The 2007 National Student Physicians for Social Responsibility Conference

Medical Consequences of War

What? The 2007 National SPSR (IPPNW-USA) Conference provides a key opportunity for students to learn about the consequences of our most recent war in Iraq. This conference aims to educate student physicians about the physical and mental toll this war has and continues to have on the Iraqi population and war veterans alike. The goal of the conference is to promote discussion, collaboration and action with respect to this issue as well as global small arms violence, nuclear weapons, the "War on Drugs", and the environment.

Highlights include a keynote address delivered by renowned author Les Roberts, PhD, MPH, who authored the 2006 Lancet study estimating Iraqi deaths at 655,000 since the 2003 invasion. There will plenaries and small group sessions on PTSD and mental health, the environment and war, war from the perspective of US veterans, today's nuclear threat, small arms violence in Latin America and the US, and the medical consequences of the drug war.

When? February 23rd - February 25th, 2007

Where? Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA

Why? The US plays a key role in several of today's pressing public health dilemmas: the ongoing Iraq War, global small arms violence, and the world-wide nuclear debate. It is essential that student physicians understand the consequences and repercussions of US involvement in each of these issues, so that they are prepared for their responsibility as public health advocates.

An undercurrent of international dialogue and vision will be promoted; we are hosting with representatives from The Nuclear Weapons Inheritance Project as well as IPPNW-Nicaragua delegate Cesar Aleman. Our hope in highlighting small arms violence is to move towards uniting the Western hemisphere in a "Coalition of the Americas".

Who? Student Physicians for Social Responsibility, in conjunction with the following speakers:

• Herb Abrams, MD
• Sunil Aggarwal, MD/PhD student
• Cesar Aleman, IPPNW-Nicaragua delegate
• Shannon Gearhart, MD
• Robert Gould, MD
• Andrew Harris, MD
• Evan Kanter, MD, PhD
• Catherine Thomasson, MD
• The Nuclear Weapons Inheritance Project
• Veterans' Panel

How can I learn more? Please visit the official website for this conference here. Got questions? Email SPSR National representatives Karen Abrashkin or Tova Fuller at spsr.national@gmail.com.