Preventive Medicine conference to feature disaster, pandemic, and terror preparedness

Premier meeting on preventive medicine scheduled for Reno/Tahoe, February 22-26

In the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and with the backdrop of the Global War on Terror and threats to homeland security, physicians and other healthcare professionals with expertise in public health and preventive medicine are gathering for Preventive Medicine 2006 to address current issues and controversies. Preventive Medicine 2006 is the premier meeting held annually for physicians and other healthcare professionals with an interest in preventive medicine. The forum serves as the annual meeting for the Washington, D.C.-based American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM), a national professional society for physicians dedicated to disease prevention and health promotion.

Practitioners on the front lines of disaster preparedness and response will lead discussions on the connections among emerging infectious diseases, natural disasters, terrorism readiness, environmental degradation, extreme weather, and individual health. Sessions will elucidate the nexus of science, policy, and clinical practice as it relates to the readiness and capacity of the current public health system to respond to short- and long-term impacts of disasters. National experts will provide recommended strategies for individuals, communities, and policymakers to take action and ensure adequate protections.

Experts from the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, and other public health organizations will provide updates on local, state, federal, and international efforts to coordinate response capabilities and present ideas for developing a more structured national force protection capability. They will explore the roles of intelligence processing, syndromic surveillance, and other bioterrorism prevention strategies. Sessions will address controversies like the storage of nuclear waste and the likely impacts of small scale nuclear accidents or sabotage.

Scheduled for February 22-26 in Reno/Tahoe, Nevada, Preventive Medicine 2006 will attract nearly 700 physicians and other health care professionals. The meeting will be held at John Ascuaga's Nugget Resort.

Detailed information about Preventive Medicine 2006 can be found on the conference web site (www.preventivemedicine2006.org).

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 www.acpm.org.

Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 21 Feb 2009
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