Video Games Contribute to Innovation, Advancements in Health and Health Care

Video games and the technology that drives them are contributing to significant new progress in treating illnesses and promoting better overall health. This month in Baltimore, prime examples of the growing contributions of video gaming will be on display as health professionals, game developers, academic researchers, and consultants from throughout the world convene at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

"Exciting work is being done to apply the motivational, educational, and graphical power of video games to improving public health," said Ben Sawyer, co-director of the Games for Health Project. "This meeting gives us the opportunity to experience next-generation projects and witness the potential to change how patients and health care professionals practice health care."

Conference highlights include:

• The results of efforts to use video games to teach good nutrition and physical activity habits and first-aid to youth.

• The story of Ben's Game, a Make-A-Wish Foundation game on the biological battle going on inside children fighting cancer.

• Discussion of a new game that simulates mass casualty care.

• A look at how video games are being used by hospitals to treat pain and anxiety.

• Vigorous discussion about the effectiveness of gaming tools in strengthening health and health care.

What: Games for Health Conference

When: September 22-23, 2005

Where: University of Maryland School of Medicine

655 West Baltimore Street

Baltimore, MD

Contact: Ben Sawyer, Games for Health Project

(207) 773-3700, bsawyer@seriousgames.org

Media are encouraged to attend the conference and participate in conference sessions. Cutting-edge games will be on display and a number of game developers will be in attendance. More information is available at http://www.gamesforhealth.org/events.html. The Games for Health Project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.