Contact:
Pamela McDonnell
Media Relations
NYU Medical Center
(212) 404-3555
Email: Pamela.McDonnell@nyumc.org
Allison Avery
Office of Diversity Affairs
NYU Medical Center
(212) 263-2349
Email: Allison.avery@med.nyu.edu
NYU SCHOOL OF MEDICINE HOSTS SECOND ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON THE HEALTH OF THE AFRICAN DIASPORA: THE HEALTH OF MEN
New York, NY - January 10, 2007 – NYU School of Medicine will host its Second Annual Conference on the Health of the African Diaspora: The Health of Men. The event will take place at NYU’s Farkas Auditorium on February 10, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m at 550 First Avenue between 30th and 33rd Street.
The conference will explore the causes for disparities in health among men of the African Diaspora and provide a forum for sharing best practices in reducing these disparities. Sessions of the Conference will cover HIV/AIDS, Prostate and Colon Cancer, Education, Justice System, and Conflict and Violence. Over 300 physicians, researchers, health care professionals, community leaders, students, and policymakers are expected to attend.
Almost two thirds (63%) of all persons infected with HIV are living in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2004, black men made up 42% of all AIDS diagnoses in men in the U.S. Between 1997 and 2001 the prostate cancer incidence rate for African American men was about 60% higher than white men. African Americans have the highest death rate from colon cancer among the U.S. population and it is the third leading cause of cancer death. In 2003, the percentage of black men in prison or jail was more than twice the percentage of white men. More black males receive their GED in prison than graduate from college. African American boys comprise 22% of those expelled from school and 23% of those suspended; however, they only make up 8.6% of public school enrollments.
Speakers of the conference include:
- David Patterson, Lieutenant Governor, New York State (invited)
- David Malbranche, Emory University School of Medicine
- Yaw Nyarko, New York University
- Arthur Burnett II, Johns Hopkins University
- John Carpten, Tgen
- Walter Gilliam, Yale University Child Study Center
- Rosa Smith, Schott Foundation for Public Education
- Robert Fullilove, Mailman School of Public Health
- Rodney Fuller, Medgar Evers College, CUNY
- Deborah Prothrow-Stith, Harvard University (invited)
- Antoine Clark, F.E.D.S Magazine
- Joseph Marshall, Omega Boys Club
The goals of the Conference on the Health of the African Diaspora are to explore the socioeconomic, cultural and educational barriers that perpetuate health disparities in the African Diaspora, to highlight realistic solutions for addressing these issues, and to encourage collaboration among health care providers, community leaders, and public health officials. The Conference is a program of the Center for the Health of the African Diaspora, one of the Centers of the Institute for Community Health and Research at NYU School of Medicine. The Institute seeks to reduce health inequities in underserved populations by engaging in community-based research, education, and training.
New York University School of Medicine has been at the forefront of efforts to address health disparities in the U.S and globally. The School has the first and only Center for Study of Asian American Health. Its annual conferences on Latino health and Asian health have served as important sources of information to health care professionals in the New York metropolitan area on the health of underserved communities in the city.
The Conference is co-sponsored by Africa House of New York University.
The cost of the event will be $10 for students and $50 for professionals. Lunch will be provided as well as a cocktail reception at the close of the conference. Journalists will have complimentary admission. Please register with Public Affairs at 212-404-3555.
For additional information, online registration, abstract submission, and to reserve an information table, please visit the Diversity Affairs website at: www.med.nyu.edu/diversity_affairs/
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