Summit to spotlight gender health equity issues
The complexities of equitable gender health policies will be explored at the 2023 Illinois Rural Health Summit on October 10 at the Memorial Learning Center in Springfield. Presenters will discuss and lead conversations on how policy, research and clinical care can work together to make strides toward achieving better gender health equity and outcomes in rural Illinois.
“Health equity is a prominent topic in medicine today,” said Wiley Jenkins, PhD, interim chair of SIU Medicine’s Department of Population Science and Policy. “Everyone deserves a fair opportunity to attain their best health. Public policymakers and care providers have begun setting goals to improve gender health equity and equality, and these need to be driven by accurate information that is inclusive of patient needs.”
The summit is an all-day event in Springfield with the opportunity to attend in person or virtually. Keynote speakers include Paula Basta, director of the Illinois Department on Aging; Kim Hunt, executive director of Pride Action Tank and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago; and Brian Johnson, CEO of Equality Illinois. Sessions and panel discussions will address stigma, language matters, inclusion education, gender-affirming care, rural OB closures and more.
Advance registration is required. Accreditation and credit are available for select individuals. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Memorial Learning Center, 228 W. Miller St. in Springfield. Complete program information is available here.
