Conference for public health encourages students to submit abstracts

By Jaron Von Runnen

News Reporter

Students are encouraged to submit abstracts and showcase their research at the 2025 National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO) Conference in Anaheim, California, offering the chance to connect and learn about the future of public health practices.

As one of the largest gatherings of local health department leaders and public health professionals in the United States, the NACCHO360 Conference offers professionals and students the opportunity to learn, network and share their best practices across local health departments. At the event, NACCHO invites authors to submit abstracts on topics related to behavioral and mental health, public law and policy.

An abstract is a concise summary of your research that identifies the methodology used and the findings, conclusions, or intended results, according to the School of Public Health at the University of Pittsburgh.

Katie Brindle, a senior communications major, said it is important for students to learn how to write an abstract as it can help students navigate research more effectively.

“Knowing how to do it yourself can act as a catalyst to efficiently look through research and find it,” Brindle said.  “Also, it’s just good because it enhances your writing and critical thinking skills in general. It’s not only for communications, but I think it’s something that would be beneficial for everyone to learn.”

The theme of the 2025 NACCHO360 Conference is “Bright Lights, Bold Ideas: Shaping the Future of Public Health Practice.” Topics include eight tracks: behavioral and mental health, communication and marketing, health equity and social determinants of health, informatics and IT, public health services and integration, workforce and leadership, public health law and policy, and public health protection and response.

Being the largest gathering of local health department leaders and public health professionals in the United States, NACCHO360 typically attracts thousands of attendees, according to NAACHO. Doing health communication research with her professor, Brindle said showcasing research can be intimidating, whether a big conference like NACCHO or a small school event.

“It’s going to be intimidating, but what I think is really important to remember is that you have to start somewhere,” Brindle said. “The only way to get better and find your niche is to try it and fail. All you’re going to do, from submitting your abstract or research to a place like [NACCHO], is see where you can improve or what you’re doing right. Even if it’s not perfect or it’s not what they’re looking for, you put yourself out there, and that’s the first step.”

Showcasing research is just one part of attending events like NACCHO360; networking is the other important part. Brindle said the number one thing to remember is not to be shy and to be confident.

“Stay professional, but don’t be so serious,” Brindle said. “The people you’re talking to are also humans. Just because they’re more educated, they’re just another person, and it’s really easy once you say hi to someone, shake their hand, and look them in the eyes, that connection is immediately made, and you’re going to feel so much more comfortable. Don’t shy away; just do it.”

The NACCHO360 conference offers six distinct session formats to suit various presentation styles and participant needs:

• Pre-Conference Workshop (120 minutes) – These sessions feature up to three speakers and are held in rooms arranged in rounds.
• Quick Hits (45 minutes) – Focused on Track 6 topics, these sessions allow a maximum of two speakers and are set up in a theater style.
• Poster Session (90 minutes) – Featuring up to two speakers, these sessions showcase research on poster boards, which are 4 feet tall by 8 feet wide.
• Sharing Sessions (60 and 90 minutes) – With a maximum of three speakers, these sessions allow for a range of formats, with rooms set in either theater or round table arrangements.
• Sponsored Session (60 minutes) – Offered by both for-profit and non-profit organizations, these sessions can host up to three speakers with flexible room setups.

Brindle said that while presenting to a group can feel intimidating, one-on-one conversations usually feel more comfortable and less overwhelming for students.

“I think that [the poster session] would be really beneficial for students because it gives you the chance to talk to these people one-on-one,” Brindle said. “People can come up if they’re interested, and they can give you advice or ask you questions, which is an even more personal way of networking than presenting.”

Sessions are judged by creativity, effectiveness in reaching and broadening audiences, and overall quantitative research, according to NACCHO.

The NACCHO360 Conference will begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, July 14, 2025, and ends at 12 p.m. on Friday, July 18, 2025.

The abstract submission period is open through Friday, November 15, 11:59 p.m. PST.

Brindle will be going to grad school next fall to study health communications. She encourages students to submit their work, learn as much as possible, and connect with new people.

“Research is one of the coolest things to get into because even though it’s dense and sometimes hard to read, once you know how to do it, there’s just an endless plethora of information you can learn,” Brindle said. “Once you start to talk to people and network, you’ll find that people want to meet new people, and they want to help you succeed.”

For more information about the conference and schedule, visit https://www.naccho360.org/home .