National Medical Association
Professional Development Series
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Annual Legislative Conference
August 31, 2020 – October 2, 2020
Register Now at https://www.cbcfinc.org/
| Session I: | |
| Title: | What Does the Black Community Need to Know About Vaccinations During the COVID-19 Pandemic |
| Air Date: | Wednesday, September 2, 2020 |
| Air Time: | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (ET) |
| Description: This session will explore the accessibility and availability of vaccines, and how health disparities impact the equitable distribution of vaccines to rural communities and communities of color. | |
| Session II: | |
| Title: | Social Determinants of Health: Criminal Justice Reformand Abolishing Capital Punishment |
| Air Date: | Wednesday, September 9, 2020 |
| Air Time: | 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (ET) |
| Description: This session will discuss the link between issues of social justice and health outcomes in the Black community. The as the National Medical Association (NMA) and the National Bar Association can work to address these issues. Panelists will also discuss legislative efforts such as the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2020; and will review NMA efforts such as calling for a uniform reporting standard resulting from deaths in police custody and calling for the abolishment of the death penalty. | |
| Session III: | |
| Title: | Disparities in Caregiving for High Risk Populations: Older Adults, HIV and COVID-19 |
| Air Date: | Wednesday, September 16, 2020 |
| Air Time: | 1:00 PM – 12:00 PM (ET) |
| Description: The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the longstanding issues of disparities in healthcare and health outcomes for minority populations. Few populations are more acutely affected by inequities in health than African American seniors. | |
| Older adult African Americans are disproportionately impacted by many chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and HIV. The lack of access to quality, affordable care results in low health care utilization and the inability to engage in prevention or treatment. African Americans often experience premature aging, when compared to other racial demographics, due to unaddressed and declining health accumulated across a life span impacted by psychosocial, economic, and environmental stressors. | |
| Additionally, when compared to other racial demographics, African American seniors are more likely to be dependent on a relative for care; and often that care is given at home without additional support from other care givers. African American caregivers are often more likely to also have full-time employment outside of the home. | |
| In the age of COVID-19 these factors make older African Americans one of the most high-risk patient populations. This session will discuss strategies for supporting African American seniors and their care givers. | |
| Session IV: | |
| Title: | Increasing Diversity in Clinical Trials for Better Public Outcomes |
| Air Date: | Wednesday, September 23, 2020 |
| Air Time: | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (ET) |
| Description: In an increasingly diverse country, it is critical we address the disparities in biomedical research to ensure treatments are effective and safe – for all patients, not just some. While historically lacking, representation of minorities in clinical trials is especially important as we continue to face the COVID-19 public health crisis – a pandemic that requires novel treatments. As companies continue research and development in search of a vaccine and further knowledge about the virus, it is imperative we prioritize enrolling patients with diverse genetic backgrounds, ethnicities, and genders, so these clinical trials look as similar to our nation as they can. Join Lilly, National Medical Association, and BIO as we share the work being done right now by our industry to increase diversity in clinical trials and how we can all work together moving forward to create more equitable and innovative treatments to increase overall public health outcomes. | |
