U. S. Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., to Provide Keynote Address

On the heels of a national study by the Institute of Medicine that found minorities receive health care that is inferior to that which whites are given, the Health Law Institute at DePaul University will bring together experts from a range of disciplines to examine some of the legal, ethical and social issues raised by urban health concerns at a two-day conference April 5 and 6.

“Legal, Ethical & Social Challenges in Urban Health: A Global Dialogue,” is co-sponsored by Loyola University, the Center for the Study of Gender & Race in Health Law and the Midwest People of Color Legal Scholarship Conference. On April 5, the conference will be held at the Union League Club, 65 W. Jackson Blvd., with registration beginning at 8 a.m. Critical thinkers will present papers on a broad spectrum of urban health policy issues including: African Americans and the AIDS epidemic, organ transplantation, international human rights and health, mental health and the criminal justice system, the over-identification of students of color in special education, and health issues involving women, children and the elderly.

Among the presenters for day one of the conference will be:

· Phil Bowman, director of the Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy.

· Jack Lynch, director of community affairs for the Regional Organ Bank of Illinois.

· Don Hermann, a DePaul law professor and national expert on AIDS.

· Michele Oberman, a DePaul law professor and expert on public health issues, such as AIDS, infanticide and the treatment of pregnant women.

· Michelle Goodwin, a DePaul law professor who is an authority on global race and health issues, including access to healthcare for people of color.

· Randolph Stone, director of the Mandel Legal Clinic at the University of Chicago and the former Cook County Public Defender.

Day two of the conference will begin at 8:15 a.m. and be held at the Loyola University Law School, 1 E. Pearson St. It will focus on race and the law and highlight such issues as racial profiling, the death penalty and fair sentencing.

U.S. Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr., will provide the keynote address, which will cover issues raised in his latest book, “A More Perfect Union: Advancing New American Rights.” In his book, Jackson argues for the adoption of several constitutional amendments that he believes would lead to “a more perfect union.” As part of Saturday’s program, professors will critique Jackson’s proposals. Established by DePaul’s College of Law in 1984 as a comprehensive program of interdisciplinary research and education in the field of health law, the institute recently expanded its focus to include critical health issues that impact inner-city communities. U.S. News &World Report consistently has ranked the institute as one of the top 10 health law programs in the nation.

“It is vital that we provide a vehicle to explore the myriad urban health concerns people of color face today,” said Michelle Goodwin, a faculty member in the institute and a conference organizer. “They are issues that cannot be marginalized.”

The conference fee is $175 for two days or $100 for one day. For details contact Jennifer Keplinger, conference secretary, at 312/362-8818.

Note to Editors: Reporters wishing to cover the conference in part or in its entirety should contact Valerie Phillips, DePaul media relations specialist, at 312/362-5039.