Washington, D.C., March 25, 2004 – Public health experts will speak at the annual Iowa Public Health Association (IPHA) meeting, to be held March 30-31, 2004, in Ames, Iowa. The conference, entitled “Advancing Public Health: Meeting the Challenge,” will draw 500 public health professionals from across Iowa and provide an opportunity to explore the future of public health and learn how to maximize resources to ensure quality programs and services.
Speakers will include American Public Health Association (APHA) President Virginia Caine, MD; Marion Nestle, PhD, MPH, professor and director of Public Health Initiatives in the Department of Nutrition, Food Studies and Public Health at New York University; Paula Duncan, MD, youth program director for the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program; and Rick Foster, president of Foster & Hicks and author of “How We Choose to be Happy.” Nestle will discuss the implications of the obesity epidemic, as well as present a public health approach to improving the safety of our food supply. Duncan will provide an overview on building partnerships between state and local public health agencies. Foster will lead a discussion on the paths to happiness and how to create professional excellence by maximizing happiness and leadership.
“Public health today faces many challenges, from the obesity epidemic to public health preparedness to disparities in health,” said Caine. “This conference is a terrific and timely opportunity for public health professionals across Iowa to shape the future of public health and make progress on today's most vital issues.”
IPHA, an affiliate of APHA, has represented public health interests in Iowa since 1925. Its membership includes representation from state and local government, profit and not-for-profit agencies, and from practice and academic communities across the state. By advocating for public health, sponsoring and participating in conferences, and representing public health interests on behalf of the community, IPHA works to improve the health of the people of Iowa. For further information, contact Sara Patkin at (515) 963-8664 or at mspatkin@yahoo.com, or visit www.iowapha.org. The conference program is available at www.iowapha.org/2004_Conference/2004_conference.html.