Advocacy Conference Set for African-American and Women of Color and Health and Human Services Professionals

ALBANY, NY (04/29/2010)(readMedia)-- African-American and other women of color, together with health and human service professionals from across New York State, are invited to engage in a one-day Cultural Competence and Advocacy Conference on health care for diverse communities in Albany on May 12. The Immigrant Women's Health Initiative of Family Planning Advocates of NYS is hosting this event free of charge to help health and human services professionals build cultural competency skills and help patients acquire self advocacy skills for better health care outcomes. Those interested in participating can learn more and register at:http://www.edfundfpa.org.

Participants in this conference also will learn and employ legislative advocacy skills and meet with state lawmakers. Specifically, advocates will urge passage of legislation to make language interpretation services more widely available in health care settings and emphasize the need for cultural competency training for health care professionals who serve diverse communities.

"Immigrants, African-American and other women of color in this state experience lower quality health care because of a lack of communication between patients and providers," said Dr. Grace Mose, director of the Immigrant Women's Health Initiative. "This conference will give individual participants the necessary skills to reduce disparities in health care and other human services settings and the ability to apply them in any situation in their daily lives. Additionally, we will take these important issues to policymakers to seek legislative and regulatory change to decrease health care disparities statewide."

The event, Women's Health Matters: a Day of Cultural Competence Learning and Advocacy, is tailored to immigrant, African-American and all women of color and health and human services providers. "Cultural competence exists when providers are able to work with diverse populations with reduced conflict and more harmony," said Mose. "This happens when providers strive to accrue the knowledge and skills that will allow them to adapt their services in accordance with the ethno cultural/religious heritage of individuals, families and communities. It is a commitment to self reflection and self-critique that compels providers to acknowledge differences, accept and explore variations with others and build relationships with patients even if they are different from them culturally."

Speakers, facilitators and participants for portions of this event include:

Senator Ruth Hassell-Thompson, New York State Senate

Dr. Vanessa Cullins, vice president of medical affairs, Planned Parenthood Federation of America

Karina Cabrera,director of intergovernmental affairs, Office of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand

Grace Mose, PhD, director of the Immigrant Women's Health Initiative, Family Planning Advocates of New York State

Dina Refki, PhD, director of the Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy

Wilma Waithe; PhD, RD; director of the New York State Office of Minority Health

Zeinab Eyega, MA; executive director of Sauti Yetu Center for African Women

Those interested in participating in this event can register at no cost at: http://www.edfundfpa.org.