Faculty and Students Engage at APHA’s Annual Meeting to Tackle Urgent Public Health Challenges

The 2024 American Public Health Association (APHA) Annual Meeting and Expo held in Minneapolis, MN, attracted over 12,000 public health professionals, academics, and students from around the globe, all dedicated to addressing the theme of “Rebuilding Trust in Public Health and Science.” Considering rising political polarization, funding challenges, and public skepticism of science, the meeting served as a crucial forum for reinforcing the foundations of public health.

Representing the OU Hudson College of Public Health, our faculty and students joined their peers to discuss today’s most pressing public health issues, such as infectious disease, racism and health, gun violence, and environmental health. Many from Hudson College actively participated, including several students who presented research on topics ranging from COVID-19 modeling to community-based health interventions.

Michael Clark, a recent MS Epidemiology graduate, shared his research project, created in collaboration with faculty members Justin Dvorak and Aaron Wendelboe and research coordinator Anne Kapka. Clark’s poster presentation focused on an innovative “agent-based model” that simulates COVID-19 transmission at a popular resort theme park, exploring how resorts and mass events might prepare for and mitigate disease spread. Reflecting on his experience, Clark said, “I was honored to present a poster on a project that estimates the spread of COVID-19 among guests staying multiple days. The project was well received, and I ended up losing my voice talking to so many attendees during the poster session!”

With thousands of research posters on display, the APHA meeting provided a dynamic environment for students to present their findings, gain feedback, and connect with fellow public health professionals. Students also gained invaluable experience in public speaking, networking, and research dissemination. They fielded questions, received insights from seasoned professionals, and returned to campus inspired by new ideas and approaches to public health.

In addition to knowledge exchange, APHA’s poster presentations offered Hudson College students opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and even potential career connections. Faculty and students alike witnessed groundbreaking methodologies and community health interventions, taking home fresh strategies to integrate into their ongoing research and initiatives in Oklahoma and beyond.

For our students and recent graduates, the APHA Annual Meeting was a chance to contribute to rebuilding trust in public health by showcasing their work and reinforcing the power of data-driven science and community engagement. This year’s APHA meeting not only spotlighted emerging public health solutions but also underscored the importance of cultivating a resilient, collaborative, and trustworthy public health landscape.

We commend our Hudson College participants for their dedication and for representing OU in such a vital gathering, helping to forge the future of public health.