St. Louis, Missouri- 

WHO:  Host - U.S. Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay
Special Guest: Congresswoman Donna Christensen, (D) U.S. Virgin Islands,
Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus' Health Braintrust will join Congressman Clay in discussing policy and solutions for this urgent national public health problem.

Panelist -- Bill Dotson, Chief, Bureau of Family, School & Community Health, St. Louis City
Panelist -- Robert Fruend, CEO, Regional Health Commission
Panelist -- Betty Kerr, CEO, People’s Health Centers, Inc.
Panelist -- Dr. James Kimmey, President & CEO, Missouri Foundation for Health
Panelist -- Will Pittz, Northwest Federation of Community Organizations and Lead Author of “Closing the Gap, Solutions to Race-Based Health Disparities”
Panelist -- Dr. Vetta Sanders Thompson, Associate Professor, School of Public Health, St. Louis University
Panelist -- Dr. Consuelo Hopkins Wilkins, President, Mound City Medical Forum

Moderator -- Julius Hunter, Vice-President of Community Relations at Saint Louis University

WHAT:  Health Disparities Forum

TOPICS: What are the factors that contribute to health disparities?
Are there institutional and structural barriers blocking access to quality care for minorities?
How are local efforts reducing health disparities?
What is Congress doing to address health disparities?
How can you take action to eliminate health disparities?

WHEN: 10-11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, 2005

WHERE: Saint Louis University, John Cook Business School, Anheuser-Busch Auditorium, 3674 Lindell Blvd.

BACKGROUND:  Numerous studies confirm that African Americans and Latinos suffer disproportionately high rates of chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, kidney failure, infant mortality and HIV/AIDS.  Minority accesses to primary and specialty healthcare continues to lag behind the general population.

The Congressional Black Caucus has made eliminating healthcare disparities a key element of its national action agenda. The St. Louis forum, hosted by Congressman Clay, will explore this issue at the local and national level with expert testimony that will address not only the problem, but also potential solutions.
 
If you need further information, please contact (314) 367-1970 or (314) 890-0349.