date:07/10 Year:2025
A Prevention-First Approach: If We Want to Keep Americans Healthier and Out of the Hospital, We Need More Physicians Trained Outside of Hospitals
Considering President Trump and Secretary Kennedy’s charge to “Make America Healthy Again,” we at ACPM are aligned in the perspective that our health system should transform into one that prioritizes upstream prevention rather than focusing all our energies on treating people after they have become ill. ACPM advocates that we can’t “Make America Healthy Again” until our physician population is well-versed in disease prevention and health promotion.
In 2024, the American Board of Preventive Medicine reported that 2,931 physicians were certified in Public Health and General Preventive Medicine, representing less than 0.5% of the physician workforce. Now, more than ever, it is necessary to increase the number of physicians with expertise in public health and prevention to solve problems upstream, prevent chronic disease, enable Americans to live longer, healthier lives and ease the increasingly overwhelming burden on our healthcare system.
date:06/26 Year:2025
Lifting the Veil of Leadership
It is with deep gratitude that I write my first article as ACPM’s newly appointed Executive Director. I am honored to step into this role and have the opportunity to serve such a dedicated, accomplished and passionate community of physicians.While I enthusiastically accept the role, I also am reminded … “Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It's about impact, influence and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and inspiration is about empowering those around you." The author and leadership guru Robin Sharma gets credit for so eloquently capturing my sentiments in taking on this leadership role for the College.
In my nearly five years with the ACPM, I have witnessed the impact of our members, not only in your day-to-day professions but also in your contributions to ACPM in support of our mission. While the College has made marks along the way in its 75-year history, there is much more to do, more results to achieve, and more opportunities to make a difference — to see your impact — in improving the well-being of so many individuals and communities.
date:06/19 Year:2025
Men's Health Month: "Get Up and Move!"
The CDC estimates the prevalence in adults of inactivity outside of work as greater than 25% 1 Furthermore, the American Heart Association (AHA) reports that only 1 in 5 adults are achieving the recommended 150 minutes of vigorous exercise per week, increasing their risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, colon and lung cancers, and early death2. A sedentary off-work lifestyle is only compounded by the frequently sedentary work environment for many office workers. Long commutes behind the steering wheel are just the icing on the cake. A Mayo Clinic article describes findings from several large studies that suggested, “…people who sat for more than eight hours a day with no physical activity had a risk of dying similar to the risk posed by obesity and smoking. But 60 to 75 minutes of moderate aerobic physical activity a day offset the effects of too much sitting3.”
date:06/12 Year:2025
Ferrari Named ACPM Executive Director
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) The American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) recently announced Melissa Ferrari, CAE, as its new Executive Director. Ferrari has served as Interim CEO since June 2024, after joining the College in November 2020 as Vice President, Membership and Operations. Ferrari brings an extensive background in association management having held executive management roles in several mission-driven and trade membership-based organizations.date:06/12 Year:2025
ACPM Statement on U.S. Vaccine Advisory Committees
ACPM's position on supporting careful review of experts on vaccine advisory panels, emphasizing the importance of a commitment to transparency and public health.date:06/12 Year:2025
ACPM Returns to Individual Elections for the Board of Regents
We heard you! Following the last few ACPM Board of Regent elections by slate, membership feedback indicated a strong interest in returning to individual elections. After deliberation by both the Governance Committee and the Board of Regents, as well as research on practices of similar organizations, it was decided to return to individual elections for Officer and Regent positions.
Starting with the upcoming election cycle, individuals can nominate (or self-nominate) candidates for open positions. Up to two candidates will be selected for each open position by the Nominations Subcommittee of the Governance Committee based on leadership competencies and the needs of the Board. During the ensuing four-week voting period, eligible members will be asked to vote for one candidate for each position.
For terms beginning in May 2026, Officer positions up for election include the Secretary and Treasurer, where there will be a head-to-head election between two candidates for each office. In addition, positions will be open for four Regent-at-Large positions, which will present up to eight candidates, with members voting for four.
date:05/29 Year:2025
Climate and Health Special Interest Group Launched to Enhance Residency Training and Advocacy
A new Climate and Health Special Interest Group (CH-SIG) has launched to initially establish methods for incorporating climate and health into Public Health / General Preventive Medicine (PH/GPM) residency training. There will also be an opportunity to work together on advocacy and policy.
Climate change and environmental health are an urgent focus for all public health professionals and physicians. Climate effects on health are direct (e.g., extreme heat) and indirect (e.g., vector range extensions). Increasing numbers of people are presenting for care with climate-related problems: extreme heat, injury from flooding and wind, vector-borne illness, respiratory distress from airborne particulates, and mental health issues related to real and expected illness.
date:05/15 Year:2025
Letter from the President: A Time to Lead in Preventive Medicine and Public Health
This is a transcript of ACPM President Dr. Ryung Suh’s comments during the ACPM annual meeting on May 8, 2025.
This is not an easy time to lead in public health or preventive medicine.
We are living through a time of great political upheaval and global disruption. The rise of populist and anti-science rhetoric in some countries, the emergence of infectious threats once thought nearly eradicated, increasing political polarization, social media fueled misinformation and the growing erosion of public trust — these are not just geopolitical headlines. They are forces that are shaping the health and well-being of entire populations and point to critical challenges that are impacting our profession. This is compounded by the rising tide of chronic diseases and their economic burdens, the underinvestment in public health infrastructure and the training pipeline, and the ever-present threat of high consequence infections. These, too, have geopolitical implications. The enduring truth is that public health is inherently political, and ACPM must remain engaged in the political and global dialogue. Some might say that this is a crucible moment in our history, born out of crisis, with an opportunity to rebuild our future for the better. But, it is also a period rife with risk and one that must be navigated with experience and expertise, prudence and wisdom, boldness and courage.
date:05/05 Year:2025