Syndemic Summit 2025

The CEG Syndemic Summit will bring together experts, advocates, community leaders, and policymakers across the Appalachian region to address and provide solutions to pressing health crises—particularly those surrounding HIV, hepatitis, and overdose prevention. We are excited to bring our rural partners together to strategize and collaborate this year, especially given the need for organizations and communities to mobilize.

The first annual Syndemic Summit was held on May 19-21, 2024, at The Greenbrier, a historic landmark in White Sulphur Springs, WV. The intention of this summit was to identify sustainable solutions to HIV, hepatitis, and overdose syndemic across Appalachia as a united region, as well as discuss other issues that impact rural communities such as workforce development, job readiness, and regional collaboration. We were proud to have brought together partners in the health, economic, and education fields from across Appalachia. The event had over 300 individuals in attendance, successfully exceeding our goal of 100 attendees for a first-time conference in a rural venue. Check out the recap video below and report:

Due to the uncertainty of the federal funding landscape, CEG aims to be flexible to ensure the Summit is best serving our partners across Appalachia. For these reasons, we will still be hosting the 2025 Syndemic Summit but moving locations! The Syndemic Summit will be held in Huntington, WV on September 19, 2025. Again, we aim to bring together experts, advocates, policymakers, and community leaders from across Appalachia to address critical health crises, including HIV, hepatitis, and overdose prevention, especially considering the urgent need for organizations and communities to take action.

For groups of FIVE or more, receive 20% off your registration! Email: ljohn@communityeducationgroup.org for more information.

We are glad to be working with the DoubleTree Hotel in Huntington, West Virginia: Booking Link can be found here.

Abstract submissions and scholarship applications will open on April 3rd:

https://cutt.ly/2025-Abstract-Application

https://cutt.ly/2025-Scholarship-Application

Regional collaboration is a key aspect of this summit and we are excited to be co-hosting this event with: AIDS Alabama, Georgia AIDS Coalition, Harm Reduction Ohio, Kentucky Rural Health Association, Maryland Rural Health Association, Meharry Harm Reduction Center, NC AIDS Action Network, Community Liver Alliance, Southern AIDS Coalition, Virginia Rural Health Association, WV Rural Health Association, West Virginia Drug Intervention Institute and West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Any questions about the event, including sponsorship requests, can be directed to ljohn@communityeducationgroup.org.

We are excited to partner with Healing Appalachia, a music festival dedicated to raising awareness, providing vital resources, and funding programs that focus on prevention, recovery, and support for those affected by substance use. The music festival will be September 19 and 20th, just minutes from Huntington, in Boyd County, KY. We will be able to offer discounted tickets to Healing Appalachia- please email ljohn@communityeducationgroup.org for more info.