FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 11, 2022
Contact
Kyla M. Clark
202.263.2812
media@cbcfinc.org
Washington – Today, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) will host a “Policy for the People” Health Equity Virtual series from 11 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ET. This two-part health equity summit will address access to equitable health resources in maternal care and issues with chronic illnesses disproportionately impacting Black communities. The “Policy for the People” Virtual Health Equity Summit provides attendees the opportunity to engage in an in-depth discussion with subject-matter experts, business leaders, and members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Both sessions will be hosted as a live virtual event and broadcast on CBCF’s virtual event platform. Registration for this two-part health equity summit is free and open to the public on cbcfinc.org/events.
Part one of this summit, titled “Black Maternal Health Global to Local” will discuss the factors contributing to disparities; how social determinants of health are critical factors for maternal mortality; what programs can low-income earning women engage with to bridge the gap; generational health; and health workers in the US. According to World Health Organization reports, globally, an estimated 810 women die each day due to complications of pregnancy and childbirth.
Invited speakers for session one include Rep. Joyce Beatty, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Rep. Terri Sewell, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Rep. Robin Kelly, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust; Rep. Lauren Underwood, co-founder, and co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus; Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus; Dr. Rahel Nardos, Associate Professor, Director of Global Women’s Health, University of Minnesota; Meghan McKenzie, Principal Inclusion, Patient Inclusion, and Health Equity, Genentech; Rose Tchwenko, Country Director, Ghana, CARE; Pandora Hardtman, Chief Nursing, and Midwifery Officer, JHPIEGO; Desiree′ Solomon, Research Program Analyst, Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.
Part two of this summit, titled “Heavy Heart” The Impact of Heart Disease on Black Communities,” will discuss how social determinants of health affect our communities; how hypertension, obesity, and diabetes impact patient’s; how genetics and family history affect heart disease risk; how patients can monitor their health; helpful tips to monitor your risk factors; and how the widespread distrust of healthcare has increased due to clinical research within Black communities. Did you know? Heart disease is the leading cause of death across the United States, but this disease disproportionately impacts African American communities. For example, African Americans ages 18-49 are two times as likely to die from heart disease than whites, according to recent data from the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
Invited speakers for session two include Rep. Joyce Beatty, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus; Rep. Terri Sewell, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Rep. Robin Kelly, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust; Nicole Austin-Hillery, President and CEO of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation; Dr. Monica Webb Hooper, Deputy Director, National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities; Dr. Michelle A. Albert, Doctor of Cardiology, Chair in Cardiology, and Professor of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco; Dr. Abena A. Osei-Wusu, Medical Director, Atherosclerosis, Novartis; and Judge Ngang, Executive Director, Representation in Clinical Research, Amgen.
Registration for this two-part health equity summit is free and open to the public. Visit cbcfinc.org/events to register and learn more. The official hashtag for this event is #PolicyforthePeople. Full bios are included below.
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About the CBCF
Established in 1976, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. (CBCF) is a non-partisan, nonprofit, public policy, research, and educational institute committed to advancing the global black community by developing leaders, informing policy, and educating the public. For more information, visit cbcfinc.org.
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