From July 14 to 17, over 2,300 public health professionals gathered in Louisville, KY, and online for the 2026 NACCHO360 conference. As the largest convening of local health department leaders and public health professionals in the United States, the conference offered attendees the opportunity to learn how to adopt effective practices, engage with federal and state partners, and gain insights from public health experts.

The conference theme, “Racing Forward, Swinging Big: United for Public Health’s Future,” called on the public health community to stay focused, swing with purpose, and race toward a future built on innovation, resilience, and access for all.

The conference welcomed over 800 guest speakers representing federal agencies, local and national organizations, educational institutions, and state and local health departments from across the country to discuss challenges and advances in public health. The event included over 500 sessions that focused on a variety of public health topics, including access to immunization, AI, mental health, infectious disease, environmental health, chronic disease, food safety, maternal and child health, data modernization, emergency preparedness, and epidemiology.

The NACCHO360 Exhibit Hall provided an opportunity to learn about services and products tailored to the needs of public health agencies and professionals.

NACCHO’s Annual Awards Reception recognized local health department Model and Promising Practices, local public health leaders, and graduate and undergraduate student poster presenters.

Highlights from each day of the conference offer a more in-depth look at key moments from the conference.