The mission of the APHA Epidemiology Section is to foster epidemiologic research and science-based public health practice and to serve as a conduit between the epidemiologic research community and users of scientific information for the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies and programs affecting the public's health.   

The Epidemiology Section invites abstract submissions and Special Session proposals to present results of scientific research and programs related to epidemiology during the 2021 APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition which, currently, is scheduled to be held in a hybrid format (in-person/online) from October 23-27, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 

GUIDELINES  

Individuals should submit material only if they, or a designee, are committed to registering for the conference and presenting their paper or poster.  

Abstract authors are invited to submit research that aligns with the main conference topic (Strengthening Social Connectedness). However, all areas of Epidemiology will be considered. Please choose a topic area from the list that most closely aligns with your abstract topic.

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• Behavioral Health Epidemiology
  
• Cancer Epidemiology
  
• Clinical Epidemiology
  
• Communicable (Infectious) Disease Epidemiology (NOT SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19)
  
• Environmental Epidemiology
  
• Epidemiology Methods
  
• Epidemiology of Sars-Cov-2 and COVID-19
  
• Epidemiology of Social Connectedness
  
• Injury and Occupational Epidemiology
  
• Life Course Epidemiology
  
• Molecular & Genetic Epidemiology
  
• Non-Communicable (Chronic) Disease Epidemiology (NO Cancer)
  
• Social Epidemiology
  
• Student Fellowship Award Abstracts
  
• Other Topics in Epidemiology
  

ABSTRACT FORMAT 

Please follow the general instructions for abstract submission provided on the APHA web site. Abstract text must be limited to 250 words. Abstracts must include the following elements (please include these section headings in your abstract text):

• Background
• Objective(s)
• Methods
• Results
• Conclusion 

Abstracts relating to data that have not yet been collected and/or analyzed as of the abstract deadline will be rejected.   

When submitting your abstract, you will be asked to identify which type of presentation format you prefer: Oral, poster or no preference. Oral presentations are generally 10-12 minutes in length. An additional 3-5 minutes will be available for discussion and questions from the audience. Presenters at poster sessions display their work and should be available to answer questions throughout the scheduled 60-minute poster session. The program committee reserves the right to make all final decisions in designating abstracts as oral or poster presentations.  

 

EPIDEMIOLOGY STUDENT FELLOWSHIP AWARD 

All students who submit an abstract for presentation at the annual meeting are eligible to apply for an Epidemiology Student Fellowship Award. To receive an invitation to apply for the award you must indicate that you are a student presenter at the time of your abstract submission and include a brief description (1-2 sentences) of your research interests in the comment section. Please submit your abstract under the Student Fellowship Award Topic.  Eligible students will be notified via e-mail and provided instructions to complete the Epidemiology Student Fellowship Award application. Award winners will be notified prior to the annual meeting and will be required to present their abstracts at the meeting.

 

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS 

APHA values the ability to provide continuing education credit to physicians, nurses, health educators, social workers and those certified in public health at its annual meeting. These credits are necessary for members to keep their licenses and credentials. 

When submitting your abstract or Special Session proposals, please complete all required information needed for your presentation to be considered for Continuing Education credit. This information includes: 

• An abstract free of trade and/or commercial product names (example: state “a major urban health care provider” rather than naming a for-profit business or its products. However, in the methods section you can name the statistical software package that was used for the analysis) 
• At least ONE measurable learning outcome. (DO NOT USE “to understand” or “to learn” as they are not measurable. Examples of Acceptable Measurable Action Words include:  Explain, Demonstrate, Analyze, Formulate, Discuss, Compare, Differentiate, Describe, Name, Assess, Evaluate, Identify, Design, Define or List.) 
• A signed web-based Conflict of Interest (Disclosure) form with a relevant qualification statement. An example of an acceptable Qualification Statement is available on the APHA website (online Disclosure form).  

Example of Acceptable Biographical Qualification Statement: (I have been the principal or co-principal investigator of federally funded grants focusing on the epidemiology of chronic diseases. Among my scientific interests has been the development of strategies for preventing cardiovascular disease and the assessment of novel methods in the prevention of cardiovascular disease and diabetes).

Please note that stating “I am a Principal Investigator/Project Coordinator of this project.” is not sufficient since it only gives the submitter's job title or position. Please add sufficient and appropriate information about your experience, expertise and background. Failure to submit this information on time may cause your abstract to be excluded as it will jeopardize the accreditation of the entire session for which it was scheduled.

Abstracts without a measurable outcome or with a conflict of interest listed for the session will be returned to the author for completion or may be rejected. 

Please contact Mighty Fine at mighty.fine@apha.org if you have any questions concerning continuing education credit. Please contact the program planners for all other questions.

 

SPECIAL SESSIONS 

The Epidemiology Section invites the submission of preliminary proposals for Special Sessions (i.e., sessions with invited speakers) that will highlight important topics in Epidemiology research and practice. Special sessions include four presentations that address a particular topic. Please do NOT submit individual abstracts for these presentations to the main APHA abstract submission site. 

If you are interested in organizing a Special Session, please submit a brief description of the proposed session to the program planners by 11:59pm (PST) on Sunday, March 28, 2021 for pre-review and approval. This short proposal (no more than two pages in length) should include: 

• Name and contact information for key contact (organizer) for Special Session
• Tentative title for the overall session
• Session objectives
• Public health relevance of proposed session
• Proposed organizer (if different from key contact), presider(s) (if any), discussant (if any) and speakers for each presentation
• Sessions should have NO more than four presentations(speakers)
• Proposed titles for each presentation
• Proposed order for presentations

Notification of approval will be sent via email to the Session organizer by April 2, 2021. This email will include instructions for submission of a full Special Session proposal.

 

Thank you for considering the APHA Epidemiology Section!

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Ready?

Program Planner Contact Information:

Kesha Baptiste-Roberts, PhD, MPH
baptika@gmail.com
443-885-4013

and

Siobhan C. Maty, PhD, CPH
siobhanmaty@gmail.com