Prevention and Wellness Across the Lifespan

The 140th APHA Annual Meeting theme, Prevention and Wellness Across the Lifespan, presents an opportunity to discuss the impact prevention and wellness have on health, both physical and mental, at all ages.

Public health deals with diverse populations undergoing life course transitions.  Theme related sessions at the Annual Meeting will look at a full range of environmental, social and behavioral issues that impact health across the life span. Gestational and childhood environmental exposures and adolescent patterns of behavior and lifestyle choices affect current and future health.  Early life behaviors shape quality of life as we age and negative behaviors may lead to increased rates of chronic disease. Critical behaviors across the life span that will be addressed include healthy dietary habits, physical activity, stress reduction and avoidance of exposure to tobacco and excessive alcohol consumption.

Social environmental factors such as family, peer group, school, and community influences also contribute to challenges across the lifespan. Workplace exposures and changes in the physical and social environment play a significant role in how we age.  To accomplish the goal of wellness for all, government agencies, community organizations, schools, healthcare organizations and families must work together in a comprehensive approach.

Join APHA as we examine the range of effective public health intervention that can be used to change unhealthy patterns of behavior, and discuss how prevention and wellness fit into the current plan for health care reform.

APHA Sessions on the lifespan