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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, Aug. 1, 2008 |
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“Family Reunion” Event to Address Health Disparities in Black CommunityDENVER--A free event to discuss health disparities and health issues in the black community is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 16, from 2 to 6 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel, 3203 Quebec St., in Denver. The Office of Health Disparities based at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is sponsoring the event to gather input to provide solutions for achieving health equity in the black community and to encourage participants to become active partners in the development and implementation of strategies to improve health. Mauricio Palacio, director of the Office of Health Disparities, said, “Communities of color are disproportionately affected by disease, disability and death. These health disparities exist across all health areas, including chronic disease, communicable disease, injury and maternal and child health.” Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in Colorado 2005, a report published by the Office of Health Disparities, detailed some of the health disparities among blacks, including that African-Americans experience the shortest life expectancy; the highest death rates of cancer, including lung, breast, prostate and colon cancer; the highest death rate of stroke; the highest infant mortality rate and the highest death rate of AIDS. The Office of Health Disparities is a state program of multicultural professionals dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities in Colorado. The office has evolved from a Turning Point grant provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and a start-up grant from Kaiser Permanente to officially launch the Office of Health Disparities. The office was codified in statute through Senate Bill 242 in May 2007. The Aug. 16 event is titled, “Family Reunion: Embracing our strength through health and achieving health equity in the black community. It’s time for solutions.” For more information or to RSVP, call Cerise Hunt, health disparities specialist at 303-692-3474 or e-mail cerise.hunt@state.co.us. ---30--- |
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