Endocrine Insider
February 5, 2009

Twenty reporters from major national news outlets and syndicated news services gathered in New  York City on January 30 for The Endocrine Society's Hormones and Health Science Writers Conference. The event, held at the Grand Hyatt New York, presented a wealth of new and established data to inform reporters and dispel some common myths and misperceptions associated with often misunderstood endocrine disorders and treatments.

Dr. Wartofsky begins the conference with an introduction of The Endocrine Society and an overview of the issues.

 

The reporters in attendance listen and take notes.

For the conference, the Society assembled a panel of leading physicians and researchers, with the purposes of building relationships with key health, medical, and science writers, and raising awareness of the endocrine system and its impact on overall health. The conference also positioned The Endocrine Society as the knowledge source for the media on the science and treatment of endocrine conditions.

The conference began with welcoming remarks from Society Past-president Leonard Wartofsky, MD, who is currently chair of the Advocacy and Public Outreach Core Committee (APOCC). Dr. Wartofsky introduced Society President Robert M. Carey, MD, who gave an overview of The Endocrine Society, a definition of endocrinology, and an explanation of the role of the endocrinologist.

APOCC member Henry Anhalt, DO, served as moderator and explained the overarching theme for the conference, which was "Myths and Misperceptions." Each presenter addressed a topic currently receiving significant media coverage, clarifying what was true, what was a misperception, and what new research is being done to shed more light on the issue.

The presenters were Hugh Taylor, MD (endocrine disrupting chemicals and the impact on reproductive health), Robert Lustig, MD (endocrine disrupting chemicals and the impact on obesity and pediatric obesity), Daniel Bikle, MD (the many uses of vitamin D), Brent Wisse, MD (the benefits and risks of weight loss surgery), and Nanette Santoro, MD (the efficacy and safety or hormone therapy, including so-called bioidentical hormones).

Among the news organizations attending the event were the Associated Press, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Newsweek, Good Housekeeping and Ladies' Home Journal.

The presentations from the conference will be edited and posted on the Society's website within the next few weeks: http://www.endo-society.org/media/writers/index.cfm