Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) will host the 2025 Illinois Minority Health Conference from October 20 to 22 at the Northern Illinois University Naperville Conference Center. The event aligns with the Healthy Illinois 2028 State Health Improvement Plan, which prioritizes chronic disease, emerging diseases, mental health and substance use disorder, maternal and infant health, and racism as a public health crisis. The conference aims to bring together healthcare providers, public health institutions, health departments, and community organizations to share experiences and strategies.

Governor Pritzker, in a videotaped message, stated, “The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Deepening Commitments to Advancing Health Equity’ and I stand in that effort. We’ve made the commitment in Illinois, but we know there is more to do, and it will take all of us to achieve those goals. We’ve done a lot, but the work is not done.”

IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra said, “Addressing health disparities remains a top priority for the Department of Public Health. Achieving health equity requires increasing opportunities for everyone to live the healthiest life possible, no matter who we are, where we live, or how much money we make. Our goal at this year’s Conference is to work with our partners to deepen our commitment to this important work, ensuring we do all we can to pave a path for all Illinois residents to be as healthy as possible.”

The conference will feature keynote speakers including Elana G. Kahn, Executive Director of the Illinois Commission on Discrimination and Hate Crimes, who will discuss “Hate is a Public Health Issue.” Dr. Jason L. Cummings from Loyola University Chicago and Dr. Melissa McGee, founder of the Diabetes Health & Wellness Center and Anishinaabeg Path to Wellness, will also present.

For the first time, the conference will include a Black Youth Suicide Prevention Summit on October 20. This summit follows policy efforts by IDPH and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and seeks to address increasing suicide rates among Black youth in Illinois by developing action plans.

According to IDPH data, about 40 percent of Illinois residents belong to racial or ethnic minority groups. These populations experience higher rates of diseases such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, HIV, substance abuse, infant mortality, and COVID-19 compared with other groups. IDPH continues efforts with healthcare and social service partners to reduce these disparities and promote health equity throughout the state.

Further details about the 2025 Minority Health Conference can be found on IDPH’s website.