During 1999-2000 APHA EHOC met twice -- during the 1999 APHA Annual Meeting and on April 12, 2000. The primary tasks were to address the following issues:
- Plan EHOC Responsibilities and who will follow-up on Strategic Plan and implementing our responsibilities throughout 2000
- Discussion about Disability Concerns for the Boston Committee
- Developing an EHOC Genetics Session for the Boston Meeting
- Develop and "go live" with an EHOC portion of APHA's website
- Plan for the Business Meetings for Boston
1999 Annual Meeting
The Caucuses: During the Sunday November 7, 1999 meeting, EHOC and the Caucus Chairs/representatives met together to address Caucus/EHOC issues. A primary focus was on addressing cross-Caucus issues related to Public Health. The primary issues raised were 1) t ransgender Health as they pertain to education for medical providers and health care providers regard transgender health issues; 2) The APHA Black Caucus has a Late Breaker Resolution on genetics and research; and 3) Reauthorization on Indian Health Care Improvement Act.
Concerns were raised over the lack of adequacy of accessibility, particularly transportation, for those attendees with disabilities. There was agreement that the Disability SPIG could coordinate appropriate follow up with Sections, Caucuses and other SPIGs. Furthermore, there was agreement that the planning process for the Boston meeting should incorporate the experience of the Chicago meeting.
EHOC Business Meeting: It was agreed that a Special Session on National Human Genome Research Institute be planned for next year’s APHA annual Meeting in Boston. This year it was not possible to have a solid scientific session due to scheduling conflicts. It was determined that a high quality scientific session could not be presented at the 1999 meeting and thus the executive decision was made to delay this session to the 2000 Annual Meeting.
2000 Spring Meeting
EHOC commended APHA staff for their efforts and progress in addressing the disability and access issues related to planning for the Boston Annual Meeting.
The Scientific Session at the 2000 Annual Meeting sponsored by EHOC will address genetics and public health. This session will incorporate a cross-cultural perspective.
EHOC now has its own WebPage as part of APHA's website. Information includes minutes from recent meetings, current roster and contact information, and other issues related to EHOC concerns.
Respectfully submitted,
Mildred Hunter, MPH
Chair, Equal Health Opportunity Committee
Members of the EHOC who actively served during 1999 were: Mildred Hunter, MPH (Chair) Linda Burhansstipanov, MSPH, DrPH, CHES; Elizabeth Dean Clower, MD, MS; Marissa Cortes, MS; Jean Dorsett-Robinson, PhD, MPH; Dennis López, MPH; Melissa A. Talamantes, MS; Siu Wong, OD, MPH.
APHA liaison and staff: Al Golden, MPH; Barbara J. Hatcher, Ph.D., MPH, RN