIES:WELLNESS SESSION
LOCATION:Meet at Registration\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c3854f84b1d16f37d97b76bd6e948f72
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/c3854f84b1d16f37d97b76bd6e948f72
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T140000Z
DTEND:20260924T150000Z
SUMMARY:Breakfast Buffet & Awards
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:BREAKFAST
LOCATION:Columbine Ballroom\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:8e3495d3f599c0913a05ceead53a2511
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/8e3495d3f599c0913a05ceead53a2511
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T140000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:Registration
DESCRIPTION:
CATEGORIES:REGISTRATION
LOCATION:Main Lobby\, 633 Tennis Club Rd\, Dillon\, CO 80435
SEQUENCE:0
UID:213819dc632586a5a64181aaa317e283
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/213819dc632586a5a64181aaa317e283
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T140000Z
DTEND:20260924T143000Z
SUMMARY:Silent Auction
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:SILENT AUCTION
LOCATION:Main Lobby\, 633 Tennis Club Rd\, Dillon\, CO 80435
SEQUENCE:0
UID:05c19eeb669fe443f64c933ff4834506
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/05c19eeb669fe443f64c933ff4834506
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T151500Z
DTEND:20260924T161500Z
SUMMARY:Stronger Together: Assessment as a Catalyst for Community Engagement
DESCRIPTION:Background and Purpose. A Community Health Assessment (CHA) highlights community strengths\, uncovers public health disparities\, and communicates critical health needs to multiple audiences. In rural and frontier communities\, it can do something more: it can be a catalyst for community engagement\, cross-sector partnership\, and lasting trust between a health department and the residents it serves. Small\, rural\, and frontier local health departments (LHDs) often complete CHAs as compliance exercises\, producing reports written in technical language that the communities they describe cannot access or use. This session showcases a community-driven approach developed across rural communities in the Pacific Northwest that treats the CHA process itself as an act of partnership. Methods. The approach involves conducting surveys\, interviews\, and focus groups with English- and Spanish-speaking residents and community leaders\, then working with local health departments and community advisory boards to develop CHA reports that speak to the community and reflect their perspectives and insight. Quantitative evidence is presented using rural-appropriate techniques — including per-1\,000 rather than per-100\,000 rates that more honestly reflect small-population realities — and qualitative findings are woven in through direct resident quotes in both English and Spanish. Final reports are written in plain language with strengths-based framing and translated into Spanish so the full community can read and use them. Results. Trust and rapport building\, accountability\, and transparency emerged as the most important factors in both data collection and report development. Communities reported feeling genuinely represented in the findings\, and local partners used the reports as shared tools for cross-sector action rather than filing them away. Implications. Attendees will learn how to engage their community and leave with a sample engagement timeline\, a plain-language reporting checklist\, and reflection prompts for applying this approach in Colorado's rural and frontier context.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:a1f500754816fbe8f4dc5c7fe5814cf2
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/a1f500754816fbe8f4dc5c7fe5814cf2
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T151500Z
DTEND:20260924T161500Z
SUMMARY:Suicide in Colorado: An Overview
DESCRIPTION:This session will both inform and assist public health practitioners and professionals regarding the current status of suicide rates in Colorado and assess the effectiveness of current programs to decrease its incidence. In this interactive presentation\, attendees will be invited to participate in the conversation about suicide and how it is more prevalent among certain professions and occupations. QPR Training will be embedded in the presentation\, providing attendees information they can use on both a personal and professional level.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:97d07a54f26bbc9dc9eebd7ae474194f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/97d07a54f26bbc9dc9eebd7ae474194f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T151500Z
DTEND:20260924T161500Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Modernization: Connecting Data\, Programs\, and Communities
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Following its establishment in 2023\, the Adams County Health Department (ACHD) inherited fragmented systems\, siloed workflows\, and inconsistent data practices that limited coordination\, efficiency\, and timely decision-making. To build a more resilient and connected public health infrastructure\, ACHD launched a Data and Technology Strategic Plan focused on modernizing how data are collected\, managed\, analyzed\, and used across all six divisions of the department. Methods: ACHD conducted a department-wide assessment to inventory systems\, map workflows\, and identify opportunities for integration. Through collaboration among internal program staff\, community partners\, and leadership\, ACHD implemented an Integrated Data System\, enterprise GIS\, standardized governance\, automated data pipelines\, analytics solutions\, and user-centered web applications and data collection tools designed to support diverse public health functions. Results: Since implementation began\, ACHD has developed and modernized more than 1\,000 web-based applications and data collection tools supporting operations\, epidemiology and data science\, nursing\, nutrition and family health\, strategic health initiatives\, and environmental health. Since 2024\, the department has fulfilled more than 300 data requests and expanded systems that strengthen surveillance\, service coordination\, referral management\, field operations\, reporting\, program evaluation\, and community health assessment. These efforts have improved operational efficiency\, increased access to timely information\, strengthened cross-division collaboration\, and supported equity-focused\, data-driven decision-making. Implications: ACHD's experience demonstrates how data modernization can strengthen public health by connecting people\, programs\, and information. Building shared infrastructure\, governance\, and workforce capacity creates a foundation for stronger collaboration\, improved service delivery\, and greater organizational resilience. 60-Minute Session Justification: Additional time will support demonstrations of modernization strategies and facilitated discussion on governance\, change management\, workforce development\, and implementation lessons. Participants will identify practical approaches for advancing data modernization and cross-program collaboration within their own organizations.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:f2c120951b41246135b093cf90159f79
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/f2c120951b41246135b093cf90159f79
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T151500Z
DTEND:20260924T161500Z
SUMMARY:EMS Readiness and Financial Sustainability: Challenges and Innovations
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: EMS readiness requires financial sustainability and predictability. Yet EMS organizations face a fundamental financing problem: they are reimbursed only for transports\, creating perverse incentives misaligned with community health needs and emerging evidence on optimal care delivery. This financing structure threatens EMS readiness by limiting innovation and sustainable operations. Communities increasingly seek alternatives\, such as treatment-in-place\, integration with other health care facilities or community paramedicine\, but financing barriers often prevent implementation. Understanding this landscape is essential for public health professionals partnering with EMS to find solutions for strengthening community readiness and access to care. Methods: This session combines a landscape-setting presentation (15 minutes) with a facilitated panel discussion (40 minutes). The presentation will describe: how current EMS reimbursement undermine readiness\; variation in community preferences for service types\; and policy solutions emerging at local\, state and federal levels. The panel then features EMS leaders implementing real-world alternatives that strengthen readiness and improve health care access while also requiring different payment approaches: treatment-in-place payment pilots\, partnering with healthcare facilities\, and community paramedicine programs. Audience Q&A and discussion follow. Results/Key Findings: Participants will understand how financing structures directly affect EMS readiness\; barriers to sustainable service delivery and health equity\; concrete examples of alternative models that enhance readiness\; and policy pathways forward. Implications: "Stronger Together" requires public health professionals to understand EMS financing as central to readiness and policy solutions that align incentives with community health goals. This structure requires 60 minutes to accomplish three goals: (1) establish a shared understanding of how financing impacts EMS readiness through a focused presentation\; (2) showcase real-world solutions that strengthen readiness through panelist dialogue\; and (3) enable meaningful audience engagement. This sequencing maximizes learning and interactive discussion. Dr. Buttorff will moderate the panel discussion and facilitate the audience Q&A.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:caaa5fdbbb6c3f86696f3c1c02358ef5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/caaa5fdbbb6c3f86696f3c1c02358ef5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T151500Z
DTEND:20260924T161500Z
SUMMARY:Resilient but Unequal: Sex\, Race\, Household Coverage Gaps in U.S. 2019–2023
DESCRIPTION:Background: The COVID-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented job losses\, placing millions of working-age Americans at risk of losing employer-sponsored insurance (ESI). Despite growing evidence of overall coverage disruptions\, little is known about how losses and recovery varied simultaneously by gender\, race/ethnicity\, marital status\, education\, and income using a comprehensive intersectional framework extending through 2024. This study addresses that gap by examining how ten distinct insurance coverage types changed across demographic groups during and after the pandemic.\n \n Methods: This study uses American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year samples from IPUMS covering 2020–2024\, providing nationally representative data on adults aged 18–64 (n=9\,407\,269). Ten insurance outcomes are examined: any coverage (HCOVANY)\, private coverage (HCOVPRIV)\, employer-sponsored (HINSEMP)\, direct purchase (HINSPUR)\, TRICARE (HINSTRI)\, any public coverage (HCOVPUB)\, Medicaid (HINSCAID)\, Medicare (HINSCARE)\, VA (HINSVA)\, and Indian Health Service (HINSIHS). Analyses include survey-weighted descriptive statistics\, logistic regression\, interaction models testing whether sex effects differ by race/ethnicity\, age group\, and income\, and difference-in-differences models comparing expansion versus non-expansion states. All analyses apply person-level survey weights for nationally representative estimates.\n \n Results: Overall\, uninsurance declined from 13.2% in 2020 to 11.3% in 2023 but rebounded to 11.6% in 2024\, likely reflecting Medicaid unwinding. Women were consistently 35% less likely to be uninsured than men. Black and American Indian and Alaska Native women showed the highest Medicaid dependence and largest gender gaps in uninsurance. The female ESI advantage grew significantly with income while the Medicaid advantage weakened at higher income levels.\n \n Implications: Coverage inequities by gender\, race/ethnicity\, and income persisted throughout the pandemic and recovery without closing. Public health professionals should advocate for policies that strengthen Medicaid\, expand outreach to vulnerable populations\, and decouple health insurance from employment to advance equitable access to care across Colorado and the nation.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:25e5fd01a2cc1996e666742f6ea99b4d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/25e5fd01a2cc1996e666742f6ea99b4d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T151500Z
DTEND:20260924T161500Z
SUMMARY:Smokeless: Tobacco/Nicotine Use from the 2025 Weld Community Health Survey
DESCRIPTION:In 2025\, the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment conducted its triennial Community Health Survey (CHS) to identify local health trends and inform public health programming. A random\, mail-based survey was distributed across Weld County\, and 2\,802 completed responses were weighted to represent the county population. Findings revealed an increase in smokeless tobacco/nicotine use and highlighted disparities in tobacco/nicotine use across Weld County. In 2025\, 7.5% of residents reported using smokeless tobacco/nicotine products (chew\, pouches)\, double the rate reported in the 2022 CHS. Higher rates of smokeless tobacco/nicotine use were reported among residents aged 18–34 (12.4%) compared to residents aged 35–54 (7.9%) and residents aged 55 and older (3.1%). Additionally\, smokeless tobacco/nicotine use among young adults aged 18–34 nearly quadrupled from 3.4% in the 2022 CHS to 12.4% in 2025. Smokeless tobacco/nicotine use among men in Weld County was double the statewide rate reported in the 2024 BRFSS. The survey further identified significantly higher cigarette and e-cigarette use among Hispanic/Latino residents and residents living at or below 138% of the FPL. These findings directly informed Weld County Tobacco Education and Prevention Program (WCTEPP) strategies and program planning. In response\, WCTEPP expanded culturally responsive cessation outreach\, increased in-school education efforts focused on emerging nicotine products for ages 9 and older\, and developed new initiatives to address alternative-to-suspension needs in school and community settings in partnership with law enforcement\, parents/trusted adults\, and youth. This presentation will explore how local survey data was translated into tobacco prevention and cessation programming in Weld County\, a community that includes both rural and urban municipalities. Participants will have the opportunity to model an alternative-to-suspension approach in response to local county data trends.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:562fd48ffe2cab8959924108ffc5c92d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/562fd48ffe2cab8959924108ffc5c92d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T151500Z
DTEND:20260924T161500Z
SUMMARY:Public Health Nurse Leadership Skill Builder
DESCRIPTION:To support professional development and practical readiness\, we propose an interactive\, skill-building session designed specifically for public health nurses (PHNs). We will focus on strengthening nurse leadership skills at all employment levels. This session will include a panel discussion from public health nurse leaders and peer-to-peer education. Topics have yet to be finalized based on feedback from the PHN section members on their most pressing needs. Topics under discussion include: public health policy\, partnership building\, navigating funding challenges\, and fostering public health nurse leadership in changing times. This session will provide participants with both theoretical frameworks for thinking about leadership and specific techniques that can be applied to their local practice. It will also facilitate connections between public health nurses at a variety of levels of practice and across jurisdictions.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d203fdbd2f2d65a9c1d07814af67d78c
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d203fdbd2f2d65a9c1d07814af67d78c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T163000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:Geographic Expansion of a Medically Tailored Meal Delivery Program
DESCRIPTION:Diet-related chronic health conditions\, including diabetes\, heart disease\, and cancer\, are the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. Food is Medicine (FIM) interventions have emerged as a crucial component of state and federal strategies to address the root causes of chronic disease and the complications of severe and complex conditions\, as well as rising healthcare costs and other multifaceted priorities. FIM interventions encompass a spectrum of nutrition services\, including medically tailored meals\, medically tailored groceries\, and produce prescriptions\, which are tailored to patient needs and integrated into the healthcare system through referrals from medical providers. Founded in Denver\, Project Angel Heart has been preparing and delivering medically tailored meals to Coloradans living with severe illnesses for over 30 years. As part of our FY2021-FY2025 Strategic Plan\, the organization undertook an ambitious geographic expansion\, tripling our service area to encompass 17 counties and over 85% of Colorado’s population. This session will reflect on the strategies and tactics that led to the success of the geographic expansion\, and share lessons learned during its implementation.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:894c05bd036f086755019a1fc60b433f
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/894c05bd036f086755019a1fc60b433f
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T163000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:No-Code AI Forecasting for Influenza in Local Public Health
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Local health departments are increasingly expected to make rapid\, data-informed decisions\, yet adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools remains limited due to workforce training gaps and technical barriers. This study examined whether structured AI education improves public health professionals’ confidence and readiness to use no-code forecasting tools. The research addressed two questions: (1) How does AI-focused training influence knowledge and attitudes toward AI in disease forecasting? and (2) Can a no-code platform (Akkio) generate feasible county-level influenza forecasts using weather variables? Methods: A quantitative pre–post design was implemented with public health professionals from Douglas and Jefferson Counties\, Colorado (n=8). Participants completed a 20-item Likert-scale survey assessing AI literacy\, readiness\, and trust before and after two structured training sessions. During the sessions\, attendees applied historical influenza and weather data within the Akkio no-code AI platform to generate 90-day forecasts. Paired t-tests were used to evaluate changes in survey responses\, and forecasting outputs were reviewed for practical interpretability. Results: Post-training scores increased across all survey domains. Familiarity with AI-driven forecasting tools increased from a mean of 1.25 (strongly disagree) to 3.75 (agree). Participants reported greater confidence in interpreting AI-generated forecasts and stronger agreement that public health professionals should receive AI training. Forecasting outputs demonstrated feasible short-term influenza projections using temperature-based variables\, with higher predicted case trends observed in the 65+ population. Implications: No-code AI platforms can reduce technical barriers while enhancing workforce readiness for predictive surveillance. Structured AI education improves confidence and supports responsible integration of forecasting tools into routine public health practice. Expanding AI literacy initiatives may strengthen local preparedness and data-driven decision-making nationwide.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:824d3851e05b617d9da8691433d4a585
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/824d3851e05b617d9da8691433d4a585
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T163000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:Using AI to Understand Community Engagement Data
DESCRIPTION:Community Engagement is the most important\, yet often the most under resourced work for Local Public Health Agencies. Eagle County Public Health and Environment (ECPHE) has been exploring how AI can build department wide infrastructure to support Community Engagement work. Two use cases have been implemented at ECPHE: qualitative coding of community gathered data in Gemini and the creation of an AI toolkit in NotebookLM. \n \n In 2023 ECPHE involved hundreds of Eagle County residents in the creation of the Public Health Improvement Plan and performed a qualitative analysis to identify key codes present in the data. This process was done manually\, involving 25 staff and taking hundreds of people hours to complete. In 2025 ECPHE replicated this coding process by using a Gemini Gem to categorize community statements. The AI results were substantially similar to the results from human coding and were provided in a fraction of the time. This process is being used in ECPHE’s planning processes such as the recent Aging Well Roadmap. In 2025 ECPHE created a community engagement toolkit in NotebookLM\, incorporating a community engagement model\, information from the ‘Community Toolbox’ and data on Eagle County\, the toolbox is being used by staff as a planning aide for Community Engagement activities. These tools are not intended to replace human relationships or the relational nature of community engagement. Rather\, they are designed to strengthen this work by adding a layer of support that allows staff to better understand\, organize\, and act on community voice. \n
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3b48e385c4b8a59a896b937e03e4d518
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/3b48e385c4b8a59a896b937e03e4d518
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T163000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:Associations between Influenza Subtype and Warmer Temperatures in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background Influenza virus activity is associated with climate\; however\, less is known about how climate affects influenza subtype activity. Using population-level influenza-associated hospitalization surveillance data\, we assessed the relationship between predominant influenza subtype and average temperature in Colorado. Methods We analyzed laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations reported between October 1\, 2009 - March 28\, 2026*\, excluding the 2020-2021 respiratory virus season due to minimal flu activity. We calculated Colorado weekly average temperatures and 30-year climate normals using National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data. Temperature anomaly was defined as the difference between average temperature and climate normals. Predominant seasonal subtype was defined as having more than a 10-percentage point difference in the proportion of subtyped influenza specimens. Spearman rank tests estimated the correlation between temperatures (weekly and anomaly) and influenza hospitalization rates and counts (overall and subtyped). *Through May 2026 at presentation Results Between 2009 and 2026\, nine influenza seasons were H3N2-predominant and six were H1N1-predominant. Of the H3N2-predominant seasons\, five (55.55%) occurred during hotter-than-average seasons\; three H1N1-predominant seasons (50.00%) occurred within colder-than-average seasons. Average weekly temperature showed a significant negative correlation with both H1N1 rates (⍴ = -0.342\, p
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:82f3637bab434d835def5559dddd2edf
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/82f3637bab434d835def5559dddd2edf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T163000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:Delivering Diabetes Prevention & Management Programming through Telehealth
DESCRIPTION:Diabetes prevention and management are key public health priorities in Colorado. The National Diabetes Prevention Program (National DPP) and Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support (DSMES) services are national\, evidence-based programs for individuals living with diabetes or prediabetes. Approximately 44 DSMES programs and 23 National DPP programs exist throughout Colorado. However\, programming is limited\, particularly in rural areas of the state with dispersed populations\, with the majority of National DPP and DSMES programs concentrated in urban areas in the middle of the state. In fact\, 81% of rural and rural resort counties do not have a local National DPP\, and 75% of rural and rural resort counties do not have local DSMES services. This reality makes telehealth and virtual program delivery options necessary for individuals living with diabetes or at risk for diabetes who have barriers to in-person programming. Research shows that program outcomes between in-person and virtual programming are similar. However\, program providers and participants alike face barriers to telehealth programming. This presentation will clearly outline the successes\, challenges\, and lessons learned from diabetes prevention and management programs\, gleaned from working directly with telehealth providers since 2021\, as well as surveys conducted in early 2026. Creative solutions taking place in Colorado will be shared\, and attendees will walk away with tangible examples of how to effectively deliver telehealth programming by increasing engagement\, addressing digital literacy\, investing in staff training\, and adjusting workflows to best meet the needs of participants and program providers.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:e3c2b23812099bae9360bb00d78d795b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/e3c2b23812099bae9360bb00d78d795b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T163000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:Evaluating Health Disparities Among African American Populations Across Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Learning Objective:\n To assess differences in health care utilization\, documented social needs\, and spending among Black populations in Colorado using Colorado All Payer Claims Database (CO APCD) data.\n \n Background/Purpose:\n Black populations in Colorado continue to experience disparities in health outcomes and health care utilization. This study evaluated differences in emergency department (ED) use\, inpatient admissions\, readmissions\, follow-up care\, documented social needs\, and spending across insurance types and Black population subgroups.\n \n Methods:\n Researchers conducted a retrospective claims-based analysis using CO APCD data from 2018–2025 across commercial\, Medicaid\, Medicare Advantage\, and Traditional Medicare populations. Outcomes included ED visits\, inpatient admissions\, 30-day readmissions\, 7-day follow-up visits\, ICD-10 Z-code utilization\, and total health care spending. Measures were standardized as rates per member per year (PMPY).\n \n Results:\n The largest differences were observed in ED utilization. In Traditional Medicare\, Black\, Hispanic or Latino members experienced 1.99 ED visits PMPY compared to 0.74 among All Other Public Health Fields Race populations. Similar patterns were observed across Medicaid\, Medicare Advantage\, and commercial coverage. Inpatient admissions were also higher among Black populations\, reaching 0.21 PMPY in Traditional Medicare compared to 0.14 among All Other Public Health Fields Race populations. Thirty-day readmission rates reached 0.09 PMPY among Black\, Hispanic or Latino members compared to 0.03 among All Other Public Health Fields Race populations. Documented social needs\, measured using ICD-10 Z-codes\, were consistently higher among Black populations across insurance types. \n \n Implications:\n Findings highlight consistent\, system-wide differences in health care utilization across Black populations in Colorado and support collaborative\, community-based outreach\, care navigation\, and prevention strategies to advance health equity statewide.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:31c94d3114d670469c74aa8c0e4e019d
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/31c94d3114d670469c74aa8c0e4e019d
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T163000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:Nicotine Use in the Mountain West: The Impact of Regional Context
DESCRIPTION:Nicotine use is still the leading preventable contributor to disease and death in the United States. States in the Mountain West share many\, but not all\, patterns and trends in nicotine use. This session presents findings from surveys on adult nicotine use conducted by WYSAC in the region\, highlighting Colorado's neighbors to the north and south. WYSAC has conducted similar surveys in seven states. We will share how we develop survey instruments tailored to each state's needs\, how we field surveys\, and how we weight and analyze data to obtain accurate estimates of nicotine-related behaviors and opinions. Our findings show broadly that: * Smoking rates have declined while vaping rates have increased\, so that vaping now matches or exceeds smoking among adults. * Young adults\, people experiencing poverty\, and people with behavioral health challenges are disproportionately likely to vape. * Poverty and behavioral health are significant predictors of cigarette smoking. * In New Mexico\, most smokers and vapers intend to quit within the next six months. In Wyoming\, roughly a third of smokers tried to quit in the last year * In New Mexico\, people living in multi-unit housing are significantly more likely to be exposed to secondhand smoke in their homes. * Substantial majorities of adults support cigarette tax increases and tax increases on other nicotine products. We will present maps showing state- and county-level variations and graphs detailing variations across demographics and other population characteristics. States in the Mountain West share in national trends in nicotine use and behaviors\, but also differ in important ways. There are strong associations between social determinants of health and nicotine use and behaviors\, but these determinants vary across our region. Placing local data in a regional context enables public health professionals to see both what we share and how we differ.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d5834fc33ef853ec7eede50780e46525
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d5834fc33ef853ec7eede50780e46525
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T163000Z
DTEND:20260924T170000Z
SUMMARY:Expanding Reproductive Access in Rural Areas
DESCRIPTION:Access to comprehensive\, person-centered contraceptive care remains limited in rural and underserved communities\, where workforce shortages and restricted clinical scope impede timely service delivery. The Full Scope Forward (FSF) RN Nexplanon Training is a program innovation designed to expand rural registered nurse (RN) capacity to provide evidence-based contraceptive care\, including etonogestrel implant (Nexplanon) insertion and removal\, within Title X and public health settings. This hybrid training model integrates asynchronous and synchronous learning using the Podia learning management system and Vimeo for delivery of eight videos\, complemented by twelve competency-based job aids. The curriculum emphasizes application of national clinical guidelines\, including the U.S. Medical Eligibility Criteria and Selected Practice Recommendations\, alongside structured approaches to person-centered contraceptive counseling. Eight Colorado RNs serving rural communities are currently enrolled\, with a focus on building clinical confidence\, procedural competency\, and workflow integration. RNs must complete Nexplanon REMS certification and Organon’s Nexplanon training prior to provision of Nexplanon. The FSF Training Hub aligns directly with CPHA's strategic plan and objectives\, as well as the PHiR conference mission by: (1) strengthening application of evidence-based guidelines to improve contraceptive care outcomes\; (2) integrating person-centered counseling frameworks that support reproductive autonomy and informed decision-making\; and (3) advancing innovative workforce models by expanding RN scope of practice and leveraging digital tools to increase access and efficiency in low-resource settings. Preliminary outcomes include increased RN knowledge\, improved readiness to provide implant services\, and enhanced clinic capacity to offer same-day contraceptive care in rural clinics. Ongoing evaluation will assess competency attainment\, service uptake\, and patient experience. CORE would like to demonstrate how collaborative\, technology enabled training models can transform the SRH workforce and improve equitable access to high quality contraceptive care.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c6b4d7f2bd5c8e3976bb85a8144eedb7
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/c6b4d7f2bd5c8e3976bb85a8144eedb7
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260924T174500Z
SUMMARY:Disconnect to Re-connect?!?!
DESCRIPTION:Connection is the antidote to loneliness | Belonging is the antidote to social isolation. We know that we have an epidemic of lonliness and social isolation. This session is designed to encourage attendees to drop the surface level small talk and engage more deeply with their peers and colleagues. Think of it as a way to step up your networking into something more meaningful that leads to real connection\, collaboration and opportunities to partner. It's a gift to be given permission to leave the devices behind and focus on real connection with others. And it works best when we're outside. Nature is a great connector. This session is a two-fer: an opportunity for attendees to recharge their emotional/mental health being outside and new ramped up skills for networking in a device free environmental. Attendees will be provided with samples of better questions to use\, hands on activities to engage with one another\, guided conversation and reflection\, a note card to record lessons learned and ann opportunity to create a nature art project.
CATEGORIES:ALL OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FIELDS
LOCATION:Outdoors - TBD\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:c55cd1d4ab48ca5d1ac4249ee722dd86
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/c55cd1d4ab48ca5d1ac4249ee722dd86
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260924T174500Z
SUMMARY:The Public Health Paradox: Why Change Feels So Hard
DESCRIPTION:Public health is built on systems thinking - so why does changing our own systems feel so hard? This interactive session explores the tension between public health’s desire for innovation and the organizational cultures that often reward caution\, compliance\, consensus\, and risk avoidance. Rather than offering polished success stories\, this session creates space for an honest conversation about the realities many practitioners\, leaders\, educators\, and students are already navigating. Drawing from experiences in workforce development\, leadership\, epidemiology\, teaching\, innovation\, and community practice\, the presenters will explore how organizational culture shapes whose ideas move forward\, how change is experienced by teams\, and why even well-intentioned systems can struggle to adapt. Participants will reflect on the human cost of constant adaptation\, the challenges of leading through uncertainty\, and the paradox of asking burned-out systems to continuously transform. This session is designed to be thoughtful\, practical\, and interactive. Participants should expect candid discussion\, audience engagement\, shared reflection\, and concrete strategies for navigating change in ways that are more adaptive\, relational\, and sustainable.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:55bd70dd97c98e8ab4aeca7a5956f7c8
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/55bd70dd97c98e8ab4aeca7a5956f7c8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260924T174500Z
SUMMARY:Beyond Tables: A User-Centered Dashboard for Newborn Hearing Screening
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Colorado’s newborn hearing screening program works with birthing facilities\, audiologists\, and other providers to collect data on infant hearing screening and follow-up. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) sends follow-up letters for infants who missed screening or did not pass and require rescreening or additional evaluation. Before this dashboard was completed\, quarterly reporting required manual calculation of facility-level and statewide measures\, making it time-intensive to present screening performance\, follow-up outcomes\, timeliness and benchmarking results to both birth facility staff and the Colorado Infant Hearing Advisory Committee (CIHAC). This project aimed to create a more user-friendly system for monitoring newborn hearing screening performance across Colorado. Methods: As part of CDPHE’s Informatics work\, we began the dashboard by writing a stored procedure\, designing dashboard tabs\, and improving how measures were organized and displayed. Although CIHAC initially requested detailed numeric tables\, we recognized that tables alone would not provide a complete picture of statewide performance. The final reporting structure combined tables with visualizations to better communicate trends\, outcomes\, timeliness\, and facility comparisons. This enables users to access the detailed numbers they needed while also observing clearer trends and outcomes. A map-based tool is also being developed to help families identify local hearing screening sites. Results: The dashboard reduced reliance on manual quarterly preparation\, enabled secure access to state and facility-level reports\, and improved transparency around facility categorization and comparison to statewide coverages. Denver Health highlighted the dashboard’s accuracy and its value for real-time monitoring. It generated productive conversations with professionals from other states at the 2026 EHDI conference. Implications: This work shows that user-centered dashboards can reduce reporting burden while making data more actionable. Key takeaways are that combining required tables with visualizations strengthens oversight\, supports quality improvement\, and improves communication with facilities\, program leaders\, and advisory stakeholders.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:3f280ea9633228be7691485bad045abf
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/3f280ea9633228be7691485bad045abf
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260924T174500Z
SUMMARY:Impact of Continuous Medicaid and CHP+ Enrollment on Children in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: Coverage gaps in Medicaid and CHP+ disproportionately harm children of color and low-income families. Continuous enrollment (CE) strengthens coverage stability by eliminating reapplication requirements until a designated age. During the COVID 19 Public Health Emergency\, suspended eligibility redeterminations expanded stable coverage\, followed by sharp enrollment declines after April 2023. These shifts highlight how coverage continuity influences health care utilization and costs\, informing policy decisions on expanding CE for young children.\n \n Methods: Researchers conducted a cross sectional analysis of Colorado All Payer Claims Database data (2018–2024). Children ages 0–6 with Medicaid or CHP+ coverage were stratified by enrollment status (CE: ≥11 months/year\; non-CE:
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:5c809b7e4c248cbfed27f413b03227b3
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/5c809b7e4c248cbfed27f413b03227b3
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260924T174500Z
SUMMARY:Reviewing Colorado air toxics rules through the lens of human health
DESCRIPTION:In June 2022\, House Bill 22-1244: The Public Protections From Toxic Air Contaminants Act was signed into state law. This talk will focus on how fundamental concepts in toxicology and human health risk assessment were integrated into several aspects of the implementation of this law. This talk will include an overview of the air toxics law and will provide in-depth discussion on the elements most directly tied to human health. We will review how health risk estimates informed the selection of the priority toxic air contaminants: formaldehyde\, benzene\, hexavalent chromium\, ethylene oxide\, and hydrogen sulfide. We will discuss the approach and health basis of ambient air benchmarks and emission reporting thresholds. Finally we will review how health risk estimates were used in the most recent emission control regulations adopted for formaldehyde. Taken together\, this talk will provide participants with an update on Colorado’s progress related to the regulation of air toxics. This talk will provide a case study in how fundamental concepts in toxicology and human health risk assessment can inform regulations. Finally\, participants will learn about ways to stay informed and involved in future activities related to air toxics.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:04d40c5c1f44bf5e69537be61d38e267
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/04d40c5c1f44bf5e69537be61d38e267
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260924T174500Z
SUMMARY:Advancing High‑Quality Asthma Care Through Statewide School Partnerships
DESCRIPTION:Background Asthma affects 8-10% of school aged children in the United States and is a leading cause of both healthcare utilization and school absenteeism in this age group. Enhancing school-based asthma care is a key strategy to meet children and families where they are and improve asthma outcomes. To this end\, Colorado Asthma Friendly Schools initiative was created to both recognize schools and school nurses providing appropriate asthma care in schools\, as well as encourage ongoing improvements in holistic school-based asthma care. Methods: We adapted the American Lung Associations’ Asthma Friendly Schools Framework to address local contexts and created a self-assessment tool to evaluate schools’ performance in 4 key areas: maximizing delivery of school health services\, building asthma education\, providing a healthy school environment\, and managing physical education and activity. Nurses indicated which strategies they were implementing in a few key areas. After a small first year pilot involving 13 schools\, invitations to apply for recognition were distributed across a statewide listserv. Results: Nurses (n=137) providing care at 221 schools and 24 districts were recognized. Schools covered 126\,043 students\, which is approximately 14% of all students in Colorado. Two large school districts received special recognition due to their districtwide asthma-friendly efforts. Highly implemented strategies included protocols and training to manage asthma symptoms and emergencies\, following care plans\, and infrastructure such as integrated pest management plans\, and HVAC improvements. Minimal implementation areas included targeted coordination for high-risk students\, WSCC model integrations\, EPA walkthroughs and idling policies\, and integration with physical education (PE) teachers and activities Implications: There was high statewide interest in an initiative to recognize high quality asthma care in schools. While treatment of emergencies in schools was a priority\, improving integration with physical education teachers and implementing more evidence based environmental mitigation strategies remain areas of opportunity.
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cdf0686fec0460a4e96e01621b2004f9
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/cdf0686fec0460a4e96e01621b2004f9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260924T174500Z
SUMMARY:Leveraging digital messengers to reach teens in a public health campaign
DESCRIPTION:Background: Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentrations in recreational cannabis have risen dramatically with some products routinely exceeding 72% THC. Evidence links use of today’s THC products among adolescents to increased risks for cannabis use disorder\, psychosis\, and neurodevelopmental harm. Traditional public health channels are less likely to reach young people. To close the gap\, Tea on THC\, a cannabis-focused public health education campaign\, developed a unique strategy to provide authentic messages through trusted teen and young adult messengers on social media. Methods: Tea on THC deployed a multi-channel social media strategy across TikTok\, Snapchat\, Meta\, YouTube and Twitch. This approach combined authentic youth voices and vetted influencer partnerships. Research was translated into creative assets\, with messaging optimized using real-time performance data. Evaluation tracked reach\, engagement\, sentiment\, and awareness using real-time metrics. Results: Preliminary findings indicated that a diversified strategy combining authentic youth voices\, influencer partnerships\, and campaign content extended prevention messaging to young people\, particularly teens aged 13 – 17 years old. Sentiment analysis revealed favorable reception of creator-driven content. Final reach\, engagement\, and awareness data will be presented. Using TikTok in Year 2 has generated over 8.4 million impressions just in 2026\, driving engagement amongst 13-18 year olds. In February 2026\, Tea on THC expanded to new platforms to reach more youth: Snapchat\, Twitch\, and Reddit\, already generating over 5 million impressions. These metrics represent a significant change over previous year. Implications: Effective youth cannabis prevention requires more complex approaches\, especially given the contemporary social media environment. . By combining authentic youth voices and digital creators together with evidence-based content across multiple social media platforms\, the Tea on THC campaign expanded youth access to prevention information\, . This model offers a novel\, replicable framework for multi-channel youth health communication.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:741871b02666c8c28c47efe90ce331b8
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/741871b02666c8c28c47efe90ce331b8
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260924T174500Z
SUMMARY:Stronger Together: Co-Designing Tobacco Cessation in Healthcare
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: Tobacco use remains a leading preventable cause of disease and death\, with persistent disparities among Black/African American individuals\, LGBTQ+ individuals\, individuals with behavioral or mental health conditions\, and individuals receiving healthcare assistance. As Colorado's largest safety-net system\, Denver Health serves nearly one in four Denver residents annually. With funding from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment's Amendment 35 program\, Denver Health partnered with patients and providers to identify barriers and co-design strategies to reduce tobacco treatment disparities among these priority populations. Methods: We used a participatory mixed-methods design across 12 clinical sites. Data included dot-voting with 275 clinical staff\, surveys of 59 patients and 27 providers\, four focus groups (n=28)\, and nine provider interviews. Qualitative data were thematically coded\; quantitative data summarized descriptively. Findings were synthesized into candidate interventions\, prioritized through clinic engagement\, then piloted and integrated into workflows. Evaluation included website analytics\, QR-code tracking\, EHR-based outreach\, and pre/post cessation indicators. Results: Patients identified stress\, withdrawal symptoms\, social environments\, and low motivation as primary barriers\; providers added co-occurring mental health conditions\, visit time constraints\, and cost. Both groups identified nicotine replacement therapy\, pharmacotherapy\, and one-on-one counseling as most effective. Qualitative themes emphasized non-judgmental communication\, follow-up\, and clearer cost information. Over 20 interventions were implemented across five domains: provider and patient education (department lectures\, patient stories\, formulary tip sheet)\; patient-facing digital outreach (redesigned Tobacco Cessation website\, MyChart campaign\, banner\, resource link\, After-Visit Summary education)\; reducing stigmatizing language (Words Matter preference list\, free-text tracking)\; clinic-based materials (bilingual posters\, Gemba boards)\; and follow-up workflows (STC and TCC call lists). Monthly website views rose\, scheduled cessation appointments increased\, and smoking prevalence among priority populations declined. Implications: Patient-centered\, non-judgmental engagement supports cessation. Workflow integration determines uptake. Addressing the structural barriers of cost\, access\, navigation is essential for equitable outcomes.
CATEGORIES:SUBSTANCE USE & INJURY CONTROL
LOCATION:Crestone 1\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:dba6e66ee204bfd1e11d60b89214597c
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/dba6e66ee204bfd1e11d60b89214597c
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T171500Z
DTEND:20260925T054500Z
SUMMARY:The Syndemic Gap in Federally-Funded Breast Cancer Clinical Trials
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose: Breast cancer mortality in the United States falls unevenly across racial and ethnic lines. Black women have a 38% higher breast cancer mortality rate than White women despite a 5% lower incidence\, and they carry significantly higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity\, comorbidities that interact syndemically with breast cancer to worsen outcomes. Federally-funded clinical trials shape the evidence base for breast cancer care\, yet the extent to which they account for these metabolic comorbidities in trial design has not been systematically examined.\n \n Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 90 completed NIH- and other federal agency-funded female breast cancer clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov as of July 2023. Three parallel evaluation methods were applied: systematic review of inclusion and exclusion criteria\; pharmacologic analysis of FDA-labeled and off-label drug indications for every intervention\, conducted by credentialed pharmacology team members\; and AI-assisted keyword recognition across protocol texts\, with human adjudication. Trials were stratified into pharmacological and device interventions (n=72) and behavioral interventions (n=18).\n \n Results: Fewer than 15% of trials explicitly addressed T2D in eligibility criteria\; only one trial explicitly addressed obesity. Approximately 75% made no mention of diabetes\, and over 90% made no mention of obesity. Only five trials considered both comorbidities together. Behavioral interventions targeting diet\, exercise\, and weight management failed almost universally to screen for or stratify by metabolic status.\n \n Implications: Federally-funded breast cancer research remains predominantly reductionist in design\, overlooking the metabolic and syndemic realities that shape outcomes for Black women\, Latina\, South Asian\, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women. Future NIH funding should prioritize trial designs that integrate metabolic comorbidities into eligibility\, stratification\, and analytic frameworks to advance equity in cancer research.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:2eb3759273ae5a3991d34a994068e923
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/2eb3759273ae5a3991d34a994068e923
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T180000Z
DTEND:20260924T183000Z
SUMMARY:Designing Connected and Equitable Health Systems Through Visioning
DESCRIPTION:Public health systems and healthcare organizations are facing increasing pressures from workforce shortages\, fragmented care coordination\, rising behavioral health needs\, and inequitable access to care. At the same time\, many healthcare facilities continue to be planned using siloed approaches that separate operations\, infrastructure\, technology\, and patient experience planning. This session explores how “digital visioning” and ecosystem-based planning can support stronger\, more connected\, and more equitable healthcare systems before construction and implementation begin. Using real-world healthcare planning initiatives\, this presentation demonstrates how collaborative planning approaches can strengthen public health infrastructure by aligning clinicians\, operations leaders\, public health professionals\, facilities teams\, architects\, engineers\, and technology strategists around shared community health goals. Topics include: * Hybrid and virtual care ecosystems * Smart patient environments supporting workforce resilience * Operational coordination and communication strategies * Digitally enabled patient navigation and engagement * Future-ready infrastructure supporting adaptability and sustainability * Cross-disciplinary planning models that reduce fragmentation and improve connectedness Methods include interdisciplinary workshops\, future-state operational mapping\, capability assessments\, and collaborative planning exercises focused on equitable and resilient healthcare delivery. Emerging outcomes demonstrate improved organizational alignment\, stronger workforce support strategies\, enhanced patient access pathways\, and increased readiness for future healthcare challenges. Participants will leave with practical strategies for integrating health equity\, connectedness\, collaboration\, and long-term resilience into healthcare planning initiatives that support healthier communities across Colorado and beyond.
CATEGORIES:BEHAVIORAL & MENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Crestone 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:ea160f236ba78b3060eb909b4577209b
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/ea160f236ba78b3060eb909b4577209b
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T180000Z
DTEND:20260924T183000Z
SUMMARY:The first year of Congenital Cytomegalovirus Surveillance in Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Background: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a ubiquitous virus that generally causes minor disease. Congenital CMV (cCMV) causes birth defects in about 20% of infected infants & is the leading non-genetic cause of pediatric hearing loss. Colorado added cCMV as a reportable condition in January 2025. Methods: Retrospective review of cCMV cases reported to Colorado public health between January 2025-January 2026. We collected data through electronic lab reporting & provider reports\, then matched records to vital statistics. We excluded out-of-state records. Results: 60 reported cases met definition for either confirmed cCMV infection (n=54) or disease (n=6). Females were overrepresented (61.7%). The ethnic distribution of cases mirrored the Colorado population (23% Hispanic\, 73% not Hispanic\, and 3% unknown). Case racial distribution was 61.7% White\, 20% other\, 13.3% Black\, 3% unknown\, & 1.7% Asian. Discussion: Ten percent of cases presented with signs visible at birth\, aligning with reported U.S. rates. While race and ethnicity largely reflected DOLA 2024 population data\, we observed a slight under-representation of non-Hispanic White (61.7% vs. 65%) & Asian (1.7% vs. 3.9%) infants\, alongside over-representation of Black infants (13.3% vs. 4.3%). Surveillance case rates were 0.94 per 100\,000 in the five-county Denver metro area\, & 1.08 per 100\,000 outside the metro\; both figures remain significantly below the national estimate of 4.5 per 1\,000 live births\, in screening data. Implications: Colorado’s early cCMV epidemiology for race\, ethnicity\, & rate of disease at birth is similar to national trends. Our rates overall and female preponderance are different from national estimates.These findings likely indicate a combination of variable testing practices\, variation related to the first year of a newly reportable condition\, & variation due to a small sample size. Regional epidemiologic differences or changing epidemiology over time may also be factors.
CATEGORIES:CHRONIC & INFECTIOUS DISEASE
LOCATION:Grays Peak II\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:b51793d9c0375536e8beb6d072b83628
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/b51793d9c0375536e8beb6d072b83628
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T180000Z
DTEND:20260924T183000Z
SUMMARY:Trusted Messengers\, Better Outcomes: A Community Ambassador Model
DESCRIPTION:Background/Purpose: As H.R. 1 threatens significant Medicaid and ACA cuts\, low-income and immigrant communities in Colorado face compounding barriers to maintaining health coverage: language access gaps\, institutional distrust\, and rapidly shifting eligibility rules. Safety-net clinics serving these populations need outreach models that can meet communities where they are\; in trusted settings\, in their language\, with accurate information\, rather than waiting for community members to navigate complex systems alone. Methods: Doctors Care\, a free safety-net clinic in the Denver metro area\, developed a structured Community Ambassador program delivered through subcontracted community-based organizations using a promotora model. Ambassadors are recruited from within the communities they serve and trained using bilingual curriculum materials covering Colorado's health coverage landscape\, referral consent workflows\, and plain-language responses to emerging community concerns\, including federal data-sharing proposals affecting Medicaid and Cover All Coloradans enrollees. Education sessions are conducted in trusted settings including the Mexican Consulate's Ventanilla de Salud program. Results: Program implementation is ongoing. Qualitative outcomes include increased community awareness of coverage options\, strengthened referral pathways between community settings and clinic-based coverage specialists\, and ambassador capacity to provide accurate\, non-alarmist information on data privacy questions that are actively deterring enrollment. Implications: Safety-net organizations can build resilient\, equity-centered outreach infrastructure by investing in trusted community members as health coverage navigators. This session will equip attendees to describe a replicable ambassador referral model\, identify curriculum components for training trusted messengers\, and explain how to address data privacy concerns with plain-language health coverage information. In a volatile policy environment\, community relationships are both the strategy and the buffer.
CATEGORIES:COMMUNITY PLANNING & POLICY DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Grays Peak III\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d4f79f1ac1912d2f6c56f54c061044f5
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d4f79f1ac1912d2f6c56f54c061044f5
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T180000Z
DTEND:20260924T183000Z
SUMMARY:Well Water Use\, Safety and Stewardship in Northern Colorado
DESCRIPTION:Approximately 10% of Colorado households rely on private well water. Without connection to municipal water treatment\, these users are solely responsible for ensuring the safety of their drinking water. Important to note\, lack of existing frameworks and coordinated support systems for private well users in Colorado has created a gap in both service provision and understanding behaviors related around well water testing. As this population is widely distributed throughout the state\, and sources their water from individual wells\, little is known about water quality\, testing frequency and treatment of these vital water supplies. Additionally\, less is known about the motivations and barriers to adequate testing and treatment. This project began with a focus on Boulder County\, intending to characterize these elements of water supply for well users in that area. Our initial survey revealed opportunities for community engagement which drove the design of a series of in-person workshops held in the county to increase knowledge and access to resources for residents reliant on well water. Feedback from interviews and workshops allowed us to expand our materials to include concerns around wildfire risk\, drought\, drying of aquifers\, and other sources of potential contamination such as septic systems and flood events. The project has expanded in geographic scope\, allowing us to further assess well stewardship in a broader region. Additional data has been collected from these areas\, allowing us to share a fuller picture. We partnered with Local Public Health Agencies in Boulder County\, Weld County and Larimer County and expanded outreach to renters and low-income residents through collaboration with CSU Extension\, Nederland Food Pantry\, and other community partners. We are engaged in feasibility work to create an online statewide toolkit for well users.
CATEGORIES:ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
LOCATION:Grays Peak I\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:30100b5831442eb1581bbab2191550ba
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/30100b5831442eb1581bbab2191550ba
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T180000Z
DTEND:20260924T183000Z
SUMMARY:Partners in Prevention: DoL and CDE Support Vaping Prevention and Education
DESCRIPTION:Following a 2023 nationwide settlement the Colorado Attorney General’s Office secured against Juul Labs\, Inc. on behalf of Coloradans because the company targeted young people in their marketing and misrepresented the health risks posed by their vaping products\, $11.4 million in grant funds was awarded through the Vaping Prevention Education Grant (VPEG) to 28 school districts\, charter schools\, BOCES\, and facility schools statewide. The Colorado Attorney General’s Office and the Colorado Department of Education partnered on the VPEG grant opportunity\, a comprehensive\, multifaceted approach combining education\, prevention\, and treatment – that now supports K–12 education providers across Colorado with funding and technical assistance in their efforts to combat youth vaping. Aligning with Public Health in the Rockies focal areas related to prevention and health promotion\, policy and systems change\, health equity\, and community-engaged public health practice\, this presentation will provide an overview of the VPEG program structure\, required grant components\, equitable selection criteria\, and implementation strategies from select grantees. By highlighting current school-based initiatives supported by VPEG funding\, we hope to demonstrate how education providers can act as valuable partners in supporting equitable\, prevention-oriented\, and community-engaged public health strategies
CATEGORIES:HEALTH EDUCATION PROMOTION
LOCATION:Torreys 1 & 2\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:7cfc5dbe0b19a98383b1dee0ecf7a5b9
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/7cfc5dbe0b19a98383b1dee0ecf7a5b9
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T180000Z
DTEND:20260924T183000Z
SUMMARY:Emerging Products and Differential Policy: Rural Tobacco at a Crossroads
DESCRIPTION:Background / Purpose Rural populations carry a disproportionate tobacco burden\, and recent surveillance data suggest the gap is widening. Declines in rural tobacco use have slowed markedly relative to urban populations\; among rural women\, the decline has stalled entirely. This presentation argues the moment is critical: as a policy penetration gaps limit rural progress\, evidence indicates the tobacco industry is intensifying its focus on rural communities through retail channel expansion and targeted product development. MethodsT his presentation synthesizes peer-reviewed literature and national surveillance data (NSDUH\, BRFSS\, PATH) to examine: (1) rural–urban tobacco prevalence disparities and their trajectory\; (2) the role of differential policy penetration in explaining diverging trends\; (3) tobacco industry retail channel expansion into rural markets\; and (4) nicotine pouch use patterns disaggregated by sex\, geography\, and smokeless tobacco history. Results Rural tobacco prevalence remains substantially higher than urban rates across most product categories. Among rural women\, use declines have stalled entirely. Nicotine pouch use\, while low in overall national prevalence\, is concentrated among young rural men with smokeless tobacco histories — consistent with deliberate industry positioning. The tobacco industry's expansion into discount retail has structurally amplified rural tobacco access: a 2023 study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine analyzing FDA inspection data from 2015–2020 found Family Dollar had the highest rate of tobacco sales to minors among major retailers studied\, at 12.1% of inspections\, a pattern reflecting lax enforcement in the outlet formats most prevalent in rural communities. Implications Rural tobacco control is at an inflection point. Stalling declines\, industry retail targeting\, and the emergence of smokeless-adjacent nicotine products in rural male markets demand a coordinated public health response. Attendees will leave with a framework for understanding who is most at risk and what evidence-based policy and cessation responses are available.
CATEGORIES:RURAL COMMUNITIES & UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS
LOCATION:Torreys 3 & 4\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:0afd2a642ccb249cac3403a98bb345cb
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/0afd2a642ccb249cac3403a98bb345cb
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T180000Z
DTEND:20260924T183000Z
SUMMARY:Cultivating Calm: Mindfulness for Community and Workforce Wellbeing
DESCRIPTION:Mental health challenges—including stress\, burnout\, and emotional fatigue—continue to rise across populations\, underscoring the need for accessible\, preventive strategies that support wellbeing at both individual and community levels. Mindfulness has emerged as an evidence-informed\, low-cost intervention that can enhance emotional regulation\, resilience\, and overall mental health across diverse settings. This interactive session introduces mindfulness as a scalable public health approach to promote mental well-being and resilience. Grounded in research from public health\, neuroscience\, and behavioral health\, participants will explore practical\, accessible mindfulness techniques that can be integrated into clinical\, educational\, workplace\, and community-based environments. Emphasis will be placed on prevention\, early intervention\, and health promotion across populations. Participants will engage in guided mindfulness practices\, reflective activities\, and group dialogue to better understand how these strategies can reduce stress and support psychological resilience. The session will also highlight approaches for embedding mindfulness into existing systems and programs\, including community health initiatives\, interprofessional education\, and organizational wellness efforts. Audience polling will be used to capture shifts in participant awareness and perceived stress before and after practice. Attendees will receive curated resources—including digital tools and implementation strategies—to support dissemination and sustainability in their own settings. By the end of the session\, participants will be equipped with actionable\, evidence-informed strategies to promote mental well-being\, foster supportive environments\, and contribute to a culture of health within their communities.
CATEGORIES:WORKFORCE & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
LOCATION:Crestone 3\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:cfff818612bdc580ab6c8aa0ac7daa03
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/cfff818612bdc580ab6c8aa0ac7daa03
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTAMP:20260902T070624Z
DTSTART:20260924T183000Z
DTEND:20260924T194500Z
SUMMARY:Lunch Buffet
DESCRIPTION:\n
CATEGORIES:LUNCH
LOCATION:Columbine Ballroom\, Keystone\, CO\, USA
SEQUENCE:0
UID:d227f65da8606dafd514fdafeddb45cc
URL:http://phir2026.sched.com/event/d227f65da8606dafd514fdafeddb45cc
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR