FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 20, 2011
(CHICAGO)— Representatives of the nation’s more than 78,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs) will consider numerous health care policies, including a policy supporting the education of parents and other adults about the dangers of cyberbullying, when they convene Friday and Saturday, July 15-16, for the American Osteopathic Association’s (AOA) Annual House of Delegates Meeting at the Fairmont Hotel in Chicago.
Martin S. Levine, DO, an AOA board-certified family physician from Short Hills, N.J., will be sworn in as the AOA’s 115th president on July 16. His term as president puts him in line to follow in the footsteps of his father, Howard M. Levine, DO, who served as AOA president from 1997 to 1998. The delegates also will elect 2011-2012 officers.
Health Care Policies
During the meeting, delegates representing osteopathic state medical associations, specialty societies, interns, residents and students will vote on organizational policies surrounding a variety of health care issues, including:
Cyberbullying Through Social Media — Cyberbullying, which involves humiliating posts or videos or the spreading of rumors through social networking websites, has become a national problem with approximately one in five teenagers ages 13 to 18 reporting being cyberbullied. Experts believe this can leave long-lasting emotional scars, including depression, low self-esteem, academic problems, school violence and suicidal thoughts. Delegates will consider policies that support 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. In advance of the meeting, the AOA will release results of a national consumer survey asking parents of teenagers about their awareness of cyberbullying and if they monitor their children’s Internet access.
Dangers of the “Choking Game” for Teens — What some teens consider a game for creating a feeling of being high can have dire and even grave consequences for its participants. 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 neurological damage, loss of function and 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 about the harm it can cause.
Damage to Hearing from Headphone Use — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 12% of children and adolescents have suffered permanent damage to their hearing from excessive exposure to noise. 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.
Prescription for Child Wellness — Approximately 12.5 million children ages 2 to 19 are considered obese, according to the CDC. As a way of combating childhood obesity, delegates will consider a resolution supporting a prescription-for-wellness campaign consisting of a healthy diet, exercise and limited use of electronic devices.
Sports and Prevention of Traumatic Brain Injury — Traumatic brain injury is caused by a bump, blow or jolt to the head or a head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. 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 Registration
The AOA’s Annual House of Delegates is open to the media. The media registration form can be sent to Nicole Grady, AOA media relations manager, via email at ngrady@osteopathic.org or fax to (312) 202-8338. Those who pre-register will receive a hard-copy version of the full library of proposed resolutions prior to the meeting.
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.
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Media Note
Visit the online press kit for the latest information and alerts about meeting activities. Regular media updates from the meeting also will be available on Twitter at @AOAforMedia.
Contact:
Nicole Grady
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8038 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8038 (Office)
ngrady@osteopathic.org
Vicki Martinka
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8159 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8159 (Office)
vmartinka@osteopathic.org
Twitter: @AOAforMedia