For more information contact: Boonshoft School of Medicine, Judi Engle, Office of Public Relations, (937) 775-2951

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26, 2005

Wright State University Medical Students
Host Activities for National Cover the Uninsured Week

DAYTON, OHIO-May 1-8 is Cover the Uninsured Week, a mobilization to address the issue of the uninsured, both nationally and locally. Wright State medical students, along with the Wright State Chapter of the American Medical Student Association, the Center for Healthy Communities, and Reach Out of Montgomery County, are hosting a week of events as part Cover the uninsured week national logoof the national campaign. All events are free, open to the public, and held on the Wright State University campus.

Government figures show that 45 million Americans are now without health insurance, including 8 million children. In Ohio 1,362,000 are uninsured. The fact that too many Americans are living without health insurance and often going without needed care is the spotlight of the planned activities including:

Monday, May 2nd, 7:00 p.m., Student Union, Rm 163

Covering Everyone: The Challenges of the Uninsured - A town hall-style panel featuring multi-professional speakers highlighting the issue both locally and nationally.

Wednesday, May 4th, 12:00 p.m., Frederick A. White Center, Rm 171

The Uninsured as a Public Health Issue - A discussion of the economic impact of the uninsured on our healthcare system.

Thursday, May 5th, 6:00 p.m., Frederick A. White Center, Rm 171

Advocacy: A Student's Role in Community Change - An examination of community resources aimed at empowering medical students to meet the needs of the vulnerable uninsured population.

Friday, May 6th,10 a.m.-3 p.m., Between Student Union and Frederick A. White Center-May Daze

Cover Everyone Rock-a-thon - A day of solidarity as students pledge twenty-four hours of participation in a demonstration symbolizing the plight of the uninsured in the medical system. Students will be sponsored for their time spent in a rocking chair.

Tuesday, May 10th, 12 p.m., Frederick A. White Center, Rm 171

The United States Healthcare System and the Uninsured - A comparative discussion.

"Cover the Uninsured Week provides the opportunity to learn about the clinical and ethical challenges that health professionals confront when providing care to people who have no health coverage," states Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and C.E.O. of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the lead national sponsor of Cover the Uninsured Week.

For more information about the events contact Christine Pham at 431-0292, Matt Pellerite at 554-9744, or Judi Engle, Director for Public Relations, Wright State University School of Medicine, (937) 775-2951.