Recent discussions of the Academic Health Department (AHD) Learning Community are featured in a new blog post, How Can We Support the Development of Successful Academic Health Departments? The AHD Learning Community held two webinar meetings this May to introduce new members to the AHD concept and the Learning Community, focusing on characteristics and benefits of AHDs and activities of the Learning Community. These meetings generated much discussion about how public health professionals and the AHD Learning Community can help facilitate the growth of AHDs. Visit the blog post for highlights and share your own thoughts. For more information about AHDs and the AHD Learning Community, watch the recording of the May 17th webinar meeting, either on TRAIN or via this direct archive link, or contact Kathleen Amos at kamos@phf.org.

The Council on Linkages Between Academia and Public Health Practice (Council on Linkages) is seeking input from the public health community on the Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals (Core Competencies). The Council on Linkages has begun the process of reviewing the Core Competencies to determine whether revisions are needed to keep pace with changes in the field of public health. Over the coming months, public health professionals will have numerous opportunities to provide feedback on the Core Competencies that will influence this decision. Comments are currently welcome through the Shape the Future of the Public Health Workforce with Your Comments on the Core Competencies post on the PHF Pulse blog or by email to Jonathan Munetz at jmunetz@phf.org.