Genesee County Health Department

Better Life Through Better Health

Release Date: March 28, 2011            End Date: April 5, 2011

Contact Person: Suzanne Cupal, Community Health Analyst

Phone: 810-768-7970

RE: Media Interviews Available during Genesee County Health Department’s Public Health Week Conference  

           The media is invited to interview speakers and conference organizers on Tuesday, April 5, 2011 when the Genesee County Health Department will hold its 5^th Public Health Week Conference entitled “Healthy People, Healthy Places”.  Over 150 leaders and community members from Genesee County and across the state will gather at the Riverfront Center in Flint, Michigan, to discuss the impact “where we live” has on our health and the health of our communities. The conference speakers will be available for interviews the day of the event. Conference organizers are available for interviews prior to the event to discuss the conference and its objectives.

Dr. Linda Rae Murray, President of the American Public Health Association, is the conference keynote speaker and will address the problem of youth violence. The conference will also feature six sessions led by local experts and speakers from across Michigan who will address contemporary challenges including place and health, obtaining healthy, affordable foods, the effect of the economic crisis on health, and how environmental factors impact our sleep.

The conference agenda is attached. Media may contact Suzanne Cupal at 810-768-7970 or scupal@gchd.us with questions or to schedule an interview.

The conference serves as an opportunity for local and state public health officials, health care professionals, school officials and students, as well as community residents and community-based organizations, to expand their knowledge, discuss current and future issues important to the public’s health, and explore strategies that could improve these issues. Attendees will be able to use the information from this event to strengthen their roles, and those of their organizations and communities, in improving community and individual health and quality of life.

The conference is in conjunction with the National Public Health Week, April 4 - 10, 2011. In 1995, former President William Jefferson Clinton proclaimed the first full week of April as National Public Health Week (NPHW).  Since then, communities across the country have celebrated NPHW to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving the public’s health.

Registration and conference materials can be found at www.gchd.us. The cost to attend is $50 and includes the conference, meals, and materials. On-site registration will be available the day of the event. Community, professional, and student scholarships are available for the conference. We encourage everyone to take advantage of these scholarship opportunities.

Genesee County Health Department’s 5^th Public Health Week Conference

“Healthy People, Healthy Places”

Tuesday, April 5^th - Riverfront Center, Flint, MI

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