Community-Campus Partnership Conference to Address Health Disparities

The Community-Campus Partnership Conference to Address Health Disparities is a one-day, statewide conference to promote strategies that enhance the development and sustainability of community-campus partnerships in an effort to eliminate health disparities in Arkansas. Arkansas consistently ranks high among states with poor health outcomes. Problems include too many uninsured, too few primary caregivers and specialists, overstretched hospitals, excessive chronic disease, and unhealthy behaviors. In addition, there are other social determinants that have a negative impact on health including poverty, low educational attainment, and food deserts. The state is in need of innovative approaches to improve access to health care, overall health outcomes, and quality of life among Arkansans. The overarching goal of the conference is to engage and collaborate with diverse stakeholders representing faith communities in a forum to share current research and best practices. In addition, the conference aims to discuss and collaboratively set a meaningful research agenda, build capacity, skills and partnerships for future research, dissemination of research findings, and facilitate a forum of action.