AMSA Global Health Conference, Cairns, 16-19 September 2012 (Twitter: #GHC2012)
More than 500 medical students from around Australia and the Asia-Pacific are meeting in Cairns this week to discuss health issues of global significance at the Australian Medical Students’ Association (AMSA) Global Health Conference.
AMSA President Mr James Churchill said that many medical students were passionate about contributing to positive changes in the developing world.
“Medical students across Australia want to be a part of the generation that ends social and health inequity,” Mr Churchill said.
The AMSA Global Health Conference will provide an opportunity for the next generation of doctors and public health advocates to discuss a diverse range of topics including the health effects of climate change, population growth, economic and social development, migration and refugees, rural and Indigenous health, and non-communicable diseases.
“Good health is underpinned by social determinants like education, food and housing. It is critical that medical education includes a focus on these factors if we, as future doctors, are to have any chance of improving the health of people across the globe,” Mr Churchill said.
“Young people are a powerful resource and are effective agents of social change. As medical students, we are in the unique position of being able to provide a fresh and innovative perspective, while also being able to offer an informed opinion on health issues,” Mr Churchill said.
Delegates will hear from a range of speakers including Prof Stephen Howes, Chief Economist at AusAID; Dr Mark Wenitong, Aboriginal Pubic Health Medical Officer at NACCHO; Mr Richard Towle, Regional Representative of the UN High Commission for Refugees; and A/Prof Linda Selvey, immediate past CEO of Greenpeace Australia.
The AMSA Global Health Conference has been organised by a team of medical students from James Cook University and will bring together more than 500 medical students in Cairns to discuss global health and development. Recognising the health challenges in Far North Queensland, this year’s conference has a specific focus on the Asia-Pacific, tropical medicine, and rural and Indigenous health. For further information or to arrange interviews with the AMSA President, speakers or delegates, please contact Zoe Stewart on 0435 052 570 or publicrelations@amsa.org.au.
Media contact
Zoe Stewart
0435 052 570
publicrelations@amsa.org.au