15th Annual Summer Public Health Research
Institute and Videoconference on Minority Health

Abstracts, bibliography, citations, links, materials

Breaking the Cycle: Investigating the Intersection of Educational Inequities and Health Disparities

Bibliographic and web resources

Reginald Weaver, D.I.P.(hon), D.H.L.(hon), D.P.S.(hon) [bio]

When Education and Health Intersect [slides]

Abstract:

Research confirms that the better a person is educated, the more likely that person is to report being in excellent or very good health. Yet, not everyone has equal access to quality education and healthcare. Disparities exist in access to, and utilization of, our nation's education and healthcare systems. This presentation will examine the relationship between, sub-standard healthcare, and reduced academic attainment among children of lower socio-economic status. It will discuss how these circumstances result in children having poorer health, higher school dropout rates, increased risk of arrests and incarceration, higher mortality, and diminished opportunity to participate fully in our democracy than do their wealthier counterparts.

Dina C. Castro, M.P.H., Ph.D. [bio]

Education Inequities and Health Disparities: Child Development and the School Readiness Gap [slides]

Abstract:

The interaction between health status and child development has been well documented in the research literature. Conditions such as low birth weight, malnutrition, and illnesses in the early years of life have been found to be associated with physical and cognitive development delays, and later low academic achievement. Similarly, “academic achievement and education seem to be critical determinants of health across the life span and disparities in one contribute to disparities in the other” (Fiscella & Kitman, 2009). This presentation will discuss how racial disparities in the health of young children in the United States contribute to racial gaps in their school readiness.

Nicholas Freudenberg, Dr.P.H. [bio]

Reframing High School Dropout as a Public Health Issue [handout]

Abstract:

Education is one of the most powerful predictors of health, and disparities in educational achievement closely track disparities in health. However, public heath officials have rarely made reducing school dropout a public health priority nor have they examined the specific roles that health professionals can play in reducing high school dropout. This presentation makes the case for considering high school dropout a public health priority and outlines some of the specific ways that public health departments, health professionals and health advocates can contribute to reducing the United States' abysmally high school dropout rates.

Lillian A. Sparks, J.D.

Native Children’s Agenda - Policies to Improve the Health and Education of Native Students [slides]

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Videoconference information

    Abstracts, outlines, resources
    Agenda
    Attend the Videoconference at UNC  
    Broadcast information (webcast, satellite)     (View archived webcast)
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    Comments from participants
    Credits and acknowledgements   (html)   (ppt)   (pdf)
    Educational resources
    Evaluation report (doc) (pdf)
    Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
    Materials
            (Color flyer, MS Word) (Color flyer, PDF) (Pocket flyer, MS Word)
            Program for printing (pdf)
            Presentation handouts and slides
    Speaker biographies
    Sponsorship and endorsements

    Previous Videoconferences in this series
    Annual Minority Health Conference led by the UNC SPH Minority Student Caucus
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