Maternal Health, Racial Disparities, and Endemic Violence: The Urgent Challenges Facing Illinois Communities

In April, public health experts from around the state gathered at Northwestern’s Chicago campus to discuss the latest challenges in the field. Maternal health, racial disparities, and endemic violence were highlighted as some of the most significant issues facing communities in Illinois.

The Population Health Forum, hosted by Northwestern University’s Institute for Public Health and Medicine on April 4 in Chicago, served as a platform for public health leaders, scientists, students, and stakeholders to share the latest developments in the field. Ronald T Ackermann, MD, MPH, director of the Institute for Public Health and Medicine emphasized the importance of addressing these challenges, especially in light of the ongoing transition to an endemic phase of the coronavirus pandemic.

Ngozi Ezike, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sinai Chicago and former director of the Illinois Department of Public Health delivered the keynote address at this year’s event. She stressed that it was crucial to educate people on public health efforts which extend beyond promoting healthy behaviors to include maternal and infant health, vaccinations and cancer monitoring among other things.

Ezike emphasized that public health work is all about improving outcomes for everyone – regardless of where they live or what background they come from. The forum provided a valuable opportunity for experts to collaborate and discuss strategies for addressing complex public health challenges facing communities in Illinois and beyond.