National Primary Care Week Promotes Healthcare Justice

Main Category: Primary Care / General Practice
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 09 Oct 2007 - 5:00 PDT

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Thousands of health profession students and healthcare providers will celebrate the National Primary Care Week (NPCW) on October 8-12, 2007. This year, the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), the nation's largest, independent medical student organization joins with the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) to focus on Community-Based Primary Care: Promoting Justice in Health.

In its ninth year, NPCW highlights the importance of primary care and to bring health care professionals together to discuss and learn about generalist and interdisciplinary health care and its impact on underserved populations. The number of new physicians pursuing a career in primary care has declined 52 percent since 2000. Due to this decline, it is more important than ever to highlight the significance of primary care.

Nationwide, SOMA and AMSA chapters will work in conjunction with local Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), National Health Service Corps, NHSC Ambassadors, health organizations and professionals to observe NPCW.

"The rising cost of health care and the ever-growing number of uninsured Americans have created a dangerous gap in medical treatment," says Michael Ehlert, M.D., president of AMSA. "As the next generation of physicians, it is our duty to ensure that our patients receive the best care available. NPCW accentuates the importance of collaboration between primary care practitioners and our patients."

"The National Student Osteopathic Medical Association is excited to collaborate with AMSA on NPCW," says Alan Shahtaji, national SOMA president. "Osteopathic medicine is rooted in primary care, so it is especially important to our members."

NPCW was named to the 2006 Associations Advance America Honor Roll; a national award sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) that recognizes innovative projects that benefit and advance society.

To learn more about National Primary Care Week, visit http://www.amsa.org/programs/npcw/.

About the American Medical Student Association

The American Medical Student Association (AMSA), with more than a half-century history of medical student activism, is the oldest and largest independent association of physicians-in-training in the United States. Founded in 1950, AMSA is a student-governed, non-profit organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. With more than 68,000 members, including medical and premedical students, residents and practicing physicians, AMSA is committed to improving medical training as well as advancing the profession of medicine. AMSA focuses on four strategic priorities, including universal healthcare, disparities in medicine, diversity in medicine and transforming the culture of medical education. To learn more about AMSA, our strategic priorities, or joining the organization, please visit us online at http://www.amsa.org/.