March 24, 2024, 7-8:30 p.m.

Columbia University Medical Center, Alumni Auditorium
650 W. 168th Street, New York, NY 10032.

Reception to follow
RSVP to cu.fpop@gmail.com

Keynote Speaker:
Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough President

Speaker Panel:

• Cathy Nonas, Director of Physical Activity and Nutrition for the New York City Department of Health

• Michael Hernandez, Community Outreach Manager, Healthy Mondays Campaign and the Harlem Health Promotion Center

• Dr. Olajide Williams, M.D., Founder, Harlem Hip Hop Public Health Education Center

Moderator:

• April Velasco, PhD, Acting Regional Health Administrator, Region II (NJ, NY, PR, USVI), US Department of Health and Human Services

Across the United States, obesity poses one of the most serious threats to the population and health care system-and New York is no exception. According to the New York City Department of Health Community Health Survey, more than a third of New Yorkers are overweight, and nearly one-quarter are obese.

The burden of obesity disproportionately falls upon communities of color. In NYC Black and Hispanic populations, the prevalence of obesity and diabetes is approximately twice that of white populations-a health disparity traceable to fundamental social and environmental problems. A diverse group of expert panelists will provide insights on the issue to critically examine the socioeconomic and political structures that cause these health disparities.

Topics up for discussion include the role of food deserts, community mobilization, nutrition education and food prices. The conference will serve as a springboard for further discussion of the development of strategies to combat the obesity epidemic in New York City.

Sponsored by:
Students for Food Policy and Obesity Prevention (FPOP),
Future Healthcare Leaders (FHL), and
Black and Latino Student Caucus (BLSC)
Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) and
Black and Latino Student Organization (BALSO)
Columbia School of Physicians and Surgeons