Insurance

September 14, 2006

Routledge International Health Management

Location: London, England, UK
Dates: 14-15 September 2006

Venue: Novotel London West Hotel

This conference will address hugely topical health management issues within healthcare organisations internationally, whilst thoroughly promoting excellence in healthcare. Editors and Authors from the Routledge Health Management book series will expand on areas covered within the series, and new ways of thinking that have arisen since their publication. In addition, we have chosen an excellent group of speakers, not involved directly with the book series but who will contribute thought provoking ideas and solutions.

The Routledge Health Management conference will provide the complete platform to stay in touch with vital health management issues, and is essential for all those working within health management and research.

For full details visit: http://www.tandfevents.com/health

For a conference brochure, please email: jon.shepherd@informa.com

Key Speakers will include:

Sir Muir Gray,, Policy Officer - DG Energy & Transport, European Commission
Dr Helen Bevan, Director of Service Transofrmation, NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement
Davis Balestracci, Quality Improvement Specialist, Harmony Consulting, LLC, USA
Dr John Øvretveit, Director of Research, Medical Management Centre, The Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm/ Professor of Health Management, Faculty of MedicineBergen University, Norway
Scott. C. Ratzan, Vice President, Government Affairs Europe, Johnson & Johnson/ EditorJournal of Health Communication

Benefits of Attending

Learn from the international speaker panel, who will report on core developments within health management from around the world
Keep up to date with key principles necessary for successful health management within your organisation.
Examine topical international case studies and ideas on Health Information Management; Health Operations Management; Leadership in Healthcare; Managing for Health; Performance Management in Healthcare
Meet, question and observe significant presentations from authors and editors of the Routledge Health Management book series
Gain an exclusive insight into the next edition of the Routledge Health Management series . “Managing for Health” due to be published in January 2007
Share best practice with your international colleagues at our unique roundtable discussion sessions, and networking lunches
Gain insight into new ways of working to enable the improvement of patient outcomes
Take with you a CPD certificate of attendance to add to your academic portfolio

Places for this event are strictly limited, so to avoid disappointment I would urge you to secure your place today - simply book online at http://www.tandfevents.com/health.

Alternatively, please call +44 (0)20 7017 5523 for further information.

P.S. Unable to attend? You can order the speaker papers and/or slides. Just email papers.info@informa.com.

September 14, 2006: Health Care

September 20, 2006

6th International Conference on Priorities in Health Care

Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Dates: 20-22 September 2006

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Julio Frenk, Minister of Health, Mexico
Dr. Norman Daniels, Professor, Harvard School of Public Health
Dr. Susan Dorr Goold, Director, Bioethics Program, University of Michigan
Dr. Prabhat Jha, Canadian Research Chair, Health & Development, University of Toronto

Theme: Real World Priority Setting

Streams:

Methods, Approaches and Knowledge Transfer in Real World Priority Setting
Priority Setting for New Technologies
Priority Setting in mixed Public and Private Systems
Values in Priority Setting
Priority Setting and the Interaction between the Micro-Meso levels

It is our distinct pleasure to invite you to the 6th International Conference on Priorities in Health Care. No matter what your background you will find that Toronto ‘06 will be an exhilarating and stimulating opportunity to share experiences and cutting-edge innovations and network with a community of world leaders from over 80 countries who are shaping priority setting practices locally and globally.

The theme of this year’s conference is Real World Priority Setting - Shaping priority setting around real life innovative practices. This conference is a vital element in the development of modern health systems. Priority setting directly determines the sustainability and quality of health systems, locally, nationally and globally. Moreover, priority setting decisions create and support either equity or inequity, justice or injustice. This is a crucial ‘moment in time’ to build on past learning and forge innovative improvements in real world priority setting contexts — for the good of all the world’s people.

More information and to register online

or contact Carolyn Farrell at Carolyn.farrell@utoronto.ca

September 20, 2006: Health Care

September 25, 2006

Decade of HAART: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions: International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC)

Location: San Francisco, California, USA
Dates: 25-26 September 2006

Event Type: Meeting (CME and CE available)

Subject:

Health Care Accessibility
Health Care Delivery
Health Care Planning
Health Care Policies
HIV/AIDS Treatment or Therapies
International Cooperation
International Health
International Health Policies
International Health Programs

Description: The aim of this two-day meeting is to review the collective progress in 17 developed and developing-world countries with 10 years of experience in HAART delivery, as well as forecast the future impact of HAART.

For up-to-date information including online registration and program schedule, access the Web site at http://www.iapac.org/ or email decade@iapac.org.

September 25, 2006: Health Care

September 26, 2006

16th International Congress on Care of the Terminally Ill: Palliative Care Divising, Depts. of Medicine and Oncology, McGill University

Location: Montréal, Quebec, Canada
Dates: 26-29 September 2006

This event is being held at the Palais des Congrès in Montréal, Canada.

Founded by Dr. Balfour Mount in 1976, and presented by the Palliative Care Division of the Departments of Medicine and Oncology of McGill University, this biennial Congress has grown to become one of the premier international events in palliative care.

Healthcare professionals, therapists, volunteers and all those involved in care for the dying come to renew themselves as providers of care and to obtain the inspiration that will help them shape the palliative care of the future.

This year’s outstanding programme will feature five plenary sessions, seventy-four workshops, and numerous special seminars, research fora, and symposia.

Among the highlights:

a plenary by Dr. Terry Tafoya, executive director of Tamanawit Unltd.
a special presentation by Dr. Balfour Mount, Eric M. Flanders Professor of Palliative Medicine, McGill University (retired), and
in-depth symposia addressing topics such as Pediatric Palliative Care, Healing and Whole-Person Care, Non-Cancer End of Life Care, Self-Esteem, Respiratory Palliative Care, and Volunteerism.

Bringing together over 1200 participants from around the world, the Congress provides an opportunity to review and share the latest developments in research as well as perspectives on end-of-life care from different cultures, spiritual traditions, and professions.

For more information or to register, please visit http://www.pal2006.com/ or call 514-481-7408, ext. 227.

In April, the Detailed Programme will be mailed out and posted on the Web site. If you would like to be added to the mailing list, please e-mail us your postal address.

While the deadline for abstract submissions for oral presentations has passed, there is still time to submit an abstract for consideration as a poster presentation (Deadline: June 1, 2006).

September 26, 2006: Health Care

October 02, 2006

Open Materials, Medicine, and Nanotechnology Summit: ASM International

Location: Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Dates: 2-5 October 2006
Venue: Intercontinental Hotel & MBNA Conference Center

Renowned keynote speakers will describe the spectrum of materials-related challenges in orthopedics and spinal disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurology and neurosurgery, and minimally invasive surgery at the upcoming Materials, Medicine and Nanotechnology Summit, to be held in Cleveland Oct. 2-5, 2006.

Hosted by Cleveland Clinic, ASM International and the Nano-Network, the Summit will bring together clinicians, materials experts and medical device manufacturers and suppliers to discuss the latest materials advances, nanotechnology discoveries and medical applications for the healthcare industry.

The Summit will feature a Nanomedicine track focused on biomedical sensors, drug delivery, cellular diagnostics, tissue engineering, and clinical opportunities for nanoparticles. A parallel program track on Materials and Processes for Medical Devices (MPMD) will recognize the role of materials selection and processes in the development of new devices.

Plenary keynote speakers include:

Edward C. Benzel, M.D., Chairman of the Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute and Director of the Neurological Surgery Residency Training Program. Dr. Benzel will discuss the future of spine surgery and opportunities for using micro- and nanotechnology that enable neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons to perform therapies that were previously thought impossible, and to monitor patients more accurately and with greater safety.
Leonard A.R. Golding, M.D., Director of the Innovative Ventricular Assist System (IVAS) Program at Cleveland Clinic, who will discuss the state-of-the-art cardiac pump for use in patients with terminal heart failure that was developed at Cleveland Clinic.
Ali Rezai, M.D., Chairman of the Center for Neurological Restoration and Director of the Brain Neuromodulation Center at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Rezai will discuss the brain surgery technique called deep brain stimulation and the brain “pacemaker” device that has led to improved quality of life from patients suffering with Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches and other chronic pain syndromes, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, and stroke survivors.
Dana J. Medlin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Materials & Metallurgical Engineering Department, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. A leading expert on materials for orthopedic applications, Medlin will describe major trends in minimally invasive surgical procedures, which radically reduce the size of the surgical incision and potentially cause less damage to the soft tissue surrounding the replaced joint .
Sanjay Shrivastava, Ph.D., Principal Engineer, Abbott Vascular Devices, He will describe the impact of materials on the development of minimally invasive procedures and implants, which have replaced many complex surgical procedures during the past decade. Vascular implants for peripheral vessels in particular have been impacted by Nitinol. This alloy has enhanced the development of minimally invasive procedures for the placement of vascular stents.

Plenary keynote speakers representing ASM’s Materials and Processes for Medical Devices initiative include:

Dana J. Medlin, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Materials & Metallurgical Engineering Department, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. A leading expert on materials for orthopedic applications, Medlin will describe major trends in minimally invasive surgical procedures, which radically reduce the size of the surgical incision and potentially cause less damage to the soft tissue surrounding the replaced joint
Sanjay Shrivastava, Ph.D., Principal Engineer, Abbott Vascular Devices, He will describe the impact of materials on the development of minimally invasive procedures and implants, which have replaced many complex surgical procedures during the past decade. Vascular implants for peripheral vessels in particular have been impacted by Nitinol. This alloy has enhanced the development of minimally invasive procedures for the placement of vascular stents.

Program Details

“If the researchers don’t know what the clinicians are doing, and the clinicians don’t know what the scientists are doing, it’s like an uncoordinated person playing basketball. You need coordination.”

— Edward C. Benzel, M.D., Chairman of Cleveland Clinic Spine Institute, Director of the Neurological Surgery Residency Program, Director of the Spine Surgery Fellowship Program, and Vice Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery atCleveland Clinic

Education Classes: Monday, October 2

Materials and Processes for Medical Deviceseducation classescovering polymers, basic metallurgy, Nitinol, and fracture and fatigue for medical devices. Morning sessions are designed for engineers and materials professionals, with afternoon sessions designed for clinicians and medical practitioners.

Please visit the conference website at http://www.nanomedicinesummit.org/ for registration and exhibitor information.

October 02, 2006: Health Care

October 04, 2006

ESF-IfW Conferences on The Global Health Economy - New Technology and Medical Decision Making: Normative Models and Empirical Practice: European Science Foundation

Location: Salzau Castle (near Kiel), Germany
Dates: 4-9 October 2006
Deadline for Applications: 7 August 2006 (deadline extended)

Chair: Uwe Siebert UMIT, Hall, AT & Harvard Medical School, Boston, US
Co-Chair: Peter Zweifel University of Zürich, CH

A certain number of grants (covering the conference fee and possibly part of the travel costs) will be available for young researchers. Grant requests should be made by ticking appropriate field(s) in the section #5 “Grant application” of the application form.

With support from the Fritz Thyssen Stiftung für Wissenschaftsförderung and the State Government of Schleswig-Holstein through its Gesundheitsinitiative

Invited Speakers will include

H. Bleichrodt Erasmus U. Rotterdam, NL
J.L. Bosch Erasmus U. Rotterdam, NL
A. Briggs Glasgow U., UK
D.I. Brixner Utah U., Salt Lake City, US
K. Claxton York U., Heslington, UK
D.E. Detmer Virginia U., US
L. Eeckhoudt CORE Louvain-la-Neuve, BE
E.-M. Engels Tübingen U., DE
A.C. Gelijns Columbia U. New York, US
R. Körfer Bochum U., DE
M. Krahn Toronto U, CA
T. Lindholm Stockholm U., SE
F. Martín-Sanchez National Institute of Health Carlos III, Madrid, ES
D.O. Meltzer Chicago U., US
J.S. Pliskin Ben-Gurion U., IL
P. Propping Bonn U., DE
M.S. Roberts Pittsburgh U., US
J.M. Robins Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, US
D. Timmermans Amsterdam U., NL
M. Sculpher York U., UK
U. Siebert UMIT Hall, AT & Harvard Medical School, Boston, US
P. Zweifel Zürich U., CH

Scope: Rapid advances in medical knowledge and technology have long been recognized as a key challenge to the theory and practice of medical decision making. From an economic point of view, the need to revise and update decision making rules as new knowledge and diagnostic and therapeutic choices become available represents an investment problem - both in the management of individual patients and in the management of medical technology at the systemic level. Fundamental uncertainty and often irreversible consequences of specific choices abound. At either level, efficiency requires that investment decisions be based on the timely supply of evidence on a technology’s efficacy and cost-effectiveness. This necessitates further improvements in the methodology of health technology assessments, including more comprehensive economic evaluations, as well as in the set of institutions that govern health care practice and determine how quickly new information diffuses, how careful it is evaluated, filtered and targeted at those most likely to benefit from it, and how the risks associated with the adoption of new technology are allocated.

Our conference comprises five thematic sessions with invited presentations and additional short talks and poster viewing sessions. The main sessions are titled:

Trends in Medical Technology – Focusing Devices, Technological Trajectories, and Forecasting,
The Science of Medical Decision Making – Producing and Using Information for Efficient Risk Management,
Medical Infrastructure, Insurance, and the Diffusion of Innovation,
Methods for Estimating the Causal Effect of Medical Interventions from Observational Data,
Priority Setting, Health Technology Assessment, and Research Investments.

Young researchers from economics, medicine and related disciplines are invited to apply for this conference and contribute their own ideas and research findings for selected short talks and poster viewing sessions. Grants to cover the conference fee and a generous contribution towards travel costs will be available for the best young applicants. In addition, there will be talks selected from poster abstracts and prizes awarded for the best posters. The overall objective is to build international and interdisciplinary research networks in the area of medical decision making.

Application Form & Programme available online

European Science Foundation
ESF Research Conferences Unit
1 quai Lezay-Marnésia
BP 90015
67080 Strasbourg Cedex
France

Phone +33 (0)388 76 71 35
Fax +33 (0)388 36 69 87
Email: conferences@esf.org http://www.esf.org/conferences

October 04, 2006: Health Economics

October 06, 2006

4th Annual Southeastern Health Economics Study Group Conference

Location: Coral Gables, Florida, USA
Dates: 6-7 October 2006

Conference Web Site: http://www.miami.edu/herg

The purpose of The Southeastern Health Economic Study Group (SHESG) conference is to present and promote active exchange and discussion of the latest health economics research among senior and junior economists. Ten papers will be accepted for presentation. This year, the conference will be hosted by the University of Miami Health Economics Research Group and will consist of a full day of presentations on Friday, October 6 and a half-day of presentations on Saturday, October 7. Each paper will be allotted one hour, including 30 minutes for presentation and 30 minutes for discussant comments and discussion from the floor. The number of participants in the conference will be limited to presenters, discussants, and other invited guests. While submissions are invited from any geographical location, preference will be given to presenters from the southeastern region of the United States.

If you would like to participate, please submit an abstract (maximum of two pages) in electronic format (pdf preferred) to herg@miami.edu by May 15, 2006. Submissions should be unpublished. Decisions will be made by June 15, 2006; completed papers must be received by the conference organizers by August 15, 2006.

Some meals will be provided. All other expenses, including transportation and lodging, are the participants’ responsibility.

Conference Contact: Steven Milas (smilas@miami.edu)

Steering Committee

W. David Bradford (Medical University of SC),
Marisa Domino (University of North Carolina),
Alvin Headen (North Carolina State University),
Richard Lindrooth (Medical University of SC),
Michael Morrisey (University of Alabama at Birmingham),
Christopher Ruhm (University of North Carolina at Greensboro),
Frank Sloan (Duke University)

October 06, 2006: Health Economics

October 11, 2006

Annual Meeting of the International Society of Pharmacovigilance (ISoP) - "Joining Forces for Managing Risks"

Location: Liege, Belgium
Dates: 11-13 October 2006

The general theme for the 6th Annual Meeting chosen by the Scientific Committee is “Joining Forces for Managing Risks”.

Recent examples have illustrated the difficulty to successfully combine two objectives for new drugs: to offer innovator drugs to better treat or relieve diseases and to achieve the highest level of safety for patients. It has also been realised that early management of risks is essential to ensure availability and continuous use of safe and effective medicines.

The concept of risk management has been introduced in many regions in order to identify, assess and reduce drug-related risks at an early stage after marketing. But it is only through effective collaboration and common understanding between pharmaceutical companies, regulators and academia that these objectives will be achieved. Using the experience collected so far, the 6th ISoP Annual Meeting will discuss important aspects of risk management and draw lessons for the future.

The 6th ISoP Annual Meeting will follow the 29th Annual Meeting of National Centres participating in the WHO Programme for International Drug Monitoring (9-11 October 2006). A joint session will be organised on 11 October. It will represent a wonderful opportunity to share worldwide experience on drug safety.

Further information can be found at http://www.isop2006.org/.

October 11, 2006: Health Policy

October 12, 2006

IAPAC European Sessions 2006: The International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) and the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS)

Location: Budapest, Hungary
Dates: 12-13 October 2006

Event Type: Clinical Meeting

Subjects: Implications of a Decade of HAART, Navigating ARV Drug Resistance, Sociobehavioral Aspects of HIV Care and Emerging Issues in HIV Care

Description: The annual IAPAC European Sessions is a unique symposium that allows HIV-treating healthcare professionals to learn from each other while working toward solutions to on-going clinical questions. This meeting empowers attendees to benefit from the collective knowledge and experience of their peers. After short presentations on critical treatment issues, the floor is opened to debate and discussion. This interactive symposium work is crucial given that years after the development of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) there remain contentious and mystifying problems in the medical treatment of patients with HIV/AIDS.

For additional information, contact Aimee Clark by e-mail at aclark@iapac.org or visit the official conference Web site at http://www.iapac.org/.

October 12, 2006: Meeting

October 22, 2006

23rd International Conference of ISQua (International Society for Quality in Health Care)

Location: London, England, UK
Dates: 22-25 October 2006

Venue: QEII Conference Centre in Westminster

The 23rd International Conference of ISQua (International Society for Quality in Health Care) which is to be in London at the QEII Conference Centre in Westminster from 22 - 25 October.

Delegates are provided with many opportunities to learn innovative approaches to achieving best practice which can be implemented in their own professional settings, also to exchange with peers on key initiatives in outcomes research and to learn how colleagues from around the world are defining, measuring and improving the quality and safety of care today.

In addition to an exceptional team of plenary speakers and session leaders, over 200 authors from 40 countries have been selected to present brief paper or poster sessions. These are being grouped in program tracks. In this way, it will be possible for delegates to hear national and world leaders in a patient safety track over three days, or to work through performance measures issues, or alternatively to chart their own course of stimulating sessions across these and several other tracks.

ISQua in London is being strongly supported by The Healthcare Commission, the health watchdog in England and Wales. The Commission is also coordinating a program of sessions within the main program which will explore performance assessment.

Delegates can also take advantage of the special four day registration package to attend the ISQua 2006 Accreditation Symposium or Indicators/Measures Summit which will each be held at the Royal College of Surgeons on Sunday 22 October.

All program details can be found on ISQua’s website at http://www.isqua.org/isquaPages/london06.html.

Program details are also being regularly updated and full session outlines are to be posted shortly and will be extended as the weeks go by through to the London Conference dates.

The site includes links to hotel reservation arrangements and booking details for a range of tours for visitors.

EARLY REGISTRATIONS CLOSE 13 SEPTEMBER

A registration form is available on ISQua’s website and provides a reduced registration fee for ISQua members and others who register up until the early-bird deadline of 13 September. Online registration for credit card payments will also be available shortly.

October 22, 2006: Health Care

October 28, 2006

Regional Conference on Cost-effective Healthcare 2006: Health Systems

Location: Singapore
Dates: 28-31 October 2006

Organiser: SGH Postgraduate Medical Institute
http://www.cehealth2006.com/

Registration

Early Registration: 31 Aug 2006
Closing Date for Registration: 15 September 2006

Cancellation Policy

Request for cancellation / replacement must be made in writing to the Conference Secretariat.

On and before 30 September 2006: 75% refund of registration fee
After 30 September 2006: No refund

All refunds will be made after the Conference.

Session Topics

Complexity of Health Systems
Regulatory Aspects of Health Insurance
Pre-funding of Healthcare Expenses: The German Private Health Insurance Model
Development of Health Insurance in Singapore
Design of Health Insurance Plans
Insight into Cost Quality Relationships
Cost-effectiveness of Breast Cancer Screening
Increasing Cost-efficiencies with Ambulatory Surgery
Value of Recombinant Factor VIIa in Trauma Patients
Supplier-induced Demand in Medicine — Size of the Problem
Pricing Reimbursement and Health Outcomes
Getting the Community Involved in Priority Setting

Pre-conference Events

Nursing Economics Workshop — “Use of Economic Tools in Quality Management”
Workshop — “Early Insulin Initiation in Diabetes”

Message from Organising Chairman

Our decision to bring back this forum was triggered by the enthusiasm of the delegates our first Regional Conference on Cost-effective Healthcare 2004. As the previous format was successful, we decided to run this second event along similar lines. The title “Cost-effective Healthcare” has been retained as our conference name, but we have in addition chosen “Health Systems” as the theme for this second event.

There are reasons for this choice. Maturation in national health systems has been a major contribution to improved health status in developing countries in recent decades. Alongside the economic and social development of these countries has been the impact of cross-national influences and globalization. In many countries today, policy makers are under pressure to improve their health systems in one way or another. Increasingly, patients are demanding healthcare that meets their needs and preferences, but the problem of responding to them policy-wise is that it increases cost pressure at a time of climbing health expenditure. Shortfalls in healthcare quality are also a consideration. They result in unnecessary morbidity and mortality and add to costs. Furthermore, disparities in health and healthcare access across income and other population groups is still persistent in many countries today.

Increased health spending is not necessarily a problem when the added benefits exceed the extra costs. Undeniably, the new drugs, devices and procedures that are responsible for much of the cost growth have also been responsible for better health and reduced disability. But, when the bulk of the health spending is publicly financed, rising costs will increase the pressure on government to contain costs or to divert resources from other priorities. Health systems are complex entities. Although co-payments have been used to relieve public financing systems, they are no magic bullets. Vulnerable populations need to be protected to avoid restrictions on access that could be costly in the long run. While the introduction of private health insurance can increase consumer choice and the responsiveness of health systems, it helps little to decrease public spending. State interventions in the form of regulation and subsidies are critical if equity of access is to be assured.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. Countries have their own unique circumstances, but they all share common goals of accessible health care of high quality, and health systems that are responsive, affordable and good value for money.

Once again, we shall have much to learn from each other’s experiences in this forum.

Dr Peter Mack
Organising Chairman, Scientific Committee
Regional Conference on Cost-effective Healthcare 2006

Speakers (to date)

International

Dr Nik Rosnah Wan Abdullah, International Institute for Public Policy and Management, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Mr Peter Davey, Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Asia Pacific Japan, M-TAG (A division of IMS Health), Australia
Mr Manolis Karamalis, Novo Nordisk International Operations, Switzerland
Dr Gavin Mooney, Social and Public Health Economics Research Group, Curtin University, Australia
Dr Glenn Salkeld, School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Australia
Dr Eugene Salole, Guidant, Australia
Dr Miguel A Valentin, Boston Scientific Corporation, USA

Local

Ms Phyllis Chan, NMG Risk Managers & Actuaries, Singapore
Dr Chan Yew Weng, Department of Anaesthesia & Surgical Intensive Care, Singapore General Hospital
Mr Thomas Chua Kian Lye, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore
Dr Kenneth Leong, Planning & Development Division Ministry of Health, Singapore
Dr Li Shu Chuen, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore
Ms Genedine Lim, Health Regulation Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore
Dr Phua Kai Hong, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore
Mr Andres Webersinke, Cologne Reinsurance Company, Singapore
Dr Yong Wei Sean, National Cancer Centre, Singapore Scientific Committee

Organising Chairman

Dr Peter Mack, Department of General Surgery & SGH Postgraduate Medical Institute, Singapore General Hospital

Scientific Chairman

Dr Phua Kai Hong, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore

Committee Members

Dr Vincent Chong, Department of Radiology, National University Hospital
Ms Geraldine Koh, Department of Pharmacy, Alexandra Hospital, Singapore
Dr Li Shu Chuen, Department of Pharmacy, National University of Singapore
Ms Genedine Lim, Health Regulation Division, Ministry of Health, Singapore
Dr Lim Shih Hui, Department of Neurology, National Neuroscience Institute
Dr Julian Thumboo, Department of Rheumatology & Immunology, Singapore General Hospital

Call for Abstracts: Delegates are invited to submit their abstract(s) for consideration for oral presentation.

Organising Secretariat
SGH Postgraduate Medical Institute, Singapore General Hospital
Block 6 Level 1, Outram Road, Singapore 169608
Tel: 65 6321 4491, Fax: 65 6223 9789,
Email: cehealth@sgh.com.sg
Contact: Ms Pam Wong

October 28, 2006: Health Care

November 01, 2006

Developing Pro-Poor Health Insurance in India: An International Conference on Micro Health Insurance

Location: New Delhi, India
Dates: 1-2 November 2006

Venue: India Habitat Centre Auditorium, Lodhi Road, New Delhi - 110 003 (Tel: (+11) 24682001)

India clearly emerges as the world’s leader in the development of low-cost health insurance through micro health insurance units for poor and for rural population-segments. Around 40 such schemes, covering several million clients, are active in India. And the numbers are on the rise.

Most of the existing micro health insurance schemes decided to run their own independent insurance. Non-commercial mutual “micro health insurance schemes” are attractive because they involve the clients in some aspects of the business process, are more responsive to clients’ priorities and can mobilize ongoing contacts among members to enhance broad-based affiliation and renewal, and to monitor outlier utilization.

In this conference new information will be disseminated on the effectiveness of community health schemes in delivering health insurance for poor and rural population segments in India. The new evidence was gathered and analyzed in 2005 and 2006 under the project “Strengthening micro health insurance units for the poor in India”, funded be the EU/ECCP. The main source of information is a household survey conducted in seven locations where micro health insurance units operate; the survey covered upwards of 4,930 households, and is the largest comparative survey of this kind conducted in India so far.

The results of the analysis are presented thematically, following the main functions of the business cycle of insurance. Within each topic, practitioners and experts discuss the adaptation of the business processes to suit the specific requirements of health insurance for the poor. Special attention is devoted to the question of policy choices for the rollout of sustainable insurance for the poor.

Conference programme - outline:

Session I: “What’s in a Name?” Types of micro health insurance This session will deal with strengths and weaknesses of different models of operating micro health insurance schemes. The panelists, representing groups that operate different models of organization or ownership, will share their experience; and the discussion that will follow will highlight the different objectives that underlie the alternatives of delivering health insurance.
Session II: “Rules & Relationships” Responding to clients’ priorities This session will focus on the experience with giving choices to clients to design a benefit package, as individuals and as groups. We will discuss ways to attract, retain and satisfy clients within a micro insurance scheme, while at the same time generating revenues and offering judicious choices.
Session III: “The salesman’s job begins when the client says no” In this session, panelists will discuss experience with sales and distribution among the uninsured. There are a few success stories, and some tips and ideas about increasing clients’ awareness about the benefits of health insurance.
Session IV: “Act locally - think globally”: settling claims This session focuses on claims processing: what lessons can be learned from the experience with arrangements for cashless access to healthcare? Local scrutiny of claims? And with guidance to the clients about which healthcare providers to access?
Session V: “Size matters” (… and sustainability too) Europe’s social health insurance started from a community basis as well. What insights can the European experience with social health insurance schemes offer for the development of community based health insurance schemes? And how can these make a scalable, sustainable contribution toward insuring the uninsured poor in India?
Session VI: “The future belongs to those who believe their dreams” This session will focus on the medium and long-term prospects of health insurance among the poor. A fair and orderly development of the supply of insurance will most likely raise issues of regulating this insurance market, to ensure fair competition among insurers (notably prevent selection of good risks, or ‘cream skimming’). This session will also include a discussion of the role of subsidies in developing equitable supply of health insurance.

Further details and online registration is available on: http://www.ficci.com/ (after entering the FICCI website, click on “events” and then look for this event)

A conference brochure + registration form in hard copy is available from:

Ms. Natasha Wig / Ms. Kaneaka Sehgal,
Insurance & Banking Committee,
FICCI, Federation House,
Tansen Marg New Delhi 110001 (India)

Tel: +91 (11) 2373 8760;
+91 (11) 2376 5339;
FAX +91 (11) 2332 0714;
Email: mhi@ficci.com

More information on the project is available on http://www.microhealthinsurance-india.org/

November 01, 2006: Insurance

November 03, 2006

American Public Health Association: 134th Annual Meeting

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Dates: 4-8 November 2006

The APHA Annual Meeting is the premier platform to share successes and failures, discover exceptional best practices and learn from expert colleagues and the latest research in the field. At APHA in Boston, learn how to stay on top of the trends in public health. Scientific sessions, networking opportunities and events, and the largest public health exposition equip you with the tools needed to succeed. Come explore a world of ideas and innovation with more than 13,000 peers and leaders in public health. APHA has a world of public health in store for you.

The 2006 Call for Abstracts is now open. The deadline for submission of abstracts is February 13-17, 2006.
2006 Program-at-a-Glance (.pdf file) - Provides a quick overview of the meeting schedule.
Expanded Access to Annual Meeting Sessions - Registrants for the E-ssentialLearning package at the 2005 Annual Meeting are now able to view the recorded sessions. Instructions and notification of user name and password were e-mailed on 1/17/06. Access to the recorded sessions will be through the Online Program. NOTE: Fees for E-ssentialLearning needed to be paid at the time that you registered for the meeting.
Photographs from the 2005 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia are now available. Take a look and order copies online.
2005 Annual Meeting CE Evaluation: The deadline for submission of session evaluations for continuing education institutes and scientific sessions held at the 2005 Annual Meeting in Philadelphia was January 10, 2006. It is no longer possible to submit session evaluations for continuing education credits for the 2005 Annual Meeting.
Registration and Housing - Registration and Housing will open on June 1, 2006. NOTE: Registration fees for the 2006 Annual Meeting have not yet been finalized. Check this page for a link to 2006 Annual Meeting registration fees after March 1, 2006. For reference purposes you may view the 2005 registration fees here.

November 03, 2006: Health Economics , Public Health

November 14, 2006

A Measure of Hospital Health: the 2006 Biennial Health Conference

Location: Sydney, Australia
Dates: 14 - 16 November 2006
Venue: University of NSW, Kensington Campus

This Conference will provide an opportunity for discussion of some key issues facing the health sector, particularly in relation to the financing and management of Australian hospitals. It will bring together academics, clinicians, consumers, government officials, as well as health service funders, managers and service providers.

Examination of Australian experiences in the light of recent experiences in other OECD countries will be of interest to both overseas and local delegates. The Conference format will include major plenary sessions, concurrent smaller presentations, discussion groups, workshops, exhibitions and social activities.

http://www.healthconference.com.au/0_home.html

Call for Abstracts

Interested parties are invited to submit abstracts for presentations at the 2006 Biennial Health Conference. Proposals may address one or more of the Conference themes listed under Program. Presentations will be selected through a review of abstracts process conducted by a group of independent experts.

For quality assurance purposes, a full version of all accepted papers must be submitted for review group comment prior to the Conference. Presenters of selected abstracts will also be invited to submit a full paper for independent peer review though authors may choose to decline this invitation and still present an abstract reviewed paper. The Conference proceedings will include accepted abstracts and full papers for papers that pass the independent peer review.

Papers that may have been previously published will not be accepted.

The expected length of presentation is:

abstract review papers: 15 minutes with an additional 5 minutes for questions
peer review papers: 50 minutes with an additional 10 minutes for questions

More than one abstract may be submitted. Presenters of accepted abstracts must register for the conference and are eligible for a reduced registration fee. They must also agree to provide a final paper for the proceedings.

Call for Papers and Registration Information Brochure

Download a brochure about the Conference (196KB PDF)

Please read the Guidelines for the Submission of Abstracts (196KB PDF) before submitting your abstract. You will need to have your abstract prepared as a Word document, ready to upload, in order to submit your abstract online.

Please note that proposals for presentations (abstract only) are due Friday 30 June

November 14, 2006: Health Care

November 23, 2006

Economics of Genetic Technologies Seminar Series

Location: Oxford, England, UK
Dates: 23-24 November 2006

Venue: Christ Church College, University of Oxford

The mapping and sequencing of the human genome has increased the development of genetic technologies. As such the Economic and Social Research Council has funded a total of 4 seminars during 2006 and 2007 focused on the economics of genetic technologies. The seminars are organised by Dr. Sarah Wordsworth, Health Economics Research Centre (University of Oxford) and Dr. Katherine Payne, North West Genetics Knowledge Park (University of Manchester).

The seminars aim to: provide a forum to present and discuss on-going and cutting-edge economic analysis in genetics and build a network of individuals comprising: health economists and other economists; ethicists, sociologists and actuaries applying economic techniques in genetics research.

The seminars are being held at six-monthly intervals at the UK Universities of Manchester (18-19 May, 2006), Oxford (23-24 November, 2006), Nottingham (2007) and East Anglia (2007). They are two-day residential events where original research and research in progress is presented and discussed. The seminars are aimed at researchers from the UK and international community involved in the economic aspects of human genetic science. Each seminar will be structured around a key theme. PhD students also working in this area are encouraged to apply.

The theme for this second seminar: ‘Economic Evaluation in Genetic Testing’. Papers are now invited from health economists, economists and others applying health economic methods to the evaluation of genetic technologies and exploring alternative methodologies to do so.

A 250 word abstract should be sent to Sarah Wordsworth by Friday 22nd September 2006 (sarah.wordswordsworth@dphpc.ox.ac.uk)

Full paper deadline: 3rd November 2006

A registration fee of only #60 is required from each participant. Along with the ESRC funding this will cover the event, all meals (including seminar dinner on the first evening) and accommodation for one night. Each seminar will be limited to 30 participants.

Further information: Please see the Health Economics Research Centre Website (http://www.herc.ox.ac.uk/) under workshops.

November 23, 2006: Seminar

December 10, 2006

The Third International Jerusalem Conference on Health Policy

Location: Jerusalem, Israel
Dates: 10-13 December 2006

Registration is open until October 1, 2006

Organized by The Israel National Institute for Health Policy Research, this year’s conference theme is: Health Systems - Are We in a Post Reform Era?

Join international experts on health care policy and health systems and participate in this fascinating, interdisciplinary conference!

Conference Chairpersons: Shani M. (Israel), Saltman R.B. (USA)

Plenary Speakers: Altman S. (USA), Le Grand J. (UK), Sachs J.D. (USA), Saltman R.B. (USA), Shani M. (Israel), Stein H. (Germany)

Topic 1: The Control of Chronic Disease in the 21st Century
Speakers: Epstein L., Chairperson (Israel)
McKee M., Chairperson (UK) Brill S. (Israel), Disler P. (Australia), Green M. (Israel), Ikegami N. (Japan), Rennert G. (Israel), Sherf M. (Israel), Spreeuwenberg C. (The Netherlands), Starfield B. (USA), Thorogood M. (UK), Yach D. (USA)

Topic 2: Are We Facing Scarcity of Innovative Ideas for Reforms?
Speakers: Figueras J., Chairperson, (Belgium) Ofer G., Chairperson, (Israel) Busse R. (Germany), Israeli A. (Israel), Marmor T.R. (USA), Mor-Yosef S. (Israel), Mossialos E. (UK), Rozen B. (Israel), van de Ven W. (The Netherlands), Wilsford D. (UK)

Topic 3: The Efficiency of Competition and Contracts in Health Care

Speakers: Glazer J., Chairperson, (Israel) McGuire T. G., Chairperson, (USA) Frank R. (USA), Goldman D. (USA), Iversen T. (Norway), Propper C. (UK), Shmueli A. (Israel)

Topic 4: Will We See the Decline of Doctoring in the 21st Century?
Speakers: McKinlay J. B., Chairperson, (USA) Shemer J., Chairperson, (Israel) Boufford J.I. (USA), Bourgeault I. (Canada), Gabbay J. (UK), Halevy J. (Israel), Willis E. (Australia)

Speakers’ list compilation still in process

FOR REGISTRATION AND FURTHER INFORMATION:

http://www.israelhpr.org.il/

December 10, 2006: Health Policy

April 14, 2007

Innovation, Advancement, and Best Practices To Achieve Global Goals - Unite For Sight's Fourth Annual International Health Conference

Location: Palo Alto, California, USA
Dates: 14-15 April 2007
Submission deadline: 15 July 2006

Venue: Stanford University School Of Medicine

How to submit an abstract for poster or oral presentation:
http://www.uniteforsight.org/2007_annual_conference.php

Abstract Categories

International Medicine and International Health
Public Health
Eye Care
Scientific and Medical Research
Advocacy and Health Policy
Social innovation and entrepreneurship
International Development

http://www.uniteforsight.org/2007_annual_conference.php

Who should attend?

Anyone interested in eye care, international health, medicine, health education, health promotion, public health, international service, nonprofits, or microenterprise

Conference Goal: To exchange ideas across disciplines about best practices in public health, medicine and research, and international health and development.

Conference topics range from “The Right to Health: Towards Social Inclusion and Universal Health Care in Latin America” and “Antiretroviral Drugs and Issues of Drug Access and Quality in the Developing World” to “Global Progress in Preventing the Burden of Blindness and Other Diseases Caused by Measles and Rubella” and “Once I Was Blind….The Challenges of Eye Care in Ghana”

Join over 1,500 leaders, doctors, professionals, and students from 5 continents
More than 150 speakers about eye care, public health, international development, entrepreneurship, microfinance, policy and advocacy, bioethics, and medicine
Exchange ideas about best practices to achieve global goals in health and development

Confirmed Speakers in Global Health, International Development, Public Health, Medicine, Health Policy and Advocacy Sessions

Confirmed Speakers in Global Eye Care and Research Sessions

April 14, 2007: Public Health

May 19, 2007

International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Resesarch (ISPOR): 12th International Meeting

Location: Arlington VA, USA
Date: May 19-23, 2007

For details please visit: http://www.ispor.org/meetings/future/index.htm

May 19, 2007: Health Research

May 24, 2007

5th European Conference on Tropical Medicine and International Health - Partnership and Innovation in Global Health: Federation of the Societies of Tropical Medicine and International Health

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Dates: 24-28 May 2007

This congress is the 5th congress which is organized under the auspices of the Federation of the Societies of Tropical Medicine and International Health. It will be organized in the Netherlands to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Dutch Society for Tropical Medicine and International Health (NVTG).

In the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam, there is a longstanding tradition in tropical medicine and international health.

The theme chosen is Partnership and Innovation in Global Health, expressing the need for collaboration to develop the quality of global health and achieve some of the Millennium Development Goals. Global collaboration means collaboration between North and South, South and South, North and North, and East and West. Furthermore, innovation is important to be able to attempt to control the major problems of international health.

The upcoming congress in Amsterdam is welcoming every health professional to create a platform where all issues concerning global health may be addressed, such as issues of public health, clinical tropical medicine, health economics, poverty, basic science, diagnostics and therapeutics.

http://www.trop-amsterdam2007.com/

Overview of the Topics: The conference programm will be composed of parallel and plenary sessions, satelite symposia and side meetings, “Where are we?” sessions, interactive clinical case sessions and poster presentations.

Conference topics include e.g.

malaria, TB and AIDS vaccine development
North-South collaboration
governance, equity and health
health sector reforms and policy
travel health
public-private partnerships
tuberculosis pharmacology
antibiotic resistance
military medicine
tropical neurology
mental health
geograpical dermatology
venomous and poisonous animals
fungal disease
leptospirosis
intestinal helminths
tuberculosis control and epidemiology
MDR-TB
antiretroviral resistance
HIV prevention
malaria pathology, immunology, biology and treatment
vector control
infectious diseases modelling
immigrant health
safe motherhood

Contact Details: The 5th European Conference on Tropical Medicine and International Health will be held from May 24-28 2007 at the Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Congress Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

For more information check the conference website www.trop-amsterdam2007.com or contact the congress organisation at:

K.I.T. Swiss S.A., Association & Conference Management Group, Genève. Email: info@trop-amsterdam2007.com

Conference website: http://www.trop-amsterdam2007.com/
Netherlands Society of Tropical Medicine and International Health: http://www.nvtg.org/
Federation of European Societies for Tropical Medicine and International Health: http://www.festmih.net/

Uniting Stream “Young Tropical Scientist 2007” Award.

Uniting Streams is a workgroup for fieldresearch in International Health and operates under the unbrella of the Netherlands Society for Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. The workgroup has over 150 members from The Netherlands and Belgium working in various disciplines within the field of International Health. Our aim is to stimulate multidisciplinary discussion on various topics related to (fieldwork in) International Health.

On behalf of Uniting Streams, we invite all talented young scientists to apply for the Young Tropical Scientist of the Year Award. The organisation will select five speakers to present their work in a separate parallel session. A professional committee will award one of these scientists with a prize and 500 euros.

All scientists who have not yet defended their PhD thesis can apply for this prize. They can submit recent research in the field of tropical medicine which should be related to field work in developing countries.

To apply for this prize, we require: