2010 Annual NECON Regional Conference

Health Literacy for All

FRIDAY - OCTOBER 22, 2010
7:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Providence Marriott Downtown
One Orms Street
Providence, RI

On Friday, October 22, 2010, NECON, the New England Governors' Conference, Inc., and Region I, US Department of Health & Human Services will convene our annual region-wide forum of policy-makers and legislators at the Providence Marriott Downtown in Providence, Rhode Island. As you know, the New England Governors' Conference has charged NECON to interact with health policy-makers throughout New England and to submit recommendations periodically for the improvement of the health status of the region. We invite you to attend and be an active participant in this process.

This year's Annual Conference is entitled: Health Literacy for All. Health Literacy is to know and successfully manage the determinants of health: proper nutrition, physical activity, tobacco-free living, mental health, personal safety and injury control—regardless of one's level of education or poverty. The keynote speakers include: Representative Patrick Kennedy, First Lady Michelle Obama (invited), President Arthur J. Culbert of Health Literacy Missouri and representatives from other national Health Literacy organizations.

The Conference will be a convergence of universal access and wellness advocates as well as early intervention proponents. There is a rationale for this alliance. The uninsured and underinsured are most likely to be hospitalized with intensive health problems that could have been prevented if treated earlier by primary care. And, there is increased scientific evidence that prevention not only enhances quality of life but is also our best cost containment strategy. Many constituencies bring shared values to this cause.

We hope that your schedule permits you to join us and participate in what promises to be a very meaningful gathering of the region's health policy-makers. Due to space constraints, please respond soon as possible to LindaMDowning@gmail.com or register online.