About MHD

Mississippi Health Disparities (MHD) is an annual health disparities conference that is supported by community-academic entities across the state. The conference is centrally coordinated by the Mississippi IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Community Engagement and Training Core. The conference embodies a shared mission to eliminate health disparities in Mississippi and create healthier communities. MHD has grown to one of the largest health conferences for academic, community and health professionals. Attendees gain valuable networking opportunities and insights on emerging public health information and innovations to address health disparities. Centering health disparities at the heart of this conference empowers us to close critical gaps and drive equitable solutions for all communities.

2018 – The Mississippi INBRE Community Engagement & Training Core was formally established and began organizing sessions at Mississippi INBRE 2018 Annual Conference in Jackson, Mississippi
2019 – The community-engaged research sessions were so popular, the content grew to a occupy at entire track in Mississippi IDeA 2019 Annual Conference in Jackson, Mississippi
2020 – Like everything else, the event was cancelled the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic
August 2021 – MHD was born and came back without MS IDeA
2021 – People were ready to come back together and MHD returned as a standalone event in Biloxi, Mississippi
2022 – MHD was a part of Mississippi IDeA/EPSCoR Conference in held in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
2023 – MHD continued as part of Mississippi IDeA/EPSCoR Conference held in Hattiesburg, Mississippi
2024 – MHD was approved by the NIH to be offered as a standalone event! The event was in partnership with the Empowering Communities for a Healthy Mississippi Conference and held in Biloxi, Mississippi
2025 – MHD continues to partner with Empowering Communities for a Healthy Mississippi to bring the Healthy Mississippi Conference to Flowood, Mississippi

Our next annual conference will be held on June 4-6, 2025. If you’re dedicated to creating a healthier Mississippi, whether you’re an MD, PharmD, RN or other health professional, join our growing movement by attending MHD2025.

“We hope that you join the many good people working hard in the state of Mississippi to achieve optimal health for our neighbors.“

– Dr. Jennifer L. Lemacks
Lead Organizing Committee Chair