2026 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo
Booth #622 • November 1-4 • San Antonio, Texas
The American Public Health Association (APHA) 154th Annual Meeting & Expo will bring together public health professionals from around the world to share research, examine emerging challenges, and advance public health practice.
NORC is proud to participate in this leading public health gathering, presenting research that addresses a range of pressing issues—from public health infrastructure and emergency preparedness to substance use, mental well-being, and community-based interventions. Our researchers are examining how public health programs can better prepare communities for emergencies, support vulnerable populations, strengthen connections to care, and respond to evolving patterns in health-related marketing and communication.
NORC presentations will explore topics including strategies to improve water safety for children with autism, evaluations of wildfire preparedness interventions, social prescribing to support older adults’ social connection and mental well-being, and factors influencing whether people seek substance use support through the 988 Lifeline. Additional research examines how kratom and kava products are marketed in the United States and how TikTok discussions and marketing claims may shape perceptions of nicotine products. NORC researchers will also share findings from evaluations of the CDC’s Public Health Infrastructure Grant, including work on performance measurement and improvements to governmental hiring processes.
NORC’s work also includes collaboration across its research and data capabilities. Through a partnership with Surgo Health, the AmeriSpeak® panel is being used with Derin®, an AI-powered survey tool that adapts its follow-up questions to participants’ responses, combining quantitative survey research with richer insight into people’s health experiences and decisions.
Visit NORC at booth #622. We welcome opportunities to exchange ideas and explore collaborations that help translate evidence into stronger public health programs, policies, and practices.
NORC Presentations & Research at APHA 2026
Poster Session
Safer Swimming for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Two-Phase Evaluation of a Water Safety Program
Presenter:
- Naomi Greene, Senior Research Scientist, Public Health
Date: Sunday, November 1, 3:00 p.m.
NORC Co-Authors: Nada Adibah, Carly O’Connor
Poster Session
From Risk to Readiness: An Evaluation of a Red Cross Wildfire Home Visit Intervention Program
Presenter:
- Carly O’Connor, Senior Research Associate, Public Health
Date: Sunday, November 1, 3:00 p.m.
NORC Co-Authors: Katherine Gelfand, Megan Heffernan
Oral Session
Analysis of Kratom and Kava Marketing Expenditures by Product Category, Placement Strategy, and Geolocation in the U.S., from 2017 to 2025
Presenter:
- Chandler Carter, Research Scientist, Public Health
Date: Sunday, November 1, 5:15 p.m.
NORC Co-Authors: Mateusz Borowiecki, Sherry Emery, Ganna Kostygina, Alex Kresovich
Oral Session
Motivators, Barriers, and Likelihood of Contacting the 988 Lifeline for Substance Use Support: Implications for Marketing, Promotion, and Practice
Presenter:
- Brett Harris, Principal Research Scientist, Public Health
Date: Monday, November 2, 10:30 a.m.
NORC Co-Authors: Sabrina Avripas, Jordan Hinkle, Tracy McPherson, Abby Sekar
Oral Session
A Reputational Makeover?: Examining TikTok Discussion and Marketing Claims Promoting Cognitive, Physical Performance, and Wellness Benefits of Nicotine Product Use
Presenter:
- Chandler Carter, Research Scientist, Public Health
Date: Monday, November 2, 11:30 a.m.
NORC Co-Authors: Mateusz Borowiecki, Sherry Emery, Ganna Kostygina, Alex Kresovich
Poster Session
Primary Care-Community Partnerships for Social Connection and Mental Well-Being: A Pilot of Social Prescribing for Older Adults in 11 Rural Primary-Care Clinics in Western New York
Presenter:
- Katie Gallant, Research Scientist, Public Health
Date: Monday, November 2, 12:30 p.m.
NORC Co-Authors: Hildie Cohen, Elizabeth Flanagan, Brett Harris
Presentations from Partner Organizations
Poster Session
Data Quality Challenges in Performance Measurement for Large-Scale, Capacity-Building Programs: Strategies for Improvement and Lessons Learned from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG)
Presenter:
- Jonathan Sung, Health Scientist, Program Evaluation, CDC
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 10:30 a.m.
NORC Co-Authors: Megan Heffernan, Kara Rader
Oral Session
The Impact of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Public Health Infrastructure Grant (PHIG) on Governmental Hiring Timeliness and Process Improvement
Presenter:
- Jonathan Sung, Health Scientist, Program Evaluation, CDC
Date: Wednesday, November 4, 8:45 a.m.
NORC Co-Authors: Sierra Arnold, Kara Rader
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