PROJECT SUMMARY Dillard University strengthened its research infrastructure in 2010 when she received the National Institute of Health (NIH) grant for the Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Center which was funded under the auspices of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) which maximize resources across multidisciplinary areas and inspire innovative approaches for health disparities research. With the growing health concerns, Dillard is seeking funds for a five-year conference grant to support and strengthen research on environmental-based health and health disparities in the greater area of New Orleans and the southeast United States coast. The conference series, titled Coastal and Environmental Health and Health Disparities (CEHHD) will feature lectures, workshops, roundtable discussions and debates by both academic, policy-focused and community leaders. Individuals who are making significant contributions to improving healthcare access, and to empowering vulnerable populations and marginalized communities in this specific region will be the focus. This conference is designed to have wide impact in terms of creating an interdisciplinary long term community that will establish networks to create evidence and programs to address key health disparities for underrepresented individuals living in coastal regions susceptible to environmental health and health disparities.

PROJECT NARRATIVE Dillard is seeking funds for a five-year conference grant to support and strengthen research on coastal and environmental health and health disparities. This conference is designed to address health disparities for individuals living in coastal regions prone to environmental and health hazards. The conference series, titled Coastal and Environmental Health and Health Disparities (CEHHD) will feature lectures, workshops, roundtable discussions and debates by both academic, policy-focused and community leaders. Individuals who are making significant contributions to improving healthcare access, and to empowering vulnerable populations and marginalized communities in this specific region will be the focus. This conference is designed to address health disparities for individuals living in coastal regions prone to environmental and health hazards.