Cooperative Extension is uniquely positioned to be a key leader in advancing community-based initiatives aimed at tackling health inequities in underserved communities. In 2021, the Extension Committee on Operations and Policy (ECOP) adopted Cooperative Extension’s National Framework for Health Equity & Well-being (Framework) that articulates a vision for this work. Advancing health equity as a core system value across the Extension system is the first of five key recommendations. A case...

A CDC study published in JAMA Pediatrics shows that infants younger than 6 months born to people who were vaccinated during their pregnancy were protected from flu-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Infants are at higher risk of being hospitalized compared to other children but cannot get a flu shot until they turn 6 months. The study underscores the importance of pregnant people getting vaccinated since both pregnant people and their infants are at higher risk of...

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...

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...

Rutgers University and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey invite you to participate in their free professional development series focused on cancer education. While many of you participated in this series last year, the content for 2024 is new covering such topics as cancer survivorship, the microbiome, environmental health, and cancer health literacy. Montly sessions befin on Wednesday, February 14. Community CARES is an in-depth training program that will help you confidently promote...

The Journal of Human Sciences and Extension is soliciting articles for a summer 2025 special issue: Aging in America. The aim of this special issue is to provide human scientists and Extension professionals with research, new or emerging initiatives, creative critical thinking, and innovative practices that will propel aging-related work within a next-generation Cooperative Extension System. Format-free manuscripts are welcome.

From our friends at the CDC Office of Rural Health! We want to make you aware of a new four-part documentary series that was made possible by Bloomberg Philanthropies and is available for streaming on PBS.org and the PBS App. This series, The Invisible Shield , includes discussions on many important topics, including public health infrastructure, public health data, health equity, and more. The fourth episode in the series may be of particular interest to you, as it explores the societal...

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

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...

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...