For Release:  August 3, 2010 
Contact: Pamela Williams
Office of Communications
(405) 271-5601

OHEC to Discuss Literacy and Health Equity at August 17 Meeting  

The Oklahoma Health Equity Campaign (OHEC) Partners will meet to discuss “Literacy Leads to Health Equity” on Tuesday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m. in Room 314 at the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH), 1000 N.E. 10th St. in Oklahoma City. The public is invited to attend.

The guest speaker is Mary Surbeck. She is currently the literacy program coordinator for the Oklahoma City Community Foundation and a former teacher for 29 years. She has researched literacy efforts in Oklahoma County to determine available resources, potential partners and unserved areas. Her efforts helped build a network of programs and people to form the Oklahoma City Metro Literacy Coalition.

Her presentation will define what literacy is and what communities can do to improve literacy and how it impacts families, healthcare, economic development, schools, local and national security, and the workforce. The discussion will include the ability to use printed and verbal health related information to reach goals at home, work, and in the community.

“This is an opportunity for those attending to discuss if low literacy levels equal poor health status and high health care costs. We hope to receive a wide range of comments to help design and implement programs to improve the quality of life in Oklahoma,” said Marisa New Wells, director, OSDH Health Equity and Resources Opportunities.

RSVP by calling (405) 271-9444, ext. 56543.  If you live outside the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, you may join from one of the following county health departments:

• Bryan CHD - 1524 W. Chuckwa Drive, Durant – Contact Donna Hartline – (580)-924-4285
• Carter CHD - 405 S. Washington, Ardmore – Contact Dana Dorsey-Turner – (580) 223-9705 Ext. 335
• Johnston CHD – 1080 S. Byrd, Tishomingo – Contact Janie Robinson - (580) 371-2470
• Choctaw CHD- 103 South Fourth Street, Hugo -  Contact Deanna Nesbit - (580) 326-8821
• Marshall CHD- 310 West Lillie Boulevard, Madill - Contact Shannon Williams – (580) 795-3705
• McCurtain CHD- 1400 Lynn Lane, Idabel - Contact Jammie Whaley – (580) 286-6628
• Pushmataha CHD- 318 West Main, Antlers - Contact Iwana Morris - (580) 298-6624
• Beaver CHD - PO Box 520, Beaver, Oklahoma 73932 – Contact Nancy Lamle or Stephanie Jett - (580) 625-3693
• Texas CHD – 1410 North East Street, Guymon - Contact Kay Allen - (580) 338-8544
• Woodward CHD - 1631 Texas Avenue, Woodward - Contact Tracie Adams - (580) 256-6416
• Rogers CHD - 2664 N. Highway 88 Unit A, Claremore– Contact Tina Shatto - (918) 341-3166
• Washington CHD - 5121 S.E. Jacquelyn Lane, Bartlesville - Contact Paula Palmer - (918) 341-3166
• Hughes CHD - 200 McDougal Drive, Holdenville – Contact Barbara Maxwell – (405) 379-3313
• Tulsa CHD  - 5051 S. 129th East Avenue, Tulsa – Contact Deidre Stanley - (918) 582-9355

If your county health department is not listed, please call (405) 271-9444, ext. 56543 before Friday, Aug. 13, to check on its availability. To learn more about upcoming HERO events, contact Marisa New Wells at e-mail marisan@health.ok.gov.       

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