Submitting an Abstract 101

October 30, 2025

Welcome!

Today’s Agenda

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• 2026 UPHA Conference theme
• Presentation options
• How to write an abstract
• How to write learning objectives
• Submitting the Google Form

2026 UPHA Conference Theme

“Past, Present, Future: Honoring the past, navigating the present and designing the future of public health”

Breakout session tracks:

• Clinical Health
• Community Health
• Community Health Workers
• Environmental Health (One Health)
• Evaluation
• Health Data & Epidemiology

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• Health Equity
• Health Policy
• Leadership in Public Health
• Mental Health
• Rural Health
• And more…

Presentation Options

Oral Presentation Options

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Poster Presentations

• Poster sessions are intended to provide a visual presentation of program or research findings by displaying graphs, photos, diagrams, and descriptive text.
• The presenter(s) must be available to answer questions during the designated poster sessions.
• Poster presentation submissions are due January 16, 2026, 11:59pm (MDT).

How to Write an Abstract

What is an Abstract?

• A concise (300 words or less) statement of your research project/presentation material.
• Includes a statement of purpose, methods, and findings from your project.
• No references.
• It should tell the reader WHAT you did, WHY you did it, HOW you did it, what you FOUND and what it MEANS.
• This is your “sales pitch” for your work!

Some Writing Tips

• Active voice is preferable to passive voice: “We studied 100 people…” rather than “100 people were studied.”
• Always use the full term before you refer to it by acronym.
• Avoid jargon.
• Use short clear sentences (only one thought/idea per sentence).
• Eliminate unnecessary words (you have 300 max).
• Ensure verb tenses are consistent and correct.
• Have somebody unfamiliar with your work proofread it.

How are Abstracts Evaluated?

Abstracts are reviewed anonymously and rated based on the following criteria:

1. Importance of the issue or problem addressed
2. Clarity of the content; quality of the learning objectives (discussed later)
3. Soundness of the methodology and conceptual framework used
4. Relevance to the conference theme
5. Relevance to a broad audience

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Well-Written Example Abstract

• Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has accentuated existing disparities in healthcare access, with rural populations experiencing unique challenges. This study investigates the impact of the pandemic on rural Utah, where residents face higher rates of chronic diseases, poverty, and limited access to healthcare, making them particularly vulnerable to COVID-19.
• Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,020 Utah residents to assess socio-demographic characteristics, healthcare access, and COVID-19 outcomes. The survey employed oversampling of rural/frontier populations, using people of color to represent health disparities. Multivariable regression models examined the relationship between COVID-19 outcomes and rurality, incorporating political views as an effect modifier.
• Results: Rural residents had a higher odds ratio (OR) of positive COVID-19 cases (OR=2.536, p=0.006) combined with frontier than their urban counterparts. The vaccination rate was lower in rural (OR=0.50, p=0.006) and frontier areas (Coefficient=-0.113, p=0.002). A combined model highlighted the significant interaction between political views and rurality on COVID-19 outcomes.
• Conclusion: Rural Utahns face significant disparities in COVID-19 incidence and vaccination rates, exacerbated by socioeconomic factors, healthcare access, and political ideologies. This study underscores the need for targeted public health strategies to address rural communities' unique challenges during the pandemic and beyond.

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One More Example…

• This panel discussion will focus on reproductive health access after the US Supreme Court decision overturning the federal protection for abortion access (commonly referred to as the Dobbs decision). This session will cover the current legal landscape of abortion care access in Utah, and how access in Utah compares to that of other states. We will share how the shifting legal landscape around abortion has impacted hospital-based obstetric care and explore if hospitals are prepared to provide abortion care if Utah’s currently enjoined ban on abortion clinics goes into effect. This panel will share current research about how the Dobb’s decision has impacted graduating resident physicians in Utah, and the impact on the OBGYN provider workforce across the country. Panelists will also share innovative approaches to improving access to emergency contraception in Utah’s college campuses and within community-based organizations as well as opportunities and strategies to expand emergency contraception access in healthcare provider settings.

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How to Write Learning Objectives

SMART Learning Objectives

• Each objective should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, & Time-bound (SMART).
• Objectives are expressed relative to the learner, not the presenter.
• Clearly identify outcomes or actions participants can expect to demonstrate as a result of attendance.
• Use measurable action words:

Explain Demonstrate Analyze Formulate Discuss

Compare Differentiate Describe Name Assess

Evaluate Identify Design Define List

• Avoid “learn,” “understand,” or “know.”

Well-Written Example Objectives

• After attending this conference session, participants will be able to list five indicators that link a healthy community to a healthy economy.
• By the end of the presentation, attendees will be able to articulate the procedure for assessing the health status of a patient with Alzheimer’s.
• Session attendees will develop a weekly meal plan for a family of six with an annual income of $32,000.

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Aligning Objectives w/ NCHEC AoR’s

• Each of your learning objectives must be tied to a specific sub-competency under the Areas of Responsibility from NCHEC (the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing).
• There are 8 Areas of Responsibility; each has associated competencies and sub-competencies.
• Sub-competencies have 3 numbers.
• E.g., 1.3.6 corresponds to Area 1, Competency 3, Sub-Competency 6, which reads, “List the needs of the priority population(s).
• Please include the sub-competency number AND description in your abstract submission.
• Areas of Responsibility, Competencies, & Sub-Competencies

Submitting the Google Form

What to Do Before Opening the Form

• Determine in which tracks (up to 4) your abstract fits.
• Select the type of presentation you want (e.g., 30-minute, 60-minute, panel, lightning round).
• Write a title for your presentation.
• Write and edit your abstract and learning objectives.

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What to Do Before Opening the Form (cont.)

• You will need the following for yourself and any co-presenters:
• Name, organization & current position, email address, highest degree, CHES/MCHES # (if applicable), UPHA membership (y/n)
• A short biographical sketch (max 200 words)
• A professional picture

Let’s Do a Practice Run…

• UPHA Conference Abstract Application (Google Form)

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A Few Final Thoughts

Please note:

• You do not need to be a UPHA member to present.
• All presenters & co-presenters must register for the conference.
• A reduced presenter registration rate will be available.
• Updated conference information is available at upha.org.
• Contact Sarah Hodson (sarah@upha.org) or Mindy Steadman (mindy@upha.org) with any questions.

Questions?

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