300 - Extension Ticks All the Boxes: Navigating Extension Needs and Public Health Collaborations in the Ohio River Valley

Abstract: Extension services, traditionally associated with agricultural systems, could have a pivotal role in public health, particularly in preventing vector-borne diseases. These services deliver information that fosters behavior change, essential for managing and mitigating health risks associated with vectors. Extension can be strategically leveraged to connect, communicate, and respond to vector-borne disease threats by providing targeted education to at-risk audiences. In this talk, I will delve into Penn State Extension’s efforts and work with the VectorED Network, a CDC vector-borne disease Training and Evaluation Center. Highlights will include establishing an Extension working group focused on vector-borne diseases. This group brings together Extension educators from Land Grant institutions in the Ohio River Valley to discuss programming and needs and develop strategies for vector-borne disease education. To enhance accessibility to crucial information, we are developing a comprehensive, searchable database of vector-borne disease resources. This database will serve as a central repository for educators, public health officials, and the public, providing easy access to up-to-date information on disease prevention, management, and emerging threats. We are conducting educator needs assessments to identify gaps in knowledge and resources among educators. Finally, recognizing the importance of socio-behavioral factors in disease prevention, I will discuss integrating socio-behavioral factors into Extension programming. By leveraging the strengths of Extension in information delivery and behavior change, we are creating a robust framework for public health outreach and education that can be replicated and adapted to address vector-borne disease threats in diverse communities.