Free Virtual Community Health Impact Conference set for Sept. 28-29

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health Center for Research, Health & Social Justice will present the Community Health Impact Conference on Sept. 2829 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,” a news release said.

“This will be an interactive, working conference,” Latonya Rucker, the center’s co-director of community outreach and engagement, said in the release. “Our target audience includes community leaders, researchers, health care 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 preventive 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.”

Dr. Ronda Henry-Tillman 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 policymakers, cancer patients and health care providers.

Rucker said the organizing committee scheduled the conference for two days to allow each speaker, presentation and project a chance to get ample attention.

“We want to increase researcher and community partnerships to support prevention efforts aimed toward cancer and cardiovascular disease, both of which haunt African American and rural communities at an alarming rate,” she said. “Most of all, we want to create a plan of action. We’re going to focus on community development for social justice reform by assessing and addressing the needs of our rural communities. It’s pertinent that we put things in motion.”

Preventing cancer and cardiovascular issues for the affected communities is an all hands on deck endeavor, Rucker added.

“Our stakeholders, including community members, community organizations and researchers, must understand it’s time to come together and get the work done,” Rucker said. “There’s plenty of data to show preventable measures are needed statewide.

“We’re excited to help develop a blueprint for the changes that are needed.”

To register for the conference visit CHIC-2022.eventbrite.com. Organizations can also register by sending an email to CHICconfernce@uams.edu.