Syndemic Summit 2026

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 Syndemic Summit was launched in 2024 by Community Education Group to bring together leaders across rural America to confront a set of deeply interconnected challenges affecting rural communities, HIV, viral hepatitis, substance use disorder, and the broader economic and workforce pressures shaping the region’s future.

The inaugural Summit took place May 19–21, 2024 at The Greenbrier, a historic gathering place in the heart of Appalachia. What began as an ambitious idea quickly exceeded expectations. More than 300 leaders from public health, economic development, education, philanthropy, and government came together — triple the original goal for a first-year event. Participants explored solutions that recognize the reality rural communities face: health crises do not occur in isolation. They intersect with workforce shortages, economic transition, infrastructure gaps, and the need for stronger regional collaboration.

In 2025, the Summit moved to Huntington, deepening its connection to communities on the frontlines of the opioid and hepatitis epidemics. Held September 19, 2025, the gathering continued to expand the conversation by bringing together policymakers, advocates, healthcare providers, and community leaders to share practical solutions and build durable partnerships across the region. The Summit’s evolution also strengthened its collaboration 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. As part of the weekend, CEG and partners also offered on-site HIV and hepatitis testing, bringing lifesaving screening directly to community members in a trusted setting.

For 2026, we'll again be partnering and collaborating with Healing Appalachia to build synergy between the two events. The music festival will be held on September 11 and 12 ,just minutes from Huntington in Boyd County, KY. We will be able to offer discounted tickets to Healing Appalachia to summit participants- please email [email protected] for more info.

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, 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.

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Host or Publisher Community Education Group