UH Manoa students to address health and human rights in Hawaii

Events to commemorate 2009 National Public Health Week

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa
Contact:
Kris Coontz, (808) 956-5757
Program Administrator
Yuka Jokura, (808) 956-2334
Junior Specialist
Posted: Mar 25, 2009

The University of Hawaii at Manoa public health student organization, Hui Ola Pono, will address health and human rights by hosting a series of events from April 6-9 in honor of 2009 National Public Health Week. Accompanying these events are local and national keynote speakers, including Dr. Kekuni Blaisdell, a retired UH professor of medicine and co-founder of the organization of Hawaiian health professionals, E Ola Mao, and Dr. Frederick "Skip" Burkle, a Harvard University Humanitarian Scholar and Woodrow Wilson Senior Fellow.

"A human rights approach to health involves addressing fundamental injustices in the way we approach the health of our communities and planet. National Public Health Week provides opportunities for learning about the issues, getting involved and taking action," said Kris Coontz, Hui Ola Pono chairperson.

This year's Health Week theme, "Health and Human Rights," will deal with issues specific to Hawaii. Six major topics will be addressed over four days: Native Hawaiian and indigenous health, domestic violence, global violence, immigrant and in-migrant health, food security and nutrition, and universal health care.

Event activities range from a free social mixer at Dave & Busters, documentary screenings and an interactive teach-in. All events are free. Anyone interested in Hawaii‘s health are welcome to join the festivities. "We see the mixer as a chance to empower and mobilize the public health workforce here in Hawaii," said James Rarick, president of the Hawaii Public Health Association (HPHA).

For more information, see http://www.hawaiipublichealth.org/eblast/hhr.pdf.

For more information, visit: http://www.hawaiipublichealth.org/eblast/hhr.pdf