Public Health Webinar

August 27, 2021

Scientific Program

Keynote Session:

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Frank Kaphesi photo

Frank Kaphesi

Kamuzu University of health sciences, Malawi

Title: Obesity and Health risks

Biography:

I am a final year (BSc Hons) Physiotherapy student at the university of Malawi, College of Medicine. An elective student with Makelere University college of health sciences (Targeting Maternal health). Consortium of Universities for Global Health (Campus Rep).

Abstract:

Obesity consists a major nutritional health problem in developed and developing nations, which has reached epidemic proportions. It is defined as the condition of excessive fat accumulation to such an extent that effects the individual’s health. It is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide.

Objective: The purpose of the review is to explore the obesity-related diseases and the essentiality of physiotherapy as a treatment.

Methods and material: the method include bibliography research from both the review and the research literature which carried out across Africa over the past five years and referred to obesity.

Results: The rampant increasing incidence of obesity is due to environmental factors that influence a genetically pathological predisposition. The body mass index (BMI) is an internationally accepted index to estimate body weight, which allows a comparison of prevalence rates worldwide.

Obesity has been known as a significant contributing factor in the development of chronic and serious diseases. These diseases include; cardiovascular disease, diabetes type 2, hypertension, stroke, heart failure and sleep apnoea. Many of the research studies report that weight loss is the main goal of treatment of obesity. Physiotherapy which involves prescription of exercise programs, is the backbone and treatment option of obesity because it has no side effects.

Conclusion: The results of present review illustrate that obesity is a public health issue which is rapidly increasing and thus needs to be addressed seriously. Specific diet combined with physiotherapy treatments such as well programmed exercises can achieve the desired loss of body fat and are the most effective and long-lasting ways to treat obesity.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Raksha Adhikari photo

Raksha Adhikari

Eco-cist, Nepal

Title: Maternal and child health situation in Nepal

Biography:

President and co-founder of Eco-cist. A public health undergraduate. Currently, I am working through Eco-cist, promoting sustainable environment.We have held awareness campaigns related to environment Sustainability and solid waste management. I strongly support body positivity and oppose gender stereotypes.  I believe that the root cause any   of disease always lies with their lifestyle and their perception on particular subject.

Abstract:

Introduction:
Maternal and child health is one the important topics in public health to be discussed. As mothers are known to be the center of creation and however the child future depends upon the state a mother is. Be it physical or social health. Until the mother isn't health, the child health cannot be expected to be in right health state and the vicious cycle continues. Infant’s nutritional health totally depends upon the mother. The lactating phase is known to be a crucial state in child’s development and also determines the future health of the child. Due to negligence and lack of knowledge many women fail to practice proper breastfeeding which however, leads malnourished child. Though there are organization working to tackle them down, its pretty hard to get results. How is the situation of maternal and child health in Nepal? Issue and challenges faced by mothers and children? What are the major programs running to tackle down those issues? The role of national government to solve the issues.

Conclusion and recommendation:
Improving health facilities, mother’s nutrition, women’s position in the society such as freedom of movement, providing education to female children, integrating Traditional Birth Attendants into local health services can play a vital role in the improvement of mothers’ health.

Meetings International -  Conference Keynote Speaker Matt Kazam photo

Matt Kazam

They laugh You win LLC

Title: A Laughing Matter: Humor to Improve Wellness, Mental Health & Raise Emotional Intelligence

Biography:

With more than 30 years’ experience and over 6500 performances as a professional stand-up comedian & Las Vegas Headliner, including thousands of corporate events, Matt Kazam is THE expert on the science of humor. Matt’s expertise lies in teaching corporate leaders and sales teams, in every industry, how to develop lighthearted communication skills, transform company culture, and make punch lines improve bottom lines.

Whether as a keynote speaker, corporate trainer or conducting a live or virtual learning event, Matt has a unique ability to teach the science of humor and the tools of stand-up comedy into an effective applicable program for any profession.  From lawyers to doctors, teachers to corporate leaders, activists to actors, everyone can benefit from using humor and the acquiring the skills of a stand-up comedian.

Matt has been a corporate trainer for the past 17 years, as well as a guest lecturer at The Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. In these programs, he provides continuing education on public speaking and humor, for some of the country’s leading thinkers, professionals, and artists.

In 2016, Matt founded They Laugh You Win, LLC to offer his personally designed corporate training courses to tap the science of humor in the areas of communication, public speaking, leadership & sales. Post pandemic, Matt has answered the call of the market and expanded his offerings to include using humor and laughter to improve employee wellness & experience, mental health, and corporate culture by providing engaging virtual workshops, courses and experiences.

As the mood of the Country is changing, the workplace is looking for innovative solutions to old problems and companies across the board are embracing Matt’s latest offering in the Diversity & Inclusion space: How to Use Your Words.

It’s a bi-product of what I teach in my Joke Writing Workshops. The science of Joke Writing forces us to become a wordsmith. To vet, analyze and choose the perfect word not only to get a laugh, but also not to offend.

If there is a victim in the joke and it is not you, don't tell it. Is just one of the ways I teach my students how to effectively and strategically use humor to win in all aspects of life. Turns out those teachings are a powerful way to connect us all to the words we use and celebrate our diversity and include everyone in the joke.”

The son of an immigrant Iranian Muslim Father and an American Born Russian Jewish Mother, Matt is the living example of diversity and inclusion. As he jokes in his hit one man show “Every Thanksgiving the families would get together and there was a Holy War going on in the living room”.  Growing up and showing up every day since has given Matt unique perspective that he applies to both his comedy and his teachings.

At the age of 10 Matt saw his first comedy show in Las Vegas at the legendary Riviera Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. He knew right then that was what he wanted to do with his life. In 2014 Matt’s boyhood dream was realized and amazingly at the same iconic property where the dream was born, the Riviera. Matt’s one-man comedy show, “40 Is Not The New 20,” was an instant success. Becoming a Las Vegas “must see” show month after month. He was the last headliner to perform at the Riviera that saw the likes of Frank Sinatra and Elvis rise to fame. 

Abstract:

Humanity is at a tipping point. There has been a loss of connection, a reduction in emotional intelligence and our empathic engines have stalled. This combined with a world in the grips of a pandemic, social unrest, racial injustice, climate change has created such a toxic landscape for humans to thrive. Happiness & joy levels are down, and stress, anger and fear are at an all-time high and it is taking a toll on both our physical & mental health.

Humor has been shown to be a powerful tool in helping to manage such disruptive negative emotions as anger and anxiety/tension. Humor can also elevate one’s mood from the depths of the daily sources of (non-clinical) depression we all occasionally suffer from every day.

Humor can also bring us together during these tough times allowing us to engage with each other, share your truth, story, message & perspective while forming a powerful human connection through laughter, empathy & trust and creates a sense of belonging, inclusion and safety.

It is safe to say we are at our best as humans where we are laughing and making each other laugh. This talk will explore the public health problems facing our society and look for ways where humor can help. From education & communication to treatment & patient experience we will look to show ways humor is being successfully used both organically and strategically in the Public Health space around the Globe.

Humor Scientist Matt Kazam will take the audience along with him on this journey to show that laughter is not only the best, but the right medicine to address this very real public health problem.  When the going gets tough, the tough get laughing.

This talk also hopes to change the mindset when it comes to humor the art form and humor the powerful part of the human experience and through the data and science, reconnect the audience with the funny that lives inside of all of us.  Empowering the audience with the strategies, tools & insights into how to use humor with intention to thrive in both our personal & professional lives.