Premier Conference For Leaders In Disease Prevention And Health Promotion

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Bio-terrorism / Terrorism;  Conferences;  Flu / Cold / SARS
Article Date: 20 Feb 2007 - 14:00 PDT

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Public health and pandemic flu preparedness to headline Preventive Medicine 2007, scheduled for February 21-24 in Miami.

Several of the nation's top experts in pandemic, bioterrorism, and disaster readiness will be on hand at the premier annual gathering of preventive medicine and public health leaders to discuss public health preparedness and response efforts at the national, state, and local levels. Several educational sessions at Preventive Medicine 2007 will be devoted to this topic, which is timely in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita, continuing threats to homeland security, and the release earlier this month of pandemic flu preparedness guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These sessions will feature recognized national leaders in this area, as well as health professionals with first hand experience in responding to recent public health emergencies, who will present the latest guidelines and preparedness plans and share lessons that can be applied to future preparedness planning. Preventive Medicine 2007 serves as the annual meeting of the Washington, DC-based American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), the national professional society for physicians dedicated to disease prevention and health promotion.

An "all-star" panel of experts will anchor a town hall breakfast discussion on Saturday, February 24, at 7:00 am, titled "Coordination of Pandemic Influenza Planning Efforts at the National, State, and Local Levels." The session will feature Robert Kadlec, MD, MPH, former staff director for the Senate subcommittee that prepared the recently enacted Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act; Michael Crutcher, MD, MPH, health commissioner for the state of Oklahoma, which was the only state to receive a 10 out of 10 score in a recent analysis of states' preparedness for bioterrorism, bird flu, and other health disasters conducted by the Trust for America's Health; and Jean Malecki, MD, MPH, Palm Beach County, Florida health director whose rapid detection and response actions likely saved many lives during the Anthrax threats in 2001. The panelists will discuss the political climate in securing our nation's health against a pandemic flu outbreak and explore the roles and functions of national, state, and local governments in collaborative efforts to prepare and respond to pandemic flu.

Following that discussion, RADM Kenneth P. Mortisugu, MD, MPH, Acting Surgeon General, and Jon Krohmer, MD, deputy chief medical officer for the Department of Homeland Security, will be in attendance to discuss an all-hazards approach to public health preparedness, including recommended strategies for individuals, communities, and policymakers to take action and ensure adequate protections. The conference also will feature the sessions, "Are We Ready for the Next Pandemic? Lessons Learned from Mumps and SARS," "Psychological Preparedness for Response Workers: A Necessary Part of Disaster Planning," "Imported, Exotic Infectious Diseases: Coming to a Neighborhood Near You," and "Rebuilding New Orleans: Public Health Challenges."

Scheduled for February 21-25 in Miami, Florida, Preventive Medicine 2007 will attract more than 700 physicians and other health care professionals. The meeting will be held at the InterContinental Miami Hotel.

Other topics to be discussed during the meeting will fall into five major areas: public health practice, clinical preventive medicine, healthcare quality improvement, prevention policy, and teaching preventive medicine.

Detailed information about Preventive Medicine 2007 can be found at http://www.preventivemedicine2007.org/.

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The American College of Preventive Medicine is the national medical specialty society representing physicians committed to health promotion and disease prevention. Founded in 1954, ACPM provides leadership in research, professional education, development of public policy, and enhancement of standards of preventive medicine. In addition to physicians Board-certified in preventive medicine, ACPM's members include physicians Board-certified in other medical specialties who have a strong interest in health promotion and disease prevention. For more information about ACPM, visit http://www.acpm.org/.

Contact: Haydee Barno
American College of Preventive Medicine

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