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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Officials in South Carolina are gathering to talk about disparities in health care in a two-day conference.

The James E. Clyburn Health Disparities Lecture Series begins Thursday in Columbia and is being sponsored by the University of South Carolina Arnold School of Public Health.

The deputy assistant secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dr. Garth Graham, is leading the discussion on health care reform and how it affects medical research and policies on health disparities.

The director of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, Dr. John Ruffin, is speaking on improving the health status of racial and ethnic minorities. Clyburn will speak Friday.

All events are free and open to the public.

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