The N.C. Central University Business and Industry Cluster was held Feb. 8 at the Radisson Hotel. Its theme was “Researching Health Disparities in the African-American community.”

The Business and Industry Cluster facilitates effective communication and collaboration between industry representatives and the University in activities of mutual benefit.

According to the National Institutes of Health, disparities are differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality and other negative health conditions among minorities unable to receive adequate healthcare.

The 2006 National Health Care Disparities report stated that a 2005 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said African-American North Carolinians have a higher obesity rate compared to white Americans, as well as a higher prevalence of diabetes.

Kyle Marshall, spokes-man for Blue Cross and Blue Shield, said in order to eliminate disparities, it is necessary to understand where the disparities are, then involve the people in underserved communities in discussions on how to address the conditions of healthcare.

The keynote speaker for the cluster was Dr. Donald W. Bradley, executive medical director of Blue Cross and Blue Shield North Carolina.

“Health disparities have been there for a long time…we need to understand it’s a real problem,” said Bradley.

Bradley said that being able to collect data that focuses on disparity issues, relating that data to specific conditions and involving the entire healthcare system, will allow healthcare providers to intervene.

Tracey Burns-Vann, director of corporate and foundation relations, works as liaison between corporations and foundations that invest in the university.

“There’s much research regarding health disparities taking place on campus,” said Vann.

The Nursing Depart-ment, along with the HBCU Alliance, is researching cardiovascular risk.

She said the cluster makes it possible to introduce students to the industry for internships and other opportunities.