Hot Topics in PracticeHot Topics in Practice is a monthly webinar forum to discuss issues currently affecting public health practice.

Each month guest speakers from local, state, tribal, and national public health organizations present and take questions from the audience. Hot Topics is moderated by Betty Bekemeier.

Previous Sessions

Below you may browse previous Hot Topics webinar sessions. All are available for viewing in PH LearnLink free of charge.

February 28, 2023

February 28, 2023. This Hot Topics webinar will discuss Rethink the Drink, a mass-reach health communications initiative led by the Oregon Health Authority. Presenters will discuss formative research and partner engagement, explore brand assets and strategy, and share key lessons learned from the program’s implementation.

Photo illustration of a woman on the left, looking up with eyes closed, and a glass of beer on the right. Text on image reads "Rethink the drink"
January 23, 2023

January 23, 2023. This Hot Topics webinar will examine findings from the 2021 Public Health Workforce Interest and Needs Survey. This study took place during a time of great challenge for public health, as rural health departments struggled to support high needs populations with inadequate resources. These existing challenges were compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had lasting and severe impacts on both rural and urban public health practitioners.

Aerial view of a farm
December 20, 2022

December 20, 2022. This Hot Topics webinar will explore data and trends on fentanyl overdoses in Washington State. Participants will identify misconceptions and misinformation about fentanyl and learn how community-level initiatives are succeeding in addressing the overdose crisis.

Divided image showing pills on the left and a blurred photo of people walking on the right
November 29, 2022

November 29, 2022. This Hot Topics webinar will share insight from the State Medical Epidemiologist for Washington State about the response to Monkeypox and how public health professionals can prepare for and respond to other zoonotic outbreaks.

Photo collage of the Monkeypox virus, a man receiving a vaccine, a meerkat, a monkey, and a pika
October 27, 2022

October 27, 2022. This Hot Topics webinar will review the framework of adaptive leadership with a focus on the health systems sector. Attendees will consider their past, current and future leadership challenges using this framework.

A group of birds flying together, with graphic overlay indicating the leader of the group
August 24, 2022

August 24, 2022. This Hot Topics webinar will share lessons learned from Public Health — Seattle & King County about injury and violence prevention policy when it comes to traffic, water, and firearm safety.

A young girl rides a bicycle on a quiet country road
June 28, 2022

June 28, 2022. This Hot Topics webinar will share lessons learned from the heat dome by the Multnomah County Health Department in Portland, Oregon.

NASA image of the June 2021 heat dome event
May 31, 2022

May 31, 2022. This Hot Topics webinar will share resources from the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) about how public health organizations can leverage opportunities and support to modernize and transform their public health practices.

Five people join hands to celebrate teamwork
March 29, 2022

This Hot Topics webinar will share how Oregon has taken a health-based approach to drug addiction and recovery with the Drug Addiction Treatment and Recovery Act (also known as Measure 110).

Man participating in a group therapy session
November 16, 2021

This Hot Topics webinar explores the principles of communication framing to reduce the stigma of substance use and addiction.

Open microphone with audience standing in the background
October 26, 2021

This Hot Topics webinar considers strategies for preventing firearm injury in older adults with cognitive impairments.

Elderly person looking down with back turned to camera
March 30, 2021

This Hot Topics webinar reviews strategies and policy approaches for preventing adolescent intimate partner violence.

five young people standing and looking directly at camera
January 26, 2021

This one-hour webinar, which is part of the Hot Topics series, reviews the nuances of local governance in Washington state to better understand the factors that influence local public health oversight.

Photograph of two people shaking hands.
October 27, 2020

This one-hour webinar, which is part of the Hot Topics series, explores strategies for building trust and confidence in local public health.

Photograph of a person looking at a cloth face mask in their hands.
September 29, 2020

This one-hour webinar, which is part of the Hot Topics series, reviews how health departments can partner with businesses on prevention and health promotion.

man-staring-at-vending-machines