Minority Health meetings & conferences

2012 National Refugee and Immigrant Conference: Issues and Innovations

Thursday, October 18, 2012-Friday, October 19, 2012 Chicago, Illinois

The aim of this national conference is to identify issues, emphasize best practices, and highlight innovations by providing those who work with refugees and immigrants an opportunity to learn from and to network with one another.

Families of refugees and immigrants in the U.S. must do their best to manage transitions into new communities. Many of these families encounter financial hardship, difficulty in gaining employment, cultural adjustments, health and mental issues, intergenerational conflicts, and the stresses of unfamiliar school experiences.

Services for preschool and K-12 refugee and immigrant youth and their families may be compromised by differing perceptions and misunderstandings (by both the families and those who provide services) concerning the cultural adjustment process; health, health care, and nutrition; public education enrollment and assessment, academic roles and expectations, the provision of bilingual education services and special education services, when appropriate; and American education law requirements.

To address these and other refugee and immigrant issues, individuals and nonprofit organizations need access to resources on successful practices and processes as well as solutions for challenges in refugee and immigrant integration.

Efforts to help youth and families will have a better chance of succeeding if they are based on shared understandings and collaborative partnerships among families, schools, health and mental health providers. In particular, as delineated in federal Title III of No Child Left Behind legislation, linking educators and families together can provide positive academic experiences and successful integration of refugee and immigrant children into our society.

Organizations also need to build their capacity to assist families by gaining resources through grant writing, and assisting adults to become self-sufficient in this economy through employment services and innovative practices such as microenterprise.

2012 Refugee and Immigrant Conference Committee

The Center/Adult Learning Resource Center
Chicago Public Schools
Heartland Alliance for Human Needs and Human Rights
Heartland Health Outreach
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights
Illinois Department of Human Services
Illinois Department of Public Health
Illinois State Board of Education
Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago

Indian Health Service National Behavioral Health Conference

June 25 - 28, 2012 Bloomington, Minnesota

Description: The Indian Health Service [IHS] National Behavioral Health Conference is the premiere behavioral health training and information sharing event for American Indian and Alaska Native people. Throughout its history, the conference has attracted presenters and participants from across the U.S. and has evolved into an event for cutting-edge research, promising practices, professional learning, and collaboration and networking for those engaged in behavioral health professions in Indian Country. The conference provides an opportunity for Tribes, Urban Indian providers, and States to develop discussions and identify opportunities for collaboration and coordination in addressing a range of behavioral health issues. This year’s conference includes the Methamphetamine and Suicide Prevention Initiative [MSPI] and the Domestic Prevention Initiative [DVPI] annual meetings.

Contact Info: Deborah Black (301) 443-8028

24th Annual Native Health Research Conference

The 24th Annual Native Health Research Conference, “Asking Permission to Come Ashore: Journeys to Indigenous Health and Health Research,” will be held July 16-19, 2012, in Seattle Washington.

This conference brings together stakeholders involved in the conception, production, translation, and use of health research in Indigenous communities from across the continent and world. Conference participants include many professions and community members. The conference enhances our collective ability to advance biomedical, behavioral, and health services research for the benefit of Indigenous communities, as well as to showcase recent health research projects and efforts undertaken in native communities.

Contact Us

Email: stefaniearambula@mac.com
Phone: 405-517-4129
Native Research Network, Inc.
12009 Pepper Tree Place
Oklahoma City, OK 73120

2012 Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR) Mid-Year Conference

Rising Above the Mist

The 2012 CANAR Mid-Year Conference on Native American Rehabilitation is scheduled for June 17-20, 2012 in Niagara Falls, New York and will be hosted by the Seneca Nation of Indians.

The Conference is of particular interest to representatives from 84 American Indian Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) projects across the country, American Indians with disabilities including family members, State VR agencies, Client Assistance Programs, tribal government leaders and program administrators, educators, researchers and professionals involved in rehabilitation services.

OVERVIEW OF CONFERENCE THEME
In our daily lives it is often difficult to see how far we have come from where we started. We allow the small stuff to build up and weigh us down both physically and spiritually. This is true of all of us whether we are directors, counselors, support staff, or consumers. It is important that we remember to “rise above the mist” in order to see the progress we are making towards our goals. If each of us will work to be a beacon of light that shines through the mist for someone else, only then will we truly appreciate the rainbows.

Questions
Contact Joe Kelley
1-318-727-9793
JKelley@CANAR.org

3rd Cross Cultural Health Care Conference: Collaborative and Multidisciplinary Interventions

February 8-9, 2013 Honolulu, O`ahu, Hawai‛i

Presented by:
Department of Surgery, John A. Burns School of Medicine
University of Hawai`i at Mānoa

Sponsored by:
Hawai`i Consortium for Continuing Medical Education
a joint venture between the Hawai`i Medical Association and the
John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa

OBJECTIVES

Assess the potential challenges healthcare practitioners and researchers face when working with diverse populations.
Identify the strengths and limitations of existing tools and measures that assess cultural competency/humility.
Develop opportunities to collaborate with researchers and/or practitioners across disciplines who share an interest in cross-cultural healthcare.

Contact us at +1 (808) 586 2925
mariachu@hawaii.edu

Why We Can’t Wait: Conference to Eliminate Health Disparities in Genomic Medicine

May 31 - June 1, 2012 Miami, Florida

Genetic advances hold extreme promise, but also the potential to further increase health disparities. Now is the time to address this. Join a forum of stakeholders to learn, identify, and discuss many of the challenges and possible solutions for addressing health disparities in genomic medicine.

Who should attend:

Physicians, researchers, ethicists, allied health professionals (i.e., nurses, psychologists, etc.), public health specialists, and members of the community.

Conference goals and objectives:

Educational Goals
o Understand the role genomics plays in health disparities
o Understand the impact of genomic medicine disparities on current disease management
o Appreciate the role genetic research could play in remedying health disparities.
o Anticipate future challenges in integrating genomic medicine in all populations
o Create a forum for stakeholders to identify and generate plausible solutions for health disparities in genomic medicine

Overall Learning Objectives
Specific talks will accomplish these from varying ethnic and disease perspectives.
o Define the role of genomic medicine in healthcare
o Identify current disparities in healthcare related to genetics and genomic medicine
o Predict the disparities that may emerge with the integration of genomic medicine, including sequencing
o Recognize the importance of genomic research and minority participation in such research
o Cite the gaps in translation due to lack of participation in genomic medicine research
o Analyze and implement methods to overcome barriers to research participation in their community
o Anticipate the resources needed to appropriately integrate genomic medicine into clinical practice so that all persons benefit.

For more information or to register, please visit: http://geneticsawareness.org/2012conference

To contact the Planning Committee, please email: HIHGGAPCONF@med.miami.edu

12th Symposium on Minorities, the Medically Underserved & Health Equity

June 27 - July 1, 2012 Houston, Texas

The goals of the Biennial Symposium series are to:

Exchange the latest scientific and treatment information and to share strategies for reducing the disproportionate incidence of cancer morbidity and mortality among minorities and the medically underserved;

Increase the awareness and enhance the competence of health care providers, researchers, laypersons and survivors in the areas of primary and secondary cancer prevention, early detection and treatment;

Promote culturally competent cancer care and services and ethnically balanced research, especially clinical trials;

Ensure that underserved populations are selectively targeted in the evolution of the Health Care Reform Act;

Provide a comprehensive approach to the issue of health disparities. Provide attendees with a broad knowledge base related to a biopsychosocial approach in addressing health disparities.

THEME
“Empowering Communities in the Era of Health Care Reform.”

OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of the 12th Symposium, participants should be able to:

Summarize the most current scientific information available about specific cancers and chronic diseases of particular concern in minority and medically underserved communities, including the impact of certain health and lifestyle factors;

Discuss and demonstrate the importance and promotion of cancer and chronic disease prevention, early detection, timely and quality treatment, supportive and palliative care, and end of life issues;

Effectively communicate best- or emerging practices which build community capacity to:

Advocate for new programs and policies to improve access to cancer and chronic disease preventive, screening, treatment and survivorship services; and

Build and maintain effective partnerships and networks to prevent and control chronic disease in disparity populations;

Empower participants with knowledge, skills and connections to enhance their work with communities;

Identify and access national and local organizations engaged in cancer- and chronic disease-related activities; and
Introduce community and state-level resources and available funding to reduce chronic disease and health disparities.

TARGET AUDIENCE

Cancer survivors, community-based organizations (CBOs), specialists, family physicians, and scientists interested or involved in community-based cancer prevention and control programs for minorities and the medically underserved

Students from minority or medically underserved communities seeking careers in cancer research and health care

Community leaders, chaplains, business executives, educators, hospitals and clinic administrators, government and voluntary health agency program directors responsible for health promotion and disease prevention for persons who are at higher risk of cancer or other diseases due to economic, cultural, geographic, political, social, medical or other barriers

National or local advocates for cancer survivors and the medically underserved; elected, appointed, or career government officials, public or private opinion leaders involved in biomedical research and health care reform policy

Primary care, community and family physicians, oncologists, nurses, allied health professionals, health educators, community health workers, dietitians, social workers and other persons involved in the cancer care continuum

Contact
Phone: 713-563-2764
Fax: 713-563-2765
Email: icc-symposium@uh.edu (general)
icc-abstracts@mdanderson.org (abstracts)
Mailing Address: University of Houston
Graduate College of Social Work-ICC
110HA Social Work Building, Box #49
Houston, TX 77204-4013

13th Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) International Symposium on Health Disparities

On behalf of the Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Program at Morehouse School of Medicine and the Division of Research Infrastructure of the National Center for Research Resources, we are pleased to invite you to attend and participate in the 13th RCMI International Symposium on Health Disparities to convene December 10-13, 2012 in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Pre-Symposium Training workshops will take place December 8-9.

This four-day symposium has been designed to offer opportunities for sharing research information in areas related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity, cancer, women’s health, mental health, infectious disease, stroke, and behavioral and community health. The program will highlight RCMI program institutions, partners, and collaborators. We invite others who are engaged in clinical, basic science, education and policy research in health disparities to join us. This collaborative effort, expected to draw 550-600 participants, is sponsored by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) Division of Research Infrastructure, managed by Morehouse School of Medicine, and hosted by the RCMI Programs at the Ponce School of Medicine, Universidad Central Del Caribe, and University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus.

Contact Information

RCMI2012 Secretariat
c/o The 1Joshua Group, LLC
1513 East Cleveland Avenue
Building 100-B, Suite 110
Atlanta, GA 30344-6947

Telephone 404.559.6191
Fax 404.559.6198

For email inquiries:

registrar@RCMIBiennial.org
Registration

secretariat@RCMIBiennial.org General Inquiries

37th National Association of Hispanic Nurses Annual Conference: Healthcare Reform: Mentoring the Next Generation of Nursing Leaders

July 17-20, 2012 San Juan, Puerto Rico

The 37th National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN) Conference is planned to highlight the theme, “Healthcare Reform: Mentoring the Next Generation of Nursing Leaders.”
Are you a nurse, nurse educator, researcher, clinician, and or student? We would love to have you share your knowledge, expertise, research, challenges and successes with us as we address issues related to advocating for equity and quality for Hispanic health from healthcare reform, Hispanic healthcare research and Policy development.

This promises to be a great conference come and network with colleagues, renew old friendships and experience our diverse culture.

Conference Tracks
The conference is planned around three tracks:

• Track 1:Leadership
• Track 2: Education/ Research
• Track 3: Clinical Practice

Conference Objectives:
At the end of the conference, the participant will be able to:

• Identify the frameworks and approaches through healthcare reform to develop future Hispanic nursing leaders.
• Differentiate educational and research models that will lead to advocacy to promote health in Hispanic communities.
• Integrate evidence-based research into clinical practice through healthcare reform.

15th International Congress on Circumpolar Health (ICCH15)

August 5-10, 2012 Fairbanks, Alaska

Through the ICCH, the International Union for Circumpolar Health (IUCH) promotes exchange of the health-related knowledge and discussion of recent research results between scientists, health care professionals, policy analysts, government agency representatives, and community leaders for the benefit of all humankind.

Preliminary Scientifc Program Themes:

The North: Unique Land and Social Environment
Anthropology, demography, genetics, housing, infrastructure, health service, delivery, climate change, health impacts, etc.
History of Circumpolar Health
The International Polar Year legacy, evolution of public health organizations in the North, etc.
Research in the Circumpolar North
Indigenous research and ethics, community participatory research methods, building research capacity, etc.
Social Determinants of Health
Social justice, education, health promotion, social marketing, health and social well-being, etc.
Healthy Families
Family health and well-being, women’s health, men’s health, child health, etc.
Nutrition and Food Security
Traditional diets, factors affecting food security, the politics of food, climate change for food
Behavioral Health
Suicide, addictions, holistic and other healing community programs, etc.
Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health
Water and sanitation issues, successful occupational health programs, etc.
Injury Epidemiology and Prevention in the North
Chronic Diseases
Cancer, diabetes, obesity, pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, etc.
Infectious Diseases
Tuberculosis, hepatitis, H. pylori, HPV, etc.