Undergraduate and Graduate Student Research Forum

The Tenth Annual National Conference on Health Disparities will take place May 3-6, 2017, with the theme of “Reducing Health Disparities Through Sustaining and Strengthening Healthy Communities.” The mission of the conference is to focus on policies, research interventions, and programs that address prevention, social determinants, and personal responsibility in reducing health disparities and promoting health equity.

The Conference invites student submissions for a poster session. The session will be included in a Student Research Forum that will also include oral presentations by students, a keynote address, and roundtable discussions.

Preferred abstracts will relate to the full range of health disparities and environmental health in the basic sciences, clinical sciences, population/behavioral/social sciences and environmental sciences. Students are strongly encouraged to focus on one or more of the following areas: cancer; cardiovascular disease; diabetes; environmental health; human trafficking/human enslavement; and infectious diseases. Additionally, research focusing on gun violence as a public health issue in the United States and/or police/community relations will be especially welcomed.

Basic Sciences

Preferred abstract submissions will report on research related to biological factors that contribute to health disparities.

Clinical Sciences

Preferred abstract submissions will reflect a broad range of clinical science research on health disparities and environmental health.

Population Sciences/Behavioral Sciences/Social Sciences

Preferred abstract submissions will address the reduction of health disparities through the scientific study of the epidemiologic, translational, behavioral, social, political, and economic contexts of disparities.

Environmental Sciences

Preferred abstract submissions will address environmental exposures and triggers, e.g., air pollution and respiratory health, proximity to hazardous waste, and other conditions that affect health and communities.

The Call for Abstracts is open to all undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Students from minority serving institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUPs) are strongly encouraged to apply.

No more than 100 abstracts will be selected for poster presentation. Tiered travel awards to support hotel and conference registration fees will be available on a limited basis.

National training webinars will take place prior to the conference. Information regarding the webinars is forthcoming.

The conference will take place May 3-6, 2017 in New Orleans, LA. The Student Research Forum will take place on May 3, 2017.

Outstanding abstracts will be chosen for oral presentation and each oral presenter will receive a cash award. Cash prizes will also be awarded to the top-ranked student poster presentations.

Please review the abstract submission guidelines prior to beginning the submission process.

Abstracts must have a maximum of 250 words.

Contact Us

For any abstract-related questions and/or comments, email Student Research Forum Chair Dr. Marvella Ford at .

For technical issues related to abstract submission, email Ms. Monique Hill at .