Press Releases: National
November 1, 2005
Health Disparities in a Hip Hop Context
As Health Care Gets Grayer and Browner, Kaiser Permanente's 28th Annual Diversity Conference Examines the Next Generation of Health Care Issues
OAKLAND, Calif. – A specia appearance by one of America's most versatile actors, a perspective on the connection between hip-hop culture and health care, and a Socratic dialogue on widening health disparities will highlight Kaiser Permanente's 28th annual National Diversity Conference being held November 2-4 at the San Francisco Marriott Hotel.
B. D. Wong, the acclaimed actor best known to television viewers as forensic psychiatrist Dr. George Huang on NBC's Law and Order: SVU, will share personal insights about racial self-image, race-based rejection, and the "model-minority myth". Kevin Powell, hip-hop poet, journalist, essayist, and widely considered "one of America's most brilliant young cultural critics" will look at today's hip hop culture and its implications for health care. Acclaimed Harvard legal scholar, author and orator, Charles Ogletree, Jr., will lead a distinguished panel in a discussion on widening health disparities in the United States. The discussion will be taped by Fred Friendly Seminars for distribution, and will be webcast by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. In addition, the conference will explore:
- Religious diversity in the workplace
- Cultural perspectives on weight
- Implications of demographic changes -- the graying of health care providers and patients, and the browning of the US population
- Cultural perceptions of pain. Is there a difference?
- The successful blending of alternative and western medicine to meet patient needs
- Cross-cultural mentoring
This highly popular event, Kaiser Permanente's premier celebration of diversity as a core value and key business strategy, is the organization's longest-running conference. The annual 2 1/2 day event hosts an impressive array of experts on leading-edge diversity issues, concepts, practices and trends in diversity management, culturally competent care delivery, workforce diversity and marketing to diverse populations.
"Kaiser Permanente has long been recognized nationally for its commitment to diversity, and as a leader in the development of culturally competent care and linguistic proficiency programs," said Ronald Knox, vice president and chief diversity officer. "This conference offers extraordinary learning opportunities, and is a showcase for creativity and innovative approaches."
About Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to: www.kp.org/newscenter.
