This Sunday (28th February 2010) is ‘Rare Disease Day’, an annual event aimed at raising awareness of a multitude of rare diseases across the [...]]]> A repost from Science Blog.  I thought this was a nice summary of why rare disease day exists, and why ‘rare’ adds a dimension of complexity to disease identification, treatment and management.

This Sunday (28th February 2010) is ‘Rare Disease Day’, an annual event aimed at raising awareness of a multitude of rare diseases across the globe. The day is co-ordinated by Eurodis and is aimed at individuals from all walks of life – from members of the general public to public health authorities and drug developers.

This event is much needed and does a lot for the rare disease ’cause’ and I’d just like to take this opportunity to remind everyone that for some people, everyday is a rare disease day.

Undoubtedly, no comfort is gained in being diagnosed with the commonest of cancers, but prompt clinical management and treatment can not only be re-assuring but a real lifeline too. Often however, the positive diagnosis of a rare syndrome is often itself a struggle, let alone prompt and comprehensive treatment.

The organisers of Rare Disease Day correctly point out that there is ‘a lack of specific health policies, a scarcity of expertise and little research’ in the area of so-called ‘Orphan Diseases’ and that by increasing the awareness of ‘rare disease’ in the public consciousness, this matter can be addressed.

www.BHDsyndrome.org aims to be the primary online resources for individuals interested in, or affected by BHD Syndrome, a rare genetic disease.

The goal of the 2010 AMCHP Conference is to advance the health of women, children and families by promoting innovations in MCH policy and programs, sharing best practices, developing state MCH leadership, and [...]]]> Moving Ahead Together: Celebrating the Legacy, Shaping the Future of Maternal and Child Health
March 6-10, 2010
Gaylord National Hotel and Convention Center
National Harbor, MD

The goal of the 2010 AMCHP Conference is to advance the health of women, children and families by promoting innovations in MCH policy and programs, sharing best practices, developing state MCH leadership, and fostering multidisciplinary approaches to address key health issues impacting MCH. Attendees will describe cutting edge maternal and child health programs, methods, and policies from across the country; engage in networking opportunities with MCH professionals, researchers and government leaders to share ideas, information, and experiences; and identify practices and policies designed to strengthen partnerships between state MCH programs and families. Click here to download the Exhibitor Prospectus. For more information please contact the Conference Department at amchpexhibits@conferencemanagers.com or (703) 964-1240 x 11.

Register today online to attend the conference. If you have any questions, please contact Registration Manager Lynn Parrazzo,lynnporrazzo@conferencemanagers.com or call AMCHP’s Conference Department at (703) 964-1240.

Women’s Health 2010: The 18th Annual Congress is sponsored by the VCU Institute for Women’s Health and Journal of Women’s Health, in collaboration with National Cancer Institute and the American Medical Association. This year’s Congress also marks the 95th Anniversary meeting of the [...]]]> Women’s Health 2010: The 18th Annual Congress
Mar 26 – 28, 2010
Washington, DC

Women’s Health 2010: The 18th Annual Congress is sponsored by the VCU Institute for Women’s Health and Journal of Women’s Health, in collaboration with National Cancer Institute and the American Medical Association. This year’s Congress also marks the 95th Anniversary meeting of the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA), an organization devoted to the advancement of women in medicine and the improvement of women’s health. For more information, please contact 914-740-2100 orvcohn@liebertpub.com.