Washington, D.C., Aug. 18, 2004 – Leading public health experts will speak at the annual North Carolina Public Health Association (NCPHA) meeting entitled “Essentials of Public Health: Getting to the Core,” Aug. 25-27, 2004, in New Bern, N.C. Four hundred public health professionals from across the state will attend the conference to explore current issues in public health and learn about new approaches to public health challenges.
Speakers include American Public Health Association (APHA) President Virginia Caine, MD, and leading expert in the field Barney Turnock, MD, MPH. Turnock, a clinical professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, has been awarded the James R. Kimmey Award for Excellence in Health Planning and Practice and is the author of a widely read text on public health practice, “Public Health: What It Is and How It Works.” He is also a consultant for the National Turning Point Initiative.
“In light of the many challenges that we face today, it is important to keep the essentials of public health in mind,” said Caine. “This conference is a terrific and timely opportunity for public health professionals across North Carolina to shape the future of public health and make progress on today’s vital issues.”
Plenary sessions will address topics such as core functions and activities, capacity issues, and cutting edge approaches in public health practice. There will also be a panel presentation on public health performance standards on the national and state levels.
“The North Carolina Public Health Association will be focusing on public health capacities, competencies and best practices at our annual conference,” said NCPHA Director Deborah Rowe. “This focus will include an explanation of the state’s Public Health Improvement Plan that our local and state public health leaders, legislators and public officials are developing, as well as the National Public Health Performance Standards.”
NCPHA, an affiliate of APHA, has represented public health interests in North Carolina since 1909. NCPHA works to improve the health of the people of North Carolina by advocating for public health, sponsoring and participating in conferences, and representing public health interests on behalf of the community. For further information, contact Deborah Rowe at (919) 231-5153 or ncpha1@mindspring.com, or visit www.ncpha.com. The conference program and registration is available at www.ncpha.com/conference.html.