Oral

Patricia Ellen Parsons was a long-time APHA member, health services researcher, and social activist. Her life as well as her untimely death in 1997 inspired her friends and colleagues to establish this P. Ellen Parsons lecture series to honor her leadership and contributions to a wide range of fields. P. Ellen combined scientific rigor with advocacy for fundamental social change. As a researcher she illuminated the links among health, inequality, class, race and gender; and fought to collect data at the National Center for Health Statistics that would further the analysis of access and financing. Her political work focused on building effective coalitions across disciplines and interests, redressing discrimination, and promoting accountability. She adopted Emma Goldman’s motto: if I can’t dance I don’t want to be part of your revolution. It is our goal through this series to carry on P. Ellen’s work as well as her spirit of humor, energy, and activism. The session this year explores the views of Congressional leaders on issues of particular significance to public health: the war, reproductive rights, and global trade agreements.

Session Objectives: Participants will be able to discuss the views of leaders in Congress on significant public health issues, including: The war in Iraq Reproductive rights Access to prescription drugs and trade agreements

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing