Appalachian Regional Commission conference in Prestonsburg Sept. 7-9 to focus on improving access to health care

Featuring the insight of 42 federal, state and local health experts, officials and community leaders, the Appalachian Regional Commission's Healthy Families: Healthy Future conference will be held Sept. 7-9 in Prestonsburg.

The keynote address will look at different ways access to quality health care can be expanded. It will be given by Marcia Brand, deputy administrator of the Health Resources and Service Administration. HRSA is the primary federal agency for improving access to health-care services for people who don't have insurance, are geographically isolated, or are medically vulnerable.

Other conference topics include childhood obesity and diabetes; substance abuse in adolescents; improving access to dental care for children; health information technology; and Appalachian perspectives on infant mortality reduction.

The conference will be at Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonsburg. To register, click here. Online registration ends Wednesday, Aug. 31.