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Date: August 27, 2014 Contact: Jennifer Sykes Phone: 816-241-7006 KANSAS CITY, MO – The Health Forward Foundation (Health Forward) and the United Way of Greater Kansas City are inviting those who are uninsured or not well-served by the current health care system to share their thoughts about health and inform key decision-makers.
On October 11, 2014, the two organizations will host the “Community Conversation on Health.” The event will include more than 300 people. Participants will include the uninsured, underserved, health care providers and other groups who have an impact on community health (i.e., educators, law enforcement, others).
The event will be held at the Sheraton Crown Center from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Over the course of the day, participants will work in small groups led by trained facilitators. People will share their experiences with health, and will consider the community’s health barriers and health successes, and their ideas for actions that can improve health for everyone. Notes from the discussions will be used to identify common themes, then each person will use a keypad to register his or her opinion.
“Good individual health depends on the health of all of those around us. We have to work together so that everyone has the opportunity to live fully. It takes a collection of voices and perspectives to get us there. This is an opportunity for us to learn about what we can do to make a healthy community for everyone,” said Health Forward President/CEO Bridget McCandless, M.D.
Health Forward and the United Way hope to use the information to engage other foundations and community partners to consider how they will use the consumer voice in their work. When finished, details of the discussion will be published and available at kcconversation.org.
“When we invest in a healthy community everyone can benefit,” said Brent Stewart, United Way President/CEO. “This is why it is important to better understand the obstacles and replicate successes to ensure those living in our community have a quality education, stable employment, safe homes and neighborhoods and access to health services in order to live healthier and longer lives.”
For more information or to register, visit kcconversation.org. For additional information on the event, contact the event director, Jennifer Wilding, Executive Director of Consensus, at jenwilding@consensuskc.org or call 816-531-5078.
