ANN ARBOR—Decreasing health disparities in communities of color will be the focus of a talk by former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders at this year’s Minority Health Conference, an annual conference organized by University of Michigan School of Public Health students. The conference will take place March 24-25 at the Michigan League on U-M’s Central Campus.

Elders’ talk starts at 8:45 p.m., March 25. Health disparities will also be the focus of an 8 p.m., March 24, talk by Dr. Walter Williams, associate director of minority health for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Other experts will address asthma, welfare reform and issues surrounding adolescent sexual activity. The conference, “Solutions for Diverse Communities: Putting Together the Public Health Puzzle,” is sponsored by the following student organizations: Public Health Students of African Descent (PHSAD), LaSALUD Latino/a Health Association, Association for Arab Health and the Black Medical Association.

The following presentations are scheduled for March 25. All will take place at the Michigan League:

“Environmental Contributors to Asthma”

 Rossina Hassoun, assistant professor, Department of Anthropology, Michigan State University. Noon.

 Edith Parker, assistant professor, Health Behavior and Health Education, U-M School of Public Health. 1:30 p.m.

 Barbara Israel, professor, Health Behavior and Health Education, U-M School of Public Health. 1:30 p.m.

 Donele Wilkins, executive director, Detroiters Working for Environmental Justice. 3:15 p.m.

“Provider Responsibility and Adolescent Sexual Activity”

 Elena Rios, president, National Hispanic Medical Association. Noon.

 Harold Pollack, assistant professor, Health Management and Policy, U-M School of Public Health. 1:30 p.m.

 Arnold S. Monto, professor, Epidemiology, U-M School of Public Health. 3:15 p.m.

“Welfare Reform”

George Kaplan, professor and chair of epidemiology, U-M School of Public Health. Noon.

 Noble Maseru, vice president of Community Health, Greater Detroit Area Health Council. 1:30 p.m.

 State representatives Artina Tinsley Hardman and Doug Hart. 3:15 p.m.

“Census 2000: Making Sure Minorities Are Counted.”

 Vernice Davis-Anthony, senior vice president of Community Health, St. John Health System. 1:30 p.m.

 Representatives from the Detroit Census 2000 Task Force.

School of Public HealthCenters for Disease Control and PreventionPublic Health Students of African DescentDepartment of AnthropologyEdith ParkerBarbara IsraelNational Hispanic Medical Association