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 2025 APHA Annual Meeting and Exposition from November 2-5 in Washington, D.C.

GUIDELINES

Individuals should submit material only if they, or a designee, are committed to registering for the conference and presenting their paper or poster in person. Scientific program presenters are responsible for the costs of registration, housing, and travel to the Annual Meeting, which can be substantial. Please register and secure housing early (e.g., June) to help minimize these costs.  

ABSTRACT TOPICS 

Please choose a topic area that most closely aligns with the work described in your abstract.

• 2025 Meeting Theme:  Making the Public's Health a National Priority
  
• Chronic (Non-Communicable) Disease Epidemiology
  
• Clinical Epidemiology
  
• Communicable and/or Infectious Disease Epidemiology
  
• Environmental Epidemiology
  
• Epidemiology Methods and Data Science
  
• Epidemiology of Health-Related Behaviors
  
• Epidemiology of Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders
  
• Epidemiology, Law, and Policy
  
• Implementation Science and Translational Epidemiology
  The role of epidemiology in:
  • Translating scientific discoveries into population health impact (e.g., disease control programs, policy development, clinical practice, education, other interventions, etc.), and
  • The study of the methods and strategies that facilitate the uptake of evidence-based practice and research into regular use.
• Maternal and Child Health Epidemiology
  
• Nutritional Epidemiology
  
• Social Epidemiology
  Epidemiology of the social, societal, and structural determinants of health and health equity across the life course.
• Spatial Epidemiology
  Place/neighborhood/spatial effects on health; geographic risk and protective factors; geographic variation in distribution of risk or outcomes.
• Student Abstract Awards
  
• Topics in Epidemiology - OTHER TOPICS
  

ABSTRACT FORMAT

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  

Please review the following sample of resources for assistance with writing your abstract:

• https://www.cdc.gov/stdconference/2016/how-to-write-an-abstract_v3.pdf
• https://medlib-bu.libguides.com/public-health-writing-resource-center/abstract-writing
• https://www.ptglab.com/news/blog/how-to-write-a-good-scientific-abstract/

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 alongside other posters and should be available to answer questions throughout the scheduled 60-minute session. The program committee reserves the right to make all final decisions in designating abstracts as oral or poster presentations.   

CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDITS 

APHA values the ability to provide continuing education credit at its annual meeting to those certified in public health as well as physicians, nurses, health educators, and social workers. 

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. (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.
• Relevant Qualification Statement.
  • An example of an acceptable qualification statement is available on the APHA website (online Disclosure form).  
  • A relevant qualification statement is a valid statement of your qualification(s) to present the material in your abstract. Please add sufficient and appropriate information about your experience, expertise and background. 
  • 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.
  • Example of an acceptable 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. 

Abstracts without a measurable outcome or 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 SESSION PROPOSALS 

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, especially those related to the meeting theme. 

If you are interested in organizing a Special Session, please submit a brief description of the proposed session to aphaepiprogram@gmail.com by 11:59 pm (PST) on Friday, March 28, 2025 for pre-review and approval. This short proposal (no more than two pages in length) should include: 

• Name and complete contact information for key contact (organizer) for Special Session
• Tentative title for the overall Session
• Session objectives
• Public health relevance of proposed Session
• Name and complete contact information for presider(s) and/or and discussant(s) (if any)
• Name and complete contact information for proposed speakers for each presentation
• Proposed titles for each presentation (e.g., submitted abstract presentation)
• Proposed order for presentations
• Sessions should have NO more than four presentations 

Please do NOT submit individual abstracts for these Special Session presentations through the main APHA abstract submission site.  

Notification of status of preliminary proposals will be sent via email to the Special Session key contact (organizer) by Friday, April 11, 2025. If your preliminary proposal is approved, this email also will include instructions for submission of a full Special Session proposal. 

STUDENT ABSTRACT AWARDS 

All students who submit an abstract for possible presentation at the annual meeting in the Epidemiology Section scientific program are eligible to apply for an Epidemiology Student Abstract Award. Winners will have their meeting registration paid for by the Epidemiology Section and will receive a commendation during the Section Awards session. Student Abstract Award winners also will present their work in an oral session. 

To be considered for the Student Abstract Award you must:

• Submit your abstract under the “Student Abstract Awards” topic 
• Indicate that you are a student at the time of your abstract submission
• Include the following information in the “Comment” section of the submission form:
  • Brief description (1-2 sentences) of your research and/or practice interests
  • Your degree level at the time of abstract submission (e.g., undergraduate, graduate-Master’s, graduate-Doctoral, graduate-Professional, etc.) 

Award winners will be notified during summer 2025 and will be required to present their work in-person at the APHA meeting in November 2025.

For more information, please contact aphaepiprogram@gmail.com. 

 

THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING THE APHA EPIDEMIOLOGY SECTION!

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Ready?

Program Planner Contact Information:

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


and

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