NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY
2006
BACKGROUND:
THE ASIA-PACIFIC ACADEMIC CONSORTIUM FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
ANNOUNCEMENT OF
THE 38TH APACPH CONFERENCE, BANGKOK
ASIA-PACIFIC
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH GOES QUARTERLY
FIRST EARLY
CAREER NETWORK WORKSHOP IN TAIWAN A SUCCESS
APECNPH LOOKS TO
EXPAND ACTIVITIES IN 2006
APACPH PARTICIPATES
IN WHO CONSULTATION IN HANOI
It is with
great pleasure that I take up the reins of the APACPH Presidency from Prof Anuar Zaini. I am very grateful to Prof Zaini for his hard and diligent work over the past couple
of years as President and I look forward to his continued involvement in
APACPH.
With the
passing of the first anniversary of the Tsunami Disaster, the continuing horror
of natural disasters such as hurricane Katrina and the Pakistan earthquake and
the increasing threat of a global Avian flu epidemic, it is clear that health
security and disaster management will continue to be a major public health
concern in 2006. Recognising this
concern, ‘Partnership for Human Security
and Health’ is the theme for the 38th
APACPH Conference to be held in
The 37th
APACPH Conference held in
APACPH will
be producing a special issue of the Asia-Pacific
Journal of Public Health on Health Security and Disaster Management with
guest editor, Prof Anthony Zwi. This issue will contain the full papers from
the conference and other relevant research.
I encourage those who gave presentations on this theme in
I would
like to welcome four new members of APACPH.
Eastern University, Sri Lanka, B.P. Koirala
Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for
Medical Sciences,
I am
looking forward to leading APACPH through its next phase. We are now an incorporated organisation and
as such can act with greater confidence and independence. With APACPH on this firm footing, I hope to
strengthen the participation of members through committees and projects. I would welcome any ideas that members may
have regarding future projects or initiatives for the organisation. I also hope to see the development of
existing APACPH initiatives, in particular the newly formed ‘Early Career
Network’ which promises to give a voice and support to students and young
faculty members.
I wish you
all the best for 2006.
Richard F. Southby
PhD
APACPH
President
BACKGROUND: THE ASIA-PACIFIC
ACADEMIC CONSORTIUM FOR PUBLIC HEALTH
APACPH is a
consortium of over 50 public health institutions in 18 countries across the
Region. The Vision of the Consortium is
to achieve the highest possible level of health of all the people of the
nations of the Asia-Pacific region.
APACPH aims to enhance Regional capacity to improve the quality of life
and to address major public health challenges through the delivery of
education, research and population health services by member institutions.
APACPH
supports activities that forward its five main objectives:
(i) To enhance the quality and relevance of
educational and training programs in public health;
(ii) To expand knowledge, improve skills and demonstrate effective
interventions;
(iii) To raise awareness of current, emerging, and re-emerging public
health issues and develop programs of action for their resolution;
(iv) To enhance the capacity and sustainability of public health
systems;
(v) To
assist in policy and leadership development for health;
APACPH has
five Regional Offices, holds an Annual conference on a topical public health
issue and publishes the Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, the only English
language journal of its type in the Region.
- Draft Minutes from General Assembly
Meeting,
These Minutes can
now be downloaded from the 'Members Only' section of the APACPH website - www.apacph.org
- Annual Subscription
Payments
Invoices
will be sent in early March. Please
process your 2006 subscription payment as soon as possible.
- APACPH Conference 2006 - 3-6 December 2006
-
Please
put this date in your diary and logon to the conference website www.apacph2006.org for updates
- Member Update forms
Please complete the 'Member Update
form' (found on the 'Members Only' section of the APACPH website and return to the Directorate Office for
inclusion on your Member Institution page on the website.
For more
information, contact Sonja Firth at the APACPH Secretariat Office - Email: sonja@apacph.org
Four new
members were inducted at the General Assembly meeting on
Prof Varagunam (Chancellor) and Prof Raveendranath
(Vice-Chancellor) represented new member
We were
pleased to welcome our first member from India, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for
Medical Sciences in Kerala. Prof Thankappan
(Head, Achutha Menon Centre
for Health Science Studies) accepted APACPH membership on behalf of their
institution and is also working with the
Prof Loke Bikram Thapa
(Vice-Chancellor) accepted APACPH membership on behalf of B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences,
Prof
Richard Taylor (Head, Division of International Health) accepted APACPH
membership on behalf of the
We welcome
all new members of APACPH and look forward to their active participation. More information on these and other APACPH
institutions can be found under 'Members' on the APACPH website.
For
information on joining APACPH please contact Sonja Firth at the Directorate
office - sonja@apacph.org
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 38TH APACPH
CONFERENCE,
The APACPH
Conference for 2006 will take place in
The theme
of the conference is 'Partnership for Human
Security and Health' which reflects the need for collaboration and
cooperation between communities and institutions for the development of human
security and health in the world.
Parallel
Sessions will include the following topics:
1.
Economics and Trade: Poverty Trap, Health and Development
2.
Emerging, Re-emerging Diseases and Food Safety
3.
Trans-boundary Challenges, Tourism and Health
4. Health
Promotion Initiatives
5. Domestic
and Workplace Violence
6.
Politics, Cultural Diversity, Ethics and Health
7.
8.
Environmental and Human Health
9. Human
Genomics in Public Health
The
conference will offer an opportunity for all public health professionals and
scholars to meet, discuss and share challenges, ideas,
resources and experiences. The program
will include a variety of presentations covering a wide range of public health
topics. Participants will have the
opportunity to strengthen existing partnerships as well as establish new
partnerships for future collaboration.
A Call for
Abstracts will soon be made and the abstract form and guidelines can now be
downloaded from the website - www.apacph2006.org. The abstract deadline is
ASIA-PACIFIC JOURNAL
OF PUBLIC HEALTH GOES QUARTERLY
Following
ten years of publishing the Journal twice-yearly at the
'I am pleased to announce that the
editorial office is now receiving sufficient articles to increase production of
the Journal to four annually. This is a
major step towards establishing the Journal as a significant world-class
quality publication,'
noted Prof Anuar Zaini,
Editor-in-Chief.
In line
with the increase in production, the Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health will
be publishing a special issue on the subject of 'Health Security and Disaster
Management'. This issue will contain
full papers from presentations at the 37th APACPH Conference in
Negotiations
are on-going with two publishing houses that are interested in taking over the
production of the Journal. Some of the
benefits of moving to an outside publisher include electronic publishing of
articles, publicity and promotion of the journal globally and a more
sophisticated submission process. APACPH
is keen to maintain editorial control and to offer services such as assistance
with English for those who need it so that the unique qualities of the Journal
are not lost.
The next
issue of the Journal Vol 18:1 is due out in March 2006 and has a focus on
community health promotion approaches and health seeking behaviours.
Those
wishing to submit articles for the Journal should read the 'Instructions for Authors' (on the Journal website - www.apjph.org.my or APACPH website www.apacph.org under 'APJPH') and send their submissions to:
Managing
Editor, the Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health
Health
Research and Development Unit (HeRDU)
Faculty of
Medicine,
50603 Kuala
Lumpur
Fax: +603
7967 5769
Enquiries
can be made to apjph@ummc.edu.my or Tel: +603 7967
5748
FIRST EARLY CAREER NETWORK WORKSHOP
IN
When
Michelle Wong from University of Southern California first conceived the idea
for a global network of students and early career professionals in public
health one of her aims was to bring what she knew to be a dynamic group of
individuals together to share ideas, discuss global health challenges and
solutions and to give a voice to these 'up-and-coming' academics and health
professionals.
In November
2005 Michelle and her Early Career Network development team succeeded in their
aim by attracting around 40 public health students and professionals
representing over 10 countries to its first ever workshop at the 37th APACPH
Conference in Taipei. The theme for the
workshop was 'Identifying and Understanding the Region's Major Public Health
Issues' and attendees were encouraged to share the major health challenges of
their respective countries and provide insight into possible avenues to address
these issues. Just as importantly,
attendees were enthusiastic at the idea of a network, run by them and for them,
and its potential to provide support, advice and
information on all aspects of public health.
There was genuine excitement for the future of the Early Career Network
and discussion and ideas continued to flow over the following days of the
conference.
Kolitha Wickramage, WHO, Sri Lanka commented,"The ECN workshop harnessed the energy of early career public health
professionals, students and well respected leaders in the field in an
interactive session that was informative, entertaining and sometimes very
funny! It was most certainly the best conference I have attended to
date..."
Presentations
from the pre-conference workshop in
APECNPH LOOKS TO EXPAND ACTIVITIES IN 2006
Following
the success of its first workshop at the 37th APACPH conference in
This
network is also looking for enthusiastic individuals across the Region who
would like to take a more active role by becoming a country representative or
assist with fund-raising activities for the network. A core group of dedicated individuals who are
prepared to devote some of their time is seen as vital to the success of this
initiative.
One of the
main activities for the year will be the second workshop to take place at the
38th APACPH Conference in
Network
members have been encouraged to give their opinions on the topic for this
workshop and a forum has been set up on the APACPH website - www.apacph.org -
to assist this discussion. The forum is
also a way for the network to discuss other matters of interest or debate and
APACPH members and non-members alike are encouraged to use this resource which can
be found on the APACPH website under 'Projects
and Activities', 'Project Bulletin Boards'.
For more
information on the APECNPH, joining the network or becoming an active member
visit www.apacph.org/site/pages/Early_Career_Network
or contact Sonja Firth - sonja@apacph.org
APACPH PARTICIPATES IN WHO
CONSULTATION IN
Regional
Director, Prof Brian Oldenburg represented APACPH at a WHO-sponsored meeting in
Hanoi on November 22-24 to discuss and review the effort within the Western
Pacific Region of WHO over recent years and to develop nine essential health
functions (EPHFs) for the Region. The meeting was also attended by senior
health ministry officials from WHO Western Pacific Region Member States.\
Public
health is a core element of every government's attempts to improve and promote
health. Unfortunately, there is evidence that public health systems and
services are struggling to cope with current demands. This problem applies not
only to traditional public health areas, but also to emerging public health
threats that currently include SARS and avian influenza. It is also relevant to
newer areas of public health that includes the effects of globalization,
migration and use of new technologies.
The nine
essential public health functions identified are: (1) health situation
monitoring and analysis (2) epidemiological surveillance, disease prevention
and control (3) development of policies and planning in public health(4) strategic
management of health systems and services for population health gain (5)
regulation and enforcement to protect public health (6) human resource
development and planning in public health (7) health promotion, social
participation and empowerment (8) ensuring the quality of personal and
population-based health services, and (9) research development and
implementation of innovative public health solutions.
These
functions have already been tested and evaluated in three country case studies
in
During the
meeting the following issues were considered:
(1) the nine public health functions were critically reviewed
particularly in relation to the 'lessons learnt' arising from the three country
case studies
(2) guidelines, tools and indicators were identified, based on
the public health functions, that would be useful in assisting Member States in
the future to evaluate, monitor and strengthen their public health
infrastructures and responsibilities
(3) approaches to promote the reorientation of
health professionals, managers, policy-makers and government institutions
towards public health, in line with the development of essential public health
functions were identified and;
(4) ways in which these functions can actually be used to
strengthen and define more clearly the central leadership role of ministries or
departments of health in addressing the public health challenges confronting
the region were discussed.
Recommendations
arising from this and previously conducted consultations in relation to EPHFs, included:
i) to consider in more detail the appropriateness of EPHFs for emergency preparedness and disaster management
ii) to develop further the terminology that is required in order
to reflect the role and contribution of sectors other than health in improving
public health
iii) to consider further how EPHFs can
be suitable for audiences other than public health professionals
iv) to conduct more detailed and thorough economic analyses to
identify the contribution and importance of public health to the major
priorities of Member Countries
v) to develop an appropriate research agenda and appropriate
workforce development, education and training
vi) to consider further the relationship between EPHFs and policies and laws that impact on health.
The further
development of EPHFs in the Western Pacific Region of
WHO would also appear to provide an opportunity for APACPH member institutions
to engage with Health Ministries in their own countries and to develop
education, training and research programs that build on this work.
For more
information, please contact Prof Brian Oldenburg at the APACPH Directorate in
APACPH WEBSITE NEW FEATURES -
WWW.APACPH.ORG
Those who
have been logging onto the APACPH website (www.apacph.org)
recently will have noticed some new features and enhanced usability. The main menu items are now listed at the top
with a drop-down feature to allow quicker navigation between pages.
The
homepage features a list of 'News'
items, which can be updated with the most recent reports, announcements, or any
other Regional matter of interest. There
is often an opportunity to read more by clicking on the web-link or document
attached.
The menu on
the left hand side provides the opportunity to group articles, web-links and
other resources on a particular topic.
Currently there is a 'Disaster
Management' folder however other topics will be added to this section of
the website.
A list of
members by country can be found under the 'Members'
menu item and for those institutions that have returned their 'Member
Update' form, more comprehensive information on their institution can be found
on their dedicated member page.
The
Bulletin board section of the website is also now functioning. It can be found under 'Projects and Activities'.
The Early Career Network has a dedicated forum and we would request that
members encourage their postgraduate students and young faculty to register in
order to take part in the debate. Other
forums will be set up as requested. It
is not necessary to be a member of APACPH to take part in these forums.
The website
will continue to be enhanced and improved so feedback and suggestions are
welcomed. Information to include on the
website is also requested in order to make the website as relevant as
possible.
To request
a Member Update form, to make suggestions or ask questions about the APACPH
website, or if you have forgotten the password for the 'Members Only' section,
please contact Sonja Firth - sonja@apacph.org
PROFILE ON...PROF WEN-TA CHIU
Prof.
Wen-Ta Chiu is currently the vice-president of Taipei Medical University (TMU)
and the CEO (Superintendent) of the 750-bed University affiliated
After
graduation from
Prof.
Chiu's association with APACPH began in 1994 and he participated in the 1995
APACPH meeting hosted by the
Prof. Chiu
has obtained many awards, which include the 50th anniversary outstanding Alumni
award from the
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
33rd Annual conference on Global
Health - Excellence, Innovation and Influence as Pathways to Results
Date: 30
May-
Location:
Conference
Website: www.globalhealth.org/conference/
The 2006
Annual Conference will explore the many pathways taken to reach our common
goal: improving the health and well-being of the world's poorest and most
disempowered peoples. What is the best knowledge available? What are new ways
of looking at problems and solutions? What resources make things happen?
WFPHA's 11th International Congress on Public Health
Public Health in a Globalised World: Breaking Down Social, Economic and
Political Barriers
Date: 21-25
August 2006
Location:
Website: www.wfphacongress06.com
The Congress
will bring together health professionals, teachers, researchers, managers,
national and international Public/Collective Health leaders and all those
interested in debating, reflecting, and facing the theoretical and practical
challenges of public health. The scientific program has been developed in a way
to showcase the diverse dimensions of the central theme - Public Health in a Globalized World: Breaking Down
Social, Economic and Political Barriers.
The GOAL International Teaching
Seminar 2006
Applying behavioral
sciences to prevent disease and improve health
Date: 5-7 June,
2006
Location: Lahti, Finland
Website :
www.palmenia.helsinki.fi/ikihyva/
The annual
GOAL Teaching Seminar provides a platform for learning and exchanging ideas
with other public health and behavioral sciences
researchers, health practitioners and policy practitioners sharing the same
challenges in different regions of the world.
The World Heart Federation’s 39th
Ten-Day International Teaching Seminar
Date: 13-25
August, 2006
Location:
Website: http://www.worldheart.org/capacity-ten-day-seminar.php
An
opportunity to gain valuable skills and connect with colleagues from around the
world, the ten-day seminar accepts approximately 36 fellows with preference
given to younger candidates with little or no formal training in Epidemiology.
Sonja Firth
APACPH
Regional Office/Directorate (
c/-
Qld 4059
Tel: +61 7
3864 3372
Fax: +61 7
3864 9693
Email: sonja@apacph.org
Website: www.apacph.org