FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  
June 25, 2009

Osteopathic Medical Profession to Vote on Health Care Policies Addressing
Inclusion of Physically Active Video Games in Fitness Routines and
 Prohibition of Raw Milk Sales

(CHICAGO) – Representatives of the nation’s more than 67,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s) will convene Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, for the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Annual House of Delegates Meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago. Delegates representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, interns, residents and students will vote on organizational policies surrounding a variety of health care issues, such as prohibiting the advertisement and sale of raw milk and the recommendation that physically active video games could be considered as a component of a patient’s fitness routine.

The delegates also will elect 2009-2010 officers and swear in Larry A. Wickless, D.O., an AOA board-certified internist from Farmington Hills, Mich., as the organization’s 113th president on July 18.

Resolutions concerning patients and physicians that delegates will consider include:

Raw Milk: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that two people died and more than 1,000 people got sick from raw milk or cheese made from raw milk from 1998 to 2005. This policy would direct the AOA to support any government efforts to prohibit the sale and advertisement of raw milk. The policy also calls for all milk sold for human consumption to be pasteurized. Read the resolution (PDF 36K)

Physically Active Video Games: After years of being blamed for contributing to America’s childhood obesity problem, many video games are now incorporating a fitness component, such as exercising with a virtual trainer or following a dance routine. Delegates will vote on whether physicians should consider recommending physically active video games as an element of a patient’s exercise program. The policy also would direct the AOA to encourage additional research about the health benefits of using physically active video games as part of both an exercise routine and a patient’s rehabilitation. Read the resolution (PDF 48K)

HIV Testing for Women: It is estimated that 25 percent of all Americans with HIV are unaware of their status. For women, who represent the fastest growing population of people infected with HIV, this knowledge can help improve not only their chance of survival but also help them take steps to avoid an unintended pregnancy as well as to reduce the likelihood of mother-to-child transmission of HIV should a pregnancy occur. With that in mind, delegates will decide on supporting routine opt-out HIV screenings of all women ages 19 to 64 regardless of their pregnancy status or other risk factors. Read the resolution (PDF 37K)

In-Vitro Fertilization: Earlier this year a single California mother gave birth to octuplets via in-vitro fertilization. The mother then faced negative public reaction when it was discovered she already has six other children also conceived through in-vitro fertilization and the ethics of the physician who performed the procedure were called into question. Delegates will consider supporting ethical guidelines set by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine that include the appropriate number of embryos implanted per patient. The policy also would direct the AOA to support in-vitro fertilization in a manner that promotes the health and safety of both the mother and her children by appropriately managing fertility patients. Read the resolution (PDF 58K)

Health Insurance Code of Conduct: Due to health insurance plans often influencing a physician’s course of treatment, this policy would direct the AOA to work with the American Medical Association and other health care entities to develop the basic tenants of a health insurance “Code of Conduct.” The tenants would address intrusions in patient care as well as promote change in health plan policy through legislation and judicial intervention. Read the resolution (PDF 36K)

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 67,000 osteopathic physicians (D.O.s); promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for D.O.s; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical colleges; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on D.O.s/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.

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Media Note
The AOA House of Delegates is open to the media. The media registration form (DOC format) can be e-mailed or faxed to Nicole Grady, AOA media relations manager, at ngrady@osteopathic.org or (312) 202-8338. Those who pre-register will receive copies of the proposed resolutions prior to the meeting.

AOA media relations staff can provide information about meeting activities and arrange interviews with D.O.s and AOA leaders.

Contact: 
Nicole Grady
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8038 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8038 (Office)      
ngrady@osteopathic.org

Or

Mike Campea
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8043 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8043 (Office)
mcampea@osteopathic.org