“Through the gift of this speaker series, our hope is that we will help foster a healing environment for people of all backgrounds both inside and outside our hospital.”
- Lynn Todman, PhD; executive director, population health; vice president, health equity; Spectrum Health Lakeland
In Berrien County, poor people, especially Blacks, experience higher rates of the illness, (identified as Priority Health Needs in the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment). Data provided by the Berrien County Health Department finds Blacks have higher rates of obesity, diabetes, stroke, and psychological distress when compared to whites. While these differences are attributable to poor access to resources required for good health such as healthy food, quality education, and safe housing, emerging science suggests that the experience of discrimination is strongly associated with health inequities.
Community Grand Rounds is a collaborative effort between Spectrum Health Lakeland and The Todman Family Foundation.
For any questions about the speaker series, please contact Kyndall McCoy at 269.985.4449.