Press Releases
Posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - General News
Conference Addresses Impact of Health Disparities in the Region
Contact:
- Desiree Hellegers, Center for Social and Environmental Justice, WSU Vancouver, 360/546-9643, helleger@vancouver.wsu.edu
- Sheri Byrd, Office of Marketing and Communications, 360/546-9602, byrds@vancouver.wsu.edu
Vancouver, WA - The Center for Social and Environmental Justice at Washington State University Vancouver presents, "Health Disparities and Inequities: Mobilizing a Regional Response," 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., April 18.
The conference brings together health researchers, public health workers, community leaders, and activists from Multnomah and Clark counties to address some of the most pressing health issues in the two counties and outlying areas. Topics will include rising rates of HIV/AIDS among communities of color, health impacts of toxic contaminants in the high fish diets of tribal communities in the Columbia River Basin, and the health impacts of the Columbia River Crossing.
A panel on "Urban Environmental Health Issues," will turn particular focus to the environmental health impacts of the Columbia River Crossing, with featured speakers including Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart; Mara Gross, policy director for the Coalition for a Livable Future; and Jeri Sundvall-Williams, former director of the Environmental Justice Action Group, which was instrumental in raising public awareness of the disproportionate rates of asthma and chronic respiratory problems among communities of color in the I-5 corridor.
Keynote speaker, Brian K. Gibbs, senior research scientist and director of the Program to Eliminate Health Disparities in the Department of Health Policy and Management of the Harvard School of Public Health, will give the opening keynote address, "From Freedom to Fight: Community-Academic Solutions to Reduce Disparities in Health and Health Care," from 9 to 10 a.m.
Although the keynote and lunch are currently sold out, seats are available at the workshops and will be granted on a first-come, first-seated basis after pre-registered attendees have been seated. Parking is available in metered spaces or in the Blue Lot for $3 per day. To learn more or to register, visit http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu/events/health .
WSU Vancouver is located at 14204 N.E. Salmon Creek Ave., east of the 134th Street exit from either I-5 or I-205, or via C-Tran bus service. We offer 16 bachelor's degrees, nine master's degrees, one doctorate degree and more than 35 fields of study. Visit us on the Web at http://www.vancouver.wsu.edu.
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