CDC projects that the variant JN.1 comprises an estimated 21% of COVID cases in the United States as of December 8, 2023. JN.1 has an additional spike protein mutation that could potentially make it harder for the body to fight off an infection. However, the CDC has said that there’s been no indication that it causes more severe disease than other circulating variants. But for the 92% percent of Americans who have not received the latest vaccine, their body isn’t able to fend off more severe...

For more than a decade, CDC has used a model to estimate the numbers of flu illnesses, medical visits, hospitalizations, and deaths during the flu season, and to estimate the impact that flu vaccination had on illness outcomes in the United States ( 1-6 ). The methods used to calculate the estimates of flu burden prevented by flu vaccination have been described previously ( 1 , 2 , 6 ). CDC uses the estimates of the impact of flu vaccination to inform policy and communications promoting...

A reminder that the planning committee for the 2024 National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference is accepting proposals to present at the conference that will be held May 13-15, 2024. The conference will be hosted by University of Georgia, Clemson University, and North Carolina State University Extension Services in Greenville, SC. Interested individuals may submit proposals for concurrent sessions of 60 or 20 minutes in length as well as poster presentations that will be staffed at a...

The deadline to submit presentation proposals for the 2024 National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference is February 4, 2024! NHOC 2024 will be held in Greenville, SC, May 13-15, 2024. The conference will be hosted by University of Georgia, Clemson University, and North Carolina State University Extension Services in Greenville, SC. Presentation proposals must be submitted through the submission portal located HERE no later than February 4th , 2024. Interested individuals may submit...

Nominations and self-nominations are now being accepted for the 2024 Jeanne M. Priester Extension Health Awards . The awards are named for Jeanne Priester, former National Program Leader at ES-USDA involved in the development of such landmark programs such EFNEP and Mulligan Stew. Today, these awards recognize extraordinary programs and professionals that are modeling next generation work in health and well-being. Awards are presented in six different categories. Award recipients will be...

The COVID-19 pandemic and National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health elevated the national dialogue on achieving greater nutrition security in the US. MyPlate’s messaging pillars are oriented toward educating the public on nutrient density, health equity, and cost-consciousness. As part of its MyPlate Nutrition Communicators Network, USDA partners with organizations to develop and extend resources based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and MyPlate. This webinar will highlight...

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...

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...