Cumberland, state officials to hold forum on minority health disparities, equity

“Eliminating health disparities and addressing health equity is a key priority in keeping healthy New Jerseyans well, preventing those at risk from getting sick, and keeping those with chronic conditions from getting sicker,” said Commissioner Cathleen Bennett, of the state Department of Health, in a release.

Check in, registration and a continental breakfast will start at 8:30 a.m. at Cumberland County College’s Luciano Conference Center, 3322 College Drive, Vineland. Presentations and panel discussions will run from 9 a.m. to noon.

Forum speakers will include Bennett as well as experts from the state Department of Health Office of Minority and Multicultural Health, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, Cumberland County Heath Department, Vineland Health Department, Inspira Health Network Foundation, Cumberland Cape Atlantic YMCA, The Southwest Council and the N.J. Health Care Quality Institute.

Local hospitals, health departments and community groups in all counties will host about 70 events throughout the state during National Minority Health Month.

More than 30 percent of the state’s population in 2015 comprised of people who are African American or Hispanic, according to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s County Health Rankings.

In Cumberland, it was nearly 50 percent. Cumberland also ranked last in health outcomes in this year’s health rankings report.

For more information about statewide National Minority Health Month events, visit nj.gov/health/