The Eighth Annual National Conference on Health Disparities was held November 5 through 8, 2014, in Long Beach, California. Like past conferences, it focused on policies and programs to reduce health disparities. However, the 2014 session saw one panel address a new topic—the impact of health issues, including disparities, on our nation’s military personnel and national security.

Graduates and undergraduates attend a student research forum the first day of the conference.

Day one of the conference featured an Undergraduate and Graduate Student Research Forum that was enthusiastically received by conference attendees. Opening remarks were presented by a group of distinguished public and private-sector leaders, including the Honorable James E. Clyburn, Assistant Democratic Leader, and U.S. House of Representatives of South Carolina.

Throughout the conference presenters emphasized the role of social factors, personal responsibility, and prevention in initiatives that reduce disparities. This is important to all Americans, and not just our nation’s minority citizens, because over time, our nation’s healthcare providers and policy makers have come to understand that the wellbeing of each citizen affects the wellbeing of all Americans. Truly healthy communities and their citizen leaders recognize the roles that human health, environmental quality, environmental justice, and economic development play in overall community development. Moreover, at a time when our nation’s traditional “sick care” medical model appears to be unsustainable, a comprehensive “well care” approach, recognizing social determinants and emphasizing prevention and personal responsibility, may reduce disparities and restore much-needed balance to the national dialogue on healthcare.

Congressional session with Congressman G.K. Butterfield, Jr., North Carolina, and
Congresswomen Grace Napolitano and Lucille Roybal-Allard of California.

From 2007 through 2013, the conferences have brought together diverse partners, presenters, and attendees to share their knowledge of health disparities. The programs have uncovered a much larger story that social factors like race, poverty, low educational attainment, public safety, environmental quality, and inadequate housing are major contributors to health disparities. Findings suggest potential benefits of rededicating a portion of America’s healthcare resources to programs that emphasize education, prevention, and personal responsibility—each person’s willingness and capacity to make informed decisions that reduce the likelihood of disease development.

The conference ended with a Congressional Roundtable Discussion. Elected officials and renowned health equity experts from community, local, state, and national levels created the perfect venue for leaders dedicated to health equity to share ideas and lessons learned about an issue that affects every American.

More than 360 people attended the conference. Conference Chair, Dr. David Rivers, Associate Professor at the Medical University of South Carolina, announced that the 2015 conference will be postponed and held jointly with the National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program in Washington, DC, in 2016.

For more information go to:
http://www.nationalhealthdisparities.com/2014/disparities_LONGBEACH_fnl.pdf.