On Friday Feb. 24 the Black Public Health Student Network (BPHSN) hosted its 8th annual Communities of Color Conference. This year’s theme was, “Health Care is a Human Right: Intersections of Racial Inequality and Health Attainment.” This day-long, interactive conference featured panels on various public health topics and addresses from Dean Lynn R. Goldman and keynote speaker Dr. Calvin Johnson, former Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at Temple University Health System. There were about 100 attendees and the conference was live-streamed for the first time.
The Communities of Color Conference was student-run completely. The purpose was to address disparities in minority health as well as stimulate activism to make changes. BPHSN President Kezia Barnett gave the opening welcome, which was followed by remarks from BPHSN faculty advisor Dr. Pierre Vigilance, associate dean of practice for the Milken Institute of Public Health. The day was broken up with breaks to network and mingle in between panels and addresses.
The panel discussion topics included: education and employment, housing and community development, the future of health/healthcare, and criminal justice and policing. Each featured experts from various policy groups, governmental organizations, Milken SPH departments, and nonprofits.
The education and employment panel touched on the future of the education system under the new administration and barriers to overcome health literacy. Next, the housing and development panel conversed on the impact of housing and development on health, cycle of homelessness, and situation of poor health in D.C.
During the future of health/healthcare segment, panelists discussed disparities in health access, future of healthcare under the Trump administration, and the future of the field. Dorian Wanzer, manager for advocacy and communications at the National Association of Community Health Centers, stated, “When you’ve experienced racism it’s hard to trust someone.” In response to this problem, the panel spoke about how education about health rights are so important. Dr. Cherise Harrington, assistant professor for the SPH Prevention and Community Health department, highlighted that people need to take control of their health because you can’t always rely on the system.
With the looming threat of the Affordable Care Act being repealed, now more than ever people need to know their health rights and be advocates for themselves. Dr. Jehan El-Bayoumi, executive director for the Rodham Institute, noted that the very idea of this repeal is making people sick.
The criminal justice and policing panel was about the intersection of incarceration and health. The panelists drew parallels between slavery and the prison-industry complex today. Other areas of discussion included: substance abuse as a public health issue, disabilities and the criminal justice system, and stigmas of mental illness in the black community. Keri Gray, intersectionality and youth programming consultant and program manager for U.S. Business Leadership Network, stated, “A lot of times we’re reactive,” which is why problems resulting from mental health struggles are not always prevented.
The conference was concluded by closing remarks from BPHSN Communities of Color Conference Coordinator Brittani Spaulding. She encouraged everyone to keep looking for ways to make change and find solutions. The 2017 Communities of Color Conference was an extreme success and a harbinger of a continued tradition.