Richard Hughes IV

Richard Hughes, IV is a notably young Arkansas political and health policy activist, first running for public office at age 22"Two Political Newcomers Vie for Pulaski County JP Post", Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 18, 2006] and, at age 25, now serving on the Arkansas State Board of Health. [ [http://www.healthyarkansas.com/pdf/health_members2008.pdf Official state page] ]

Public Health

Hughes was appointed to the Arkansas State Board of Health in January 2006 by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee. [News Release, Office of Governor Mike Huckabee, February 22, 2006] Hughes garnered state and national attention when he prompted discussion of a school entry requirement for immunization against HPV (human papillomavirus) in Arkansas. He challenged state health officials for refusing to discuss the issue and published an op-ed outlining his position on the subject. [ [http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?hint=2&DR_ID=43090 Actions Taken on HPV Vaccine Proposals in Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia] ] ["Two Health board members interested in requiring vaccine", The Associated Press, February 17, 2007] [Guest Column: "Of vaccine program: Prevention is priority", Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, March 15, 2007]

Hughes authors a blog entitled "Health & Policy Observations". [http://www.richardhughesiv.com/Blog Health & Policy Observations] ]

Campaign for Public Office, Cancer Survival

In early 2006, at age 22, Hughes made his first bid for public office, running for a seat on the Quorum Court (legislature) of Pulaski County, Arkansas. Hughes ultimately lost the Republican nomination for this seat after a brief battle with brain cancer during the campaign. ["Results from Monroe, Pulaski counties", Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, May 26, 2006] [http://www.richardhughesiv.com Richard Hughes, IV's advocacy website] ]

Family and Education

Hughes received a B.S. in Management from Arkansas State University and is pursuing a Master of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. He lives in Little Rock, Arkansas with his wife Laura.

References