PLENARY SESSION III, PROMOTING HEALTH EQUITY AND DECREASING DISPARITIES THROUGH PUBLIC SYSTEMS OF CARE AND POLICY

Health disparities and inequities adversely affect groups of people who have systematically experienced greater obstacles in accessing health care and prevention interventions based on their racial or ethnic group, religion, socioeconomic status, gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, geography, mental health, disability or other characteristics historically linked to discrimination and exclusion. Our plenary begins with Dr. Naomi Goldstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning, Research and Evaluation at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF). Dr. Goldstein will highlight the research and evaluation the Office of Planning Research and Evaluation (OPRE) does for ACF, such as developing and evaluating human services programs and supporting scale-up of evidence-based interventions. With its simultaneous focus on rigor and relevance, OPRE’s work informs ACF programs that serve vulnerable populations, addressing disparities and promoting the economic and social well-being of children, families, individuals, and communities. Next, Dr. Janie Houle will present her research to reduce health inequities through involvement of tenants from housing projects as peer researchers in Quebec, Canada. Finally, Dr. Nancy Whitesell will discuss community-engaged research she is conducting that bridges implementation science and cultural adaptation to understand how evidence-based prevention can best serve American Indian and Alaska Native communities. Together, these presentations will explore approaches that address assumptions regarding the scale-up of evidence-based interventions and policy that may improve our ability to promote health equity and decrease disparities.

Presenters

• Dr. Naomi Goldstein, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning, Research and Evaluation, ACF
• Dr. Janie Houle, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal
• Dr. Nancy Whitesell, Centers for American Indian and Alaska Native Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

Planning Committee:

• Dr. Aleta Meyer (Chair), Office of Planning Research and Evaluation, Administration for Children and Families
• Dr. Dionne Godette, Office of Disease Prevention, National Institutes of Health
• Dr. Marie-Hélène Véronneau, Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal
• Dr. Richard Catalano, School of Social Work, University of Washington
• Dr. Sharon Lambert, Department of Psychology, The George Washington University