University of New England

Public health professionals invited to conference in Augusta Oct. 30th

A day-long conference for public health professionals will take place on Monday, Oct. 30, 2006 at the Augusta Civic Center. The conference titled "Where Is Maine's Public Health? Can We Be #1, and How?" is the 22nd Annual Meeting of the Maine Public Health Association.

The keynote speaker is Paul Jarris, M.D., M.P.H., executive director for the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. He was medical director of Vermont's largest nonprofit HMO, headed up several medical groups, ran a consulting firm and served as commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health.

Program
Participants will learn where Maine and the U.S. compare to the rest of the nation and the world in public health preparedness, discuss potential solutions for Maine and have the opportunity to network with other public health professionals.

Morning breakout session titles include:

• Maine DCD Statewide Public Health Initiatives
• Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in the Journey to a Healthy Weight
• Addressing Health Disparities in Maine
• Tobacco in Maine: Still a Significant Risk Factor
• Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Continuum: Where Are We Going?

The afternoon panel discussion will emphasize Maine healthcare reform, with the Public Health Work Group Committee discussing the work of its subgroups on public health infrastructure.

Annual MPHA individual and program award winners will be recognized during lunch. The MPHA scholarship will be awarded for the first time to students pursuing graduate studies in public health.

Registration
Registration fees are $35 for MPHA members, $50 for non-members and $25 for students and retirees. An additional $15 will be charged for same-day registration. Cost includes break refreshments and lunch. Continuing education credits are available. To register online and for additional information, visit: https://www.mcd.org/registration/mphaannualmtg.asp.

The Annual Meeting is sponsored by MaineHealth, University of New England, University of Southern Maine, American Lung Association of Maine, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention in association with American Cancer Society, Casco Passage, Central Maine Medical Center, Healthy Living, Sebasticook Valley Hospital, Maine Center for Public Health, Medical Care Development, Power of Prevention and The Bingham Project.

Information on UNE's graduate programs in public health

(Press release issued Oct. 16, 2006)