Pennsylvania Department of Health Hosts the Second Biennial Health Equity Conference

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 21, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Carrie DeLone today kicked off Pennsylvania's second biennial Health Equity Conference, an event aimed at improving health care access and delivery.

"The Department of Health is committed to improving the health of all Pennsylvanians," DeLone said. "Addressing the issues surrounding health care access for and delivery to underserved and vulnerable populations is a vital part of our mission."

The conference provides an opportunity for health care professionals and others to share and learn more about evidence-based practices to reduce health disparities. Local, state and national presenters will be featured throughout this two-day conference.

Approximately 300 private and public health care professionals from Pennsylvania will discuss health disparities, which encompass differences in health status, the delivery of health services, or the use of health services arising from differences such as gender, race, ethnicity, education, income, disability, geographic location and sexual orientation.

Some of the topics to be addressed will include: mental health, workforce development, chronic diseases, influence of race and ethnicity, and how to better assist underserved and vulnerable populations. Additional discussions will touch on cultural sensitivity and competence in health care facilities and the role academic centers play in dispersing knowledge to diminish health disparities.

"This conference will allow participants to share insights regarding lessons learned, what works, and best practices for eliminating health care disparities in our diverse communities," DeLone added.

The conference theme for this year is "Engaging and Empowering YOU to Enhance Health Equity." For more information related to this conference, please visit www.health.state.pa.us click on "What's Hot" and then "Health Equity Conference." 

Media contact: Holli Senior, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health