University News
WIU Celebrates Minority Health Month in April
April 6, 2021
MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University will observe Minority Health Month in April with the national theme "#VaccineReady."
WIU President Guiyou Huang, Macomb Mayor Mike Inman, Department of Health Sciences and Social Work Chair Lorette Oden, a representative from the Illinois Department of Public Health and members of the WIU Minority Health Month Planning Committee will kick off Minority Health Month at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 7 at WIU's Multicultural Center. A brief program will be held, including the reading of the proclamation declaring April as Minority Health Month.
The month will provide opportunities for the WIU and Macomb communities to participate in virtual activities and educational programming focused on increasing awareness of health-related concerns and the impact on various minority populations.
Minority Health Month is recognized annually, at the national level, by the Office of Minority Health in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Minority Health Month began 104 years ago, originally proposed by Dr. Booker T. Washington as "National Negro Health Week."
According to the Office of Minority Health, the initiative grew into a month-long program to advance health equity across the country, on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities.
Some of the virtual activities planned include:
Wednesday, April 7, 6:30-7:30 p.m. – COVID-19 and Children's Nutrition (https://wiu.zoom.us/j/97380051780)
Thursday, April 8, 10-11:30 a.m. – Drug Use and the Dimensions of Health (https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5147256346817021454)
10-11:30 a.m. – Alcohol+STIs (https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5147256346817021454)
5-6 p.m. – Young Adults and Mental Health (https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/5147256346817021454)
Friday, April 9, 10-11 a.m. – The disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on the African Americans in Chicago (https://wiu.zoom.us/j/99016455534)
Monday, April 12, 3:30-4:30 p.m. – Hispanic Health Issues (https://wiu.zoom.us/j/98140091839)
Wednesday, April 14, 6-7 p.m. – Health Care Coverage for Refugees (https://wiu.zoom.us/j/99040406174)
Thursday, April 15, 6-7 p.m. – Sexually Transmitted Disease among College Students (https://wiu.zoom.us/j/97754672703)
6-7 p.m. – Unsafe Sex and its Health Consequences Among Adolescents and Youths (https://wiu.zoom.us/j/95175723790)
Tuesday, April 20, 5:30-6:30 p.m. – LGBTQ Health Disparities Talk (https://wiu.zoom.us/j/93604527126)
The Minority Health Month Planning Committee is chaired by the WIU Council on Student Activity Funds; the Department of Health Sciences and Social Work Chair Lorette Oden. WIU sponsors include: Casa Latina; the College of Education and Human Services; Department of Health Sciences and Social Work; Department of Kinesiology; Disability Resource Center; Professor Maureen Bezold's Health Sciences graduate students in HS 512 and HS 513; the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center; the Minority Health Month Planning Committee; Office of the Provost and Academic Vice President; the Office of the President; Peace Corps Programs; Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Retention Initiatives; the University Counseling Center and the Women's Center, as well as McDonough District Hospital.
For more information on Minority Health Month, visit wiu.edu/minorityhealth.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing
Connect with us: