Health conference Feb. 5

Dr. Philip R. Lee

The College of Health and Human Services has scheduled its third annual Central California Health Conference for Thursday, Feb. 5 at the Fresno Convention Center Exhibit Hall.

The theme of the event is "Healthy Communities in the California Heartland: A Call to Action."

The conference will explore challenges and opportunities faced by health care organizations, practitioners, educators, policy makers, health and human services professionals, and students in the areas of health policy, public health promotion, cultural diversity, and health disparities in Central California.

Dr. Philip R. Lee, consulting professor for the Program in Human Biology at Stanford University and former Assistant Secretary of Health for the Department of Health and Human Services, will offer a keynote speech on "Health, Health Disparities, and Health Communities: From Problems to Solutions."

Joel Diringer, JD, MPH

Also offering a keynote address is Joel Diringer, JD, MPH, whose 1996 book "Hurting in the Heartland" described for the first time the dire conditions of health in the San Joaquin Valley , the richest agricultural valley in the world. His new report, "Health in the Heartland: The Crisis Continues," reviews the current status of health in the Valley and reports on the changes that have taken place over the past eight years.

Fees for the one-day conference are $90 for professionals and $45 for students, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. Continuing education units are available for MFTs, LCSWs, nurses and health education specialists for an additional fee of $15.

For information about the conference, contact the College of Health and Human Services at 8-3603.