Title: Message from APHA Environment Section Chair
Author:
Section/SPIG: Environment
Issue Date:
These past few weeks have been increasingly hard for all of us to watch unfold. The public health impacts of Hurricane Katrina's devastation will be seen for years to come. As public health professionals, it has been so tragic to witness such loss of life, spread of disease, and lack of fundamental resources like food and shelter. All of our hearts and prayers continue to go out to all of those directly and indirectly impacted by this horrific event. All year we have outreached with various community leaders in the New Orleans area, incorporating their involvement with the Section program and related events. We are also thinking of those colleagues and friends during this challenging time. By the time our Section e-newsletter comes out, we will know one way or the other what the official plans will be regarding the 2005 APHA Annual Meeting
[EDITOR NOTE: The Annual Meeting is now in Philadelphia, Dec, 10-14; dates mentioned below reflect the announcement made by APHA Sept. 6].
Although the hard work put into this year's program seems secondary as we all monitor the extent of relief efforts in the southern Gulf Coast states, I provide below highlights of the proposed Environment Program for your information.
The 2005 Environment Section Program is quite exciting and includes 32 sessions, five poster sessions, and a round table. The Annual Calver Lecture will be provided by two outstanding community leaders, Monique Harden and Willie Fontenot on Monday, Dec. 12. The Section Social will take place later that evening, and will be followed by a unique reception that will honor the contributions of 25 incredible community environmental justice advocates. Dr. Benjamin is expected to participate, and APHA as a whole has remained supportive.
The Membership Committee is organizing the 2nd (annual) New Member Orientation for Sunday Dec. 11 and has officially launched the Section's Mentor Program. Volunteers are being gathered from Section membership and will be paired with a new Section member during New Member Orientation.
The Student Involvement Committee fundraised additional funding for the Annual Section Student Scholarships from the University of Texas School of Public Health, University of Kentucky School of Public Health, and Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. The announcement for student scholarship applications was distributed widely; applications were due to the Student Involvement Committee by Sept. 12.
The Built Environment Institute, now in its third year, is offering the Built Environment Institute III: Identifying the Interconnectedness between Urban Form and Public Health Impact (Institute No. 2018.0). This half-day Continuing Education Institute Sunday, Dec. 11 will explore topics including how to integrate public health into local planning and community design; green building, holistic design and health; transportation infrastructure, design, emerging issues and health impact; and, urban forestry and the public health and economic advantages of green infrastructure in the built environment. A sit-down breakfast will be served to registered participants.
In Peace and Health,
Nse