Hot 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 Allene Mares.

Next Session

Trauma-Informed Change Management

April 27, 2021

One year into the COVID-19 pandemic, public health organizations are still responding to this prolonged crisis, which has impacted -- and sometimes traumatized -- each member of the workforce in unique ways.

The April session of Hot Topics in Practice, which will be the series’ 200th episode, considers how public health organizations can navigate change in the face of disclosed or undisclosed trauma experienced by staff. The presentation will cover three critical stages of change, how to identify and prevent risks and barriers associated with change initiatives, and how to identify and manage trauma throughout the change lifecycle.

Leading dynamic organizations through any type of change is difficult, and it's even harder when employees are experiencing high levels of emotional distress.

Previous Sessions

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

Public Health’s Response to the Oso Mudslide

October 8, 2014

In the October session of Hot Topics in Practice, Gary Goldbaum, MD, MPH, shares how his health district worked with partner agencies in response to the Oso, Washington mudslide.

Photograph of Oso slide showing a large area of hillside has slid into the river valley.

Mass Fatality Management: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Preparedness and Response

September 23, 2014

In the September session of Hot Topics in Practice, representatives from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences share how their agency helps respond to mass fatalities.

Photograph of a man's gloved hand with EMTs working in the background.

Assessing a Public Health Workforce Using National Tools and Standards

July 23, 2014

In the July session of Hot Topics, representatives from Montana’s public health system discuss the policy, administrative, and human resource techniques they are employing to strengthen their statewide system.

Making the Case for Foundational Public Health Services

June 24, 2014

In the June session of Hot Topics, Barry Kling, MSPH, explains an initiative in Washington State to secure sustainable public health funding.

Graphic of a house foundation with outlines of a house above it.

Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences at Local Health Jurisdictions

May 27, 2014

In the May session of Hot Topics, leaders from Washington’s Comprehensive Health Education Foundation explain the statewide plans to coordinate efforts to address adverse childhood experiences.

Putting Health on the Map: Using Data to Build New Partnerships

April 15, 2014

In this one hour Hot Topics webinar, Muriel DeLaVergne-Brown, Public Health Director for Crook County, Oregon, shares how her agency used data to cultivate new partnerships and financing for better walking and biking trails.

Graphic of a "map" with a dot labeled "Health" at the intersection of two "roads."

A Healthy Dose: Strengthening Reach and Impact of Community Strategies

March 25, 2014

In this one-hour Hot Topics webinar, evaluation specialists from Group Health Research Institute explain how to strengthen the reach and impact of community health strategies.

Photograph of a water droplet splashing with an expanding wave around it.

Health Care Reform In the Northwest (Part One)

February 26, 2014

In this one-hour Hot Topics webinar, public health leaders from Oregon discuss the impacts of the Affordable Care Act in their state during part one of a special two-part series exploring health care reform around the region.

Graphic showing a map of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, with Oregon highlighted.

Health Care Reform In the Northwest (Part Two)

January 22, 2014

In this one-hour Hot Topics webinar, public health leaders from Idaho, Washington, and Wyoming discuss the impacts of the Affordable Care Act in their states during part two of a special two-part series exploring health care reform around the region.

Graphic showing a map of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, with Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming highlighted.

Hookah Lounges Today. Marijuana or E-cigarette Lounges Tomorrow?

December 17, 2013

In this one-hour Hot Topics webinar, representatives from four health jurisdictions in Washington State discuss their experiences developing policies and enforcing laws to promote smoke-free air in public places.

Photograph of a person's face breathing out vapor.

Lessons from the Fertilizer Plant Explosion in West, Texas

November 19, 2013

In this one-hour Hot Topics webinar, Bruce Clements, the Public Health Preparedness Director at the Texas Department of State Health Services, shares the incredible story of community resilience and heroism during the immediate response to a chemical explosion.