Healthy Kids Summit to feature research, projects

Faculty members from the UNMC College of Public Health and the Child Health Research Institute (CHRI) will be taking part in the Children’s Center for the Child & Community’s virtual 2021 Nebraska Healthy Kids Summit, to be held on March 3-4 from noon-4:30 p.m. CHRI is organizing the research and project fair portion of the summit.

The summit will explore the impact of the global pandemic and systemic inequities on child nutrition and active living in Nebraska communities, while connecting stakeholders through research, practice and advocacy approaches promoting equitable child health.

“This year’s virtual summit is tackling important issues with a goal to advance health equity in child health, especially in light of how obesity is a predictor of poor COVID-19 outcomes,” said Paul Estabrooks, PhD, chair of the UNMC Department of Health Promotion in the College of Public Health and a member of the summit’s planning committee. “It’s going to be a great place to share ideas and connect with other people in the state who are passionate about kids’ nutrition, physical activity and obesity.”

The summit is aimed at professionals who work with children and families such as public health professionals, clinicians, researchers, students, non-profits and educators.

The summit currently is accepting research and project submissions that align with the program purpose. Posters and research/project summaries for the summit’s research fair are due Feb. 10. See more information and submit research/project.

Speakers at the event will include:

• Chanda Chacon, president and CEO of Children’s Hospital & Medical Center;
• Lori Fresina, vice president and executive director of Voices for Healthy Kids, American Heart Association;
• Shannon Maloney, PhD, assistant professor in the UNMC Department of Health Promotion; and others.

See the complete summit agenda.
The registration fee for the conference is $25. Register here.