Academies partner for World Congress
Friday 23 October 2009 8:56 PM
 The International Academy for Design & Health will partner with the American Institute of Architects, Academy of Architecture for Heath in the organization of the 7th Design and Health World Congress & Exhibition in Boston in 2011, exciting researchers and practitioners across the US and around the world.
Following the success of the 6th Design & Health World Congress in Singapore, preparations for the next World Congress, to be held in the city of Boston from 6-10 July, 2011, have received a timely boost after an agreement was reached with the American Institute of Architects, Academy of Architecture for Health to
partner and jointly organise the event.
The agreement, which firmly establishes the congress as the leading global forum promoting the interdisciplinary exchange of knowledge and research in the field, was signed last month by Dr Ray Pentecost, president of The American Institute of Architects, Academy of Architecture for Health (AIA-AAH), and Prof Alan Dilani, director-general and founder of the International Academy for Design & Health.
The US is reported to spend twice as much as other industrialised nations on healthcare, yet its system arguably performs poorly by comparison, leaving more than 45.7 million people without health coverage, while 29 other countries achieve a higher life expectancy and 38 other countries have lower infant mortality.
Prof Alan Dilani said: “As healthcare costs in the western world continue to rise, the impact of the global economic downturn has forced governments and public institutions to face up to a new economic reality that is demanding investment in sustainable social architecture and the design of healthy environments that improve human well-being and quality of life.
“The opportunity to organise the congress in Boston together with the AIA-AAH will provide a platform in the USA, which remains a benchmark for the world, to engage at this important time of change for health systems, which across the world are faced with the challenge of ever-rising costs and demand.”
The International Academy for Design and Health believes that human health is significantly related to the designed environment. Its mission is to spread awareness of this important message through its education, research, events, media and advocacy work and to improve and underpin future professional practice in health promotion by design.
Prof Dilani added: “The design and architecture of health services, technologies and buildings play a critical role in reshaping health systems which require a far greater focus on preventative medicine and care than current systems.
“Using the environment as a strategic tool is one of the most cost-effective and enduring approaches to improving public health, but it is one that requires salutogenic perspectives that consider wellness factors to inspire innovative design solutions.” Published this month and inserted in this issue of World Health Design, the Call for Papers for the 7th Design & Health World Congress in Boston seeks submissions that address a range of issues related to health promotion by design – and its economic impact.
In Picture above: (From left) Dr Ray Pentecost and Terri Stewart of the American Institute of Architects, Academy of Architecture for Health after signing the agreement with Prof Alan Dilani of the International Academy for Design & Health.
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