*** READ OUR CALL IN ITS ENTIRETY BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR ABSTRACT ***

The Women's Caucus is interested in abstracts on topics that are related to the lives and health of women and girls of all ages. The Women's Caucus is particularly interested in social, cultural, environmental, and political contexts of women's health across the lifespan. The Women's Caucus welcomes conceptual and data-driven abstracts that discuss emerging trends in women's issues. Maximum word count is 250.

The Women's Caucus (established in 1970) represents the health care needs, interests, and demands for expanded women's health research, intervention and treatment services, and reproductive rights. The Women's Caucus develops programs exploring a range of women's health issues, needs, and emerging topics. The Women's Caucus also works closely with the American Public Health Association (APHA), other Caucuses (e.g., Men's Health Caucus), the Committee on Women's Rights, and various Sections (e.g., Maternal and Child Health, Sexual and Reproductive Health) to develop public health policy on behalf of women and girls of of all ages.

For the 2023 American Public Health Association Annual Meeting & Expo, the Women's Caucus is interested in topics that are consistent with the annual meeting theme:

Creating the Healthiest Nation: Overcoming Social and Ethical Challenges

We welcome submissions that are novel, related to emerging issues in the lives and health of women, and focus on the impact of rights on women's health and well-being. The session topics are preliminary and do not reflect the precise content of the final program, which will be based on peer-review evaluations, program theme, and diversity of topics.

Abstract Topics:

• Expanding Access to Reproductive Health Services
  
• Gender-Based Violence, Sexual Assault, and Trauma
  
• HIV/AIDS & Sexually Transmitted Diseases (or Infections)
  
• Health of Special Female Populations, Including (but not limited to) Women in Prison & Sex Workers
  
• Healthcare Access and Delivery (including Provider Trust)
  
• Maternal and Child Health
  
• Menstrual Health & Hygiene
  
• Opioid and Other Drug Use Among Women and Girls
  
• Racism As a Threat to Public Health
  
• Sexual and Gender Minority Health (including Lesbians, Transgender Women, & Gender Nonconforming Persons)
  
• Women's Health Disparities, Including Racial/Ethnic, Rural, and Older Women
  

*** Students and New APHA Members are Encouraged to Submit Abstracts to Our Caucus ***

ABSTRACT EVALUATION CRITERIA

Peer review of abstracts is blinded. Abstracts will be peer reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Abstract Content - Specific to presenting topic, must be of sound science, or evidence-based (or evidence-informed) practice and serve to maintain, develop, or increase the knowledge, skills, or competence of the public health professional. Content must be objective, free from bias and promotion, no use of commercial entities, products, services, logos, or brand names.
• Learning Outcomes - At least two measurable learning outcomes that reflects what the learner will be able to do as a result of participating in this educational activity.
• Gap Addressed - Were gaps identified? Was it based on sound science, evidence-based (evidence-informed) practice that identified a change in skills, knowledge, and/or the opportunity for improvement?
• Qualification Statement - Did the presenter clearly describe his/her qualification and areas of expertise?
• Advancement- Extent to which the work described has the potential to inform and advance women's health.
• Relevance - How well the abstract relates to one or more important women's health issue.
• Innovation - Innovative information and/or cutting edge topic not addressed elsewhere.

AWARDS

Highest Scoring Abstract:  The first author of the highest scoring abstract will receive a certificate of achievement prior to her/his presentation at the Annual Meeting.

Highest Scoring Student Abstract:  The author of the highest scoring abstract authored by a student will receive a certificate of achievement prior to her/his presentation at the Annual Meeting.

SESSION PROPOSALS

Instructions for submitting a proposal for an entire session:

1. Submit each abstract separately (up to four abstracts per session) to the same topic area. If a session proposal includes abstracts submitted to multiple topic areas, the session proposal will be considered incomplete.
2. Contact the program planners with:
   • A brief overview of the session (including relevance to health in all policies);
   • At least three proposed learning outcomes in APHA format for the entire session (each individual abstract that will be part of the proposed session must also have at least two learning outcomes); and
   • the title, first author name, and abstract number of all abstracts that will be included in The session.

Session proposals may also include suggestions for moderators. A name and contact information will need to be provided for each person.

Session proposals that do not adhere to these requirements will not be considered. Email the program planning committee co-chairs if you have any questions.

*** IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR PRESENTERS ***

Only listed authors who are both APHA members and registered for the Annual Meeting may present accepted work. Only one author may present each abstract. Multiple presenters for one abstract will not be accepted. Neither APHA nor the Women's Caucus can provide any financial support (including, but not limited to, registration, airfare, lodging, etc.) for author attendance at the Annual Meeting.

Individuals should only submit an abstract if they (or a co-author) are committed to giving the oral or poster presentation themselves, or to finding a substitute willing to register, attend the meeting, and give the oral or poster presentation instead.

Invitations to present will be withdrawn should authors of award abstracts be unable to present at the Annual Meeting, and last-minute cancellations and no-shows at the Annual Meeting WILL affect future participation in the Women's Caucus program.

GUIDELINES
(Abstracts that do not follow these guidelines will not be reviewed.)

1. In most cases, structured abstracts are preferred. All research abstracts should be submitted with five sections: background/significance, objective/purpose, methods, results, and discussion/conclusions.

2. Do not include in-text citations in any of the abstract sections, or a list of references.

3. Do not include brand or trade names in the title and/or text of the abstract. Generic names are required for continuing education purposes. Women's Caucus prides itself on having most (if not all) of its sessions approved for continuing education units (CEUs). The inclusion of brand or trade names would result in CEUs being denied to an entire session. If you are in doubt as to whether or not a particular name falls into this category, email the program planning committee co-chairs for verification before you submit your abstract(s).

4. All abstracts must be submitted with at least two learning outcomes in the proper APHA format (i.e., "By the end of the session, the participant will be able to ... "). Learning outcomes should be measurable (e.g., describe, explain, identify, etc.). "To understand" and "to learn" are NOT measurable learning outcomes. Refer to the APHA submission guidelines for more information on writing measurable learning outcomes.

5. Check the abstract title and text for spelling and grammatical errors.

6. Do not include your name or contact information in the text portion of the abstract as this prohibits a blinded peer-review process. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may result in your abstract being rejected.

7. If you are unable to identify a specific session for your abstract, submit it under the "Other Women's Issues" topic. 

8. Lastly, all abstracts should contain sufficient details to fully evaluate the scientific value of the actual work that has been completed to-date, rather than alluding to what will be included in the presentation.

Submitting an abstract to the Women’s Caucus implies that you understand the terms of this call for abstracts. Failure to adhere to the instructions outlined in the call for abstracts may result in your abstract not being considered and may impact your future submissions. Further, submitting the abstract implies that you (and/or your co-authors or colleagues) are willing to present the abstract at the Annual Meeting. If you are selected to give a presentation at the APHA Annual Meeting, details of your presentation will be sent to you via emails from the APHA staff.  Therefore, it is imperative that you read all of the emails that are sent by APHA staff.

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS

APHA values the ability to provide continuing education credit at its Annual Meeting to physicians, nurses, health educators, and those certified in public health. Continuing education credits are necessary for these individuals to keep their professional licenses and credentials. Complete all required information when submitting an abstract so that attendees can claim continuing education credit for attending your session. 

For a session to be eligible for continuing education credit, each presenter must provide:

1. An abstract free of trade and/or commercial product names.   
2. At least two measurable learning outcomes. It is important to note that “to understand” or “to learn” are not measurable learning outcomes. It is also important to note that compound learning outcomes are not acceptable. ONLY use 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. The following is an example of an 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. Please note that "I am the Principle Investigator of this study" is NOT an acceptable biographical qualification statement.  
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 (or at least evidence-informed). 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 Mighty Fine at mighty.fine@apha.org if you have any questions concerning continuing education credits.

For questions about the Women's Caucus program, contact the co-chairs of the Women's Caucus program planning committee at aphawc.programplanners@gmail.com.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you are unable to present an accepted abstract submission, you must notify the Women’s Caucus program planning committee co-chairs as soon as possible. If you are not able to attend, we ask that you find someone to present your slides or stand with your poster so that we can maintain a full program. Speakers who withdraw from the program without adequate advance notification or fail to show up for their scheduled presentations without previously notifying the program planners of cancellation before the Annual Meeting may not be permitted to give oral or poster presentations for the Women’s Caucus program at future Annual Meetings.

WOMEN'S CAUCUS MEMBERSHIP

If you would like to become a member of the Women’s Caucus, click on the following link: Women's Caucus Membership Form.  Email the completed form to womenscaucus2012@gmail.com. There is no fee to join.  Membership in the Women’s Caucus will not affect your other affiliations with APHA in any way.

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Ready?

Program Planner Contact Information:

Nakesha Powell, MPA
nakeshas@hotmail.com


and

Meghan Spiroff,
mairgood@umich.edu


and

Sarbinaz Bekmuratova,
sarbinazbekmuratova@creighton.edu