AMERICAN COLLEGE OF PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

Founded in 1954, the American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM) is the national professional society of physicians engaged in the practice, teaching, and research of preventive medicine. Committed to preventing disease and promoting the health of the individual, the community, and the nation, the college's goals focus on advancing the science and art of the medical specialty of preventive medicine. ACPM provides educational opportunities for its members, advocates public policies consistent with scientific principles of the discipline, participates in national forums to address important professional concerns, and communicates developments in the specialty through its publications.

ACPM is a private, not-for-profit organization with 501(c)(3) status. It has an elected board of regents, which serves as the governing and decision-making body of the organization. The college has several committees that address important issues related to the science and practice of preventive medicine, such as practice guidelines and international health.

ACPM's membership is composed of over two thousand physicians. college members hold clinical, research, teaching, administrative, and policy positions in public agencies, managed care organizations, industry, and academia. The college membership constitutes a major national resource of expertise in areas vital to protecting and improving the nation's health, and provides guidance and direction to policy makers, planners, practicing physicians, and other health professionals, and to the public on health promotion and disease prevention issues.

ACPM is represented in the House of Delegates of the American Medical Association and has close ties with other medical specialty groups, particularly those with a primary care focus such as the American Academy of Family Practice, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Society of Internal Medicine, and the American College of Physicians. ACPM is a member of the Council of Medical Specialties/American College of Physicians and sends a delegate to the American Society of Internal Medicine House of Delegates.

ACPM works closely with other organizations representing preventive medicine and public health, including the American Public Health Association of Schools of Public Health, the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine (which jointly sponsors publication of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine with ACPM), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, the American Association of Public Health Physicians, and the National Association of City and County Health Officials. ACPM cooperates with many governmental and nongovernmental agencies, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, the National Cancer Institute, and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. ACPM is represented on the National Coordinating Committee on Clinical Preventive Services, and several ACPM members have served on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

ACPM serves as the major information resource concerning postgraduate training and careers in the field. ACPM also holds an annual review course for people wishing to prepare for the certifying examination, courses on clinical prevention and managing care for defined populations, along with many other educational offerings. ACPM also works with the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry to develop environmental health education programs for preventive medicine physicians.

Jennifer S. Edwards

(see also: American Association of Public Health Physicians; American Medical Association; American Public Health Association; Association of Schools of Public Health; Association of State and Territorial Health Officials; Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Health Resources and Services Administration; National Association of County and City Health Officials )