The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Center for Research, Health, & Social Justice will present the Community Health Impact Conference on Sept. 28-29 at 9 a.m. daily.
This free virtual event will help organizations throughout Arkansas collaborate and create ways to improve prevention methods for different cancers and cardiovascular ailments that overwhelmingly impact the state’s African American and rural residents. Additionally, health-related social justice efforts in Arkansas will receive attention.
“This will be an interactive, working conference,” said Latonya Rucker, the center’s co-director of community outreach and engagement. “Our target audience includes community leaders, researchers, healthcare providers, and students. However, anyone can attend the conference. We are focused on creating solutions.”
Rucker said the conference will also teach organizations about using joint efforts to solve issues that typically lead to cancer and different heart illnesses for too many Arkansans.
“A major focus for us is to show participants why it’s important to be proactive, work together and create preventative solutions that can reduce — and eventually eliminate disease and conditions that disproportionately affect African Americans and people who live in the rural parts of the state,” Rucker said.
In addition to team activities, Natalie S. Burke, president and CEO of CommonHealth Action, will give the keynote address, “Making Health Equity Real in a Time that Feels Surreal: Let’s Get Uncomfortable.” Ronda Henry-Tillman, MD, of UAMS and Al Richmond, executive director for Community-Campus Partnership for Health, will speak about the dangers of health disparities. The conference will also feature presentations by health policy makers, cancer patients, and healthcare providers.
To register for the conference, visit CHIC-2022.eventbrite.com. Organizations can also register by sending an email to CHICconfernce@uams.edu.