Oral

These presentations discuss methods to maximize the effectiveness of local health departments in communities of various sizes. Surveys, engagement meetings, and focus group sessions were utilized to determine the training priorities of a public health workforce, discuss risk factors and needs of at-risk populations during influenza pandemics, and identify strategic issues encompassing a variety of community themes and public health system concerns such as encouraging healthy lifestyles and assuring access to care.

Session Objectives: Demonstrate how input from engagement meetings can shift the focus of policy documents. Discuss lessons learned for planning and conducting engagement meetings. Describe assessment methods for engaging variously sized communities.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)