This year has been particularly active for the Section membership. I think this is because of our new policies that give the Section’s leadership to its members. Many new leaders have recently appeared. I attribute this to the new spirit that has risen in the Section in which those who wish to be engaged participate in choosing the direction the Section should take.

During the December APHA Annual Meeting, several resolutions were passed by the Sections, which is indicative of the values and image that the Section shall continue to have in the future. First, the monthly telephone calls are now a protected line item in the Section budget. This ensures that the dialogue, which has been on-going for more than a year, will continue. It means that any member can participate in these leadership virtual meetings, if they so wish, the only requirement being that they are committed to working for the Section.

Second, Student Merit Awards were given at the last meeting to recognize two papers accepted for presentation at the Annual Meeting. Drs. Luis Tam and Dory Storms provided the stewardship to establish this new Section award. The Section will now continue to recognize young people who contribute to knowledge and practice in international public health.

Third, the Community Based Primary Health Care Working Group established the John Wyon-John Gordon Merit Award to recognize exceptional contributions in community health. We all anxiously await the fall meeting to learn who will be the first recipient.

Late last year, Barbara Hatcher took over the helm at APHA as our liaison. In recent weeks, APHA has made good on its commitment to hire a staff person to focus on international health issues and to work closely with the Section. By the time of the mid-year meeting, I hope that we will be able to announce the results of the search. Incidentally, two Section members were invited to participate in the short listing and interviews.

The Section continues to advance its work on Global Trade. During 2004 Georges Benjamin asked the IH Section to coordinate Association-wide on the topic of health and global trade. In January 2005 the Section recommended that APHA launch a project to (a) begin to educate the Association membership about issues concerning trade and health and (b) engage in dialogue with the U.S. government and other stakeholders to increase the priority given to public health in trade policy and agreements. The IH Section recommended that this agenda be pursued by: (1) devoting one of the 2005 Annual Meeting Special Sessions to the topic; (2) encouraging Sections to organize Scientific Sessions on trade and health within their programs; (3) asking that the AJPH devote at least part of an issue to evidence about trade and health; (4) initiating an ongoing dialogue with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR); (5) considering the establishment of a task force or some mechanism within the Association to support ongoing education of the APHA membership on trade and health issues; and (6) seeking support to engage an expert for a year or two to help APHA become a significant player in public health and trade issues. The Section, under the coordination of Marty Makinen, has continued to support APHA in this area. At the moment the Section is attempting to organize a meeting for APHA Executive Director Georges Benjamin, key Section leaders and, possibly others with the U.S. Trade Representative. We will keep you posted on developments.

During the December Annual Meeting, Malcolm Bryant took over the helm as chair of the Program Committee. This position is one of the most challenging posts we have. As many of you already know, Malcolm has done a magnificent job. His commitment, dedication, and management skills auger well for an exciting and stimulating Annual Meeting this year. I should also like to thank Management Sciences for Health for their support of Malcolm.

This is an important election year as well. Mary Anne Mercer has chaired the Nominations Committee and is organizing a roster of competitive candidates. We thank Mary Anne for her thorough job. Hopefully we can all nudge Mary Anne to run for a senior post herself some time soon.

I must express my deepest gratitude to our Secretary Elvira Beracochea. Last year, when our previous secretary resigned for personal reasons, Elvira jumped in the breech and assumed the duties of secretary one year early. In this she has performed to an exceptionally high standard. I am so grateful that she is secretary during my tenure. However, I should also like to recognize her work in organizing the Section Booth at the Annual Meeting last year. As you all probably noticed, the booth was a very hot spot, and our materials vanished rapidly to innumerable visitors. Much of our success at the Booth was due to Elvira. Thank you.

In conclusion, let me remind everyone that we will be holding our Mid-Year Meeting – as usual – to coincide with the Global Health Council Meeting (GHC). The time will be Tuesday, 30 May, 6-8 p.m. The location is the Little India Restaurant at 2623 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington D.C., 20008, number (202) 232-5030. Although Monday is a holiday, we are expecting that many people will arrive in the evening in order to attend the GHC the following day. The management of Little India Restaurant has taken an interest in hosting our meeting and has given us a very reasonable rate. As with last year, the Section will host the night and Section members and students are welcome to attend free of charge. We will be passing a hat after and during the event to request $15 to offset the costs of the night. This is not a requirement – especially for students – who we encourage to come and participate actively. I look forward to seeing you all.

--Joe Valadez, PhD, MPH, ScD; E-mail: jvaladez@worldbank.org