CALLFor ABSTRACTS th INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on HEALTH ISSUES MARCH 1-7, 2015 AL BUSTAN PALACE, MUSCAT, THE SULTANATE OF OmaN Organized by: ACCESS ARAB COMMUNITY CENTER FOR EcONOMIC & SOCIAL SERVICES Community Health & Research Center & THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH, the Sultanate of Oman Ministry of Health Sultanate of Oman AFFILIATED SCIENTIFIC PARTNERS WelcomeACCESS (previously known as Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services) is pleased to present the 7th International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities. This scientific forum continues the fine tradition established in 1998 and reaffirms our strong commitment to prevent disease, reduce health disparities, and promote wellness in the community at large. ACCESS has strategically designed this conference to enhance its partnership with the Ministry of Health of the Sultanate of Oman. Arab Americans share a cultural and linguistic heritage, as well as common risk factors and disease patterns tied to their Arab ancestry. As is the case for other immigrant groups, when Arab populations settle in areas such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe, they experience socioeconomic transformations, changes in lifestyle, and educational factors that lead to a change in the prevalence of disease, marked by the emergence of chronic illnesses. The upcoming conference, which will be held in Muscat, The Sultanate of Oman, adds an international perspective by offering medical practitioners, public health and mental health professionals the opportunity to meet with their counterparts in the Arab region. This academic forum will allow participants to discuss research findings, health programs and activities, and to develop collaborative initiatives across countries. TARGET AUDIENCE This conference addresses topics of interest to a diverse audience of: • Physicians and Nurses • Research and health analysts • Public health professionals • Environmental experts • Epidemiologists • Students • Mental health professionals • Community advocates and representatives • Health administrators and policy makers • Other health care interest groups 7th International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities 1 CONFERENCE THEMES CAPACITY BUILDING: How can we raise awareness and support for research, literacy, higher education and innovation in health and science, and build enduring bridges between experts (physicians, nurses, public health, mental health, epidemiologist, etc.) in the global Arab community? SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH: What are the primary cultural, social and biological determinants of health inequities in Arab populations, and how can we develop and share culturally sensitive tools to reduce these health inequities? INFECTIOUS DISEASES: What are the strategies to improve efforts at prevention, surveillance monitoring, and management of communicable diseases? OccUPATIONAL HEALTH, TRAUMA AND ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: What is the particular role of trauma in Arab health, especially trauma related to motor vehicle crashes, construction site accidents, health care-related falls, and environmental and occupational health related hazards? How can we share information about prevention and technological advances with the community, health care providers and policy makers? MENTAL HEALTH AND CHRONIC DISEASE: What are the major mental health and chronic disease challenges in Arab communities around the world? ETHICS AND PALLIATIVE CARE: How do we develop effective palliative care models that are sensitive to the cultural contexts and ethical concerns of the Arab patient population, and how do we raise and manage the health care resources necessary to implement these palliative care models? OBJECTIVES TO ENHANCE understanding of the cultural and social TO IDENTIFY barriers and solutions to effective health factors that influence relevant health behaviors and promotion and disease prevention in Arab and other physical and mental health conditions in Arab populations. immigrant communities. TO shARE knowledge about the social and TO ESTABLIsh links between scientists and other environmental determinants of disease, and leverage stakeholders in the Arab world and their counterparts resources to address these determinants for the in countries with Arab immigrants. purpose of improving health in Arab populations. TO CREATE collaborative initiatives aimed at improving the management of mental health and chronic disease conditions in Arab patient populations around the world. 2 7th International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities AbSTRACT SUbmiSSION AND PRESENTATION GUIDELINES A. Abstracts may be submitted by: • Individuals referenced in the section describing the conference’s target audience • Organizations representing or belonging to the conference’s target audience B. Format • All abstracts must be submitted electronically online at www.arabhealthconference.org • Selected presentations will be organized in the following formats: – Oral presentations should be in PowerPoint format not to exceed 15 minutes of verbal presentation followed by a Q&A session. An LCD projector, laptop, and microphone will be provided in all session rooms. – If you have special audio/visual needs you must contact the conference coordinator once your abstract is approved. – Poster presentations will be displayed at a designated area with planned time for viewing by the audience and discussion with authors. Presentation should fit entirely on 4 foot x 3 foot poster boards. • Multiple submissions by the same individual, institution or organization are allowed. • Abstracts, including footnotes, must be 500 words or less. The program chairperson and the editors reserve the right to edit abstracts, if necessary, for clarity, grammar, style, and length. The final copy will be shared with the abstract author. • Each abstract must have the following sections: – Title — Must be limited to 10 words or less – Authors — Must include names and affiliations – Introduction – Objectives or hypothesis – Materials and methods – Results – Conclusions C. Presentation Topics The scientific committee encourages the submission of abstracts related to the following general themes of the conference: • Social Determinants of Health • Genetics and Health with Emphasis on Chronic Disease • Mental Health • Ethics and Palliative Care • Prevention in trauma and mitigation of its complications • Infectious Diseases • A number of examples are listed below. The scientific committee invites work conducted in or related to the above themes in the areas of: o Mental Health o Nursing o Post-traumatic Stress o Cancer o Diabetes 7th International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities 3 AbSTRACT SUbmiSSION AND PRESENTATION GUIDELINES (CONTINUED) o Hypertension o Cardiac diseases o Other chronic diseases o Patient safety o Medical ethics o Occupational health, trauma and environmental hazards o Information Technology o Advancement in medical record documentation o Economics and health o Effects of poverty on health o Innovative nursing approaches o Effective health promotion methods o Women’s health o Capacity building in health research and practice o Infectious diseases o Other relevant fields of scholarship • These examples are not all-inclusive. Prospective attendees are encouraged to submit for consideration any related work that is aligned with the six conference themes and will benefit the target audience. D. Selection Process • An abstract review committee appointed by the scientific advisory committee will review all submissions. • Accepted abstracts will be assigned to an oral or poster presentation by the abstract review committee. E. Payment: There is no fee for abstract submission. F. Meeting Registration • Final acceptance to present an abstract is contingent upon completing registration for the conference including the full payment of applicable registration fees. G. Deadlines • Abstract Submission Deadline: Sep. 1, 2014 • Acceptance Notification: Nov. 1, 2014 • Speaker Commitment: Nov. 15, 2014 4 7th International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities Hotel Accommodations AL BUSTAN PALACE, A RiTZ CARLTON HOTEL Complete information about special hotel rates and social program activities will be published in the call for registration brochure, released Oct. 15, 2014. 7th International Conference on Health Issues in Arab Communities 5 Social/Cultural P rogram The social/cultural program will complement the scientific importance of the conference by introducing attendees to the origins of Arab Americans, their history, culture, environment and religions. Muscat Governorate is considered the pulsating heart of Oman. It is linked to Port Sultan Qaboos by Muttrah Corniche, where the visitor to Muscat can view the wonderful variety of nature: golden beaches, mountainous heights, and golden sand dunes (Bawshar Sands). What is striking about Muscat Governorate and its states is the breathtaking intermingling of ancient cultural heritage and modern style. You will see houses, gates, old markets, small shops and winding roads redolent of authentic history, side-by-side with modern markets, shops, buildings and streets stamped with modern architecture. This allows Oman to preserve its historic character, while at the same time enjoying its contemporary spirit. Muscat is renowned as one of the cleanest Arab capitals, and has gained the honor of winning the “Cleanest Arab City” contest several consecutive times. Muscat, as a city, has played a prominent historical role due to its strategic location.