Athens 2024: First session announced!
As we look forward to releasing more details and opening the registration and abstract submissions for the 12th IPCRG World conference in Athens, each month we will highlight a session to give you a taste of what to expect from the conference programme. This month we are announcing a session on planetary health, one of the topics where the conference theme ‘Creating Change’ is reflected.
The planetary health session aims to look at the dynamic relationship between human health and the health of our planet, exploring the multidisciplinary field of planetary health and examining the interconnections between environmental, social, and human health factors.
We are excited to introduce two GP experts in the field to talk in this session. Andrée Rochfort from Ireland is a Family Doctor and is a founding member of the EQuiP working group on environmentally sustainable healthcare. He is a founding member of the Irish College of General Practitioners sustainability working group, and has a passion for planetary health. Mayara Floss practices family medicine in Brazil and has led a Massive Open Online Course in planetary health education while also advocating on planetary health, including making this education essential for primary health professionals.
While the session looks to provide an understanding of the planetary health concept, it is orientated towards identifying practical ways to address global environmental challenges, which means promoting health and well-being strategies and initiatives aimed at safeguarding human health within the context of planetary health. A key element is examining how equity and social justice issues interplay with planetary health and how inclusivity and community engagement are needed to achieve planetary health goals. The session will be complemented by a practical workshop.
The conference programme is already well-developed and an overview will be released alongside the opening of registration and abstract submissions on 1 November 2023. An experienced team of primary care clinicians is working to meet our learning needs and to update on the latest research. The conference has the theme of creating change and an exciting variety of plenaries, debates, interactive sessions and workshops will be relevant to countries of all income levels.
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IPCRG and Planetary health
IPCRG considers awareness on planetary health one of the current priorities of our mission, as well as interventions for reducing environmental threats on respiratory and overall health. We state the following:
As professionals of the primary health care team:
a) we can use our position of having access to most of the population to increase our patients' awareness of problems which threaten both individual health and the planet, promote behaviour changes, and empower them to live a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle;
b) we can play an active role in supporting the educational efforts of general educational institutions, and in shaping training curricula and continuous professional development to include Planetary Health;
c) we call upon Member States to develop and implement evidence-based, integrated policy solutions that address environmental sustainability together with human health and development goals. Primary health care is the “green medicine”. We see the potential of being a significant social actor, addressing the need for improved societal conditions for good and equal health in ways that simultaneously promote sustainability.
Put 8th January in your diaries!
The IPCRG abstract deadline is 8 January 2024 and we strongly encourage those considering submitting an abstract to aim for this deadline. Authors who submit by this date will be notified by 5 February 2024. For the first time, we are introducing late breaking abstracts to allow those whose data is not available before 8 January to be able to submit an abstract for the World Conference (deadline 7 March). However, acceptance is not guaranteed as the numbers of late breaking abstracts that can be accepted into the programme slots will be very limited.
Make your travel arrangements early!
We are encouraging people to make their travel arrangements, apply for visas and obtain permission or funding from their organisation as early as possible. The conference is at the end of the Orthodox Easter and return flights will be popular, so booking your travel well in advance is advised to secure both your preferred connections and an affordable cost for your travel and accommodation. This is important whether you are close or far away from Athens!