Citywide Forum on Health Disparities and Education

On April 6, 2011, Healthy Schools Campaign and the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services were pleased to convene a special citywide forum on strategies to address health disparities and support student wellness and learning. At the forum, more than 400 attendees heard about the latest research on the impact of health disparities on student achievement and learned what education leaders at the local and national level are doing to address these disparities and support student success.

We invite you to view video of the speakers' remarks and download the presentations they shared at forum. Below, you will also find links to relevant research.

This forum was a cornerstone of Heroes for Healthy Schools, the week-long series of events that HSC co-hosted with the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Chicago Public Schools for National Minority Health Month. You can learn more about Heroes for Healthy Schools here.

 

Please click the links below to view video for each part of the forum.

Welcome Mirtha Beadle,
Deputy Director, Office of Minority Health, U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services		  
Introductions and Overview Rochelle Davis,
President and CEO, Healthy Schools Campaign		  
Health Disparities and Racial Equity Dr. Gail Christopher,
Vice President of Program Strategy, W.K. Kellogg Foundation		 Health Disparities and Racial Equity
Slides
Healthier Students Are Better Learners Dr. Charles Basch,
Richard March Hoe Professor of Health Education at Columbia University Teachers College		 Healthier Students Are Better Learners
Slides
How Chicago Public Schools Addresses Health and Education Disparities Terry Mazany,
Interim CEO, Chicago Public Schools		  
Role of Public Health in Addressing Health and Education Disparities at School Dr. Bechara Choucair,
Commissioner, Chicago Department of Public Health		 Public Health: Addressing Health Disparities in Our Schools
Slides

Panel Question One

Panel Discussion: What specific recommendations would you make to our national leaders - from the Department of Education to the USDA to the White House - for promoting health and wellness in schools, and supporting student health and learning?  

Panel Question Two

Panel Discussion: With our first new mayor in 22 years and significant new leadership throughout the city, what would you recommend that our new Mayor or Chicago Public Schools CEO prioritize to build on the work the district has done in the last year to create more healthful school environments?  

Research

Healthier Students Are Better Learners: A Missing Link in School Reforms to Close the Achievement Gap [pdf] by Charles E. Basch. March 2010.
Available via The Campaign for Educational Equity.

Sinai Health System's Improving Community Health Survey: Report I (Ten Key Findings) [pdf] by S. Whitman, C. Williams C and AM Shah. January 2004.
Available via the Sinai Urban Health Institute.

Sinai Health System's Improving Community Health Survey: Report 2 (Ten More Key Findings) [pdf] by S. Whitman, C. Williams C and AM Shah. January 2004.
Available via the Sinai Urban Health Institute.