Closing the Healthcare Gap

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has launched a major new radio campaign in conjunction with the ABC Radio Networks. The objective of "Closing the Health Gap" is to inform the African-American community on ways of achieving better health.

"African-Americans suffer disproportionately from cancer, diabetes, heart disease and other medical problems," said HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson in announcing the program. "As a nation, we need to work aggressively to close this gap."

The campaign is targeted toward the African-American community and will include information on finding local sources of healthcare, access to public health programs, and tips on improving nutrition and lifestyle habits. It will draw on information provided by HHS as well as civic organizations and community groups from across the country.

The "Closing the Health Gap" campaign will address specific health threats confronting African-Americans, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, substance abuse, suicide and violence. It will also promote organ donation and improved rates of child and adult immunizations.

As part of the campaign, all 240 of ABC Radio's Urban Advantage Network affiliates will air detailed messages about the severity of the healthcare crisis facing African-Americans, emphasizing specific steps listeners can take to adopt healthier lifestyles. The spots will range from 10-second health tips to broader one-minute messages.

HHS has made the elimination of health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority populations a critical goal of Healthy People 2010, the nation's public health agenda for the current decade.

How much of a gap exists today? Overall, the average life expectancy for African-Americans is 71.8 years, compared to 77.4 years for Caucasians, according to the latest-available statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. African-Americans are twice as likely to die from diabetes than Caucasians. Infant mortality rates for African-American children are twice as high as for Caucasian infants.

SOURCE:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (http://www.hhs.gov)

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