2014 Minority Health Conference goes mobile
SPRINGFIELD–(ENEWSPF)–March 25, 2014. Building on the momentum of national health care reform, the 2014 Illinois Minority Health Conference, hosted by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Center for Minority Health Services and the Illinois Public Health Association, offers sessions focused on the Affordable Care Act and health workforce development.
This year’s theme, “Access + Treatment = Healthy Communities; Health Equity is the Key” embodies the impetus of the Affordable Care Act.
“Improving access to health care for all communities, whether due to newly acquired health insurance or because of an increase in the number of health professionals, is the key to eliminating health disparities,” said IDPH Director Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck. “This year’s Minority Health Conference delves into the implementation of Affordable Care Act and what it will mean for minority and underserved communities, and how we can use health care reform to bring health equity to all communities.”
Federal, state and local public health professionals, health care organizations, medical professionals, community-based organizations and others are gathering March 25-27, 2014 at the Westin Chicago Northwest to identify ways to remove barriers, strengthen communities, promote diversity and eliminate health disparities.
New this year is the Minority Health Conference ’14 app, which will allow attendees to plan their day with a personalized schedule, browse exhibitors, view maps and find general conference information. Just go to http://guidebook.com/app/MinorityHealth/ on your iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch or Android device to download the Minority Health Conference ’14 app. Windows Phone 7 and Blackberry users can use the mobile site m.guidebook.com.
The conference will also feature live webcasts of select plenary sessions. Presentations will be streamed, enabling you to view them live, via your desktop computer. To view the webcasts go to http://multimedia.illinois.gov/dph/dph-live.html.
The clock is ticking toward the March 31 deadline for signing up for affordable, comprehensive health coverage without a penalty under the Affordable Care Act. For uninsured residents or those looking to make a change in their health coverage, visit www.GetCoveredIllinois.gov or call the help desk toll-free at 866-311-1119 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Spanish-language assistance is available on the phone.
Hosting the 2014 Minority Health Conference is just one way IDPH is working to eliminate health disparities. Increasing health equity and reducing disparities for the people of Illinois through targeted leadership and outreach via strategic partnerships is a priority of the IDPH Five Year Strategy 2014-2018. For a copy of the strategic plan, go to http://www.idph.state.il.us/about/StrategicPlan_Final_2014-2018.pdf.
Source: idph.state.il.us
