Preparedness in Rural Communities: A Virtual Mini-Symposium

As Pennsylvania’s Land Grant University,
Penn State University is convening a virtual
mini symposium to address both the national
and statewide perspective on research,
education, training, and outreach on
preparedness in rural communities.

The mini symposium is scheduled for 11AM to 2PM Eastern time on Thursday, January 30,2025 and Friday, January 31, 2025. The mini symposium is intended for leaders, educators, researchers, students, community members, and local and state government officials.

The COVID-19 pandemic, and most recently Hurricane Helene, have thrust the preparedness
of rural communities into the national news. At the federal level, the Administration for
Strategic Preparedness and Response and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
have each recently released national goals and strategic plans for preparedness of rural
communities.

Topics to include:
 Rural health care – hospitals, primary care, and veterinary medicine
 Emergency and risk management
 Animal biosecurity and production
 Surveillance and data systems – human, animal, food, environmental
 Cyber security – agriculture, forestry, and health care
 Community preparedness, education and training

Confirmed speakers include representatives of the Agency for Strategic Preparedness and
Response (ASPR), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), USA Center for Rural Public
Health Preparedness, Appalachian Translational Research Network, Pennsylvania Department
of Health and Primary Health Network.

The mini symposium is being convened by:
o Penn State Biodefense Initiative – Applied Research Lab
o Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences – Agricultural Biosecurity and Food Defense
o Penn State College of Medicine – Public Health Preparedness
o Penn State Institute for Energy and the Environment
o Penn State School of Public Affairs – Homeland Security
o Primary Health Network (Federally Qualified Health Center)
For more information, contact PublicHealthPreparedness@psu.ed