Subhrendu K. Pattanayak, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Environment, Economics & Global Health ,Duke University presented a talk on Sanitation Issues in Rural Odisha at Asian Institute of Public Health.

A seminar on “A systemic review on Improved Cook Stove and its adaptability” was presented by
Ms. Jessica Lewis, a PhD Candidate from Duke University currently doing research on biogas stove adoption in Orissa with CTRAN Consulting, a Bhubaneswar based research organization. 
Ms. Jessica emphasized on the point that improved cookstoves have the potential to reduce indoor air pollution, and thus deliver triple dividends of (1) household health (2) local environmental quality and (3) regional climate benefits. However, improved cookstoves and clean fuel dissemination programs have met with low rates of adoption. In order to understand the resistance to adopt such innovative processes, Duke University conducted a systematic review of the literature on the adoption of ICS or cleaner fuels by households in developing countries to determine who adopts, and why.  Jessica reviewed the empirical studies on ICS and fuel choice, examined the determinants of fuel and stove choice, and identified existing knowledge gaps in the surveyed population. The meeting ended with possibilities of future studies on similar issues as well as possibilities of engaging field areas and field staff of AIPH in such studies.

"In celebration of its third anniversary, the Asian Institute of Public Health (AIPH), Bhubaneswar organized a two day international seminar on "Environment and Occupational Health: Issues & Challenges" at  India International Centre, New Delhi on 18th and 19th November, with collaboration from the Indian Public Health Association (Delhi branch), University of Nebraska Medical Centre, World Health Organization, Directorate General of Health Services and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (Govt. Of India). The international seminar was inaugurated by Dr. Muzzaffar Ahmed, Member, National Disaster Management Authority in the presence of Guests of honour Dr. R. K. Srivastava, Director General of Health Services, Govt. of India and Dr. Jai P. Narain, Director, Sustainable Development & Healthy Environment, SEARO office, World Health Organization. Dr. V. K. Ramteke, Director General, Railway Health Services attended the seminar as a special guest among several other dignitaries of national and international prominence. The IPHA Delhi branch extended all organizational assistance to AIPH in making the seminar a huge success. The Seminar was attended by senior government officials, researchers, academicians, public health specialists, students and other delegates from different parts of the country and representing various medical colleges & other educational institutes, research institutions, non-governmental organizations and government departments. Renowned scientists in the field of environmental and occupational health and public health from India and abroad deliberated on emerging priorities for research and training in the above fields in India. At the end of the two day seminar, the penalists recommended to the central government to pay serious attention to the issue of environmental degradation in the country and its emerging impact on human health. The penalists also emphasized on specific policy changes to encourage research and training on environmental health in near future.
AIPH was established in 2008 as a unique centre for training and research in Public Health, especially in Odisha and India with collaboration from several nationally and internationally reputed institutions. The institute is offering a two year Master of Public Health programme in collaboration with Ravenshaw University of Cuttack, besides several other programmes for the capacity building of the health workforce in Odisha and India."