Below is a news brief on a presentation to be given at the 2009 National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Howard Koh, MD, MPH, assistant secretary for health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will give a plenary address at approximately 11:55 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 (ET), at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC.

For Release: Saturday, Oct. 17
11:55 a.m. (ET)

DR. HOWARD KOH TO DISCUSS 2009 H1N1 FLU, TOBACCO CONTROL AND OBESITY

WASHINGTON, DC – Howard Koh, MD, MPH, assistant secretary for health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will give a plenary address on “Public Health Opportunities in the 21st Century” Saturday, Oct. 17, at the 2009 National Conference and Exhibition (NCE) of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in Washington, DC.

Dr. Koh is scheduled to speak at 11:55 a.m. Following his 20-minute presentation, he will be available for media interviews in the press briefing room 157 of the Washington Convention Center.

Dr. Koh is expected to address the challenges pediatricians and other health care workers face in managing 2009 H1N1 influenza (swine flu), including administering vaccines. He will also discuss pediatricians’ role in preventing obesity and exposure to tobacco and secondhand smoke.

As assistant secretary for health, Dr. Koh oversees the HHS Office of Public Health and Science, the Commissioned Corps of the U.S. Public Health Service, and the Office of the Surgeon General. He serves as senior public health advisor to the Secretary. At the Office of Public Health and Science, Dr. Koh leads programs related to disease prevention, health promotion, vaccines, physical fitness and bioethics, among others. He is board certified in internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology and dermatology.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.