American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM)

The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) is a national professional society for physicians who are committed to disease prevention and health promotion. ACPM's 2,000 members are engaged in preventive medicine practice, teaching, and research. Established in 1954, ACPM members serve on committees and task forces as representatives of preventive medicine in national forums. Their efforts contribute to the organization's role as a national resource for expertise in disease prevention and health promotion.

Physicians trained in preventive medicine, can be found working in primary care settings, managed care organizations, public health and government agencies, and at educational institutions. These specialists are uniquely trained in both clinical medicine and public health.

ACPM has a five-year cooperative agreement with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) to develop a series of continuing medical education modules on environmental health issues. During this time, ACPM will expand its efforts among preventive medicine physicians to increase this target group's awareness of the health threats posed by exposure to hazardous substances. The CME modules are intended to improve the ability of physicians to apply the core competencies of preventive medicine to environmental health problems. In the first year of the cooperative agreement, ACPM will focus on developing a curriculum based on the soon to be published ATSDR Case Study in Environmental Medicine Iodine-131. This case study is one in a series of self-instructional publications designed to increase the primary care provider's knowledge of hazardous substances in the environment and to aid in the evaluation of potentially exposed patients. Further educational activities will focus on hazardous waste sites, unplanned releases, and other environmental hazards. The environmental health project will include three components:

• A continuing medical education course, which ACPM plans to make Internet accessible;
• A permanent environmental health track at their annual meeting; and
• An environmental health section in each issue of their newsletter.

For further information, please contact:

ACPM
1660 L Street, NW, Suite 206
Washington, D.C. 20036-5603
Phone: (202) 466-2044, Ext.106
Fax: (202) 466-2662
Website: http://www.acpm.org

or

Division of Toxicology and Environmental Medicine
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
4770 Buford Hwy, NE (Mail Stop F-32)
Atlanta, GA 30341-3717
Phone: (770) 488-3490
Fax: (770) 488-4178