NEHA 2026 AEC Wrap-Up
Education & Training
The 2026 AEC theme of “Woven Strong: The Environmental Health Tapestry” high- lighted how knowledge, experience, and innovation weave together to build a resil- ient future for environmental public health. All told, the conference delivered 2 key- note addresses, 2 plenary sessions, 7 pre- conference workshops, and 176 in-person, 25 virtual (prerecorded), and 60 poster sessions across the entirety of the event. The general sessions included opening and closing keynote presentations as well as plenary sessions to kick off two morn- ings of the conference (see page 51). The educational breakout sessions ran all day on Tuesday, August 4, and Wednesday, August 5, and in the morning on Thurs- day, August 6, in 11 rooms covering 12 content tracks and 38 subtopics within those tracks. Cumulatively, the 272 pre- sentations covered climate and health; data and technology; emergency readi- ness, recovery, and resilience; food safety; general environmental health; healthy communities; infectious and vectorborne disease; water quality; and workforce and leadership. The 12 tracks also included more specialized tracks for the National Center for Environmental Health, the uniformed services, and the RFFM/Retail Food Program Standards. The educational sessions on Tuesday, August 4, showcased the breadth and evolving nature of environmental health practice, highlighting innovative research, emerging public health challenges, and practical strategies for protecting com- munities. Food safety sessions explored outbreak investigations, regulatory stan- dards, inspector training, and effective communication, while aquatic health pre- sentations addressed recreational water safety, harmful algal blooms, and dis- ease prevention. Emerging environmen- tal threats, including PFAS, microplastics, Legionella , and changing climate condi- tions, were prominent themes, along- side discussions of air and water qual- ity, environmental surveillance, and the growing use of AI and other technologies to strengthen public health programs. Sessions also emphasized community engagement, Indigenous perspectives, environmental resilience, and the impor- tance of partnerships in addressing com- plex health challenges. Workforce devel- opment and leadership were recurring
ing to changing public health needs. Collectively, the sessions underscored the crucial role of environmental health professionals in translating science, technology, and policy into meaningful actions that protect communities and strengthen public health systems. The half day of educational sessions on Thursday, August 6, brought the confer- ence to a close with a continued focus on innovation, collaboration, and strengthen- ing environmental health practice. Food safety presentations explored the latest FDA Food Code updates, retail program standards, HACCP principles, and the role of leadership, mentorship, and organiza- tional culture in improving food safety out- comes. Water quality and aquatic health remained important themes, with sessions addressing small community water sys- tems, private well safety following disas- ters, recreational waterborne illness, and emerging contaminants. Presentations also highlighted innovative approaches to envi- ronmental health surveillance and assess- ment, including satellite imagery, GIS, data visualization, and community-based environmental health assessments. Envi- ronmental justice, health equity, and com- munity engagement were woven through- out the morning agenda, emphasizing the importance of building trust, strengthening risk communication, and developing part- nerships that address the needs of diverse communities. Additional sessions exam- ined indoor air quality, vector surveillance, and strategies for strengthening environ- mental health workforce capacity through training and mentorship. Together, the final sessions reinforced the importance of moving beyond traditional regulatory approaches to embrace innovation, foster meaningful partnerships, and build health- ier, more resilient communities. In addition to the in-person educational sessions, conference attendees had access
themes, with presentations exploring pro- fessional competencies, training needs, effective communication, and strategies for strengthening the next generation of environmental health professionals. Together, the sessions reflected a profes - sion embracing innovation, collaboration, and evidence-based approaches while remaining focused on its fundamental mission of protecting public health. Continuing on Wednesday, August 5, educational sessions explored the evolving challenges and opportuni- ties facing environmental health pro- fessionals, with a strong emphasis on preparedness, innovation, and practical approaches to protecting public health. Food safety remained a prominent focus, with presentations addressing food- borne illness investigations, emerging regulatory challenges, food traceability, risk-based inspections, and strategies for strengthening food safety culture. Water quality and safety sessions exam- ined private wells, Legionella preven- tion, recreational water hazards, and emerging contaminants. Environmental health preparedness was another major theme, highlighting disaster response, wildfire resilience, mass gathering sur - veillance, and the integration of environ- mental health into emergency manage- ment. Sessions also explored the health impacts of climate change, childhood lead exposure, indoor air quality, and other environmental hazards. Emerging technologies, including AI, GIS map- ping, predictive modeling, and advanced laboratory methods, demonstrated new opportunities to improve surveillance, inspections, and decision-making. Work- force development, leadership, and col- laboration were woven throughout the day’s agenda, emphasizing the impor- tance of building professional capacity, strengthening partnerships, and adapt-
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Volume 89 • Number 4
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