Will County MAPP Fall Forum 

Will County Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships (MAPP) is hosting the annual Collaborative meeting, known as the Fall Forum. The Fall Forum is an opportunity for new and existing partners to come together and learn about issues concerning Will County. 

The theme of the Annual Fall Forum is Reaching for Health Equity. Health equity means everyone has the opportunity to reach their highest level of health. This round of the MAPP Process we are using a health equity framework to ensure that all people have full and equal access to opportunities that enable them to lead healthy lives. To achieve health equity, we must eliminate avoidable health inequities and health disparities through strategies addressed by the Will County MAPP Collaborative.

This year's half day event, hosted by Adventist Medical Center Bolingbrook, boasts an exciting agenda. Representatives from the MAPP Executive Committee will welcome guests. The MAPP Coordinator will present a brief overview of the Collaborative and what to expect in the next year. MAPP Action Teams will share updates about current Action Team initiatives: Will County Behavioral Health Capacity Assessment, Know Where to Go, WEWILL WorkHealthy, Rethink Your Drink and Mental Health First Aid. In addition, we will share new data from our Community Health Status Assessment. 

Our keynote presentation will feature Jim Bloyd, a local expert on health equity. Mr. Bloyd is a member of a team responsible for leading a community health improvement and planning process in Cook County. His background includes work in tobacco prevention, school health, prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, health equity, and collaborative staff development. In 2015 he completed a fellowship with the Public Health and Equity Cohort of Human Impact Partners, Oakland, CA. He is a member of the Health Equity & Social Justice Strategic Direction Team of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. Since 2006 he has provided staff support to the Collaborative for Health Equity Cook County. He has been an invited speaker on the roots of health inequities at the Institute of Medicine in 2014 and at the Center for Disease Control in April 2016.

Public health is what we as a society do collectively to assure the conditions for people to be healthy. Champions of health equity face a challenge, given the inequitable distribution of money, employment, education and other important resources that determine health and well-being. Mr. Bloyd's presentation will discuss possible ways that Will County residents, community organizations, and the public health department can work together to achieve health equity. Two related approaches and key concepts useful for understanding the origins of health inequities will be discussed. Practice examples of these approaches from other US communities will be described. Finally, tools and resources for a health equity practice will be highlighted.

This event is free to attend.

Breakfast will be served.