The Faculty of Medical Sciences, UWI, Mona hosts its 18th annual Research Conference under the theme, “Child Health: From the Womb to Adolescence” from November 11-13, 2009. The Conference will begin with an Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 5:30 pm. Speakers at the Opening Ceremony include: Honourable Andrew Holness, Minister of Education; Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Health, Dr. Sheila Campbell-Forrester; Everton Hannam, General Secretary, Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO and Lola Ramocan, Quality Education and Early Childhood Development Specialist, UNICEF. The Distinguished Kenneth Standard Lecture will be delivered by Professor Alan Jackson, Director, Institute of Human Nutrition, University of Southampton, UK as part of the Opening Ceremony.

The Conference continues with poster and oral presentations on Thursday, November 12, 2009 at the Main Medical Lecture Theatre, located at the University Hospital of the West Indies. The presentations will examine topics including: Obesity in Adolescents, Knowledge, Attitudes and Behaviour towards Diabetes, Sports Related Injuries, Living with Sickle Cell, Cancer Among Youth in Jamaica, Maternal Morbidity  and HIV Testing: Counselling, Testing and Intervention. The university community and health are invited to attend these presentations.

The Conference closes with a workshop on Friday, November 13, 2009 starting at 8 am at the Main Medical Lecture Theatre. The workshop features several medical experts who will share on a range of topics such as: Foetal Origins of Adult Diseases, Behavioural, Mental and Emotional Issues, Defining ‘Father’ and the Expected Impacts for Children, Bad Behaviour in Children: What is Happening?, Abortion, Contraception in Adolescence and Early Initiation of Sexual Activity among Youth in Jamaica. The university community, health practitioners and the public are invited to attend the Workshop. 

For additional information interested persons may telephone 927-1297 or 927-2556.