New England Regional Conference to address health disparities

by Reza Corinne Clifton

There are many complaints to be made about the healthcare system, and many targets for pointed fingers. But what happens when an opportunity comes along where you can learn, be heard, and take action? Will you be ready? Will you show your face and project your voice?

One opportunity to answer and act on those questions locally draws closer, with the New England Regional Minority Health Conference: “From Disparities to Equity:  The Power to Make Change.” Running October 14-16, 2009 in Providence, and the sixth by a group that convenes the conferences every two years, organizers expect participation by more than 600 health professionals, legislators, scholars, employers, community agencies, and grassroots organizations. Organizers like Ana Novais are also calling out to “health care consumers” – the average person. 

Novais is co-chair of this year’s conference as well as the executive director of the Rhode Island Department of Health’s Division of Community, Family Health, and Equity. She is passionate about everyone having access to quality care, and has ideas if you think so too. 

“Get involved at whatever level you can,” says Novais. “With your school district or PTA meetings if you’re a parent . . . in the city council meetings . . . in the senior center.” Specifically, she says, “be vocal about what you think health is, and about what you think you should have in your community.” It’s an easy concept, she says: “Just tell your story.”

Novais shares a story with me of how a region with “unconnected bodies” – departments of health, minority health offices, community organizations and individuals – formed a committee to improve public health and health disparities in the region as well individual states and towns.

“The first conference with this partnership was back in 1999,” says Novais, who recalls attending the first New England Regional Minority Health Committee event before she worked at Rhode Island Department of Health. She worked at another organization at the time that provided services around healthcare, education, and foster care. And her commute? Not bad, for the debut conference was held in Providence. 

Since then the conferences have been every two years, and, to ensure full participation and equal access, their goal is hitting every New England state. 

“There is strength in numbers,” says Novais, “and we need to connect everyone."

Are you concerned about equal access to healthcare? Not sure how to take the lead or “be active?” If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you’ll see Novais in October.

Ana Novais, co-chair of the 2009 New England Regional Minority Health Conference happening October 14-16 at The Westin Providence, One West Exchange Street, Providence. Event details are also at www.nermhc.com or see the business directory for an advertisement. For more about Ana Novais and the Rhode Island Department of Health, visit www.health.ri.gov.

photo by Reza Corinne Clifton