294677
Hawaii public health association's Pacific global health conference: 10 years of thinking global, acting local
Gerald H. Ohta, MPH,
Office of Planning, Policy and Program Development, Hawaii State Department of Health, Honolulu, HI
Background: Public health (PH) training and education, systems and services vary across the Hawaii-Pacific region, however, the region faces common threats including noncommunicable diseases, food insecurity and natural disasters, among others. Spanning 4,700 miles and 5 time zones, this region includes one state, three US flag territories, and three independent nations. Training, professional development and networking opportunities are limited, and only one APHA affiliate, Hawaii Public Health Association (HPHA), is based in this region. Methods: In 2002, the first Pacific Global Health Conference (PGHC) was organized by HPHA. Designed to engage PH professionals in HI and US Pacific, the program focused on critical PH issues unique to the region. High demand for professional development, training and regional networking resulted in PGHC 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2012. Results: Over 400 attended PGHC 2012. The 2.5 day program featured 4 keynote speakers, 5 workshops, 8 invited sessions, 63 oral presentations, 29 posters, 23 roundtables, 7 exhibits, and one cultural exchange. 17.25 CMEs, 17.25 CEUs, and 25 contact hours for CHES and MCHES were offered. Likely due to the economic downturn and restricted conference budgets, co-sponsorship was limited. HPHA membership tripled as a direct result of PGHC. Conclusion: Through PGHC, HPHA has grown its membership, contributed to PH training, provided a platform for professional development and networking, and established credibility as a leading PH organization in the region. Critical to PHGC's future success are commitments of funding/resources from partners at various levels. Limited organizational capacity and infrastructure challenge the future of PGHC.
Learning Areas:
Administration, management, leadership
Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related laws, regulations, standards, or guidelines
Systems thinking models (conceptual and theoretical models), applications related to public health
Learning Objectives:
Identify three lessons learned by Hawaii’s APHA affiliate to inform regional public health conference planning.
Keyword(s): International Public Health, Workforce
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been on the board of the Hawaii Public Health Association for several years, twice in the position of Programs Chair and most recently responsible for chairing the HPHA's Pacific Global Health Conference - a regional public health conference sponsored by HPHA designed for public health professionals in Hawaii and the US associated Pacific Islands.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
