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81st Annual Conference and Meeting

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The Call for Abstracts is Open Through June 13!

The Oregon Public Health Association is now welcoming abstract proposals for the 81st Annual Conference and Meeting! Abstract submissions are open May 2 – June 13. Abstracts addressing all public health topics are welcome and we encourage presenters to make connections between research, policy, and practice.

OPHA values diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice. We seek a diversity of abstract submissions that will provide learning opportunities from not only our academic and governmental colleagues, but also individuals from an array of racial and ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, and with lived experience. We invite abstracts that will support improved public health practice.

Breakout sessions and the poster session, which form most of the conference program, are dependent upon the OPHA’s abstract submission process. OPHA’s process is modeled after the American Public Health Association (APHA) process.


Types of Abstract Submission Formats

Breakout sessions are 75 minutes in length allowing time for questions, answers, and discussion with the audience. Space for individual oral presentations and panel discussions is limited.

  • Individual Oral Presentation: Oral presentations are 10-12 minutes in length. Three presentations, grouped by themes, will be delivered in each breakout session. Additional time will be allotted by a session moderator for Q&A and discussion. Oral presentations should appeal to a wide public health audience and preference is given to abstracts that include results/outcomes with public health implications.
  • Poster: Posters are visual presentations displayed on 8’ x 4’ bulletin boards. The poster session is scheduled for Tuesday, October 14. Student posters will be entered in the Student Poster Contest* and the winner will be announced on Wednesday, October 15 as part of the Awards Presentations. Poster presentations create opportunities for dialogue, feedback, and shared learning between the presenter(s) and attendees.

    *The Student Poster Contest is open to current students and students who submitted abstracts prior to graduation and are now new professionals (graduated within 6 months of conference). 

  • Panel Discussion: A panel discussion (75-minute program session) includes a moderator and up to three panelists/presentations (maximum of four presenters). Due to time constraints, only a limited number of panel discussions will be accepted. Submit an overview abstract describing the overall purpose/theme of the panel and a minimum of three separate abstracts, one for each panelist. NOTE: Panel submissions will only be considered if an overview abstract AND separate abstracts for each presentation are submitted. Panel discussions will be selected if distinct content is provided by each presenter to justify a full panel discussion.

 

Selection Criteria 

Abstracts will be peer reviewed and accepted on the basis of the following criteria:

  • Overall Merit – Abstract clearly describes the background, significance and innovation of the work, and the relevance to emerging public health research/practice in Oregon and beyond
  • Programmatic/Policy Significance – Implications of the work for policies, programs, and practice to improve the public’s health in Oregon and beyond.
  • Objective Content – content is objective, free from bias and promotion, no use of commercial entities, products, services, logos, or brand names
  • Complete submission – the submission includes all requested information and conforms to the stated instructions described below.

 

Abstract Submission Instructions

All sections of the Abstract Submission Form must be fully completed for consideration. Because you will not be able to save and return to the form, save your submission text and contact information elsewhere in case you cannot complete the submission in one sitting or experience technical issues.

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

  1. Preferred presentation format (from options above).
  2. Title of presentation.
  3. Presenter(s): Provide contact information for all presenters. If you have more than one presenter, please designate a Primary Contact for your abstract submission. This person will be responsible for all communications regarding your abstract. 
  4. Brief Abstract (200 words or less). Provide a description of your proposed presentation and include the following:
    1. Background, context, significance of the public health problem
    2. Purpose of the work/study, including aims or research questions if relevant
    3. Methods or approach to solving the topic/answering the study questions
    4. Outcomes and results
    5. Implications of the work for policies, programs, and practice to improve the public's health in Oregon and beyond.
  5. Learning Objectives. Provide at least one measurable and concrete learning objective and start each sentence with one of these verbs: Define, List, Describe, Discuss, Explain, Identify, Demonstrate, Differentiate, Compare, Design, Formulate, Evaluate, Assess, Name, Analyze. Learning objectives must be written from the learner's perspective. What will the learner be able to do after hearing your presentation? NOTE: Do not start learning objectives using a number, bullet, asterisk, or any other special characters.
  • All abstract submissions are due June 13, 2025, at 11:59pm. 
    • No abstracts will be accepted after this date. Presenters will be notified in August.
    • Program Schedule: All presenters must be available to present at any time during the two days of the conference.
    • AV Needs: Presenters will be responsible for their own presentation slides and handouts. The standard audiovisual equipment provided in all sessions includes: a projector, computer, and screen. Microphones will be made available in all large session rooms. For more information, see the AV guidelines for the Wingspan Event Center.

 

Resources for Writing Abstracts 

 

***Please note that you do not need to be a member of OPHA to present at the conference. However, all presenters must register, including paying registration fees. No exceptions will be made. 

For more information, please see our Conference FAQ. For questions, please contact OPHA Conference Planning Committee Chair, Marie Harvey.