The Integrative Complementary and Traditional Health Practices Section invites oral and poster presentations for the upcoming APHA 2015 annual meeting to be held in Chicago, IL from October 31- November 4, 2015. Topics related to this year's theme: “Health in All Policies" 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:

• Ayurveda and other traditional health practices
  
• Cancer, HIV and other chronic diseases
  
• Chronic Disease Management using Integrative, Complementary and Traditional Health Practices
  
• Diet, Nutrition and Lifestyle Practices
  
• Education and Training in ICTHP
  
• Epidemiology in ICTHP
  
• Health Policy in Integrative Medicine
  
• Interdisciplinary approaches to integration of complementary and traditional health practices
  
• International Perspectives in Integrative Complementary and Traditional Health Practices
  
• Research and evaluation methods for measuring impact and outcomes of Integrative Complementary Traditional Health Practices
  
• Traditional Chinese Medicine and Other traditional health practices
  
• Yoga, Tai Chi and Other Mind Body Practices
  

Abstracts are judged on clarity of subject matter, importance and originality, quality of methodology and supporting data/philosophy, relationship to this section, 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. Abstracts that do not comply with the above mentioned requirements will be rejected upfront and may not be reviewed.

Deadline for Abstract Submission: February 18th, 2015. Please comply with the following APHA guidelines for abstract submissions: · Abstracts should be no more than 500 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 Integrative Complementary and Traditional Health Practices to:

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Ready?

Program Planner Contact Information:

Sivarama Prasad Vinjamury, MD (Ayurveda), MAOM, MPH
College of Eastern Medicine
Southern California University of Health Sciences
16200 E. Amber Valley Drive
Whittier, CA 90604
Phone: 562-947-8755 Ext: 736
prasad@scuhs.edu

and
Deborah Ndao, MPH
Office of Work/Life
Columbia University
Low Library
New York, NY 10027
Phone: 212-854-8873
dh493@columbia.edu