The Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) is hosting its occasional series, Exploring Wicked Problems, this month. Wicked problems are those that are often difficult or impossible to solve, with no easy solution.
This month CCE will focus on health inequalities and the social determinants of health. “These are health conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age that shape their health,” said Harriett Steinbach, assistant director of CCE.
Virtual presentation by Dr. Ngzoki Ezike
The series launches on Tuesday, October 19, at 6 p.m. with a virtual presentation by the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike. This is a free, virtual presentation that is open to the public, but registration is required.
The event is being co-hosted by the Center for Civic Engagement (CCE); Illinois State University’s Department of Health Sciences; and the University of Illinois Springfield’s College of Public Affairs and Administration and Center for State Policy and Leadership.
Ezike’s presentation, “Exploring Health Equity in Illinois: Discussing the Vision for the Future,” will explore health equity, not only in definition but how equity looks in practice.
She will also highlight the state’s health improvement plan to identify key issues and action steps to address health equity in Illinois as well as discuss the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) and health equity related to health care access, health disparities, and building trust in Illinois communities.
Community Networking Lunch
The second event in the Exploring Wicked Problems series is a Community Networking Lunch Friday, October 22, at the Community Health Care Clinic. Approximately 10 community organizations will be present to discuss the six social determinants of health: economic stability, neighborhood/physical environment, education, food, community/social, and health care.
“This is an opportunity to learn about a variety of organizations in our community. Faculty can also network to identify potential partners for course-based projects, guest speakers, and community-based research projects. Students can explore possibilities for internships or volunteering,” said Steinbach.
The Community Networking Lunch is co-hosted by CCE and the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Technology (CTLT). Any faculty interested in the event can register on the CTLT website. Students can register via the CCE website.
Campus and Community Deliberative Dialogue
The final Exploring Wicked Problems event will be a Campus and Community Deliberative Dialogue on Tuesday, October 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. Deliberative Dialogues are guided conversations on political or controversial topics.
“This model of conversation removes polarizing positions and one-sided lectures by simply asking participants to investigate specific solutions to an issue through the help of an issue guide and facilitator,” said Steinbach.
The Deliberative Dialogue is open to the public, and attendees will deliberate on the cost of health care. The Dialogue will use the NIFI Issue Guide, “Health Care: How Can We Bring Costs Down While Getting the Care We Need.”
This event will take place in the Bone Student Center in the Brown Ballroom ll. In order to attend this event, preregistration is required.
