The conference tracks will relate primarily to the MDGs:

Track 1: Social determinants of health
This track covers those MDGs that focus on the social determinants of health. Abstracts for scientific papers are invited on the eradication of extreme hunger and poverty (MDG 1), achieving universal primary education (MDG 2) and gender equality and empowerment of women (MDG 3). Abstracts are also invited to address environmental sustainability (MDG 7) and partnerships for development (MDG 8).

Track 2: Health MDGs
This track covers the ‘health’ MDGs. Abstracts for scientific papers are invited that cover efforts or initiatives to reduce child mortality (MDG 4), improve maternal health (MDG 5); and combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases (MDG 6).

Track 3: Non-communicable diseases and public health implications
This track covers non-communicable diseases and public health implications MDGs. The MDGs do not cover those conditions that account for the overall burden of disease in South Africa or in the region. Abstracts are invited for scientific papers that focus on other priority diseases and risks in South Africa such as violence, road traffic collisions, smoking, mental health and substance abuse.

Track 4: Health systems research and measuring public health
This track covers health systems research and measuring public health MDGs. Abstracts are invited on methodological innovations in public health, health systems research, and measurement of health system performance, with particular focus on the measurement of progress towards the MDGs. The measurement of public health interventions, their successes, challenges / failures and barriers to up-scaling / expansion for broader population health outcomes would be of particular interest. 

Track 5: Community action and best practices
This track covers evidence-based policy and practice, and public health models of prevention, treatment, care and support activities in communities, the workplace, and the media. This track gives an opportunity to people involved in initiatives and projects at the coal-face or front-line, and who are not necessarily academics or researchers, to share their valuable and practical public health experiences. Abstracts are also invited on innovative monitoring and evaluation programmes; community-led interventions for prevention and care; and the role of media and communication in health promotion and public health.