(Bluefield)—Dr. Anthony Woart, whose award-winning research in identifying the health needs of minority populations in Appalachia, was a presenter/participant at “Community Connections” a national conference designed to consider how research results can reduce health disparities. Woart is the director of the Minority Health Institute at Bluefield State College and Professor of Sociology at BSC.

The four-day conference at Wintergreen Resort in central Virginia, brought together specialists in health disparities and community members to disseminate the results of translational research, and to highlight effective models for community-higher education partnerships to reduce health disparities.

Woart’s work pointed to the disproportionately large percentage of health disparities experienced by minority populations, particularly African-Americans, within the Appalachian region. “Compared to the rest of the nation, health disparities exist more acutely in Appalachia,” he noted. “Although the minority populations within this region are small in number and percentage, there is an alarmingly high incidence of specific health issues, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, and sexually transmitted diseases within these populations.”

Woart’s presentation expounded upon the socio-cultural considerations that often limit the utilization of health services (particularly preventive services) among African-American women in this region. “Cultural issues and the health system create impediments for African-American women to receive health care,” he explained. “Many do not have health insurance and no primary physician, and as a result, have no medical professional to refer them for preventive care like an annual mammogram. Additionally, the role of African-American women often includes the responsibility of taking care of grandchildren, leaving little time for these women to care for themselves.”

“I return to Bluefield after this conference with a renewed sense of commitment for the need to address health disparities, both within this region’s African-American community, and also in the white community, particularly among the poor,” he continued. “My hope is that the role of the Minority Health Institute can be expanded to address health disparities among economic minorities—the poor—in the future.”

Woart is a past recipient of special recognition by the Minority Access National Role Models Conference. The Community Connections conference was sponsored by the Appalachian Center for Translational Research in Disparities, funded by the National Institute of Health, and coordinated by East Tennessee State University. Dr. John Ruffin, Director/National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, National Institute of Health, was the event’s keynote speaker.

July 6, 2007