We are proud to invite you to the European congress of Epidemiology 2006 of the European Epidemiology Federation of the International Epidemiological Association (IEA-EEF), which will be held in Utrecht, The Netherlands, from 28 June to 1 July 2006. The congress is organised by epidemiologists of Utrecht University, under the auspices of the IEA-EEF, and in collaboration with the Netherlands Epidemiological Association.

Utrecht is located right in the centre of the Netherlands at a close distance from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and is the heart of the Dutch public transport and railway system. The lively ancient city center of Utrecht with its canals and the University Campus De Uithof with its contemporary architecture provide a splendid mixed surrounding for this congress. Utrecht University, founded in 1634, is the largest University in the Netherlands and harbours the largest medical teaching hospital in the Netherlands. The epidemiologists from Utrecht University work in the faculties of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacy and Biology, and are members of the Netherlands Epidemiological Association.

The congress will open in the afternoon of June 28 with a plenary keynote session in the medieval University Hall in the City Center of Utrecht. After this opening session, you will be able to meet and catch up with your colleagues during a “get together reception”. On June 29 and 30 and July 1, the congress will be held in the Educatorium Building at the University Campus (De Uithof), and each day will start with plenary sessions with invited keynote speakers.

The goal of this congress is to maintain the highest scientific quality of the presentations and promote the most advanced achievements in our field. Our aim is to provide a comprehensive and educational programme in the field of Epidemiology in Health Care and Public Health, and offer room for contemporary methods and innovations from the perspective of policy makers, professionals and patients. Above all, we want to stimulate open discussion among the congress participants.

Abstracts can be submitted on a wide range of topics (for example cardiovascular diseases, mental heath, and pain syndromes), and disciplines (for example Public Health and Prevention, Clinical Epidemiology, and Occupational Medicine). About 100 abstracts will selected for oral presentations during parallel sessions and about 300 abstracts will be selected for poster presentations during session breaks. The scientific programme includes educational workshops on selected topics, and there will be an opportunity to propose mini-symposia.

In addition to the scientific programme there will be an attractive social programme to allow everyone to get to know each other better and to relax. We are committed to presenting an unforgettable meeting. Your presence in Utrecht is the key to an outstanding scientific meeting and to improve the exchange of knowledge.

It is 11 years ago that the IEA-EEF congress of epidemiology was held in the Netherlands. Many of you will keep good memories of this congress in The Hague in 1995. It is our pleasure to welcome you again in The Netherlands for the IEA-EEF European congress of Epidemiology in 2006 and we trust that you will join us in this stimulating congress and that you will enjoy your stay in Utrecht.

On behalf of the organisers, yours sincerely,
Geert JMG van der Heijden, PhD
Associate Professor of Clinical Epidemiology
Visit the congress website at www.euroepi2006.org

For all information, please contact
Mrs. Evelyn Maurer
FBU Conference Office
PO Box 80125
3508 TC Utrecht
The Netherlands
Phone: ++31 30 253 2728
Fax: ++31 30 253 5851
E-mail: euroepi2006@fbu.uu.nl