Clyburn to lead conference on housing, health issues

U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., announced plans Friday to address health disparities between the state's white and black populations and promote more affordable housing.

Clyburn will deliver the keynote speech at the National Conference on Health Disparities, to be held at the Charleston Marriott July 19-21. The conference will provide a forum for health care professionals, policymakers and members of the public to explore possible solutions to a growing national problem, said Clyburn, the House majority whip.

The conference is sponsored by the Medical University of South Carolina and South Carolina State University, in conjunction with the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and the Congressional Black Caucus Brain Trust.

"Health disparities have been an historic problem in our country," he said. "It will be impossible to eliminate them overnight."

South Carolina is among several states with pronounced health disparities. MUSC and South Carolina State have been working together for years on initiatives to close the gap, according to David Rivers, director of public information and community outreach for MUSC.

Rivers asked Clyburn to help secure long-term funding solutions, and the congressman said he is working on a $10 million earmark for each of the two universities, money that would be used to treat prostate cancer in blacks.

Clyburn appeared Friday at Seven Farms Apartments on Daniel Island, a complex developed by the Humanities Foundation, to promote affordable housing.

Humanities Foundation President Tracy Doran said her nonprofit agency could not afford to secure new property this year because costs have skyrocketed as grant funds have diminished and rent income has remained static.

It will be a tough couple of years, but she said she is optimistic that Clyburn and others will help. "Affordable housing has to happen," she said.