‘Chronic Diseases — Prevention and Improving Health Outcomes,’ is the theme of the 9thGold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference 2013.

To be held at the Gold Coast’s QT hotel, Surfers Paradise, on November 28 and 29, theGriffith Health Institute will host a conference designed to explore new improveddiagnostics, preventative programs, innovative treatments and clinical interventions beingdeveloped and researched right here on the Gold Coast.

Over 300 exceptional biomedical scientists, clinical researchers, health professionals andresearch students are expected to converge at the event.

“We must not underestimate the huge impact chronic diseases are having on our livestoday,” says Griffith’s Pro Vice Chancellor (Health) and a world leading researcherhimself, Professor Allan Cripps.

“Four out of every five Australians are affected by atleast one chronic disease, namely cancers, cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis andosteoporosis and type 2 diabetesi. More profound is the fact that by addressing lifestylerisk factors for chronic disease, this impact can be significantly reduced, our healthimproved and our health systems sustainably recover.”

Representing one of the leading causes of death in Australia, Cancer CouncilQueensland Chief Executive Officer, Professor Jeff Dunn will open the conference withhis keynote address, ‘Sunshine, spittoons, and snake bites: public health and chronicdisease prevention.’

Minimising chronic disease in the community

Professor Dunn will examine the context within which current debates, about chronicdiseases and how to minimise their collective impact on our community, are taking place.

Lessons from the past will be explored and used to illustrate the importance of thedynamic, and at times confounding, relationship between society, individual behaviour
and disease prevention.

The program also boasts three additional, dynamic guest speakers, symposium sessions,interactive poster sessions and workshops.

Drawing in other top Gold Coast institutions, there is a dedicated Gold Coast MedicalAssociation breakfast symposium covering, ‘New frontiers in clinical genetics – applicationto reproductive medicine’ as well as a symposium hosted by Bond University titled,Strategies to maximise benefits and minimise harms in health’.

Over two days delegates will cover our major health and medical challenges includingmental health, infectious diseases, obesity, nutrition, maternity and parenting, ageing andmusculoskeletal conditions like osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.

“Appreciating the amazing gains we as a society can make by focusing on preventionrather than cure, we welcome and look forward to engaging with local and national healthprofessionals, clinicians and delegates from other universities, research institutions andgovernment organisations who are joining us this year,” says Professor Cripps.

For more information on the program, guest speakers or how to register, please visit theconference website: http://www.griffith.edu.au/conference/gold-coast-health-medicalresearch-
2013

WHAT: Gold Coast Health and Medical Research Conference 2013
WHEN: Thursday November 28 and Friday November 29.
Registration from 8am.
WHERE: QT Hotel, 7 Staghorn Avenue, Surfers Paradise.