State health department
observes National Minority Health Month
Health advocates encourage advancing
health equity, lowering disparities
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[April 17, 2013]
CHICAGO -- The Illinois
Department of Public Health and the Center for Minority Health
Services join health organizations and advocates nationwide in
observing National Minority Health Month and supporting this year's
theme: "Advancing Health Equity Now: Uniting Our Communities to
Bring Health Care Coverage to All."
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Gaps in health outcomes between communities of color and white communities in
Illinois and nationwide continue to exist in almost every major category.
Non-whites have a lower life expectancy than whites in Illinois, according to
census data. Also, the lack of access to health care as well as the incidence of
certain diseases such as cardiovascular disease, HIV/AIDS and certain cancers
remains disproportionately high in some minority communities in Illinois.
"Everyone in America deserves the chance to live a healthy life, regardless of
who they are and where they live," said Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck, director of the
Illinois Department of Public Health. "Bridging health equity and providing
access to culturally competent health care for all citizens in Illinois (are)
essential to our mission and the work of the Center for Minority Health
Services."
Hasbrouck also encouraged people of color to take control of their health by
making healthier lifestyle choices such as eating healthier, exercising
regularly and getting regular health screenings.
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To that end, the Illinois Department of Public Health is hosting the
second annual
Central Counties Health Centers 5K run and walk at 9 a.m.
Saturday at Washington Park in Springfield. IDPH's Wellness on
Wheels mobile health van will also be on-site providing free health
screenings that day.
A calendar of free Minority Health Month events is available at
http://idph.riproad.com/eventList.php or by texting event to
36363. Also, sign up for weekly health tips and recipes by texting
alert to 36363. For more information about Minority Health Month or
the 5K run and walk, contact the Center for Minority Health services
at 217-782-4977.
[Text from
Illinois
Department of Public Health file received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |