Research Conference in Winston-Salem Will Look at Ways to Reduce Health Disparities

A research conference at Winston-Salem State University will take a closer look at the health disparities facing communities across the country. 

The conference titled “Moving from Health Disparities to Health Equity: The Search for Solutions,” will feature Dr. Louis Sullivan as the keynote speaker.

Sullivan is the former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and former president of Morehouse School of Medicine.

The conference will examine the many factors that contribute to racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities, including poverty and violence, inadequate access to care, and personal behaviors.

Guila Cooper, of Winston-Salem State University's School of Health Sciences, says participants will take away several ideas to use in their own communities.

“We hope this conference will be duplicated on the national level. I think the take away will be that these other institutions will join with us and perhaps create some sort of a consortium to address health equities and what we can we do about continuing the search for solutions,” says Cooper.

Cooper says the conference will highlight the proven models and strategies for improving health equity in the United States. Some of the topics include mental health care for immigrants, recycling programs for green living on college campus and how faith can play a role in a patient's recovery.

The research conference at Winston-Salem State University is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged. The event will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Thursday, April 18 in the Dillard Auditorium at the Anderson Conference Center on campus.

Participants may register at www.wssu.edu/shs.