WASHINGTON DC (23 May 2003) — From May 27 to 30, Population Council social scientists and colleagues will share findings from research conducted throughout the developing world. Council staff and collaborators will discuss a range of topics, including HIV/AIDS prevention in Zambia and Vietnam, men's and women's roles in contraceptive use and parenting in Bolivia, India, and a number of sub-Saharan African countries, and gender-based violence in Brazil. These sessions are part of the Global Health Council's annual conference (location: Omni Shoreham Hotel, 2500 Calvert Street NW, Washington DC). Social scientists from the Population Council, which conducts biomedical, public health, and social science research to improve global health and well-being, will be available for discussion and interviews during the conference.

Council presentations of special interest:

Thursday, 29 May

8:30–10:30 am—Plenary session
Health and the urban poor Mark Montgomery 
(Regency Ballroom)

3:30–5:30 pm 
Building a supportive community environment for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission services 
Naomi Rutenberg 
(Executive Room, table 2)

Contraceptive use and couple relationships 
Fernando Gonzáles 
(Empire Room, table 3)

Men in maternity research in South Africa and India: Contextual differences matter 
Emma Ottolenghi 
(Empire Room, table 3)

Does men's involvement improve women's knowledge and care seeking for obstetric danger signals? 
Susan Adamchak, Frontiers/FHI
(Empire Room, table 8)

Changing the social environment to foster male involvement in antenatal care in Zimbabwe 
Ravai Marindo 
(Empire Room, table 8) 

Friday, 30 May

8:30–10:30 am 
Cost-effectiveness of a peer educator program for mobile construction workers in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 
Ann Levin, Horizons/FHI 
(Congressional Rooms A/B)

Measuring gender-equitable norms: Validation of the gem scale 
Julie Pulerwitz, Horizons/PATH 
(Cabinet Room)

The Council will maintain a staffed booth (#201) in the exhibit hall throughout the conference. This venue will offer an additional opportunity for meeting the Council's staff of experts as well as information and resource collection.