Connections between education and better health to be examined in Foundation for a Healthy Ky.'s day-long online forum Monday

The annual health-policy forum of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, to be held online all day Monday, Oct. 17, will examine the connections between education and better health.

The Howard L. Bost Memorial Health Policy Forum will run from 9:30 a,m. to 4:30 p.m. ET and is free. To register, click here.

“There are many facets of education – often well beyond the four walls of a school building – that impact the long-term health of Kentuckians,” said Ben Chandler, president and CEO of the foundation, promising “a productive conversation around the situation here in Kentucky, including where there are gaps and potential solutions.”

The forum will begin with presentation of the foundation's annual Gil Friedell Health Policy Award, followed by:

9:45 a.m. Making the Case for Funding: Education and Beyond: Considering education as a social determinant of health, panelists will discuss school funding, social safety-net programs’ impact on education, and real examples from urban and rural schools. Mark Neikirk, executive director of the Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement at Northern Kentucky University, will moderate a panel of Pam Thomas, senior fellow, Kentucky Center for Economic Policy; Collin Groth, executive vice president of strategy and development, StriveTogether; and Supts. Mike Borchers of Ludlow Independent Schools and Patricia L. Sheffer of Union County Schools.

11:20 a.m. Keynote address from Willie Carver, academic advisor, University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business & Economics, and the 2022 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. (Lunch break follows.)

12:30 p.m. Literacy for Life: Critical Lessons for Positive Health: They’re lessons most don’t receive in school but can mean the difference between addressing and overcoming life’s challenges or becoming overwhelmed. Panelists will discuss mental health and emotional literacy, financial literacy and navigating systems, and how nutrition education impacts hunger long-term: Matthew B. Courtney, state Department of Education; Nichole Huff, Extension specialist for family finance and resource management, UK; and Heather Gibbs, Department of Dietetics & Nutrition, University of Kansas; moderated by Stephanie Gastauer, director, Stober Drives, Maysville.

1:45 p.m. Linked But Addressable: Helping Families Overcome Obstacles: A look at how family income plays a critical role in the academic outcomes of students, and therefore, the lifelong health of individuals. Brad Hershbein, senior economist, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research; Felicia C. Smith, president and CEO, National Center for Families Learning (moderator) and Ashley Spalding, research director, KCEP.

3 p.m. Breaking Down Barriers: Real Examples of Kentucky Communities Making Positive Change: Panelists will share about connecting families with early childhood intervention services; public schools and public health collaborating on mental health services; and, how a community is working to chart paths for non-traditional career building: Ashley Brandt, director of early care and education, Metro United Way; Jen Harris, director, Todd County Health Department; Dr. Robert Boone, chief officer, National Workforce Solutions, Career Team, Bowling Green; moderated by Rufus Friday, executive director, the Hope Center, Lexington.

4:15 p.m. Closing session, led by Allison Adams, vice president for policy, Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky.

The forum was created in memory of Dr. Howard L. Bost, a notable health economist and founding member of the foundation’s board of directors.