News

The National Medical Association (NMA) will kick off the 2008 Annual Convention and Scientific Assembly with a health initiative, Walk a Mile with a Child to fight childhood obesity on Saturday, July 26 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Ga.

Walk a Mile with a Child is a one-mile walk and 5K run for men's health that culminates in a health festival with free health screenings, provided by PEACE of Heart campaign, as well as information on healthy living, free giveaways and school supplies. The walk and health festival will take place on July 26 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

This year's theme, "Elimination of Health Disparities through History and the Collaboration of Health Professionals" marks the NMA's 106th annual convention and return to its birthplace in Atlanta, Ga.

As the NMA's premier medical science and health event, the convention is expected to draw thousands of attendees nationwide and will take place from July 26-31, 2008. The six-day event features an array of plenary sessions, scientific presentations and a continuing medical education program and unites some of the most prominent medical scholars, scientists, practitioners, government experts and health care advocates from around the country.

"This year's convention is part of a broader national effort to combat health disparities in all communities," said Nelson L. Adams, M.D., NMA president. "NMA has been on the frontlines fighting health disparities for many decades and our goal this year is to bring together our partners to work together as one unit to improve the health of all Americans."

Confirmed speakers include: Mayor of Atlanta, Shirley Franklin; philanthropist, Camille Cosby; Super Bowl Champions, Jerome Bettis and Nathanial Wayne; former Surgeon General and Director of the Center for Excellence on Health Disparities, David Satcher, M.D., Ph.D.; U.S. Representative Elijah Cummings (D-MD); President, American Academy of Pediatrics, Renee Jenkins, M.D.; Immediate Past President, Ronald M. Davis, M.D. and President-Elect, J. James Rohack, M.D.; Acclaimed actress, Phylicia Rashad; Today Show Contributor, Janet Taylor, M.D.; and Chairman and President of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation, Dikembe Mutombo.
As one of the best national forums on African-American health and medicine, the convention plenary sessions and forums explore critical health disparities and policy issues.

About the National Medical Association:
Founded in 1895, the NMA is a nonprofit organization that is the nation's oldest and largest medical association representing the interest of more 30,000 African American physicians and their patients. The NMA advocates health care for policies that would assure equitable and quality health care for all.