Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #121738

Kathleen M. Rest, PhD, MPA, Union of Concerned Scientists, Two Brattle Square, Cambridge, MA 02238, 617-547-5552, krest@ucsusa.org

The scientific community is increasingly concerned that the integrity of science in our federal agencies is being compromised, suppressed, manipulated, and otherwise politicized to an unprecedented degree. This has significant long- and short-term implications for informing decisions about public health research, policy, and practice. This presentation will describe relevant cases of sequestered or otherwise compromised science at the federal level, explore the implications for public health research, policy, and practice, and suggest steps that can be taken to curtail future abuse of scientific integrity.

Learning Objectives:

• Give examples of the suppression, manipulation, and politicization of science affecting public health in federal agencies.
• Discuss the impact and implications of this abuse on public health science and practice.
• Support and advance reforms that will mitigate future abuse.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.