ADAO to host asbestos awareness conference in Arlington

The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization will bring physicians, scientists, advocates, survivors and legal experts to Arlington, Virginia, for its 21st annual asbestos awareness and prevention conference Sept. 25-26, 2026. The event will focus on prevention, treatment, policy and the law as asbestos-related disease continues to kill tens of thousands of Americans each year.

Why it matters: - The conference is designed to connect medical research, public policy, legal action and survivor testimony in one setting. - ADAO says the goal is to help prevent asbestos exposure and strengthen efforts to eliminate asbestos-caused disease. - The event comes as asbestos-related disease remains a major public health issue in the United States.

What happened: - The Asbestos Disease Awareness Organization will host its 21st Annual Asbestos Awareness and Prevention Conference on Sept. 25-26, 2026. - The meeting will take place at the Marriott AC Hotel Arlington National Landing in Arlington, Virginia, in the greater Washington, D.C., area. - The conference theme is “Asbestos: Awareness, Prevention, and the Law.” - Friday night’s program, “An Evening Under the Stars,” starts at 6:00 p.m. ET and will feature Jordan Zevon, Matt Cartsonis and Jordan Summers. - Saturday’s academic conference starts at 9:00 a.m. ET and will be followed by the Mesothelioma Awareness Day Awards & Recognition Dinner and Candle Lighting Ceremony.

The details: - The academic program includes four sessions focused on advocacy, prevention, treatment, policy and legal action. - Session I is “Two Decades of Advocacy: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Forward.” - Session II is “Asbestos Prevention and Health Impacts-Risks, Diagnosis, and Advances in Treatment.” - Session III is “From Awareness to Action: Policy, Advocacy, and Strategic Communications.” - Session IV is “Asbestos and the Law: Litigation, Regulation, and Legislative Action.” - Conference details and registration are available at conference information. - The organization says the conference will bring together physicians, scientists, legal experts, labor leaders, advocates, patients and families. - The event will also honor people and groups affected by asbestos-caused diseases. - The awards dinner keynote speaker is Julie Gundlach, a mesothelioma survivor and longtime asbestos-ban advocate. - The academic conference keynote speaker is Dan Whu, MD, MPH, FACPM, FAAMA, chief medical officer of the International Association of Fire Fighters. - Honorees include John M. Dement, PhD; Michael Crane, MD, MPH; Jordan Summers; Mesothelioma UK; 9/11 Health Watch; Miles for Mesothelioma; Libby Brow; and Penny Jo Major. - Additional speakers include Harminder Bains, Perry Browder, Jill Cagle, Chris Carberg, Matt Cartsonis, Barry Castleman, Kim Cecchini, Ellen Costa, Michael A. Crane, Liz Darlison, Jessica Dean, Raja Flores, Arthur Frank, Ali Jarrah, Brent Kynoch, Tom Laubenthal, Richard Lemen, Steven Markowitz, Jacqueline M. Moline, Celeste Monforton, Christine Oliver, Andrew Patterson, Jane Lawton Potelle, Linda Reinstein, Emily Reinstein, Tony Rich, Greg Russell, Greg Sandifer, Peg Seminario, Bob Sussman, Andrea Wolf and Jordan Zevon.

Between the lines: - The program blends science, medicine, law and advocacy, which suggests ADAO is trying to turn awareness into policy and practical prevention. - Scheduling the awards dinner on Mesothelioma Awareness Day adds symbolic weight to the event. - The inclusion of artists alongside clinicians and legal experts points to a broader public-facing campaign, not just a professional conference.

What's next: - Attendees will use the two-day conference to share research, discuss treatment advances and coordinate advocacy. - The organization expects the event to support future efforts aimed at reducing asbestos exposure and asbestos-related deaths. - ADAO says it will continue education, advocacy and community initiatives after the conference.

The bottom line: - ADAO is using its annual conference to push a united message: asbestos exposure is preventable, and the response needs medical, legal and policy action.