Genomics Forum

The Genomics Forum invites abstracts related to the 2014 conference theme, "Healthography: How Where You Live Affects Your Health and Well-being" as well as to areas of special interest to public health practitioners and researchers interested in the field of genomics.

We are especially interested in studies that may inform current and future research, identify public health priorities, and describe the impact of existing genomics policies and practice on public health. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to the following:

• 1. Genomics Law & Policy
  The development and effects of existing, new, and emerging  local, state, regional, and federal policies, laws, and regulatory approaches. How these impact individuals, communities, and populations.
• 2. Ethical, Social & Community implications of Genomics
  How genomics influences ethical practices and conflicts, social relationships, networks, and community health.  Issues related to informed consent, return of genetic and genomic results, impacts of genetic / genomic information on families. How genetic / genomic information is valued in diverse communities.
• 3. Genetics, Genomics and Health Disparities
  Regional and geographical disparities in access to genetic services, genomic and molecular testing, and research opportunities.
• 4. Genetic and Molecular Epidemiology
  Disease susceptibility, gene-environment interactions, gene-gene interactions, clinical utility of results from genomic research.
• 5. Gene-Environment Interactions
  GWAS, novel study designs, diverse populations, gene-environment interactions and epi-genetics.
• 6. New & emerging technologies
  Highlight and range new and emerging technologies, including  personalized medicine, companion diagnostics, gene expression profiling and all other molecular diagnostic testing, clinical impact and clinical utility of personalized medicine, populations reached by pharmacogenetic and pharmacogenomics testing; and, direct- to- consumer genetic testing.
• 7. Health Communication
  Emphasize a range of health communication theories, techniques, and interventions as applied to genetic and genomic health. Methods to communicate complex genetic or genomic information to ensure patient understanding, how health care providers communicate genetic or genomic risk, improving discussions related to family history of disease.
• 8. Multidisciplinary collaborations in genomics
  Collaborative efforts with a range of public health, medical, and allied health professionals, including social workers, community health workers, nurses, health educators, and other professions, partnerships between community agencies and academic researchers etc.
• 9. Newborn screening
  Existing, new, and emerging practices and programs in the area of newborn screening. Impact and policy implications of newborn screening on public health.

Abstracts should be 250 words or less and cannot refer to web pages or URLs. The deadline for submitting abstracts to the Genomics Forum is February 12^th, 2014. All abstracts will be reviewed based on relevance to the conference theme and/or to the Genomics Forum, noteworthiness of problem, and quality of design, methods, and interpretation. All submissions will end at 11:59 p.m. PST on the due date listed on the Call for Abstracts Web page. No late submissions will be accepted.  All abstracts must be submitted online. An easy-to-use online form will walk you through the process step by step.

The Genomics Forum encourages abstract submissions from students and those who have never presented at an APHA annual meeting, especially representatives of community-based organizations. Be sure to indicate “new presenter” or “student” status when submitting your abstract, and whether you would like to be considered for one of our three Genomics and Public Health awards. Presenting authors of accepted abstracts must become members of APHA.

You do not need to be an APHA member to submit an abstract. However, if your abstract is accepted for presentation, the presenting author MUST become an APHA individual member and must register for the Annual Meeting by the advance registration deadline. Submission of an abstract implies a commitment to present at the Annual Meeting, therefore, please make sure that you understand these requirements before submitting an abstract.

For additional information, please contact the Genomics Forum Program Committee Chair, Dr. Nelson A. Atehortua (nelson.atehortua@gmail.com). For any and all inquiries, always refer to the abstract by the abstract number as assigned to you online.

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 that 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 investigator on 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 based on 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 six 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, Dr. Nelson A. Atehortua (nelson.atehortua@gmail.com).

---

Ready?

Program Planner Contact Information:

Nelson Atehortua, PhD MPH MA
Department of Health Policy and Public Health
University of the Sciences
600 S 43rd Street
Mailbox # 95
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Phone: 215-596-7411
nelson.atehortua@gmail.com