Since 2013, the Business Leadership Network has hosted community forums, taking College of Public Health faculty and students on the road to engage participants in public health related conversations that lead to new collaborations.

Forums draw a cross-section of business owners and managers, economic development leaders, public health officials and health care providers, local elected officials, a variety of agency and organization representatives, and the general public.

Check out this video and read summaries below of past events to learn more about the community forums.

Spring 2025 Community Forum

Wednesday, May 28, 2025
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Luther College
Decorah, IA

There is no charge to attend the forum and lunch is included.
Please REGISTER here to attend.

Who should attend: Any area employer or community organization leader interested in having a healthy and productive workforce.

What will be discussed: Resources for employers to improve health and wellness for workers and their families in the areas of:

• older adult care: resources for employees caring for older family members, and dementia friendly business trainings.
• mental health: resources for employees and their families

Summaries of Past Forum discussions

• 2024 Fall: Marshalltown
• 2024 Spring: Council Bluffs
• 2023 Fall: Fort Madison
• 2023 Spring: Carroll
• 2022 Spring: Spencer
• 2021 Spring: Statewide webinar
• 2020 Fall: Clinton
• 2019 Fall: Muscatine
• 2019 Spring: Centerville
• 2018 Fall: Spirit Lake
• 2018 Spring: Oelwein (2018) and Sioux City
• 2017 Fall: Clarinda and Oelwein (2017)
• 2017 Spring: Ottumwa
• 2016 Fall: Mason City
• 2016 Spring: Osceola and Storm Lake
• 2015 Fall: Centerville and Webster City
• 2015 Spring: Carroll and Creston
• 2014 Fall: Charles City and Fairfield
• 2014 Spring: Algona and Honey Creek
• 2013 Fall: Webster City and Osceola
• 2013 Spring: Mason City and Ottumwa

Forum Topics have included:

• Aging Populations and the Workforce
• Agricultural Health and Safety
• Building a Healthy Community
• Community and Behavioral Health
• Community Health and Wellness
• Cyber-bullying in Schools and the Workplace
• Health Systems and Population Health
• Healthcare Policy and Impacts of Reform
• Immunizations as a Community Health Issue
• Local County Health Assessment
• Substance Use Issues in Community Health
• Sustaining the Health & Wellness of the Community
• Using Data – Know What Works
• Women’s Health Issues
• Workplace Health and Safety
• Youth and Adolescents

Learn more about the Business Leadership Network.