Social Work

 Submit Abstract
Public Health Social Work (PHSW)

The section welcomes abstracts on areas of special interest to public health social work for the 136th annual APHA meeting in San Diego, CA, October 25-29, 2008. Submissions related to the 2008 Annual meeting theme of “Public Health Without Borders” are encouraged.

Deadline for submission of abstracts is February 8, 2008.

Submissions may be for poster, oral, or panel formats. Please note the desired format on the abstract form. Very few open timeslots will be available for consideration as a panel session. Panel session proposals must be submitted along with each individual presentation abstract. This complete package gives the reviewers more substance from which to judge the overall merits of the panel. Note: It is NOT possible for the program planner to change a poster session to an oral session or an oral session to a poster session.

Written Abstracts of 250 words or less should be submitted. Submitted abstracts must include at least three specific learning objectives that focus on public health social work. Learning objectives are to be submitted along with the abstract for each presentation. Referral to web pages or URL's may not be used for abstracts. Always refer to your abstract by the assigned number for any and all inquiries.

Abstracts will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Importance/originality of social problem addressed;
  • Presentation of empirical results/Quality and completeness of supporting data/philosophy;
  • Implications for public health social work practice identified;
  • Innovation of ideas;
  • Clarity, quality, scientific rigor, and interest to the Public Health Social Work Section.


    Below are suggested topics.
    • Crisis Management and Response to Individuals and Families in the Aftermath of War and Disaster
    • Ethical Issues in Public Health Social Work
    • Global Politics and International Social Work
    • Homeless Families and Access to Health Care
    • Immigrant Health and Health Access for Undocumented Individuals
    • Kinship Care/Relative Caregivers
    • Management of Nonprofit Organizations and Leadership Development
    • New Challenges in Educating Public Health Social Workers
    • Public Health Social Work During Pandemics
    • Public Health Social Work Practice without Borders
    • Social Work Advocacy in Public Health
    • Student Poster Session - Student submission on any of the areas listed above
    This section encourages those who have never presented at APHA to become "new presenters" in 2008. Students and new professionals are encouraged to submit abstracts. Be sure to indicate "new presneter" and/or "student" on your submission.

    Poster Sessions: (60 minutes)

    Poster presentations are visual/graphic displays of an author’s research. Presenting authors should arrive a few minutes early to set up their posters and should remain at their poster during the entire session. No more than 10 poster boards will be assigned to a poster session.

    Oral/Panel Sessions: (90 minutes)

    There are two types of oral presentations.

    1. Contributed Research Paper sessions: Five to six persons per session will present their research orally. Time will be allocated for a brief question and answer period at the end of all presentations.

    2. Panel Sessions: These are generally solicited sessions. The presenters must show expertise on pre-selected topics. The proposed session must open with a brief introduction of the speakers, followed by each panelist’s presentation. Time will be allocated for a brief question and answer period and the session generally concludes with a summation by the moderator. Each panel submission must contact the Program Planner prior to submission.

    Panel sessions are special and must contain the following:

  • An overall session abstract, which includes a rationale for the session, the proposed paper titles, author(s), order of presentation, and length of time for each person;

  • Clearly label the overall session abstract as “PANEL SESSION ABSTRACT – PROPOSED SESSION TITLE”. You must insert the title of the panel session on the electronic submission page form when entering your proposal;

  • The proposed moderator and discussant (if applicable);

  • Be sure that each individual proposed presentation submits a separate abstract under the same restricted “category” (session title), otherwise they may become lost in the shuffle; and

  • Place contact information (phone and e-mail) for the person in charge of the session directly on the overall session abstract for easy contact.
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    Submit Abstract

    Program Planner Contact Information:
    Robert H. Keefe, PhD, ACSW
    School of Social Work
    University at Buffalo, State University of New York
    685 Baldy Hall
    Buffalo, NY 14260-1050
    Phone: 716-645-3381 ext. 255
    Fax: 716-645-3456
    rhkeefe@buffalo.edu