December 1, 2008

 

Bethesda, Maryland - The American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF) Institute for the Study of Occupation and Health has joined the Healthy People 2020 (HP2020) Consortium of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP). The Consortium was established in 1988 by the US Public Health Service to be a diverse group of agencies and organizations committed to working together to help achieve Healthy People's health goals and objectives for the United States. The Consortium also serves to help expand the reach of the HP2020 as widely and broadly as possible into research initiatives and education programs. A vital networking and communication tool, the Consortium helps likeminded members not only to stay continually informed about HP2020 initiatives at the federal, state, local and tribal levels, but also to connect to each other and facilitate collaborations.

 

The AOTF Institute’s membership in the Consortium follows on its interface with HP2020 in three contexts during the course of 2008. In May, the AOTF Institute participated in the DC area HP2020 Stakeholders Meeting held at the Natcher Conference Center of the National Institutes of Health. In mid-summer, the AOTF Institute spotlighted HP2020 in its monthly e-newsletter, Research Resources. And in September, the AOTF Institute participated by invitation in the first-ever HP2020 Academic Stakeholders Workshop sponsored by the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research (APTR) in cooperation with HHS/ODPHP.

 

The American Occupational Therapy Foundation is a 501c3 charitable, scientific and educational organization established in 1965. Its mission is to advance research, education, and leadership in the field of occupational therapy and to raise public awareness of the importance of enabling individuals to participate fully in life regardless of their physical, social, mental, or developmental circumstances.