Events Taking Place at the American Osteopathic Association's Annual House of Delegates Meeting for Friday, July 15

MEDIA ALERT
July 14, 2011

(CHICAGO) — Representatives of the nation’s more than 78,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) are convening in Chicago to set organizational policies on a variety of issues impacting physicians and their patients during the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Annual House of Delegates Meeting, taking place at the Fairmont Hotel, 200 N. Columbus Drive, in Chicago. More than 500 delegates representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, interns, residents and students will also elect 2011-2012 AOA officers, including the installment of Martin S. Levine, DO, an AOA board-certified family physician from Short Hills, N.J., as the AOA’s 115th president..

Events scheduled for Friday, July 15

• House of Delegates Reports
  Outgoing AOA President Karen J. Nichols, DO, will reflect upon accomplishments during her presidential year and Executive Director John B. Crosby, JD, will present the association’s annual report.

• Reference Committee Hearings
  1:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the following locations:​

Each resolution submitted for consideration by the AOA House of Delegates is assigned to a reference committee. Prior to voting by the entire delegation, an open hearing is held where meeting attendees can offer testimony on the reports and resolutions.

More than 100 resolutions will be considered for discussion, including:

Cyberbullying Through Social Media

Delegates will consider a policy that supports the education of parents and other adults in positions of authority about the dangers of cyberbullying through media advocacy efforts. The policy also calls for DOs to actively talk to their patients and their patients’ parents or guardians about cyberbullying.

Damage to Hearing from Use of Headphones

Delegates will vote if the AOA should advocate for manufacturers to include information about the hazards of unsafe volume levels and to implement built-in mechanisms that can be enabled to limit a product’s decibel output. The policy also calls for DOs educating teens and parents about safety concerns of using headphones.

Dangers of the “Choking Game”

Also called the fainting game, blackout, and flatliner, the “choking game’s” promise of achieving a feeling of euphoria by limiting the flow of oxygen to the brain has the potential to cause loss of function or suffocation resulting in permanent disability or death. In an effort to prevent unnecessary harm to teens, delegates will vote on a resolution supporting the inclusion of information about the dangers of the “choking game” in classroom education and other school-sponsored discussions about drugs and risky behaviors. The measure also calls for increasing awareness among parents, counselors and physicians of the dangers and warning signs associated with the “choking game” and the resources available for educating teens.

Sports and Prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury

Although it is commonly associated with professional athletes, such as football players, traumatic brain injury can occur in student athletes as well. Delegates will vote on a policy calling for the AOA to support the development of official sports rules that consider traumatic brain injury prevention for school sports, sports clubs and professional leagues.

Media Interviews

The AOA House of Delegates is open to the media. AOA spokespeople will be available upon request to discuss the issues that have been voted on during the meeting. AOA media relations staff will be on site in the Chancellor Room of the Fairmont Hotel. During the meeting, media can arrange interviews or request more information by calling Nicole Grady at (312) 593-6897 or Mike Campea at (312) 730-0370.

About the American Osteopathic Association

The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 78,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs); promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.