JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Black men face some of the highest rates of chronic disease, as well as some of the lowest access to care.

The annual Black Men’s Health Equity Conference was held on Saturday at Tougaloo College in Jackson. It was hosted by the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health. The conference focused on closing the health gap affecting Black men in Mississippi and beyond.

“Black men are three or four more times more likely than other groups to pass away from heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease, as well. So, these different chronic illnesses, the disparity rates are so wide. And these particular communities have also a low rate of screening and testing. So, it’s very important for us to educate and provide interventions to some of these chronic illnesses, as well,” said Warren Jones, Epidemiologist with the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health.

Organizers said the conference is designed to raise awareness, offer education and connect people to critical resources, especially where access to care is limited.

“We want to provide free resources from different nonprofits. Particularly right now, because we as we see that Medicaid and Medicare is scarce in our marginalized community and minority communities, right now. So, we’re being very intentional with this conference to bring in people to give us the best education that we can,” said Markyel Pittman, program manager for the Institute for the Advancement of Minority Health.

This year’s keynote speaker was journalist Roland Martin, who was chosen for his national leadership on racial and health equity issues. The free event featured screenings and discussions to improve Black men’s health.