Over 150 of Missouri's public health practitioners will gather beginning tomorrow at the 2012 Missouri Public Health Conference. Last year, Missouri dropped to 40^th nationwide in terms of health rankings. To combat that and several other dismal health outcomes, the focus of this year's conference addresses solutions through this year's theme, "A Healthier Missouri Begins Today - Join the Movement." 

Speakers will address a variety of topics in general and breakout sessions. Attendees will hear from noted speakers from across the nation, as well as local practitioners, as they develop and refine strategies aimed at improving health outcomes for Missourians. 

Session speakers include Jon Wiesman, President of the National Association of County and City Health Officers; Monte Roulier of Columbia Community Initiatives Network; and Peggy Honore' of the  US Department of Health and Human Services. The closing general session, entitled "Status of Health Care Reform in the US", will be presented by Jay Angoff, Acting Regional Director for HHS Region VII and Senior Advisor to the HHS Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs.  

The conference begins tomorrow, Wednesday, September 26^th and runs through Friday the 28^th at the Stoney Creek Inn and Conference Center. Conference sponsors include: Missouri Public Health Association, Missouri Association of Local Public Health Agencies, Missouri Association of Local Boards of Health, Missouri Institute for Community Health and the Council for Public Health Nursing.