Opening Session: State of the College and Dr. Katharine Boucot Sturgis Lecture-Jonathan Speech

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker discusses the importance of preventive medicine as a truth-teller and the role of the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) in advancing health policy. They highlight the need for evidence-based practices and the influence of the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care in developing methods for assessing medical interventions. The establishment of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the U.S. Community Preventive Services Task Force is also discussed as pivotal in evaluating preventability and creating guidelines for clinical practice and public health policy. However, the speaker acknowledges the challenges of misinformation and disinformation in public health, citing examples such as the false claims linking the MMR vaccine to autism and the promotion of hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 treatment. The speaker calls for ACPM to be a respected truth-teller, combat misinformation, and prioritize climate change as an existential threat that requires action. They propose strategies for opposing disinformation, exposing private interests, building coalitions, responding effectively, and forming strong partnerships. The importance of being united and consistent in conveying the consequences of inaction is emphasized. The transcript concludes with a call to commit to combating climate change and being persistent truth-tellers.

Keywords

preventive medicine

American College of Preventive Medicine

evidence-based practices

misinformation

climate change

action