Abstract

Collective Community Approach at the Virginia Beach Department of Public Health: Improving Brain Health through the Risk Reduction Learning Collaboratives

Kelly Kelly¹, Courtney Hayes², Eve Flippen³ and Mickal Lewis, MPH, CHW⁴
(1)Virginia Beach Department of Public Health, Hampton Roads, VA, (2)Virginia Beach Department of Public Health, Norfolk, VA, (3)Alzheimer's Association, Glen Allen, VA, (4)Katy, TX

APHA 2025 Annual Meeting and Expo

The Virginia Beach Department of Public Health (VBDPH) is the local governmental public health authority for Virginia Beach, serving over 450,000 residents. As one of 35 local districts of the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), VBDPH functions as a state-city cooperative public health service agency. In response to various public health challenges, VBDPH established its Community Development Outreach Team to address disparities in vulnerable populations based on the social determinants of health (SDOH). Through partnerships and capacity-building efforts, the team aims to meet emerging health needs effectively. Due to its size and diversity, Virginia Beach is uniquely positioned to become a regional leader in the advancement of public health. As a cohort participant of the Risk Reduction Learning Collaboratives (RLCs), hosted by the Alzheimer’s Association Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Risk Reduction (Center) in partnership with the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), Bridge Builder Strategies (BBS), and the National Association of City and County Health Officials (NACCHO), VBDPH partnered with local community partners to host a Community Convening. This learning collaborative provided VBDPH with valuable training and resources to enhance its brain health awareness efforts. In April 2025, VBDPH held a planning meeting where participants identified community resources and opportunities to increase brain health awareness. The planning committee is aiming to host the first Community Convening in June 2025. By focusing on SDOH and modifiable risk factors for dementia, VBDPH was able to implement effective dementia risk reduction strategies into existing chronic disease programs.

Chronic disease management and prevention Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs