From the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation No matter where we live in the world, we all want a future where health is no longer a privilege, but a right. We all want to live in a community where our loved ones have access to healthy foods, inviting green spaces, and safe affordable housing. A community where we engage, support, and maintain the health of our caregivers and grandparents. Many of the inequities that prevent communities in the United States from fulfilling these dreams are also...

Thanks to the Extension Foundation, the results of Cooperative Extension’s Health and Well-Being Infrastructure Survey have now been published in an easy-to-read, visually-appealing infographic . The survey was conducted in the fall of 2023 to document changes that have occurred in the Cooperative Extension’s capacity to support health-related programming over the last five years. More specifically, the survey tracked increases in internal and external funding for health-related work,...

The North Central Region Aging Network is requesting ALL Extension educators, specialists, and administrators complete a short survey. Twenty participants will win a $50 gift card!

A recently released report in CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) shows the gap in preventable premature mortality (or early death) between rural and urban America is growing wider. People living in rural areas are at a higher risk of dying early from one of the five leading causes of death when the death could have been prevented compared to people living in urban areas. This report is an extension of the 2019 CDC study, which showed the percentage of preventable early deaths...

H5N1 bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in U.S. poultry and dairy cows with one recent human case in a U.S. dairy worker. The latest information, data and guidance on the current situation are available from the links below: Current Situation Summary | Current H5N1 Bird Flu Situation in Dairy Cows Avian influenza or bird flu refers to the disease caused by infection with avian (bird) influenza (flu) Type A viruses. These viruses naturally spread among...

The College of Agriculture, Forestry and Life Sciences at Clemson University invites applications for the position of Professor and inaugural Director of Extension Center for Health Outreach (ECHO). Clemson University’s Extension Center for Health Outreach (ECHO) is the centralized home of health innovation through extension. It strengthens the partnerships between Clemson faculty across the university, Extension staff, and community stakeholders to collaboratively address significant public...

April 22 – 29 is National Infant Immunization Week It highlights the importance of protecting children two years and younger from vaccine-preventable diseases. The new Partner Vaccination Toolkit for early care and education providers explains how early care and education professional can help. Together, we can help raise awareness about the importance of vaccines for infants and young children and encourage parents and caregivers to talk their child’s doctor about staying up to date on...

Registration is now open for the 2024 National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference to be held May 13-15 in Greenville, South Carolina. The conference is co-hosted by Clemson University, University of Georgia, and North Carolina State University. The conference schedule is packed full of keynote speakers, educational workshops, poster presentations, and an awards banquet. The early bird rate of $450 is available from now through April 15. Special lodging rates are available at the...

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Health Advisory today to inform clinicians, state health departments, and the public of a recently confirmed human infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) virus in the United States following exposure to presumably infected dairy cattle. The full advisory can be viewed here .

Reminder! Brief, 250 word abstracts are due April 5th for the Journal of Human Science and Extension's Special Issue: Aging in America.

Join the Aspen Institute's Community Strategies Group on Thursday, April 11 from 2:00 - 3:30 PM Eastern for a discussion about how agencies and funders can improve outcomes for rural communities. To register visit https://aspeninstitute.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJIpdO-uqz4iE9HJnrbMcDmEofDH-uwzthCU#/registration Discussion questions: Respectful engagement with rural communities and Native nations on their own terms is essential to just and equitable funding. Fair treatment and meaningful...

The Michigan State University School of Planning, Design and Construction (SPDC) invites applications for a full‐time, 12‐month Continuing Academic Specialist with a 85% extension/outreach and 15% teaching assignment. The desired position start date is May 1, 2024. This position will focus on adaptive strategies to enhance the sustainability and resilience of communities with an emphasis on climate change and development regulation. Activities will include creating educational programs and...