Past - Priester National
Extension Health Conference

Priester National Extension Health Conference

Now in its 10th year, the Priester National Extension Health Conference was named in honor of retired CSREES National Program Leader Jeanne Priester.  Jeanne M. Priester was a leader in advancing health education within CES during her tenure at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  CSREES/USDA is a conference co-sponsor.  This conference offers professionals from Cooperative Extension and their federal, state, and community partners an opportunity to share health related educational programs and resources, applied research, health policy, and collaborative strategies. 

2006 National Priester Extension Health Conference

The 2006 National Priester Health Conference was held April 24-27 in Louisville, KY. The theme, “The Race is On:  Translating Research into Policy and Practice for Healthier Communities,” addressed a vast array of public health issues.  A pre-conference session addressed youth substance abuse with a focus on methamphetamine abuse, a serious issue in farm and rural communities. 

2005 National Priester Extension Health Conference

The 2005 National Priester Extension Health Conference was held April 12-15, in Lexington, KY. The conference theme was “Translating Research into Policy and Practice for Healthier Communities.”  Workshops, presentations, roundtable discussions, and poster sessions highlighted programs and research developed and implemented by cooperative Extension professionals and their federal, state, and local partners. These programs educate community members about preventive care, risky health behavior avoidance, and positive health behaviors to prevent and/or manage chronic illnesses. They also educate about community health infrastructure, health care access and quality, and health care literacy.

2004 National Priester Extension Health Conference

The 2004 National Priester Extension Conference was held April 14-16 in St. Louis, MO.  The conference theme was “Impacting Health and Wellness: People and Communities Changing Risk Behaviors.”  Conference presentations focused on health behavior change at the individual and community level, and the policy changes needed to create a community environment that supports healthy lifestyles.  Preconference sessions addressed health literacy and diabetes. 

2003 National Priester Extension Health Conference

The 2003 National Priester Extension Health Conference was held April 22-24 in Phoenix, AZ.  The conference theme was “Bringing Health to Your Community: Responding to Emerging Issues.”  Presentations focused on bio-terrorism, complimentary and alternative medicines, the impact of media on health behaviors, social marketing, and childhood obesity.  Preconference sessions focused on understanding the language and approaches of our public health partners and building community partnerships to respond to emerging issues.        

2002 National Priester Extension Health Conference

The 2002 National Priester Extension Health Conference was held in Dallas, TX on May 21-23. The 2002 conference theme was "Health Across the Life Span." The major focus of this year’s conference was health literacy and its relationship to ensuring health at all stages of life.  Pre conference sessions focused on building sustainable community collaborations and cultural competency for health education programs.