PRESS RELEASE: The 11th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease presents a Free Public Forum, Adolescents: Investing in future generations
Melbourne, Victoria – The 11th World Congress on Developmental Origins of Health and Disease will present a free public forum ‘Adolescents: Investing in future generations’ at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday 21st October. The forum is hosted by journalist and former ABC TV newsreader Ian Henderson and will feature a panel of experts including Victorian youth leaders, and Australian leading scientists, researchers and mental health experts.
The expert panel will share stories and discuss with the audience the latest evidence about key health issues that currently affect adolescents, including mental health, diet and exercise, planetary change and globalisation, and will include a focus on indigenous health. The panel will share insight into what adolescents (defined as persons aged 10-24 years) can do to optimise their own physical and mental health now and into the future, and how this can benefit the health of their future children.
This event is open to all, with those aged 10-24 years encouraged to come along and share their voice to help identify and create solutions to the health issues that affect them. Primary and secondary school teachers, health professionals and parents will also benefit from listening to the youth and panel members and engaging in forum discussions.
Questions for discussion by the panel can be asked live at the forum or submitted before the event through the registration page, available online at http://future-gen.com.au/. Tickets for this event are free. The forum will take place in the Plenary Theatre at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from 5.45 pm – 7.30 pm.
“The health of today’s adolescents is the health of our nation’s future,” explains Professor John Bertram, Chair of the Congress.
“This event is a great opportunity for young people in Melbourne and Victoria to hear from an outstanding panel of youth representatives and research experts, ask questions and engage in conversations about protecting their physical and mental health for right now, for the future and for the health of future generations.”
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The International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease is a not for profit, international research society comprising scientists, doctors, health workers and public health experts, dedicated to studying how a healthy start to life can reduce the risk of developing many diseases, now and in the future. Members of the society work to improve the life-long health of every mother, father, and child, and create societies that provide healthy, safe and supportive environments.
This public forum is being held in conjunction with the biennial World Congress of the International Society for Developmental Origins of Health and Disease, being held in Melbourne from 20th-23rd October 2019 and attracting over 1,000 delegates from around the world.
The panel of experts includes Olivia Beasley, Victorian Youth Governor 2019 and Youth Engagement Officer at Expression Australia (formerly Victorian Deaf Society, Michael Mosley, international science journalist, TV presenter and author (by video), Dr Sandro DeMaio, incoming CEO of VicHealth, Professor Patrick McGorry, Executive Director of Orygen, the National Centre of Excellence of Youth Mental Health and Founding Director of Headspace, Professor George Patton, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Associate Professor Kym Rae, Director of the Gomeroi gaaynggal Research Cohort, University of Newcastle and Dr Jacquie Bay, Leader of LENScience, Liggins Institute, Auckland, New Zealand.
Contact information:
Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Australia and New Zealand
Associate Professor Nicolette Hodyl (Vice President)
M: 0477 668 355
E: [email protected]
Dr Hayley Dickinson (Secretary)
M: 0413 246 120
E: [email protected]
