"From the Heartland to the Hospital" is an insightful review focusing on the critical period between when a trauma incident occurs and when emergency medical services (EMS) or the patient arrives at the emergency department. This review covers best practices, challenges, and strategies for improving outcomes during this crucial time frame. It will explore topics such as first responder actions, bystander interventions, and the coordination between EMS and hospital teams to ensure timely and effective care.

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) is a powerful addition to existing strategies to reduce the risk of suicide death in at-risk people while respecting their rights and autonomy. Help keep your at-risk clients safe by learning how to collaborate with them to implement safe storage of firearms and dangerous medications. This training is listed in the Suicide Prevention Research Center's best practice registry. The oldest and mot widely-used training on lethal means safety, CALM teaches why means matter and equips individuals with tools to intervene effectively with those at risk for suicide both upstream--before a crisis hits-- as well as in times of crisis. This training workshop is designed specifically for clinicians and includes case studies, breakout discussions and valuable clinical training videos.

CALM (Conversations on Access to Lethal Means) is a suicide prevention training that encourages safe storage of lethal means (firearms and medications) during a suicidal crisis. By temporarily putting time and distance between a suicidal person and highly lethal means, a life may be saved. CALM: Counseling on Access to Lethal Means was originally created as a workshop designed for mental health professionals.

Farming is one of the most dangerous occupations but also one of the most stressful. Yet, we often hear that farmers work through injuries, illnesses, or burnout even though doing so can delay recovery and in some cases, worsen their condition. In this webinar, Florence Becot from Pennsylvania State University and Andy Bater a member of the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau Board and of the AgriSafe Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Advisory Council, will discuss why farmers continue working despite health challenges and highlight the importance of developing substitute labor solutions to support farmers’ well-being and farm business viability. As an example of a long-established model, Julien Deroo and Karim Cheurfa Molinier will present the French substitute farmer program, la “Fédération des Services de Remplacement”. Started 50 years ago, this network of 300 non-profit organizations across France serves a dual purpose. First, it provides substitute labor so that work on the farm can continue while farmers regain their health as well as when they need to be away from the farm for other purposes. Second, it serves as a workforce development platform for the agricultural sector as many of the substitute farmers earn practical experience in addition to their school training and/or already have hands-on farming experience. Created by farmers for farmers and managed by them through a mix of funding sources, its membership includes 67,000 farmer members (15% of the farming population in France) and 15,000 substitute farmers, and it has facilitated the substitution of 5 million work hours on farms last year. Agnes Papone, a farmer and elected representative of a “Service de Remplacement” in the southeast of France, will then share her family’s experience using the program. We will leave time for an interactive discussion with the audience about opportunities and challenges to develop substitute farmer programs in the U.S.

For producers, spotting the first signs of a possible avian influenza outbreak can bring on a flood of stress, worry, and tough decisions. The emotional toll — before, during, and after flock depopulation — is real, and it affects everyone involved. So how do we recognize when someone’s struggling with all of this? And maybe more importantly, how do we show up for them — as coworkers and team members?

Overdose deaths are a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States and the majority of overdose deaths involve opioids. This epidemic is impacting communities all across the country. Naloxone is a life-saving medication that can reverse an overdose from opioids when given in time. This session is designed to prepare communities and non-medical public and safety professionals to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose. Participants will learn the warning signs of opioid overdose and how to intervene safely using naloxone.

There is growing concern over the role of environmental and occupational exposures in rising cancer rates in Iowa and across the country. People employed in agriculture and related industries in rural areas may face unique environmental and occupational exposures, besides genetic and behavioral risk factors, that can cause cancer. ​Rural barriers to accessing healthcare may compound the effects of environmental and occupational exposures in these settings. Understandable and actionable risk communications can help address existing rural cancer disparities. In this presentation, Audrey Tran Lam, Environmental Health Program Director at the University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy and Environmental Education, and Caroline Powell, Environmental Outreach Coordinator at the Iowa Cancer Consortium, will provide tips on how to integrate evidence-based environmental health and cancer prevention information into rural and agricultural work. Participants will learn how to better communicate risk, answer questions, and strengthen environmental health literacy in their communities.

For centuries, zoonotic diseases have impacted humans in many ways. This presentation will focus on vector borne pathogens by discussing the vectors and trends with geographic distribution, temperature effects, and habitat management since the late 1890’s through today and potential future impacts. We are seeing in real time, the expansion of geographic range of certain tick and mosquito species. Between climate changes and globalized travel, the etiology of spread is sometimes clear but can also be difficult to diagnose. As the world has changed and continues to change, zoonotic diseases remain impactful.

The use of virtual and augmented reality simulators for safety training and health curricula is increasing and more available in fire safety, mining, aviation, and healthcare. The next generation of learners will engage in experiential learning throughout their educational journey, beginning in the classroom, and extending to their mobile devices and to on-site activities. This session will describe the advantages and benefits of applying virtual reality (VR) training in the workplace. Lessons learned from piloting a VR training module to increase worker skills and knowledge about the hazards, risks and controls during high risk activities in forest settings will be described.