SNMA Health Equity Advocacy Tour Stops in New York to Address Inequalities in Education and Health

WASHINGTON, DC, December 04, 2010 (Press-News.org) The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) will continue its nationwide Health Equity Advocacy Tour (H.E.A.T.) on Saturday, December 4, 2010 in Flushing, NY, at Queens College in the Student Union Building, 4th floor Ballroom. This is the third stop in the H.E.A.T. tour, a national grassroots campaign to raise awareness and identify measures that can address inequities in health based on income, education, environment, and access to health services.

New York and New Jersey SNMA chapters, have collaborated with the Minority Association for Pre-health Students (MAPS) chapter at Queens College for its New York City H.E.A.T. event. There will be a full day of service to the Flushing community, paired with a town hall meeting in the afternoon to discuss the implications of education on health. Panelists of the town hall meeting include, Frank Gray, Ph.D., former superintendent of NYC schools, Councilmember Julissa Ferreras, of the NYC Council Committee on Health, and Rebecca Phaeton, M.D., medical oncologist at the Montefiore Medical Center. Nathan Boucher, of the Public Health Association of NYC, will moderate the discussion.

The event will also feature a health expo to provide a basic understanding of common diseases to encourage prevention and to avoid frequent hospitalizations that many people with these issues face. Several workshops will be held throughout the day on nutrition, exercise and fitness, yoga and sex education, as well as a blood and bone marrow drive, and a winter coat drive. All are welcome to attend this event.

The Student National Medical Association (SNMA) is the nation's oldest and largest independent, student-run organization focused on the needs and concerns of medical students of color. Membership includes more than 8,000 medical students, pre-medical students, residents and physicians. Established in 1964, SNMA is dedicated both to ensuring culturally sensitive medical education and services, as well as increasing the number of African-American, Latino and other students of color entering and completing medical school.