Sen. Raymond M. Murphy (D-Detroit) has assembled a group of experts from a variety of fields to participate in a daylong discussion on African-American health policy. The state of Michigan African-American Health Policy Day, a precursor to Sen. Murphy's third annual African-American health conference, will be Thursday, Sept. 6, at Wayne State's McGregor Memorial Conference Center.

Representatives from WSU, the Detroit Medical Center, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University, who have assisted the senator in the planning process, have issued three overarching objectives for the day:

Bring together experts in the areas of health delivery and health promotion to address issues related to disparities in health among African Americans; Identify strategies and best practices that can be developed and implemented to improve the health of the African-American community in Michigan; and Create a united effort among all stakeholders to improve the health of African-American communities throughout the country.

Scheduled speakers include Dr. Louis Sullivan, president of Morehouse College School of Medicine, and Dr. Rodney Hood, president of the National Medical Association. Local experts also will speak and lead small groups of conference participants in discussions on individual policies.

The third annual Sen. Raymond M. Murphy African-American Health Conference will be Sept. 7 and 8 at Detroit's Unity Baptist Church. Sen. Murphy organized this public event to bring together community members, health-care professionals and policy makers from across the country to address the disproportionately higher rates of morbidity and mortality observed among minority populations. Conference attendees can benefit from free informational workshops and health screenings. Actor Robert Guillaume will be the keynote speaker.