The International Health Section welcomes abstracts for the 2019 APHA Annual Meeting. We accept submissions on both research- and program-based work; however, all submissions should present a novel contribution to some aspect of global health policy, practice, or knowledge. Abstracts must include the purpose of the work, a description of information and methods used, results, and discussion. We will only accept abstracts within the topic areas listed. As part of the International Health Section program, all submissions should relate to health issues in countries outside the US.

APHA is the premier forum for scientific presentation and discussion of global public health issues. The International Health Section maintains high standards for quality and content. Please read the specific instructions in the abstract submission portal and follow the format and process carefully. Abstracts that do not follow the exact format of the submission process will lose scoring points.

If accepted for presentation, the presenter will be expected to register and attend the conference. The International Health Section is not able provide financial aid or assistance for travel or registration. Individuals who may have difficulty attending the APHA Annual Meeting should identify a co-author that will be able to attend and participate in the program.  Once an abstract is confirmed, schedule changes are not permitted.

Questions to consider when addressing each component of an abstract (University of California, Berkeley, 2000):

Context: Why do we care about the problem? What global health need is your work addressing? In what way does the work present something new to the field of global health?

Methods: What did you actually do to get your results (e.g., conducted a survey of three villages, analyzed household survey data from five countries, held semi-structured interviews with 17 community health workers)? Be specific.

Results: What did you learn? Was there enhanced knowledge, increased participation, or measurable changes in health outcomes?

Conclusion and discussion: What are the larger implications of your findings, especially for the need initially identified?

 
Process for review:

All submitted abstracts will be peer reviewed for consideration of inclusion in the program. Indicate your preferences for presentation format on your abstract form. You may submit your abstract with the designation “oral only,” “poster only,” or “no preference.” 

Note: The International Health Section encourages abstracts submitted by nationals from low- and middle-income countries. These individuals should note their status on the abstract form. 

Student presenters: Each year, we designate one or two of the Section's oral panels for presentations by students. Please submit your abstract under this topic if you wish to compete in the peer review process for these openings. Should more abstracts qualify for acceptance than we have space available, we will consider placing those submissions elsewhere in the peer-reviewed program.

Topics:

• Addressing Shortages in the Global Health Workforce
  
• Advocacy Campaigns for Global Health
  
• Child Health and Development
  
• Climate-Related Impacts on Global Health
  
• Community-based Primary Health Care*
  
• Emerging Infectious Diseases
  
• Gender Disparities in Healthcare Access and Quality
  
• Global Approaches to Eliminating Tobacco Use
  
• Global Challenges in Antimicrobial Resistance
  
• Global Health Challenges in Conflict and Displacement**
  
• HIV Care Continuum Across the Globe
  
• Maternal Health: Prenatal, Obstetric, and Postpartum Care
  
• Mental Health Treatment and Care
  
• Nutrition, Malnutrition, Diabetes, and Obesity
  
• Reproductive Health and Family Planning
  
• Rights-based Approaches to Global Health
  
• Social Determinants of Health
  
• Special Panel on Student-led Global Health Projects
  
• Strengthening Health Systems In Low-Resource Settings
  
• Universal Health Coverage: Financing and Policy
  

* Community-based primary health care is an empowering approach to improving health care that engages communities as full partners and extends health services beyond health facilities to communities and households.

** Please note that we will only accept submissions on displaced populations outside the US. For submissions on refugees and other migrants inside the US, please refer to the Caucus on Refugee and Immigrant Health call for abstracts.

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, all presenters must provide all of the following:
1. An abstract free of trade and/or commercial product names.
2. At least one measurable outcome. Note that “to understand” or “to learn” are not measurable outcomes, and compound outcomes are not acceptable.
3. A signed Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form with a relevant qualification statement.

For example, "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" summarizes a body of work relevant to the presentation topic and demonstrates the presenter’s expertise. Note that "I am the principal investigator of this study" is not an acceptable qualification statement.

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. 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 Mighty Fine at mighty.fine@apha.org if you have any questions concerning continuing education. For program questions, contact the program planner listed below.

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Ready?

Program Planner Contact Information:

Jessica Keralis, MPH
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics
University of Maryland School of Public Health
4200 Valley Dr.
#2242
College Park, MD 20742
Phone: 713-261-5066
jmkeralis@gmail.com

and
Jirair Ratevosian, MPH
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
333 Lakeside Dr.
Foster City, CA 94404
Phone: 818-620-3171
jratevosian@gmail.com