Dr. Ian Smith to Speak at Extension Family Conference in October

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System will be the host for the 2007 Family Conference, Oct. 10 in Huntsville. The focus of the Annual Family Conference is health literacy. According to the national report “Healthy People 2010,” health literacy involves the public’s ability to understand health information and services to make the best health decisions. This year two full days of conference and preconference activities are planned to not only help family care providers understand health literacy dynamics, but also to raise awareness about national health disparities.

Wednesday, Oct. 10 begins with a town hall meeting in the James I. Dawson Building at Alabama A&M University led by WLOR radio host Cedric Wherry from 10 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Wherry will show clips of ABC’s Primetime special “Out of Control: AIDS in the Black Community” to engage the audience in a discussion on five reasons why HIV and AIDS is on the rise among blacks in America. Following the town hall meeting, participants will move to room 240 in the Dawson Building to view “What’s Up with the Weather?” Funded by NOVA and FRONTLINE, this documentary investigates the controversial issues behind global warming.

From 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Alabama A&M University instructor Diane Leisher will lead an intergenerational Laugh Yourself to Health Workshop at Union Hill Primitive Baptist Church located at 2115 Winchester Road. Participants will learn how laughter benefits the body, mind and spirit.

From 2 p.m. until 4 p.m., participants can tour The Labyrinth of the Mental Health Center of Madison County. The labyrinth is designed to help individuals find greater clarity to specific questions or to find “relief from sorrow and healing for disease.”

Wednesday’s events will conclude with the Urban Family Network Reception from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., in the Ernest Knight Center at Alabama A&M. The reception provides a good place for conference participants to network and form new partnerships that strengthen family-centered communities.

Dr. Ian Smith of VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” is the keynote luncheon speaker Thursday, Oct. 11. Dr. Smith, who is also the founder of the historic 50 Million Pound Challenge, will speak to family care providers about health issues that affect individuals and families from a social, economic, political and cultural perspective.

Dr. Smith, the author of two New York Times bestsellers, will sign books between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. His books may be purchased from the Expansion Books exhibit table. After the book signing, attendees will enjoy a healthy lunch, hear the keynote address and join Extension in honoring outstanding citizens that serve Alabama families and communities. Highlighted will be unsung heroes who make far reaching impacts in their neighborhoods everyday.

Also on Thursday, activities and exhibits will be held at Von Braun Center in downtown Huntsville beginning at 8 a.m. Ms. Felecia Jones of the Black Belt Community Foundation and Dr. Marquita Furness Davis of the Jefferson County Committee for Economic Opportunity Head Start-Early Head Start Programs will deliver the opening addresses. Following the opening session, conference participants will have a chance to attend two concurrent sessions on health literacy programs or health disparities that occur in Alabama and across the nation.

Thursday’s events will conclude with a panel discussion on current health policies moderated by Alabama State Representative Laura Hall. The panel will feature Alabama State Senator Parker Griffith; Dr. Charles Woernle, assistant public health officer; Dr. Stephen Sodeke of Tuskegee University’s National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care; and Ms. Carter Blakey of the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion in Rockville, Md. Blakey will also introduce the audience to the next set of comprehensive health objectives – “Healthy People 2020.”

“The Annual Family Conference is a great opportunity to learn about available health resources in Alabama and across the nation,” says Marilyn Simpson-Johnson, event chair. "We not only want to focus on health disparities, but the interwoven issues of healthy lifestyle behaviors and awareness and the importance of engaging in nature-based physical activity, eating a healthy diet and limiting exposure to environmental contaminants."

Early-bird registration is $75 through Sept. 15 and $95 thereafter. Full-time student registration is $35 and registration for seniors older than 65 is $50. A group rate for 10 or more persons is $60 per individual. Tickets to the Distinguished Public Service Awards Luncheon with Dr. Ian Smith are $30 each. Contact hours and professional development credits will be available for social workers and family and consumer scientists.

For more information, please visit www.acesfamilyconference.org or contact Marilyn Simpson-Johnson at (256) 372-4961. To register, contact Susan Glover at (256)372-4946.

Posted by dreynold at September 7, 2007 02:59 PM | TrackBack