The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62440

Reginald Fennell, PhD, CHES, Physical Education, Health and Sport Studies, Miami University, 107 A Phillips Hall, Oxford, OH 45056, Stephen B. Thomas, PhD, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, 125 Parran Hall, 130 DeSoto Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, Collins O. Airhihenbuwa, MPH, PhD, Professor of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, 304 Health and Human Development, University Park, PA 16802, and Jacob A. Gayle, PhD, Global AIDS Program, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 20, avenue Appia (WCC 448), 1211 Geneva 27, Geneva, Switzerland, 41-22-791-4430, jgayle@cdc.gov.

Blacks and other minorities continue to be underrepresented in health professions, including public health. Objective 1.8 in Healthy People 2010 states: “in the health professions, allied and associated health profession fields, and the nursing field, increase the proportion of all degrees awarded to members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. The percentages of minorities in health professions remain in the single digits. Nearly twenty years ago, the Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black & Minority Health stated “(the) proportion of Blacks among health professionals is relatively low and not likely to change appreciably in the near future. . . . If the number of Black graduates continues to rise, as it has during the past two decades, it is still unlikely that the proportion of Black professionals will significantly increase in the near future (p. 192).” This panel represents four Black professionals who have succeeded in international and public health. The panelists will provide perspectives to assist young minority professionals beginning their careers in the field of pubic health. The panelists have achieved in the areas of refereed publications, grants, distinguished awards, and international experience. Three of the panelists are tenured full professors and the other is with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS in Geneva, Switzerland. The panelists include a Director of a Center for Minority Health, a previous American Alliance for Health Education (AAHE) Scholar, and the President of the American College Health Association. Panelist will share their experiences focusing on how to succeed at the academy.

Learning Objectives:

• list at least two resources to assist them as young minority professionals,
• discuss obstacles to success at the academy for minority professionals,
• identify/articulate three methods a minority professional can use to achieve, and success at the academy.

Keywords: African American, Minorities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.