Title: APHA 2004 Program Planning Update
Author:
Section/SPIG: Environment
Issue Date:
Program Planning Process
Abstract Review
We have successfully completed a blinded review of each individual abstract and are putting the finishing touches on placing individual abstracts in 90-minute sessions. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered his or her time and expertise throughout this process. We received over 300 individual abstracts and 19 full session proposals. The Environment Section will have scientific sessions on the following topics: Built Environment Institute, Environmental Public Health Infrastructure, Environmental Health Policy and Practice, Science in Environmental Public Health, Global Environmental Public Health, and Disparities in Vulnerable Populations and Communities.
Overall Process
This year, the Section has made several changes in program planning that have improved the process. We created a Program Planning Advisory Council to help with decision making, reduced the number of tracks from 10 to 6 to reduce overlap and confusion when submitting abstracts, and created a process for submission and review of full session proposals. In addition to the changes in abstract review, the section also changed the business-meeting schedule to eliminate conflict with the New Members Reception on Sunday night. One change to be aware of at the APHA level is that there will be LCD’s and laptops for all oral presentations. While this is great news, it does require a little extra planning for presenters. APHA would like all presentations to be submitted ahead of time to allow them to be loaded on the machines in each room, and if slide projectors are needed they have to be specially requested and paid for.
Student Involvement
The Section is again working on ways to include and recognize student participation in our section’s scientific program. We anticipate having another student poster session to highlight the best student work submitted to our section. In addition we will continue to include various student and new professional presentations throughout our program.
It’s Never Too Early to Talk About Next Year
Several section members have made suggestions of ways to improve the call for abstracts, review, and organizing process. If you have recommendations to consider for next year we would love to hear them now and, more importantly, we welcome you to volunteer for a workgroup that will address these issues before the next program planning process begins at the 2004 Annual Meeting in November. Please let Robyn Gilden know if you are interested, <rgilden@son.umaryland.edu>, (410) 706-4803.