Tuesday, April 17, 2012

APHA's Midyear Meeting: Shaping the future of public health


These are uncertain times for public health. Shrinking budgets, fewer resources, declining workforce numbers, growing disease numbers, changing health care systems and a historic health reform law with an unsure future. Public health has a lot on its (well-portioned) plate.

But never underestimate the determination of a public health worker. With their eyes always on the prize of good health for all, they're used to confronting daunting challenges. In fact, you could describe public health's penchant for taking on seemingly insurmountable challenges as its signature calling card. Kind of like superheroes for better health. Defenders of disease control! Avengers for accessibility! Protectors of prevention!

Nonetheless, public health's determination is sure to be put to the test in the coming years, and APHA wants to make sure you have all the tools you need to continue making a superhero-sized difference well into the future.

At APHA's upcoming 2012 Midyear Meeting in Charlotte, N.C., attendees will get to hear from some of the nation's top public health leaders and advocates. The three-day meeting, which runs from June 26–28 and has a theme of "The New Public Health — Rewiring for the Future," will equip attendees with the tools to keep up with and anticipate changes necessary to sustaining an effective, efficient and relevant public health system.

In fact, discounted early-bird registration for the APHA Midyear Meeting ends April 19! Register today and save!


The Charlotte meeting will offer a variety of interactive sessions on a range of topics, from workforce and technology to advocacy and funding. A special session on Tuesday evening of the meeting will zero in on the recent Supreme Court hearings on health reform.

Some of this year's notable presenters include Donald Berwick, former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Lillian Shirley, president of the National Association of County and City Health Officials; and Jamila Rashid, associate director for research and policy with the U.S. Office of Minority Health.

Registration is now open for the APHA Midyear Meeting in Charlotte. Visit APHA's Midyear Meeting site for info on housing and travel, an overview of sessions and more.

And, as always, don't forget to check back in with your trusty bloggers here at the APHA Meetings Blog. In the coming months, we'll be posting pre-meeting previews and we'll be in Charlotte to bring you latest from the 2012 Midyear Meeting. (Click here to subscribe and we'll automatically send blog updates to your email.)

See you in Charlotte! Up, up and away!

Above, a colorful view of the Charlotte skyline. Photo by Jill Lang, courtesy iStockphoto

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Registration open for 2012 APHA Midyear Meeting!

We're getting ready for APHA's Midyear Meeting this June in Charlotte, N.C., and we hope you are too.

This year's Midyear Meeting, which has a theme of "The New Public Health: Rewiring for the Future," couldn't be more timely. With session topics ranging from building a 21st century public health workforce to the evolving importance of social media, the 2012 Midyear Meeting will equip attendees with the tools they need to deliver the opportunities for good health today and into the future.

Visit APHA's Midyear Meeting page for info on registration, housing, travel and much more. And don't forget to visit us here at the APHA Meetings Blog for many more updates to come!