Alternative and Complementary Health Practices

The Special Interest Group in Alternative and Complementary Health Practices (ACHP) invites oral and poster presentations for the upcoming APHA 2014 annual meeting to be held in New Orleans, LA from November 15-19, 2014. Topics related to this year's theme: “Healthography: How Where You Live Affects Your Health and Well-being" will receive high priority. We are particularly interested in topics related to evidence-based research findings, efficacy, education and training, program development, safety, utilization, best practices, policy, and alternative and complementary health practices, (e.g., acupuncture, ayurveda, holistic nursing, massage therapy, integrative care, physical activity, energy healing, herbs, holistic nutrition, spiritual healing, yoga, tai-chi, etc.). An example of a session title is:

• Business and program development in ACHP
  
• Diet and nutrition
  
• Alternative and complementary health practices for cancer and chronic diseases
  
• Art, music, and expressive therapies
  
• Ayurveda
  
• CAM usage and patterns research
  
• Education and training in ACHP
  
• Energy therapies: Reiki, pranic healing, qi gong
  
• Global/international aspects in ACHP
  
• Healthography: How Where you Live Affects Your Health and Well-being - Role for ACHP
  
• Herbs, supplements and food
  
• Integrative therapies, integrative medicine, integration of CAM
  
• Massage therapy, reflexology, healing touch, therapeutic touch
  
• Mind-body medicine/therapies in ACHP
  
• Movement therapies in ACHP
  
• Pediatrics in ACHP
  
• Research in ACHP
  
• Spirituality and prayer
  
• Traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture, acupressure, Chinese herbal medicine
  
• Women's health
  
• Yoga
  

Abstracts are judged on clarity of subject matter, importance and originality, quality of methodology and supporting data/philosophy, relationship to this SPIG, and contribution to the field. Highest rated abstracts, based on blinded peer review, are generally selected and placed in sessions according to the overall program plan for that year. Abstracts may be submitted as a group. However, they will be reviewed individually and will be placed in sessions, if accepted, according to the discretion of the Program Chairs.

Deadline for Abstract Submission: February 16th, 2014. Please comply with the following APHA guidelines for abstract submissions: · Abstracts should be no more than 250 words. All presenters must be Individual members of APHA in order to present. All presenters must register for the meeting. Abstracts cannot be presented or published in any journal prior to the APHA Annual Meeting. Include learning objectives along with the complete abstract.

Continuing Education Credit APHA values the ability to provide continuing education credit to physicians, nurses, health educators, and those certified in public health at its annual meeting. Please complete all required information when submitting an abstract so members can claim credit for attending your session. These credits are necessary for members to keep their licenses and credentials. For a session to be eligible for Continuing Education Credit, each presenter, panelist, discussant, and/or faculty must provide:

1) an abstract free of trade and/or commercial product names;

2) at least one MEASURABLE SINGLE objective (“to understand” or “to learn” are not measurable objectives and compound objectives are not acceptable). Use ONLY the following Measurable Action Verbs: Explain, Demonstrate, Analyze, Formulate, Discuss, Compare, Differentiate, Describe, Name, Assess, Evaluate, Identify, Design, Define or List.

3) A signed Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form with a relevant qualification statement; Example of Acceptable Biographical Qualification Statement: (I have been the principal or co-principal of multiple federally funded grants focusing on the epidemiology of drug abuse, HIV prevention and co-occurring mental and drug use disorders. Among my scientific interests has been the development of strategies for preventing HIV and STDs in out-of-treatment drug users.)

4) All continuing education learning content must be of sound science or professional practice and serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills and professional competence of the health professional. Learning content should be evidence-based if available. A list of over 30 areas will be provided online for you to choose from. You will be asked to choose at least one or up to 6 areas that your presentation will address. Thank you for your assistance in making your session credit worthy. Contact Annette Ferebee at annette.ferebee@apha.org if you have any questions concerning continuing education. For program questions, contact the program planner listed below. Please address any questions regarding the Alternative and Complementary Health Practices Special Primary Interest Group to:

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Ready?

Program Planner Contact Information:

Sivarama Prasad Vinjamury, MD
College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Southern California University of Health Sciences
16200 E. Amber Valley Drive
Whittier, CA 90604
Phone: 562-947-8755 Ext: 736
sivaramavinjamury@scuhs.edu

and
Anne Doherty-Gilman, MPH
Leonard P. Zakim Ctr for Integrative Therapies
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
44 Binney St., SWB Rm. G-134
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-632-3810
Fax: 617-632-3988
Anne_Doherty@dfci.harvard.edu