Navigating the Aftermath:
Understanding COVID Impact and Addressing Health Disparities in PostPandemic Recovery
In partnership with Harris County Public Health, TSU Center for Biomedical & Minority Health Research, and TSU Division of Research and Innovation
Thursday, November 21, 2024
Texas Southern University
3100 Cleburne Street
Sterling Student Life Center
Tiger Room 3rd Floor
The CTH Annual Symposium is a unique collaborative environment for academic, community, and government public health professionals to share and learn about emerging public health issues
The 2024 theme, Navigating the Aftermath: Understanding COVID Impact and Addressing Health Disparities in Post-Pandemic Recovery, is a partnership convening between The Center for Transformative Health, Harris County Public Health, and the Center for Biomedical and Minority Health Research where experts, policymakers, and advocates come together to explore the multifaceted impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on health and society.
While the immediate crisis may have passed, the pandemic exposed significant vulnerabilities in public health systems. This event will provide a comprehensive examination of the ongoing effects of the pandemic offering insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead as we continue to recover and rebuild four years after the pandemic began. Our bold vision is to improve health and quality of life and further the science that transforms lives . This reflection is crucial to prepare for future pandemics or global health crises.
Agenda
Time Topic
8: 30 am - 9: 05 am Light Breakfast and Mixer
9: 05 am - 9: 45 am
Champion Conversation: Climate Vulnerability Index: A COVID Case Study
Speaker(s)
Moderated By
Grace Lewis, Ph.D. Environmental Justice Fund
Debra Walker JoAnn Burbridge SCRO
Zuri Dale, DrPH Texas Southern University
Panel I: Long-Term Health Impacts of COVID-19: Exploration of the long-term consequences of COVID-19 and its broader implications
Time
Topic
9:50 am - 10:05 am Post COVID Trends and Public Health Implications
10:05 am - 10:20 am Personal Experiences of Living with Long COVID
10:20 am - 10:35 am Mental Health and Wellbeing in a post-COVID Era
Speaker(s)
Abida Anwar , Ph.D. Harris County Public Health
10:35 am - 10:50 am Facilitated Q&A
Brooks Seals Community Member
Quentin Jiles, LMSW Harvest Point Counseling Center
Jennifer Walker , MPH Harris County Public Health
10: 50 am - 11:00 am Break
Panel II: Economic and Social Recovery Strategies: Economic and social repercussions of the pandemic and effective strategies for recovery. This segment will also examine the role of social determinants in shaping recovery efforts and address the challenges of inequality exacerbated by the pandemic
Time Topic
11:05 am - 11:20 am Economic Health and Recovery: Economic repercussions of the pandemic, including its impact on employment, economic inequality, and the strategies for economic recovery.
11:20 am - 11:35 am Healthcare System Resilience: Lessons learned about healthcare system preparedness and response
11: 35 am - 11: 50 am
Social Determinants of Health. Exploration of how the pandemic has highlighted and exacerbated social determinants of health, such as access to healthcare, housing stability, and education.
Speaker(s)
Professor Steven Craig University of Houston
11: 50 am - 12:05 pm
Facilitated Q&A
Freemon Walker, MHA, MBA, FACHE St. Luke’s Sugar Land Hospital
Chara Bowie, MA, LPC-S Harris County Precinct 2
12: 05 pm - 12:55 pm
Kenyetta McGowens Third Ward Community Cloth
Lunch Provided by the TSU Division of Research and Innovation
Panel III: Policy and Advocacy Frameworks: Through this panel discussion we will examine how policymakers and advocates can work together to dismantle systemic barriers, promote equitable healthcare policies, and ensure that recovery efforts address the root causes of health disparities. The panel aims to provide actionable frameworks for improving health equity, advancing social justice, and building a more resilient healthcare system in the post-COVID era.
Time
1:15 pm - 1:30 pm
1:00 pm - 1:15 pm Religious Objections to Vaccine Mandates Complexities surrounding religious objections to vaccine mandates during the pandemic. The panel will also address these objections' legal, religious, ethical, and social implications, examining how different faith communities interpret public health directives.
Speaker(s)
Constance Fain, J.D., LL.M. Earl Carl Professor of Law Texas Southern University
Herbert Fain, J.D., D.Min Professor Emeritus
Houston Graduate School of Theology
1:30 pm - 1:45 pm Mass Incarceration in Communities of Color. The panelist will highlight how systemic inequities exacerbate health disparities and hinder recovery efforts.
1:45 pm - 2:00 pm Intersection of Housing and Healthcare. This panel will explore the critical link between housing stability and health outcomes and how the pandemic has illuminated the disparities faced by marginalized communities.
2: 00 pm - 2:15 pm
Facilitated Q&A
Jasmine M. Drake , Ph.D. Texas Southern University
Ms. Vicky Davis, CHW TSU Center for Transformative Health
Kristi Morrison , LPC All Things Work Incorporated
Time Topic
2: 20 pm - 2:15 pm Wastewater Epidemiology
Panel IV: Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Learning, and Discovery. The session will feature emerging research of drug discovery and COVID impact, technological advances in virus detection, and enhanced ways to monitor and predict outbreaks. Time
2: 15 pm - 2: 30 pm Emerging Research on Characterizing Post COVID Impact
Speaker(s)
Kendra Davis , MPH
Harris County Public Health
2: 30 pm - 2: 45 pm Emerging Advancements in Drug Development
Ciara Seals, MS
Harris County Public Health
Titilope Dokunmu, Ph.D.
Texas Southern University
3: 05 pm - 3: 20 pm Facilitated Q&A
3: 25 pm - 3: 35 am
Debrief, Takeaways, and Next Steps
3: 35 am - 3: 45 pm Closing Remarks and Evaluations
Zuri Dale, DrPH
Texas Southern University
Speaker(s)
Rachel Roy, Ph.D.
Harris County Public Health
Zuri Dale, DrPH
Texas Southern University
