The Commission's Position on Health
Health Equity is our #2 challenge, just behind education
It is impossible for an individual, a family, or a community to prosper and advance without good health and vitality. Black people bear a greater burden of illness and premature death than do our White neighbors. This "health gap" must be closed. More on our Disease Burden and Risk Factors
What the Commission is doing
Education and health
On May 18, 2007, the Commission co-sponsored a summit with the state Dept. of Health (DOH) and the State Board of Health (SBH). That summit was called "Each Student Successful: Exploring Policies to Address Health Disparities and the Academic Achievement Gap." Dr. Maxine Hayes and Dr. Gene Carter were featured speakers at the Summit.
We are now working with DOH and SBH as they craft policies around the health gap and the academic achievement/opportunity gap. The next planning team session is June 28, 2007. After that meeting, DOH and SBH staff will publish a report about the Summit, to include an outline of policy recommendations. We will publish a copy of that report on our website.
Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities
Our own Commissioner Winona Hollins-Hauge is our representative to the Governor's Interagency Council on Health Disparities. The Council was established by SB 6197, prime sponsored by Sen. Rosa Franklin in the 2006 Legislative Session. The Commission on African American Affairs has a seat on this Council, under terms of SB 6197.
Do you want follow up information?
To learn more about follow-up to the Summit and the Interagency Council, please sign up for Commission E-Updates and select "Health" as one of your areas of interest.
