Congressman Al Green Introduces Resolution to Promote Minority Health Awareness

(Washington, DC)--On April 30, 2015, Congressman Al Green introduced a resolution to promote minority health awareness as well as support the goals and ideals of National Minority Health Month in April 2015. The resolution specifically seeks to bring attention to the health disparities faced by minority populations in the U.S.

The resolution highlights several sobering facts about the inequality in health outcomes experienced by minorities: African-American women are twice as likely to die from cervical cancer compared to Caucasian women. According to national examination surveys, Hispanics are almost twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to be diagnosed with diabetes by a physician. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services has identified six main categories in which racial and ethnic minorities experience disparate access to health care: infant mortality, cancer screening and management, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and immunizations.

“All Americans regardless of race should have equal access to quality health care,” Congressman Al Green said. “These troubling statistics about the state of health care and health outcomes for minority communities should be a clarion call to action for all. It is evident now more than ever, we must redouble our efforts legislatively and through community-based health care initiatives to eliminate the unhealthy circumstances that persist in our communities.”

The resolution was cosponsored by Reps. G.K. Butterfield, Tony Cardenas, Judy Chu, Yvette Clarke, Robin Kelly, Barbara Lee, Michelle Lujan Grisham, and Ben Ray Lujan.