Top chiropractic researcher, Christopher Kent, D.C., has been elected chairman of the NGO Health Committee. Dr. Kent is a member of the World Chiropractic Alliance (WCA) Board of Directors and a past recipient of the WCA "Chiropractic Researcher of the Year" award.

The NGO Health Committee is comprised of approximately 100 members from 18 countries, representing Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) interested in health issues, along with representatives from six academic and research institutions and five representatives from the private sector.

In 1998, the WCA was granted status as an NGO associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information and has since been active in the NGO Health Committee. Prior to his election as chairman, Dr. Kent filled the office of treasurer. He succeeds outgoing President Elaine Wolfson, Ph.D., and will serve a two-year term.

The purpose of the NGO Health Committee is to provide worldwide cooperation on issues of health in keeping with the U.N. principles and concerns by providing a forum for the exchange of global health concerns, policies, services and research; facilitating network building with all sectors at all levels regarding health; collaborating with U.N. departments, bodies, organizations and agencies in order to promote improved health and well being of all, people and convening meetings for the purpose of education and the exchange of views on issues concerned with health.

This spring, the NGO Health Committee co-sponsored a program at the United Nations Headquarters titled, "Perspectives on Chiropractic Care in Women's Health and Quality-of-Life." Previous programs have featured speakers from WHO, the World Bank, UNICEF, UNAIDS, the Rockefeller Foundation, and Harvard University.

In 1999, the WCA presented a program on "The Role of Chiropractic Care in Global Wellness" at the "International Conference of NGOs" held in Seoul, Korea.

In addition to his WCA posts, Kent is co-founder and director of research for the Chiropractic Leadership Alliance and a contributing editor for The Chiropractic Journal.

Terry Rondberg, D.C., president of the World Chiropractic Alliance, said, "We are proud of the WCA's accomplishments in the international community. Since its recognition as an NGO by the Department of Public Information, we have seen several important 'firsts' for chiropractic. These include the first chiropractic presentation at the International Conference of NGOs in Seoul, Korea; the first chiropractic presentation at U.N. Headquarters; and now, the first chiropractor to chair the NGO Health Committee. These are all landmark events, which will go far in making our global vision of chiropractic a reality."