NACDD Public Health AmeriCorps - Oklahoma I

The National Association of Chronic Disease Directors (NACDD) is a national public health non-profit agency focused on the health of the public by strengthening state and national leadership and expertise for chronic disease prevention and control. NACDD’s core membership is composed of the 58 State and Territorial Health Department Chronic Disease Directors and their staff who protect the health of the public through primary and secondary prevention efforts and work “upstream” on root causes of chronic conditions. NACDD promotes health and reduces the burden of chronic disease through various programs and initiatives in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity and the Division of Population Health, and a team of nationally recognized experts. 

To enhance public health resources across the country and support state and local public health settings respond to and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Health AmeriCorps (PHA) program supports the recruitment, training, and development of the next generation of public health leaders. In partnership with a State Health Department or similar agency, local health department(s) or other community-based organization(s), and/or a local YMCA or YMCA State Alliance, Service Members will be placed across fifteen states to advance existing efforts around food and nutrition security, safe physical activity access, social connectedness, and health equity, all within the context of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHA Service Members support the Oklahoma State Department of Health's Community Analysis and Linkages Department's Social Connectedness initiatives. The mission of the Oklahoma State Department of Health is " To protect and promote health, to prevent disease and injury, and to cultivate conditions by which Oklahomans can thrive”. The service member's role involves internal and external coordination to research evidence-based actions that various non-traditional partners can take to promote social connectedness (e.g., businesses, local governments, schools, congregations, etc.). They will compile recommendations, create informational materials and guides, assist in developing a dissemination plan for these resources, and then distribute them to educate organizations on the significance of fostering social connectedness.

For more information visit our Prospective Service Member page on our NACDD PHA Website.