Across the United States, racial and ethnic minorities experience disparities in health outcomes driven by social inequities and the historic and ongoing interplay of oppressive social structures, policies, and norms. The COVID-19 pandemic underline that race/ethnicity, class, and gender are inextricable intertwined and constantly intersect, generating complex social structures that impact the health outcomes of these populations. This event is intended for students, faculty, public health practitioners, clinicians, and members of the community to discuss how we can all learn from each other to achieve health equity. The symposium will tackle the most important health disparities in the US, the role of structural racism, and critical public health frameworks to address health inequities among racial and ethnic minorities.

All are invited to join the University of Kentucky College of Public Health for a virtual symposium featuring the following nationally recognized public health experts:

Keynote Speakers:

● ​Luisa N. Borrell, DDS, PhD, Distinguished Professor of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York will speak on “Hispanics/Latinos and COVID-19: Where is the Paradox?”
● Robert E. Fullilove, EdD, Professor of Sociomedical Sciences, Associate Dean for Community and Minority Affairs, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center will speak on “COVID-19, Mass Incarceration, and Public Health.”
● Gilbert C. Gee, PhD, Professor in the Department of Community Health Sciencesat the Univ. of California Los Angeles Fielding School of Public Health, will speak on “Structural Racism: The Rules and Relations of Inequality.”

Biographical notes for the speakers are available in the downloadable event program.

University of Kentucky panelists will include:

● Donna K. Arnett, MSPH, PhD, Dean and Professor of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health.
● Nancy E. Schoenberg, PhD, Marion Pearsall Professor of Behavioral Science, Associate Vice President of Research on Health Disparities, Director Center for Health Equity Transformation, University of Kentucky College of Medicine.
● Kathryn Cardarelli, PhD, Associate Professor of Health, Behavior, and Society, Senior Assistant Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professional Development, University of Kentucky College of Public Health.
● Rafael E. Pérez-Figueroa, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Health, Behavior, and Society, University of Kentucky College of Public Health.

This event is free of charge and open to the public. To register, please visit cph.uky.edu/HealthInequities2020.

This symposium is sponsored by the UK College of Public Health Committee on Diversity and Inclusive Excellence. The webinar platform has been provided by the UK Center for Innovation in Population Heath.

Faculty coordinators are Dr. Rafael E. Pérez-Figueroa and Dr. Kathryn Cardarelli. For more information contact Dr. Pérez-Figueroa.