Dr. Kellermann will address the emergency care system crisis and what the U.S. should do to fix it. He says ER overcrowding, ambulance diversion, uncompensated care, fewer "on-call" specialists and inadequate emergency preparedness have crippled the nation's emergency care infrastructure. A large-scale event such as bird flu, terrorist attack or widespread natural disaster could put further strain on an already fragile system.

Audio (MP3):

• Personal recollection of emergency response in wake of 1996 Olympic bombing in Atlanta (1:20 min.)
• Overview of national emergency care crisis, overcrowing (45 sec.)
• America is not prepared for major emergency crises (45 sec.)
• Emergency care often serves the role of the primary care people are lacking (1:15 min.)
• Ambulances with patients are now routinely turned away from full emergency rooms (30 sec.)

Presentation: Dr. Kellerman's slide show presentation (PDF, 929 K)

News Release: U.S. Emergency Care System In Critical Condition, Emory ER Physician Says

Dr. Lampl, whose landmark research documented growth spurts in children, will discuss how Emory's Predictive Health Initiative will change the future of health care by creating a model of health that focuses on maintaining health rather than just treating disease, as is the norm today.

Audio (MP3):

• The goals of Emory Predictive Health (45 sec.)
• The "Jalopy" Model: crisis & repair versus predict & prevent (25 sec.)
• Health is a continuum; it's not healthy or sick (35 sec.)
• The Kinky Mouse Model: Environmental impact on long-term health (35 sec.)
• Developmental origin of general health in adulthood; small babies turn into chubby kids (45 sec.)

Presentation: Dr. Lampl's slide show presentation (PDF, 713 K)

News Release: Predictive Health Offers Innovative New Model, Focuses on Health Rather Than Disease

Dr. Salmon will discuss new methods for addressing the nursing shortage and what steps should be taken in the U.S. to continue to provide quality health care in the near and long-term future to people at home and abroad. Dr. Salmon is former director of the Division of Nursing and Chief Nurse for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Audio (MP3):

• Nursing is facing a "failing equation" (60 sec.)
• As America grows more diverse, nurses become less so (30 sec.)
• Only 10 percent of nurses are men (30 sec.)
• The average age of nursing faculty is rising rapidly (35 sec.)
• By 2020, it's projected that 800,000 nursing slots will go unfilled (30 sec.)

Presentation: Dean Salmon's slide show presentation (PDF, )

News Release: Emory Nursing Leader Urges U.S. to Adopt Innovative Strategies to Cure National Nurse Shortage

Dr. Thorpe will discuss the ongoing reform of state health coverage policies and health coverage options at the national level, including presidential candidates' health care reform plans. Dr. Thorpe, who was formerly Deputy Assistant Secretary for Health Policy in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under President Clinton, says the U.S. can significantly cut overall health care costs by developing a more efficient system to treat the millions of Americans who are overweight and suffer from chronic illnesses.

Audio (MP3):

• Two major components of health reform (1:30 min.)
• Market healthcare reform to insured, who vote, influence (1:10 min.)
• What's driving the growth in healthcare spending (2:20 min.)
• Types of reforms he expects to see (1:45 min.)

News Release: Insuring the Uninsured Takes Center Stage in '08 Presidential Election, Emory Health Policy Expert Says