{"id":242268,"date":"2026-03-12T10:59:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T14:59:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=242268"},"modified":"2026-03-17T11:36:51","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T15:36:51","slug":"public-health-matters-uconn-faculty-and-students-champion-equity-and-community-voices-at-cpha","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2026\/03\/public-health-matters-uconn-faculty-and-students-champion-equity-and-community-voices-at-cpha\/","title":{"rendered":"Public Health Matters: UConn Faculty and Students Champion Equity and Community Voices at CPHA"},"content":{"rendered":"

More than 300 public health professionals, students, researchers, and community leaders gathered at the University of Saint Joseph for the 2026 Connecticut Public Health Association (CPHA) Annual Meeting,\u00a0<\/span>Public Health Matters: People, Purpose, Progress.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0UConn\u00a0School of Medicine and its UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI) were\u00a0prominently represented throughout the day, contributing a wide range of presentations that underscored the institution\u2019s commitment to advancing health equity across Connecticut.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Department<\/p>\n

A Keynote Framing the Urgency of Public Health Today\u00a0<\/span><\/b>
\nThe conference opened with a critically reflective keynote delivered by Dr. Jeffrey F. Hines, Vice President of the Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights at UConn and UConn Health. His opening slide read, \u201cPublic Health Matters: People, Purpose, Progress\u2026Especially Today.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Dr.
Dr. Jeffrey F. Hines delivering the keynote address for the 2026 CPHA Annual Meeting. He is Vice President of the Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights at UConn and UConn Health.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThe especially today piece is so critically important based on the cultural and political climate that we are in,\u201d Hines said. \u201cThere is a narrative around disbelief in science and skeptics of the benefit and value of public health. Now more than\u00a0ever\u00a0we need public health. Measles outbreaks. Upcoming Medicaid cuts. Decrease in SNAP benefits. Worsening vaccination hesitancy. These affect the lives of us all, especially vulnerable communities that continue to disproportionately share the bulk of this harm. Public health acknowledges the lineage of harm and acts to make a difference.\u201d\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

His remarks set the tone for a day centered on collective responsibility, community partnership, and the essential role of public health in safeguarding well\u2011being.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Full Day of Learning, Collaboration, and Community Engagement<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>
\nFollowing the keynote, attendees moved through a packed agenda of oral presentations, posters, and interactive sessions led by researchers, practitioners, and students from across the state. Topics ranged from racial equity and maternal health to climate resilience, food access, and the future of governmental public health.\u00a0<\/span>UConn\u2019s presence was felt in\u00a0nearly every\u00a0session block, underscoring the institution\u2019s leadership in applied public health research and practice.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

HDI Showcases Participatory Research and Equity\u2011Centered Policy Work<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>
\nThe UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI) led a 75\u2011minute panel titled \u201cThe Connecticut Commission on Racial Equity and Public Health Strategic Plan: The Value of Resident Engagement in State Health Equity Planning.\u201d The session highlighted the participatory planning process used to develop the state\u2019s strategic plan and emphasized the importance of resident voice in shaping\u00a0equitable\u00a0public health policy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Gillian
Gillian Betz, MPH of the UConn Health Disparities Institute presenting research findings at 2026 CPHA Annual Meeting.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

HDI faculty, staff, and students delivered six\u00a0additional\u00a0presentations, including:\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n