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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON ANNOUNCES 2008 AMAZON EXPEDITION Pharmacy from the Rainforest, Global Perspectives in Healthcare University of Washington Schools of Medicine, Nursing, and Pharmacy  SEATTLE, WA, November 13, 2007 --/WORLD-WIRE/-- The University of Washington Schools of Pharmacy, Medicine and Nursing are jointly sponsoring an expedition conference to the heart of the Peruvian Amazon March 1-9, 2008. The Amazon Healthcare Expedition provides a unique opportunity for healthcare professionals and researchers to explore the links between the natural environment, global health patterns and professional practices. Set in one of the most biologically rich and environmentally important regions on Earth, the expedition brings together University of Washington faculty experts in the areas of pharmacy research, epidemiology, and international and environmental health: Drs. Lingtak-Neander Chan, PharmD, BCNPS, Jonathan Mayer, PhD, and John Potter, MD, PhD. Joining the UW team is renowned ethno-botanist Dr. James Duke, PhD, scientific consultant, author and former chief of the USDA Medicinal Plant Resources Laboratory; and a Wisconsin physician who gave up her U.S. practice to start and run a medical clinic deep in the Peruvian Amazon jungle, Dr. Linnea Smith, MD. “Interest in the vital links between nature’s ecosystems, culture, lifestyle and global health has grown to unprecedented levels. New developments in treatment and prevention derived from the blending of ancient wisdom and current research make this model of global health exploration unique and exciting,” said Potter, director of international research at Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center and professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington. As an educational outreach program for healthcare professionals, the expedition offers continuing education credits for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists. Expedition organizers also welcome other healthcare professionals and individuals interested in gaining insight into global health, environmental, and cultural issues. Expedition participants begin a week packed with field exploration and hands-on discovery by examining the medicinal and nutritional properties of plants found in the rainforest. Duke, one of the expedition faculty who has studied in the Amazon for many years, said that “the Amazon is known for its great biodiversity but is less studied than any other region of the world. There is the greatest potential for new medicinal discoveries here, however we must remember that they belong to the Amazon.” The effects of climate change on global disease patterns will be addressed focusing on the challenges facing today’s health care professionals. “"The world is undergoing significant environmental change, much of it caused by human activity. It is clear that this is having an impact on human health. Climate change, including global warming, will probably affect the distribution of infectious disease--both vectorborne and nonvectorborne. The occurrence of climate-related natural disasters will continue to be affected by global environmental change, and will affect the human population in terms of trauma, drowning, psychosocial effects, and some infectious disease,” said expedition faculty member Jonathan Mayer, PhD, Professor, Epidemiology and Geography, International Health. The conference’s unique, remote setting stimulates discussions about practicing cross-cultural medicine in resource-limited settings and the interaction between culture and environment on the spread and treatment of disease. Topics include: Rainforest Remedies: Historical Impact on Healthcare; The “Food Pharmacy”- Diet & Disease Prevention; Ancient Medicine & Modern Cures; Global Climate Change & Health: Emerging International Health Issues; Feast or Famine: Impact of Obesity & Malnutrition on Global Health; The Web of Life & The Web of Health: Connecting the Threads. “The educational vision of the University of Washington supports programs such as this that educate, breakdown cultural barriers, connect people and build bridges of understanding. It is a positive way of making a contribution to a legacy of healing and understanding in the world,” said Dr. Sid Nelson, dean of the University of Washington School of Pharmacy and chair of the Board of Health Sciences Deans. International Expeditions, a world leader in nature travel and a pioneer in Amazon program development since 1980, is the operational partner for this program. For further information call 1-800-633-4734 or www.ietravel.com/workshops. A portion of the proceeds from the program registrations go to support the Amazon Medical Clinic. Contact: Charlotte de Frances International Education Liaison/Coordinator P: 206.406.5623, healthadventures@comcast.net |