Aloha Everyone:

I am sending an announcement of the National Center for Health Behavioral Change's (NCHBC) conference from October 3-5, 2004 in Baltimore, Maryland with this e-mail.  This should be a fantastic event and one which I would encourage you all to consider attending especially those of you (and your colleagues/students) who have an interest in the linkage between public health and the behavioral sciences in general and the implementation of strategies to reduce the serious health disparities that exist in the United States in particular.

You will be glad to also know that the National Institute for Multicultural Competence is playing an important role in this conference and the on-going work of the NCHBC.  The NIMC has developed a set of multicultural competencies for the Center which were reviewed, discussed, and formally endorsed in July 2003.  The NIMC is currently in the process of developing a Multicultural Competency Training Manual for students in public health master's and doctoral-level programs in the U.S. The philosophy underlying this professional development resource and a detailed discussion of the various competency-building activities that are included in it will be a major part of a featured presentation at the October meeting.

Please pass this information on to other persons you know who may be interested in attending this event. [You can register on-line at www.NCHBC.org  Early registration has been extended to September 22, 2004].

Peace,

Michael D'Andrea

Professor and Senior Fellow with the NCHBC