Global Health 2010 Symposium

Healthy Aging: Unlocking the Secrets of Longevity With Science and Public Policy

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal, M.D., MPA, Chair of Meridian International Center's Global Health Program will moderate the 5th Annual Global Health Forum, an Italy-U.S. scientific symposium focused on "Healthy Aging Globally: A Life Cycle Approach." Sponsored by the Embassy of Italy, attendees will learn about the science of longevity and the policy actions that are being taken worldwide on one of the most pressing global health challenges of our time. The importance of international collaboration will be underscored.

WHO:  Leading U.S. and global experts from the aging field including Nobel laureate Carol Greider, PhD; Richard Hodes, Director of the National Institute on Aging; David Blumenthal, MD, National Coordinator, Health Information Technology, HHS; and the Italian Minister of Health.  And approximately 150 representatives of Government institutions, public and private research laboratories and companies in the health sector.

WHEN:  Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 9:00 am - 4:30 pm

WHERE:  Embassy of Italy

3000 Whitehaven Street, NW

Washington, DC 20008

PROGRAM:  9:00 – 9:30 am: Opening Remarks  

• H.E. Giulio Terzi, Ambassador of Italy to the United States
• The Hon. Ferruccio Fazio, Minister of Health of the Republic of Italy

Moderator

• Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal, M.D., MPA, Chair, Global Health Program, Meridian International Center, Former Assistant Surgeon General of the United States

9:30 – 10:00 am: Plenary Panel -- Healthy Aging - A Life Cycle Perspective

• Richard Hodes, M.D., Director, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health
• Prof. Enrico Garaci, President, Istituto Superiore di Sanita

10:00 – 11:15 am: Panel 1 -- The Science of Aging and Longevity

• Carol Greider, Ph.D., 2009 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine; Daniel Nathans Professor & Director, Molecular Biology & Genetics Lab, Department of Molecular Biology & Genetics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
• Rafael de Cabo, Ph.D., Head, Aging, Metabolism, and Nutrition Unit; National Institute on Aging, NIH: "Nutrition, Weight and Aging"
• Lewis Lipsitz, M.D., Chief, Division of Gerontology, Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Ctr; Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School: "80 is the new 60: Why and How to Make it Happen"
• Ronald McKay, Ph.D., Lieber Institute for Brain Development, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine: "Regenerative Medicine"
• Prof. Sergio Pecorelli, President, Agenzia Italiana del Farmaco (AIFA), Professor of Gynecology, University of Brescia

11:15 am – 12:15 pm: Panel 2 -- Behavioral, Environmental and Quality of Life Issues

• Prof. Edoardo Boncinelli, Emeritus Professor of Biology and Genetics, Vita-Salute (Life and Health) San Raffaele University, Milan: "Why and How We Age"
• Luigi Ferrucci, M.D., Ph.D., Chief, Longitudinal Studies Section, National Institute on Aging, NIH: "Walking for Healthy Aging"
• Prof. Luigi Fontana, Nutrition and Aging Division, Istituto Superiore di Sanita (ISS) and Washington University School of Medicine: "Nutritional Modulation of  Aging and Age-Associated Diseases by Caloric Restriction"
• Jeffrey Kaye, M.D., Director, Oregon Center for Aging and Technology, Oregon Health and Science University: "How can we measure aging?"

12:15 -1:15 pm:  Lunch  

1:30 – 2:45 pm: Panel 3 -- Information Technology Revolutionizing Health Care

• David Blumenthal, M.D., National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: "The U.S. Health Information Technology Agenda"
• Prof. Roberto Bernabei, Professor of Gerontology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma: "Standardized assessment instrument as the technology of health services for the elderly"
• Jay Bernhardt, Ph.D., MPH., Dept. of Health Education, University of Florida School of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida: "Healthy Aging 2.0: The Power of Digital Health and Wellness"
• Prof. Niccolo Marchionni, Professor of Gerontology and Geriatrics, Universita di Firenze: "Impact of ageism in acute care settings"

2:45 – 4:15 pm: Panel 4 -- Health Policies to Promote Healthy Aging Globally

• Jessica  Frank Lopez, Chair, NGO Committee on Ageing, United Nations; Senior Advisor, AARP Office of International Affairs: "Translating Science into Action: NGO's Perspectives"
• Dr. Sergio Dompe, President, Farmindustria, Italy: "The Revolution in Life Sciences: the Public-Private Network for Research, Healthcare and Sustainability Policies"
• Prof. Massimo Fini, Scientific Director IRCCS (Italian Scientific Institute Conducting Clinical and Biomedical Research), San Raffaele Pisana, Rome: "Making Healthy Policies for Active Aging"
• Dr. Dalmer Hoskins, Director, Division of Program Studies, U.S. Social Security Administration; Former Secretary General of the International Social Security Association
• Prof. Francesco Bove, Professor in Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Rome "La Sapienza," President of the Foundation for the Fight Against Arthritis and Osteoporosis (Aila): "Investing in Health: Aging and Awareness"
• Dr. Paola Pisanti, Direzione Generale Programmazione Sanitaria, Italian Ministry of Health: "The Role of the Italian Health Care System to Promote Healthy Aging in Italy"
• Enrique Vega Garcia, M.D., Regional Advisor on Aging and Health, Pan American Health Organization: "Aging and Health in Latin American and the Caribbean. Challenges and Opportunities"
• Edwin Walker, J.D., Deputy Assistant Secretary for Program Operations, Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• Sharon Hrynkow, Ph.D., Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

4:15 – 4:30 pm: Concluding Remarks  

• Rear Admiral Susan J. Blumenthal
• H.E. Giulio Terzi, Ambassador of Italy to the United States

About Meridian:  Established in 1960 and headquartered in Washington, DC, Meridian International Center is a non-partisan, not-for-profit institution dedicated to strengthening international understanding through the exchange of people, ideas and culture. Through its global leadership exchanges, conferences and seminars and cultural exhibitions, Meridian fosters collaboration between U.S. and international leaders. www.meridian.org

SOURCE Meridian International Center