Co-workers dance at a SHIRE event./Courtesy PhotoThe conference will offer tools that individuals, organizations, corporations, foundations, and government agencies can use to engage residents in neighborhoods to create meaningful and sustainable partnerships in their communities to address obesity, hunger, health, and wellness. In addition, SHIRE will present six health advocates with Community Champion Awards for their successful work in removing the barriers that impede the delivery of health care to underserved communities.
The conference will also serve as a forum for health care partners and advocates for community engagement to share lessons learned and successful strategies that impact communities and motivate individuals to take charge of their health. Organizations providing major support include Kaiser Permanente, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Aetna Inc., Papa Ola Lokahi, Consumer Health Foundation, and Giant Foods.
SHIRE is in its 14th year as a District of Columbia 501(c) (3) corporation committed to empowering D.C. residents, particularly those in underserved areas of the city, and to providing education and outreach services. Although we promote health care equity at the national, regional, and state levels, our primary focus is to promote health and wellness and address critical issues that contribute to disproportionate mortality and morbidity rates in this city – childhood obesity and the chronic diseases associated with obesity and overweight among children and adults.
For more information, contact: Celeste Arnold, media specialist at 571-426-2419 or
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