The Asia-Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH)

Member Countries Australia 8 Malaysia Bangladesh 2 Mongolia 1 Cambodia Nepal China & Hong Kong 9 New Zealand India Philippines Indonesia 5 Sri Lanka Japan 4 Taiwan Kazakhstan Thailand Korea 3 USA Lao Vietnam Asian Pacific Regional Network of academic public health institutions (since 1984) - 63 members in 20 countries New Countries added in 2008-2009: Cambodia, Fiji, New Zealand Potential New Countries to add: Fiji

Vision and Mission Vision Mission To achieve the best possible level of health for all of the people of the nations of the Asia-Pacific region Mission To improve public health through the delivery of education, research and public health programs by member institutions APACPH became an incorporated not-for-profit organisation in Australia in September 2005.

Objectives programs in public health To enhance the quality and relevance of education and training programs in public health To expand knowledge, improve skills and demonstrate effective interventions To identify current emerging and re-emerging public health issues and develop programs of action for their resolution To enhance the capacity and sustainability of health systems and health service organisations in the Region To assist in the development and implementation of health policy and leadership development for health

APACPH Regional Offices Beijing    Honolulu Los Angeles  Tokyo  Bangkok  Kuala Lumpur Melbourne 

Committees of APACPH Strategic Planning Committee Finance and Development Committee Membership Committee Journal Committee Conference Planning Committee Program Development Committee Management Committee Editorial & Publications Committee APACPH Academic & Training Committee

Partnerships APACPH is currently establishing formalised partnerships with: WHO (SEARO/WPRO) United States AED (Academy for Educational Development) ASPHER (Association of Schools of Public Health in the European Region) ASPH (American Schools of Public Health) SEAPHEIN (South-East Asia Public Health Education Institutes Network)

Summary of Achievements Activities over two decades (1984 – 2008) to improve public health teaching, research and advocacy Within-country public health education and research networks strengthened by international collaboration Leadership on emerging health problems and challenges e.g. SARS, early childhood and maternal mortality, chronic disease prevention/management, environmental health, injury prevention/control etc. Implementation of projects within and between countries Sharing of institutional and other resources Forum to influence policy and accelerate change

Scope of Work

Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health Only English language journal devoted to public health issues of the Asia and Pacific region Editorial office based at University of Malaya, Malaysia www.apjph.org Editor-in-Chief: Prof Wahyun Low Peer-reviewed Quarterly publication Published and distributed by Sage Publishing - enhancing its profile and international standing Currently applying for impact factor For online papers of the journal: http://apjph.sagepub.com

1. APACPH Tsunami Project Recent Projects 1. APACPH Tsunami Project A longitudinal, multi-country project to study the impact of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami on the health, well being, and recovery of affected individuals and communities (led by University of Southern California + other institutions) Collaborating partners in India and Sri Lanka National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai, India Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, Trivandrum, Kerala, India Eastern University, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka

2. Public Health Curriculum Development Project A working committee was set up which includes APACPH members and non-members from Thailand, East Timor, New Zealand, Australia and USA. On-going roundtable discussions held to get information, interest and support for undergraduate public health curriculum Objectives include: Development of a peer support network Collection of data on current status of undergraduate education in public health internationally Determine which APACPH member institution might be interested in offering undergraduate programs in the near future and how such a network might be able to provide support and assistance. Defining competencies for undergraduate education in public health.

3. Asia Pacific Early Career Network in Public Health (APECNPH) APECNPH represents individuals in the Asia Pacific Region who are in the early stages of their Public Health training and at all levels of study. The network aims to: Promote interaction between APACPH faculty members and trainees Enhance and supplement the educational and mentoring experience of professionals and early trainees in the public health field Provide opportunities for the participants to be involved in international public health issues Have organised 3 workshops as part of pre-conference activity so far since 2005. Next workshop to be held in November in Hanoi, Viet Nam. Coming short course/workshop in Sept 2008 in Manila ‘Health Advocacy: Translating Evidence into Policy’. www.apacph.org/site/pages/Early_Career_Network

4. International Cyber University for Health http://icuh.yonsei.ac.kr ICUH was established to help students prepare to meet the challenge of opportunities to continue their education and advance their careers without disrupting their current lifestyles and schedules. Currently in its 5th year, the program has gained sufficient numbers (2007 Spring – 5 courses, 103 students; Fall – 6 courses, 60 students) and problem based learning approach has been adopted in its courses. Starting to adopt Competency-Based Learning as well. Credit exchange program has also been developed with some universities Target groups for the Cyber University Students and health professionals from APACPH member universities Health professionals in WHO/WPRO member countries

5. Mini Grants Established in 2008 to provide funding for projects by members Up to 12 month duration and US$5,000 maximum Help to facilitate research opportunities among APACPH members, and also aimed at achieving the following: Gathering of preliminary, pilot data in support of future larger research opportunities Expanding APACPH’s training and capacity building activities Creating research opportunities and mentorship for graduate students and/or early career professionals Round 1: Evaluation completed in May. 6 out of 24 projects funded.

Future APACPH projects to develop Public health leadership and training Smaller-scale regional forums Establishing a research network related to chronic disease prevention and management (particularly Diabetes) Myanmar & Sichuan disaster relief efforts Cambodian initiative to improve public health training and policies in the country

Most recent APACPH Conferences 2008- “Global Public Health Challenges” Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 7-9 November 2008 2007- “Lifestyle-related Diseases Prevention: The Challenge for Nutrition and Public Health” Saitama, Japan – 23-25 November 2007 2006- “Partnership for Human Security and Health” Bangkok, Thailand – 3-6 December 2006 The APACPH annual conference is open to members and non-members alike and provides: Opportunities for researchers in the region to showcase their projects Networking opportunity between researchers, public health officials and representatives from international funding agencies Pre and post-conference courses on topical subjects

APACPH Conference 2009 Website: www.apacph2009.tw “University Role in Education for Globalization and Health Historical Milestone for APACPH Health, Peace and Harmony” Taipei, Taiwan – 3-6 December 2009 Website: www.apacph2009.tw Host Organisers: Taipei Medical University College of Public Health, National Taiwan University Taiwan Public Health Association

APACPH Communications APACPH Website – www.apacph.org Newsletter (quarterly) News Activities of APACPH Early Career Network Conference Information Information on the Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health Calendar of Events Resources and web links on public health topics

For more information Emma Frean APACPH Regional Office/Directorate (Melbourne) Email: emma.frean@med.monash.edu.au Website: www.apacph.org