PROVIDENCE, RI– From Disparities to Equity: The Power to Make Change is the theme of the 2009 New England Regional Minority Health Conference to be held in Providence, Rhode Island on October, 14, 15 & 16, 2009.
Racism, oppression and discrimination play a role in the health of our citizens. Overall, minority and low-income populations bear a disproportionate burden of death and disability from cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS. Other disparities are shown in immunization and infant mortality rates. This event provides an opportunity for public health professionals, medical providers and community organizers to share proven regional and national strategies that work to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.
Register for the conference at http://www.nermhc.com/.
Featured Speakers include:
Adewale Troutman, MD, MPH
Director of the Louisville Metro Department of Public Health and Wellness, Dr. Troutman was featured in the PBS documentary Unnatural Causes: Is Inequality Making us Sick? He is also the author of What If We Were Equal? A Comparison of the Black-White Morality Gap in 1960 and 2000. Dr. Troutman speaks Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 a.m.
Garth Graham, MD, MPH
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Minority Health in the Office of Minority Health at the Department of Health and Human Services.  Dr. Graham coordinates federal health policy that addresses minority health concerns and ensures that health programs take into account the needs of the disadvantaged, racial and ethnic populations. Dr. Graham speaks Thursday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m.
John Ruffin, Ph.D.
Director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Dr. Ruffin has devoted his professional life to improving the health status of minority populations in the U.S. For over 15 years, he has led the transformation of the NIH minority health and health disparities research agenda from a concept to an institutional reality. Dr. Ruffin speaks Friday, October 16 at 9:15 a.m.
Lisa Renee Holderby, LSWA
Executive Director of the Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers and a community health worker with 20 years experience working to improve health in Massachusetts.   She is passionate about promoting the integration of community health workers to improve access to healthcare and reduce health disparities. Ms. Holderby speaks Wednesday, October 14 at 1:30 p.m.