OPAF PSA: RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES CONFERENCE

OPAF PSA: RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES CONFERENCE

Jeffrey S. Reznick

6/14/2004

The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund (OPAF) offers the following
information from H-Net ( <URL Redacted>) as a public service
announcement (PSA), in fulfillment of OPAF's official representation of
O&P in community and philanthropic circles. OPAF aims primarily to
enable individuals with physical disabilities - especially those served
by members of the U.S. orthotics and prosthetics community - to enjoy
the rewards of personal interaction, physical fitness, and social
interaction. Complete information about OPAF is available at
<URL Redacted>.

---

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR THE 2004 INNOVATIVE APPROACHES TO ELIMINATE
RACIAL AND ETHNIC HEALTH DISPARITIES CONFERENCE, SEPTEMBER 16, 2004

LOCATION: THE MICHIGAN LEAGUE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN - ANN ARBOR,
MI. Keynote Speakers: Nathan Stinson, Jr., Ph.D, MS - Director of the
Office of
Minority Health, US Department of Health and Human Services;
Kimberly Dawn Wisdon, MD,MS - State of Michigan Surgeon General,
Michigan
Department of Community Health; and John R. Lumpkin, MD - Vice
President,
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Background:
Health indicators such as life expectancy and infant mortality have
improved for most Americans but people of color continue to experience a
disproportionate burden of preventable disease, disability, and death.
It is evident that achieving better health does not depend on health
services alone, but requires comprehensive strategies that affect the
social, environmental, cultural, and economic determinants of health.
One of these strategies is sponsoring this conference which will: (1)
Highlight Best Practice models to eliminate racial and ethnic health
disparities; (2) Provide an opportunity for participants to learn
culturally approaches healthcare delivery strategies; and (3) Mobilize
participants to advocate for health policies to eliminate racial and
ethnic health disparities.

By the end of this conference, participants will be able to 1) Utilize
successful models, strategies, and policies to improve the health of
racial and ethnic populations in their organization or community;
(2)Apply culturally appropriate strategies to improve the health of
racial and ethnic populations in their organization or community;(3)List
key resources and contacts to assist their organization in the
implementation of best practice strategies to improve the health of
racial and ethnic populations;and (4) Demonstrate how to partner with
local community organizations to improve the health of racial and ethnic
populations in their community.

Conference and Abstract Topics:

Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities reduction best practice models,
policies and research from the following community sectors: health
systems and hospitals, government, community/grassroots, faith
community, universities and colleges, schools (K-12), managed care
organizations, media/entertainment and the Arts, business/industry, and
organized unions.

Abstract Application:

Abstracts must be limited to 250 words. Please share in them your name,
occupation, organization or university affiliation, address, city,
state, zip, phone, fax and email address. Let us know whether you are
submitting an abstract for either a workshop presentation or a poster
presentation. Also, list three abstract objectives.

Please include with your abstract a brief biographical sketch (1 page
maximum). Abstracts will be evaluation upon the substance and clarity of
content, relevance to conference goals and objectives, and scholarly
quality. Abstracts may be submitted for an oral (60 minute)presentation,
poster presentation, or tbe included in the conference program. A
limited number of scholarships will be available to selected presenters
to cover travel expenses.

Conference Abstract/Presenter Objectives: (1) Abstracts/Speakers will
describe their successful, culturally appropriate best practice
strategies that improved the health of racial or ethnic populations in
their community; (2)Abstracts/Speakers will explain the best practice
procedure, including techniques on partnering and identifying resources;
(3) Speakers will provide best practice strategy outcomes.

Submit your abstract application and required attachments by June 28,
2004 to the contact address below.

This event is sponsored by the University of Michigan Health System's
Program for Multicultural Health and the African American Health
Institute in collaboration with several other organizations. Conference
website: www.med.umich.edu/multicultural

Diana Urbina, Program Assistant
Program for Multicultural Health
University of Michigan Health System
2600 Green Road, Suite 150C
Ann Arbor, MI 48105-0792
734-615-1404