APHA Annual Meeting & Expo
CPHFC serves as a vital platform for advancing the science of faith-health collaboration at the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. Each year, we sponsor and co-sponsor scientific sessions that bring rigorous scholarship to the intersection of public health practice and faith community engagement. Our programming showcases peer-reviewed research, evidence-based interventions, and best practices that demonstrate how faith communities serve as trusted partners in improving population health outcomes:
Oral & Panel Sessions: CPHFC sponsors scientific sessions featuring original research, program evaluations, and policy analyses examining faith-health partnerships, congregation-based health interventions, and the role of religious organizations in addressing health disparities.
Roundtable Discussions: Our roundtables create space for in-depth dialogue on emerging topics – from integrating faith leaders into public health emergency response to building culturally competent community health worker programs rooted in faith communities.
Poster Presentations: We provide a platform for researchers, students, and practitioners to present data-driven findings on faith-based health promotion, community trust-building, and innovative models of collaboration between public health and religious institutions.
Signature Events
INTERFAITH CELEBRATION
An immersive gathering that brings together diverse faith leaders and traditions in the city where the APHA annual meeting is held. The celebration offers a global expression of healing and wholeness through prayers, music, reflections, a Call to Action for faith leaders, and a candlelight prayer for the healing of our country.
ANNUAL DR. JOHN W. HATCH “FLAME AWARD” RECEPTION
This award honors the visionary work of Dr. John W. Hatch, W.R. Kenan Jr. Professor Emeritus of Health Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – recognizing vision, innovation, dedication, and tireless “flame” in teaching, training, community outreach & engagement, and health promotion and disease prevention research.
FAITHFUL DANCING WITH THE BEARS PANEL DISCUSSION
This session continues the annual “Faithful Bears” conversation—drawing from Dr. Joycelyn Elders’ comparison of public health to dancing with a bear: “You don’t quit when we get tired, only when the bear gets tired.” Invited guests share expertise on a selected topic, highlighting the faith community’s enduring role in social reform and community wellbeing.