Call For
Speakers

breakout speakers

Thank you for your interest in speaking at our 2024 hybrid Health Equity Summit hosted at Harrisburg University. If you would like to be considered as one of our breakout room speakers, please complete the form.

Breakout Sessions

There will be 11 breakout sessions in which we are inviting interested speakers to lead. These sessions will include a group of 3-4 subject matter experts, with each session being 1 hour in length. The breakout rooms will vary in structure, with some being a speaker panel style and others being individuals’ presentations.

Individual Presentation Sessions: Each presenter will have a total of 15 minutes, with 10 minutes allocated for the presentation and 5 minutes for audience Q/A.

Panel Style Sessions: Each presenter will have 5 minutes to share information about themselves and experience related to the session topic. The remainder of the time will be panel style questions led by a preassigned moderator.

These sessions will focus on one of the topics below:

1. 1. Mental Health – Disproportionate access to mental health practitioners and resources has left many individuals deprived of quality and timely treatment. Equitable mental healthcare is paramount in improving the overall health status of Pennsylvanians.
   2. Disability Community Health – Vulnerable populations such as those living with disabilities are often confounded by multimorbidity. It is important to speak to these intersecting elements that affect the health of disabled individuals in our communities, and how to improve them.
   3. Bio/genetic Determinants of Health – Genetic risk factors present strong implications on susceptibility to disease. Better population health must involve growth in the biological mechanisms that contribute to illness and innovations to overcome them.
   4. Youth Health Equity – Many risk behaviors are exhibited by those in their youth; interventions of all kinds to increase physical inactivity, reduce substance use and unhealthy dietary patterns, are imperative for young people at all stages.
   5. Infant Mortality/NICU Equity – The mortality rate of infants, and their mothers -especially those of African – American identities – is remarkably high. Public health discourse must derive solutions that bridge these disparities.
   6. Rare Diseases Innovations – Rare diseases affect millions of people but constitute a small fraction of resources allocated for treatments and interventions. To reach health equity for all in the Commonwealth, it is important to allocate resources and research in this space.
   7. Digital Equity – Health information must be collected and utilized without bias in this digital age to ensure that gaps in healthcare delivery are bridged.
   8. Refugee and Migrant Health – The lack of establishment in newer communities creates many barriers for refugees and migrants to access adequate healthcare. Advancing efforts in health equity should prioritize accessible prevention measures and overall health outcomes.
   9. Housing and Homelessness – Housing instability is a significant health issue affecting vulnerable populations. Health equity efforts must act to be a part of eliminating this problem and its associated negative health outcomes.
   10. LGBTQ+ Health Equity – Improving the opportunity for LGBTQ+ populations to experience their healthiest lives is of great public health significance. A look into systemic issues is vital for aiding individuals to reach their optimal health.
   11. Racial Equity – Although a social construct, race provides a tangible framework for distribution of access to healthcare and resources. Therefore, racial equity must be primary to public health equity to ensure optimal outcomes regardless of racial designation.