Join us for a special pre-conference session on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm! There is no charge and both members/non-members are welcome to attend.

This session will feature Vayong Moua, Director of Racial and Health Equity Advocacy at Blue Cross Blue Shield Minnesota, and will focus on anti-racism and health equity policy/legislation at state and local levels. Chairs of MPHA’s Policy & Advocacy and Health Equity Committees will facilitate the session.

Participants will leave with actionable ideas, information about the MPHA Health Equity and Policy & Advocacy Committees, and prepare to engage with the MPHA 2021 Annual Conference theme of “Bold and Humble - Engaging in Anti-Racist Public Health” on April 29-30th.

Questions? Please email the MPHA Policy & Advocacy Committee.

We look forward to seeing you!

About the presenter:

Vayong Moua, MPA

Director of Racial and Health Equity Advocacy

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota

Vayong Moua leads advocacy for BCBS of MN, to advance racial and health equity across determinants of health for all Minnesotans. His philosophy and action focus on integrating racial and intersectional equity into governance across sectors, issues, and cultural communities.  Moua applies cross cultural power and equity analysis into advocacy approaches, policies, and structural solutions.  Moua championed Blue Cross’ Health in All Policies investment and co-founded the Minnesota Complete Streets Coalition that led passage of Minnesota’s state Complete Streets law.  Moua chaired (2015-2019) the legislated Cultural and Ethnic Communities Leadership Council (CECLC) that catalyzed the Department of Human Service’s agency wide policy on equity. Prior to Blue Cross, he taught English in Japan, worked on education equity at Achieve! Minneapolis, and health equity at American Cancer Society.

Moua received his BA with a triple major in Philosophy, Sociology/Anthropology, and Asian Studies from St. Olaf College.  He received his MPA from the Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Moua was a Public Policy/International Affairs Fellow, Humphrey Policy Fellow, and a current Bush Fellow. Along with his spouse, PhaChia Yang Moua, he celebrates his Hmong refugee identity and enjoys raising his two daughters, Ishii (5-year-old) and Ishua (16months).