Weekly health and fitness agenda: Med-e-Tel, GH/Innovate 2010

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April events highlight innovation in fitness and health worldwide. This week Med-e-tel and GH/Innovate take place, plus Kiwanis International, the world's volunteer community, wants to know your thoughts on their three Worldwide Service Project finalists.

Med-e-Tel
April 14-16
Luxexpo Exhibition and Conference Center, Luxembourg

Med-e-Tel is in its eighth edition hosted by the International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth (ISfTeH) and this year's program will highlight innovation and efficient use of global eHealth, telemedicine and health ICT (information and communication technologies) by focusing on future trends and solutions in mHealth and new models of care. Scheduled are 150 expert presentations representing over 50 nations to share insights into how to effectively and efficiently use technologies to improve quality of health and medical care with a diverse group of industry participants ranging from health professionals, IT architects, venture capitalists and government. A three-day pass is €390 and various discounts apply for members of ISfTeH (International Society for Telemedicine & eHealth); EHTEL (European Health Telematics Association) and iACToR (International Association of CyberPsychology, Training and Rehabilitation). http://www.medetel.eu/

GH/Innovate 2010
April 17-18
Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

The 7th annual Global Health & Innovation Conference hosted by Unite for Sight, a nonprofit organization devoted to ending preventable blindness, will bring together social innovators and leading global public health promoters and professionals including bloggers, policymakers, educators, CEOs, philanthropists and scientists from over 56 nations including keynotes from Jeffrey D. Sachs, renowned development economist and Seth Godin, blogger and activist. This year's agenda includes five-minute social enterprise pitches with Q&A and feedback to encourage social innovators and entrepreneurs to actualize their ideas and collaborate or work at finding funding from other participants. Attendee rate before March 31 is $175 (€127) and $130 (€95) for students.
http://www.uniteforsight.org/conference

Vote for the Worldwide Service Project 
by mid-April
Online

Kiwanis International, the world's volunteer community with a network of 600,000 adults and youth, has selected their three finalists for the Worldwide Service Project (Malaria No More, UNICEF's Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNT) and Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases) and your vote may make a difference in the health of millions. Join the online forums that are currently taking place in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Dutch, Japanese and Chinese. The Kiwanis International Board will announce the winner at the Kiwanis International Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada in June.  http://www.kiwanis.org/wsp

FIBO 2010
April 22-25E
ssen, Germany

FIBO celebrates its 25th anniversary as Europe's key health, fitness and wellness trade event. Essen will welcome over 30,000 health industry professionals and an additional 20,000 individuals interested in overall health from 60 countries including health specialists (physiotherapists, orthopedists, cardiologists, internists) for the FIBOmed section. This expo brings together the latest in training equipment, intelligent health promotion concepts, nutrition, fashion, cutting-edge sessions and events focused around a variety of fitness and health trends, including pole fitness, Zumba, cycling, powerlifting plus a wellness marketplace with innovative new products. Advance online day tickets are €13; to purchase tickets and learn more about FIBO and the FIBOmed section visit: http://www.fibo.de

World Healing Day
April 24, 10 am
Worldwide

World Healing Day is celebrated with a series of local 24-hour events beginning at 10am on April 24. It began as an outgrowth of the Princeton University research that found collective "human consciousness could affect computers physically around the world." World Healing Day recognizes various religious and spiritual practices with celebrations addressing world healing including World Prayer Day, World Yoga Day, World T'ai Chi Qiong Day and World Meditation Day. http://www.worldhealingday.org/World_Healing_Day/World_Healing_Day.html
http://www.worldtaichiday.org

World Malaria Day
April 25
Worldwide

World Malaria Day (WMD) 2010 is a day to recognize one of the greatest global public health challenges that kills a child every 30 seconds and is treatable and preventable. This year is especially important because it is the targets countdown or "Counting Malaria Out" campaign. The UN has called for universal coverage to all people at risk of malaria to achieve the 2015 goal of near-zero deaths. On the days leading up to WMD, start tweeting and get involved with events in your area. http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/worldmalariaday

Pepsi's Refresh Project Awards for April
April 31
Online

Pepsi's Refresh Project is a new campaign based on social-cause marketing; the program is simple and user-friendly, basically if you have an idea on how to better your community's health, share it and get people to vote. RefreshEverything.com opened its third round of submitting and voting for winning community health ideas. Each month 32 grants are distributed, totaling 1.3 million dollars (715,000 Euros). To learn more http://www.refresheverything.com/

BIO International Convention
May 3-5
Chicago, Illinois, United States

The 23rd Annual BIO convention, the global biotechnology industry event of the year, takes place May 3-5 in Chicago, Illinois. This year's theme is Heal, Fuel, Feed the World and boasts keynote luncheons with US Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and former US Vice President Al Gore. More than 15,000 participants ranging from scientists to C-level executives worldwide will be introduced to the latest in biotech innovations for healthcare, industrial and environmental, and food. Tickets are $2945 (€2182) non-member and $2145 (€1590) member conference rate.  http://convention.bio.org/

Move for Health day
May 10
Worldwide

In 2002 the World Health Organization created the day to promote physical wellbeing and urged member states to engage in national and local campaigns since annually 1.9 million people die from inactivity. With obesity a concern in many nations, May 10 offers an opportunity to get physical with various local events and learn more about physical health. For more information on what your nation has planned and facts about the benefits of exercising, go to: http://www.who.int/moveforhealth/en/

Evolution Asia Yoga Conference 2010
May 14-17
Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, China

The 4th annual Asia yoga event events brings together yoga enthusiasts and masters worldwide to explore the world of yoga through practice with a range of beginning and intense classes plus the yoga bazaar offers discounts on cutting-edge yoga wear and gear. There are also educational sessions on spiritual cleansing, body balance, Thai yoga therapy and much more. The event will also offer a hip-hop dance class and trance dance party. To purchase an all-access four-day pass by May 13 for HK$ 4,799 (€463.75) or onsite at the event for HK$5,299 (€512)go to: http://www.asiayogaconference.com/2010/

World Hepatitis Day
May 19
Worldwide

World Hepatitis Day is about bringing attention to the fact that 1 in 12 are living with chronic hepatitis B or C. The World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA), is a non-profit organization that represents 280 hepatitis patient groups worldwide, has organized links and information to a number of campaigns taking place on May 19 to promote hepatitis screenings, vaccinations and awareness.  Learn more at  http://www.aminumber12.org

World No Tobacco Day
May 31
Worldwide

World No Tobacco Day is an initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and this year's program is focusing on health promotion to stop the alarming rates in which young girls are smoking and being marketed to. WHO reports one billion people could die during this century because of tobacco use. May 31 is a good day to talk to your children about the harmful effects of tobacco use and also a great date to stop smoking. For more information visit: http://www.who.int/tobacco/wntd/2010/announcement/en/