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Western Illinois University will observe Minority Health Month in April with the theme, "Healthy Environments: A Foundation for Accelerating Health Equity." The month-long commemoration will feature a variety of minority health-related educational awareness programs and events.
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WIU Observes Minority Health Month in April

April 4, 2016

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MACOMB, IL — Western Illinois University will observe Minority Health Month in April with the theme, "Healthy Environments: A Foundation for Accelerating Health Equity." The month-long commemoration will feature a variety of minority health-related educational awareness programs and events.

Minority Health Month is spearheaded by the Office of Minority Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2016 marks the 30th year of the HHS office on minority health.

According to Lorette Oden, chair of the WIU Department of Health Sciences and Social Work, a variety of activities and programs that spotlight minority health issues across the globe are slated to take place at WIU this month.

"Programs and activities scheduled will provide information about such minority health issues as how environmental factors impact minority populations, how the people of Nigeria manage cardiovascular diseases and how to improve spiritual health, as well as highlight many other issues and challenges," Oden said. "There are presentations, panel events, discussions, food, a soccer tournament and a movie screening for all to enjoy. Join us all month long and learn about how you can take charge of your health," she added.

A schedule of the activities and programs is available below. For more information, visit wiu.edu/international_studies/mhm/ or contact Oden at LS-Oden@wiu.edu or call (309) 298-1076.

WIU Minority Health Month (April 2016) Schedule

Wednesday, April 6

Health Fair: 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Multicultural Center
Health screenings, presentations and health information provided on various topics from organizations at Western and in the Macomb community; open free to public. All minors must be accompanied by a guardian. For questions about a disability that may require accommodations, contact JoAnn Hairston-Jones at (309) 298-3225 or Lorette Oden at (309) 298-1076.

"Get Yourself Tested": 8:30 a.m.–noon and 1-3:30 p.m.
Free HIV testing: University Union Concourse
Free STI testing to the first 90 students at Beu Health Center; register online at beuonline.wiu.edu/main.aspx.

Disability Culture Day: 10 a.m.-3 p.m., University Union Capitol Room
The event will focus on changing the environment to be as accessible as possible, and reinforce society's collective responsibility to provide equal access to academics, programming and spaces. This year's theme is "Identity," and different presentations that intersect with that theme will be featured.

  • "Creating a Safe Space Beyond Power and Privilege": 10 a.m.
    Presented by Ron Pettigrew, academic adviser (Distance Education Support); Tawnya Adkins-Covert, professor, sociology and anthropology department; Carl Simien; director, Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center; and Pedro Bidegaray, director, Study Abroad and Outreach, Center for International Studies
  • "Reducing Abelist Acceptance": 11 a.m.
    Presented by Lora Ebert Wallace, professor, sociology and anthropology department
  • "Mapping Out Identity": Noon
    Presented by Julie Williams-Lawless, assistant professor, geology; Jeremy Robinett, assistant professor, recreation, park and tourism administration
  • "Queerability": 1 p.m.
    Presented by Allison Hartman, geology/biology major
  • "Disability Theory in Young Adult Literature": 2 p.m.
    Presented by Alisha White, assistant professor, English

Thursday, April 7

"Cardiovascular Diseases: Growing Health Threat in Nigeria": 3 p.m. Stipes Hall 121
Presented by Ife Oyebode, health sciences and social work graduate student

Monday, April 11

"GI Tract Cancers Are Preventable, Treatable and Beatable: Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention": 4 p.m., Stipes Hall 121
Presented by Dr. James Gonzales, M.D., general Surgery, McDonough District Hospital, Macomb Medical Group

Tuesday, April 12

"Our Big Fat Greek Evening": 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.), University Union Lamoine Room
Presentations and a free Greek meal; presented by the Food and Culture Club

Thursday, April 14

"Transporting Hazardous Cargoes Through Low Income Neighborhoods": 12:30 p.m., University Union Capitol Room
Presented by Hal Marchand, associate professor, health sciences and social work

Tuesday, April 19

"Effects of Ethnic Disparities on Mental Health of American Children": 3:30 p.m., University Union Capitol Room
Presented by Oluwatosin Omoniyi, health sciences and social work graduate student

Thursday, April 21

Spiritual Health Panel Discussion: 3:30-4:30 p.m., Multicultural Center (multipurpose room)
Featuring Shyan Edwards (Rastafarianism), Sravani Singirikonda (Hinduism), Bayan Aljamal (Islam), Ron Pettigrew (Christianity) and Shlomo Brabham (Reformed Judaism)

Friday, April 22

World Cup Soccer Tournament: 4-7 p.m., Vince Grady Field
Games will be played using Intramural Outdoor Soccer rules (six vs. six, including goalie). Teams will consist of a minimum of five players and a maximum of nine players. Any team may be co-ed, all male or all female. No separate brackets; cost $5 per player. All proceeds will go towards Doctors Without Borders. Tournament will continue to Saturday, April 23, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., if needed.

Monday, April 25

"Why We Need Local and Organic Food": 4 p.m., Stipes Hall 121
Presented by Joel Gruver, associate professor, WIU School of Agriculture; and John Curtis, Western as a Second Language (WESL) Institute

Tuesday, April 26

Alcohol Addiction Panel Discussion, 3 p.m., Stipes Hall 121
Presented by Riyal Das and Oluwatosin Omoniyi, health sciences and social work

Wednesday, April 27

Cultural Café—Morocco: noon, University Union Grand Ballroom
Presented by Johanna Lemon, RPTA graduate student; free lunch provided.

"The Hunting Ground" Screening: 7 p.m., Multicultural Center
"The groundbreaking documentary about sexual assault on American college campuses." — CNN. See www.cnn.com/shows/the-hunting-ground and www.thehuntinggroundfilm.com

Thursday, April 28

WIU Minority Health Month Keynote Address, University Union Lamoine Room
Presented by Dr. James Jeffries, board certified plastic surgeon, who will discuss disparities in health care, with a focus on breast reconstruction surgeries.

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