29 June 2010

Summer School to tackle disease prevention

Photo opportunity - 7pm, 29th June, civic reception at Discovery Point

Healthcare professionals from around the world are gathering in Dundee this week for a new summer school aimed at stimulating research in the prevention of chronic diseases.

The inaugural International Prevention Research Institute (IPRI) - University of Dundee Summer School on Epidemiology and Global Health will also debate progress made towards achieving health-related Millennium Development Goals as set by the United Nations.

'Global health and how we can help prevent and control chronic diseases is a key issue in an increasingly globalised world,' said Professor Margaret Smith, Dean of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at the University of Dundee.

'With the summer school we are hoping to stimulate research in this area and give key skills to healthcare professionals from an international base, enabling them to carry out research that will impact on disease control and prevention.

'We have considerable expertise in this area in Dundee, particularly in the Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing and Life Sciences. Our partnership with IPRI will help pass the benefit of that knowledge to researchers around the world.'

The summer school consists of a three week programme of lectures and workshops from internationally renowned experts. It is aimed at healthcare professionals from an international base and will benefit senior and junior personnel involved in chronic disease registration, physicians, nurses , public health staff, health-related professionals, health researchers and post-graduate students with an interest in the epidemiology of chronic diseases and factors affecting global health.

It will also provide opportunities to explore the complex linkages between globalisation and health. Special emphasis will be placed on improving the research capacity in resource limited countries.

Around 25 professionals are attending the inaugural summer school. They will be welcomed to Dundee at a civic reception hosted by Lord Provost John Letford at Discovery Point at 7 pm on Tuesday June 29th.

Notes to editors

ABOUT IPRI:
IPRI is a new concept in biomedical research combining a thorough, high-level, academic approach coupled with a practical focus on providing clear information about evidence-based clinical, epidemiological and prevention strategies.

IPRI serves as an independent authoritative source of advice on critical risk issues and as a high-level training centre in all aspects of Prevention research.

With an outstanding faculty and international expertise, IPRI’s mission is to bring the available excellence in scientific method to clarify critical issues in disease determination and prevention in order to contribute to the improvement in health of populations worldwide.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
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