Science Blog -- CDC's 18th Annual Chronic Disease Prevention Conference Feb. 18-20

CDC's 18th Annual Chronic Disease Prevention Conference Feb. 18-20

2/13/2004

From: CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Press Office, 770-488–5131

News Advisory:

WHO: CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP)

WHAT: 18th Annual National Conference on Chronic Disease Prevention and Control -- Investing in Health: The Dollars and Sense of Prevention

WHEN: Wednesday-Friday, Feb. 18-20

WHERE: Marriott Wardman Park Hotel, 2660 Woodley Road, NW, Washington, D.C. 20008

NOTES: U.S. Department of Health Human Service Secretary Tommy G. Thompson will help launch the conference at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 18. This will be followed by the Secretary's keynote presentation titled, Investing in Health: The Dollars and Sense of Prevention, which compares the enormous opportunities for prevention in healthcare to the staggering costs of direct medical services. The Secretary will describe his Administration's commitment to prevention through effective programs like Steps to HealthierUS.

P. Roy Vagelos, M.D., former chair and CEO of the research- based healthcare company Merck & Co., will be presented the 2004 Fries Prize for Improving Health. Dr. Vagelos will receive this award in recognition for his leadership in getting his company to donate new breakthrough medicine to treat river blindness. His humanitarian contribution resulted in treatment for more than 30 million people and almost total eradication of the disease. The award will be presented at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18.

For a complete listing of the Chronic Disease Prevention Conference's agenda, visit the conference web site at http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/conference/

Media interested in attending the conference, should contact CDC's Chronic Disease Center Health Communication Office at 770- 488-5131.

CDC protects people's health and safety by preventing and controlling diseases and injuries; enhances health decisions by providing credible information on critical health issues; and promotes healthy living through strong partnerships with local, national, and international organizations.