National Public Health Symposium 2023
24th-25th November 2023
The 4th National Public Health Conference entitled ‘Improving Health and Well-being: An integrated societal approach‘, was successfully organised by the Malta Association of Public Health Medicine (MAPHM), in collaboration with the Department of Public Health, and the Department of Health Systems Management and Leadership of the University of Malta, as well as the Malta Health Network, on the 24th-25th November 2023 at the South Auditorium at Mater Dei Hospital. It was held in hybrid mode.
Improving Health and Well-being through an Integrated Societal Approach was the theme chosen for the biennial symposium organised on the 24-25th November 2023 at Mater Dei Hospital by the Malta Association for Public Health Medicine in collaboration with the Department of Public Health and the Department of Health Systems Management and Leadership of the University of Malta, as well as the Malta Health Network.
The conference brought together experts from a wide range of fields both within and outside health to discuss the role every one of us has in improving health and well-being and strategies for improving health outcomes, with a focus on an integrated societal approach. Our health is determined by individual factors, healthcare accessibility and delivery as well as societal determinants outside of health.
A number of Keynote speakers addressed important and innovative topics in public health including the effect of climate change on health and how one can apply lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic in addressing climate change. The role of genomics in the innovative approach to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and other diseases through personalised medicine. Current public health priorities facing countries and the public health tools needed. Three public health priorities include the need to strengthen universal health coverage, protect people against emergencies, and improve health and well-being. Finally, the last keynote speaker spoke about the important links between politics, policy-making and public health. This was followed by a panel discussion on Healthcare Policy, Politics, and the Patient Interface which included the Honourable Minister of Health and Active Ageing Dr Jo Etienne Abela as an expert panelist.
The Symposium also included the presentation of work and research done by various healthcare professionals, academics, and students on several important public health themes. These included mental health and well-being, communicable and non-communicable diseases, healthcare access, utilization and cost, screening, and the workforce amongst other topics. A record of 96 abstracts were received for this symposium which was attended by around 200 persons.
Conference Topics
Social Determinants of Health, Environmental Concerns and Sustainability
Old and new Health Challenges
Reorienting and strengthening health systems and services
Innovative approaches to Population Health
Public Health monitoring, surveillance, and evaluation
Public health leadership, politics, and economics
Abstract Submission
Abstract submission is now closed.
Registration
Registration is closed. The program is available online.
Conference Organisers
Symposium Organising Committee: Dr. Kathleen England (Chair), Dr. Alexia Bezzina, Dr. Karen Borg, Dr. Marika Borg, Dr. Amanda Bugeja, Dr. John Cachia, Dr. Charmaine Zahra, Dr. Sascha Reiff (MAPHM President)
Scientific Committee: Dr. Tanya Melillo (Chair), Dr. Jason Attard, Dr. Mariella Borg Buontempo, Dr. Miriam Camilleri, Dr. Miriam Dalmas, Dr. Roberto Debono, Dr. Beatrice Farrugia
Conference Sponsors
This project has been funded through the Voluntary Organisations Project Scheme, managed by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS), and supported by the Ministry for Inclusion, Voluntary Organisations and Consumer Rights (MIVC)
This project/publication reflects the views of the author only, and the MCVS cannot be held responsible for the content or any use of the information contained therein.