National Experts To Speak At Health Disparities Conference, Minnesota

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 21 Oct 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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National experts on health disparities will speak at the "Health Equality: Honoring Culture While Closing the Gap" conference, November 12 - 14, 2008, at Mystic Lake Casino and Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The conference is sponsored by the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health of the Minnesota Department of Health.

The conference will explore innovative ways to create health equality for all Minnesotans and celebrate effective health initiatives designed to reduce disparities. The conference will also recognize the work of local organizations that are dedicated to reducing health disparities in Minnesota and acknowledge groups from across the country engaged in promoting health equality.

Featured speakers include:

- Michael E. Bird, M.S.W., M.P.H., health consultant and past president of the American Public Health Association
- Gail C. Christopher, M.D., vice president for programs at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation
- Roberto Dansie, Ph.D., trainer and author of Eternal Wellsprings and Semillas De Esperanza
- Garth Graham, M.D., M.P.H., deputy assistant secretary for Minority Health in the Office of Minority Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Doua Thor, executive director of Southeast Asia Resource Action Center

In addition to the featured speakers, 35 local and national organizations will share their expertise on research and best practices for reducing health disparities. General Continuing Education Units (CEU), and social work and nursing contact hours will be provided.

A wide range of people are encouraged to attend the conference, including representatives of community and non-profit organizations, public health and social service agencies, health plans, and racial and ethnic communities.

Minnesota is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest states in the nation; however, racial and ethnic minorities and other under-served populations often experience significant disparities. They are less likely to have or use health insurance, more likely to experience teenage pregnancies, more likely to experience violent death before age 21, and more likely to experience death from diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Registration for the conference is available online here.

About The Office of Minority and Multicultural Health

The Office of Minority and Multicultural Health exists to close the gap in health disparities affecting Minnesotans. OMMH works in collaboration with other divisions in the Minnesota Department of Health, other state agencies, community-based agencies, health plans, and many other groups and organizations to improve the overall health of populations of color, American Indians, and diverse under-served communities in Minnesota.

The Office of Minority and Multicultural Health