Update: Postponing the State of Health Equity among Boys and Men of Color Summit to June 2021
Dear partners and supporters of the UConn Health Disparities Institute (HDI),
We regret to inform you that our Planning Committee has made the difficult decision to postpone the 2020 State of Health Equity among Boys and Men of Color Summit scheduled to be held in Hartford, CT, in June, due to the novel coronavirus COVID-19.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has highlighted many of the health inequities in our system, which mainly gives us pause as an organization charged with eliminating health disparities in CT. HDI and UConn Health have been actively monitoring the developments related to COVID-19 as well as the emerging outbreaks within the United States and elsewhere. After taking into consideration the fast-growing number of institutions across CT and the U.S. that have implemented travel bans; the directive from CT Governor Lamont to disallow large gatherings; and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and recommendations on the progression of the virus; we have concluded that the health and safety of our partners, our attendees, and our communities are our top priority.
We will postpone the State of Health Equity among Boys and Men of Color Summit to June 2021. More information will be available in the coming months.
We want to recognize and thank our partners that dedicated their time to serving on the Planning Committee. We look forward to our sustained collaboration this year as we continue with the Summit planning.
To protect yourself and others from COVID-19, here are some things you can do:
- Wash your hands often
- Avoid touching your face
- Practice social distancing and avoid close contact with others
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow
- Stay home if you are sick and call your healthcare provider
Visit World Health Organization (WHO) and Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC.gov) to learn more about COVID-19 and ways to protect yourself and others. To locate resources and proper care, or to ask questions, contact your physician or call 2-1-1 in CT. Here is a resource of some ways for to take care of your mental and emotional well-being from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration (SAMHSA).
We thank you for your patience, understanding, and support of the decision to postpone the Summit, in light of the rapidly evolving and complex situation and our commitment to prioritizing health. We are confident about the path moving forward, and we look forward to seeing you this Fall.
Warmly,
Wizdom Powell, Ph.D., MPH
Director | Health Disparities Institute
Associate Professor | Department of Psychiatry
UConn Health