Plenary sessions

Meet Me in the Middle

Silas Buchanan

Abstract

Healthcare policy is increasingly demanding a more inclusive and equitable underserved community engagement approach from healthcare stakeholders. The success of these stakeholders in meeting policy demands will largely be defined by the number of equitable partnerships they can create with underserved faith and community-based organizations (CBOs). CBOs are generally known, liked, and trusted by their community members, they remain historically embedded in their communities and have dedicated missions to improve the health and wellbeing of community members.
 
I will share my work and experiences in building trusted partnerships with CBOs and how they can be an exceptionally effective partner to consistently outreach and engage underserved community members. I will share specific examples, tactics and strategies that demonstrate the power of CBOs and their value as subject matter experts on community engagement.

Learning Objectives

• Better understand the importance of consistently and equitably engaging underserved communities
• Understand tactics and strategies to successfully work with Community-based organization to reach community members more effectively
• See a real-world examples of how to shorten-the-distance between CBOs and healthcare stakeholders

Health literacy in Schools: Past, Present, and Future

Dr. Orkan Okan

Abstract

Health literacy has become an important public health goal and more so has health literacy in the
school setting. Schools provide a unique opportunity to promote child and adolescent health literacy
early in the life course. Making use of the high-quality learning and teaching environment available
in schools, all school-aged children can be reached and benefit from the implementation of health
literacy interventions delivered by trained and skilled education and health professionals.
Interventions can either be delivered as classroom-based or whole-of-school interventions.
However, only a few countries have adopted health literacy into their health education curriculum,
while many countries do not have a health education curriculum at all. This presentation aims to
present insights into school health literacy in Europe and the latest evidence on the health literacy
of schoolchildren, teachers, and school principals as well as on the implementation state of
organizational health literacy in schools.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the evidence on health literacy in children and schools
• Get insights into school health literacy approaches based on organizational health literacy
• Learn about ways forward for school and child health literacy

Adapting Indigenous Health Toolkit for Pediatric Populations

Laurelle Myhra

Abstract

Indigenous communities suffer some of the greatest health disparities in the nation which has been linked to bias in health care. The Indigenous Health Toolkit (IHT) was developed to train health professionals to effectively work with Indigenous communities and improve health outcomes. The IHT has seven modules that include Indigenous social justice, Cultural Humility, Indigenous history, Health effects of colonization, Cultural aspects of health, Indigenous patient-provider relationship, as well as Indigenizing health care systems. This presentation will review how these topic areas were identified and how we tailored the IHT for pediatric population in the upper Midwest.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the link between health disparities among Indigenous communities and bias in healthcare delivery.
• Analyze key areas of training needed for health professionals working with Indigenous communities.
• Define the steps to tailor the Indigenous Health Toolkit in tribal communities.

Weather, Climate Change and Health Literacy

Mr. Erik Salna

Abstract

Erik will share best practices in informal weather education outreach and share successful examples from the Extreme Events Institute (EEI) and International Hurricane Research Center (IHRC) at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida (http://eei.fiu.edu/). Attendees will learn about the NOAA Weather-Ready Nation Ambassador Program and ways to make your community Ready, Responsive and Resilient. Topics includes weather science, safety and health, mitigation, preparedness, special needs, and underserved communities. Public-private-corporate partnerships, including your local National Weather Service, emergency management, and media will be highlighted. Attendees will also learn about FIU’s amazing NSF-NHERI Wall of Wind (https://fiu.designsafe-ci.org/)

Learning Objectives

• Learn about best practices in weather safety and health programing.
• Identify key weather partners and participants in their community.
• List online weather resources.

“Going from Why Won’t they” to “How Can We”: Changing Systems to Build More Equitable Health Access

Saida M. Abdi

Abstract

Wisconsin healthcare providers and community-based organizations serve many refugee and
immigrant children and families who come to us with experience of loss and forced displacement.
These families often come with a different understanding of health and healing which can create
huge barriers to their health care access. When they engage with health institutions, they rarely
receive needed services due to systemic barriers including a lack of linguistically and culturally
relevant services, distrust of care provisions, stigma, and lack of health literacy. What does health
literacy look like for populations who face multiple barriers to care? How can trauma impact health
literacy? What can providers do to promote health literacy among forcibly displaced populations?
These are some of the questions that we will answer in these presentations.

Learning Objectives

• Understand the experiences of refugee and immigrant populations and how it might impact their health care access
• Understanding the need for a culturally specific approaches that overcomes barriers to health literacy among this population
• Share core stressors and strengths of Framework in working with refugee and immigrant students

Understanding the Vital Conditions Framework for Well-being

Komal Razvi & Jason Schulist

Abstract

This presentation introduces the Vital Conditions Framework, emphasizing its role in aligning federal efforts with community needs. Rooted in belonging and civic engagement, the framework enables tailored solutions for local challenges, fostering grassroots stewardship and driving transformative change. Attendees will gain practical strategies for implementing the framework to empower communities and promote inclusive development.

Learning Objectives

• Explain the significance of adopting a holistic approach to well-being through the Vital Conditions framework.
• Analyze how societal factors such as equity, and inclusion intersect with the Vital Conditions for Well-being.
• Provide tools and strategies for integrating the Vital Conditions framework into existing policies, programs, or interventions aimed at enhancing well-being.