State health department celebrates National Minority Health Month
2014 theme:
‘Prevention is Power: Taking Action for Health Equity’
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[April 15, 2014]
CHICAGO — The Illinois
Department of Public Health Center for Minority Health Services is
celebrating National Minority Health Month this April by hosting
workshops, health fairs, screenings, webinars and various other
events. The IDPH, in conjunction with local health departments, as
well as community and faith-based organizations, is working to teach
communities about the diseases that disproportionately affect
communities of color, such as breast and cervical cancer, prostate
cancer, heart disease, and HIV/AIDS.
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African-Americans
have the highest mortality rate of any racial and ethnic group
for all cancers combined and for most major cancers.
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African-Americans
are twice as likely to be diagnosed with diabetes as
non-Hispanic Caucasians.
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African-American
women have the highest rates of being overweight or obese
compared with other groups in the U.S.
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African-American adults are 40 percent
more likely to have high blood pressure.
"The IDPH has a long-standing history of collaboration with
agencies and organizations that seek to improve the health of
minorities," said IDPH Director LaMar Hasbrouck. "We have also made
reducing health disparities a top priority in our five-year
strategic plan."
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The IDPH Center for Minority Health Services was created to
provide information and technical assistance regarding the health
care needs of minority populations; and to develop, maintain and
enhance health care services in minority communities. To achieve
this goal, the center works with state and local entities to
heighten awareness of minority health issues and services across the
state.
This year's theme for National Minority Health Month, "Prevention
is Power: Taking Action for Health Equity," emphasizes the critical
role of prevention in reducing health disparities. It is a call to
action, a charge for all of us to unite toward a common goal of
improving the health of our communities.
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In support of the theme, the IDPH is encouraging men and women to
take a proactive approach to improve their health by having routine
medical exams in addition to the following:
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Talk with your
physician about appropriate screenings for you — such as
mammograms, Pap tests or prostate exams.
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Take a loved one
to the doctor.
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Exercise at least
30 minutes a day and eat healthier.
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Get screened for sexually transmitted
diseases — and seek medical treatment if you contract an STI.
Reducing health disparities and increasing health equity for all
Illinoisans through targeted leadership, outreach and strategic
partnerships is one of the five priorities outlined in the
IDPH
Five Year Strategy 2014-2018 (PDF).
[Text from
Illinois Department of Public
Health file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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