From March 9 to 11, the Healthy People in Healthy Communities Conference will examine strategies for how women and men can better become active, boost their happiness, be connected with the community and achieve better health in the workplace.
“Issues relating to activity and happiness are some of the most important community, business and personal health issues facing Americans today,” says Krystal Gheen, MPH, conference planner and instructor of public health nutrition, Loma Linda University School of Public Health.
The purpose of the annual Healthy People in Healthy Communities Conference, hosted by the School of Public Health, is to promote better health through a multidisciplinary understanding of the effects of lifestyle and the built environment on human wellness.
This year’s conference — the 42nd annual — will be hosted by lifestyle physician Chidi Ngwaba, MD, a leading health expert in Europe. He will also deliver the opening plenary session March 9, setting the conference’s tone by showing how unhealthy the world has become, then demonstrating how innovation can effectively address this.
Two keynote addresses will be delivered. Robert Sallis, MD, will offer “Exercise is Medicine: Merging Fitness with Health Care” on March 10. “Exercise is Medicine” is a joint initiative that Sallis chairs for the American Medical Association and American College of Sports Medicine, the latter organization of which he is a past president. Sallis is also a practicing family physician with Kaiser Permanente.
The March 11 keynote address — “Blue Zones: Secrets of a Long Life” — will be delivered by Nick Buettner. He will offer a science-backed blueprint for adding 12 years of life for the average American. Buettner is the community and corporate program director at Blue Zones, LLC.
A special session will be offered by Karyn Buxman, MSN, on “Achieving Success, Significance and Happiness: Lead with Laughter.” Buxman is an internationally renowned speaker and author specializing in achieving peak health and performance through neuroscience.
A faith-health symposium will feature Harold Koening, MD, among several other panelists discussing the correlation between religion and wellness, and the implications for whole-person care. Lessons learned from the Adventist Health Studies at Loma Linda University will be highlighted. This is open to non-conference attendees for $25. The symposium is included in the package for general conference registrants.
A special lunch for alumni of the School of Public Health will take place March 10.
More information on the program and speakers is available at www.healthypeopleconference.org.
Registration, which includes up to 15.5 continuing education credits, is also available on the website. General registration costs $299. School of Public Health alumni pay $249, and students can register for $99.