• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

African Americans Urged to Speak Out for Health Coverage During 'Cover the Uninsured Week'

Posted on: Monday, 1 May 2006, 12:01 CDT

WASHINGTON, May 1 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 1,000 events will be held across the nation this week to help millions of African Americans in America living without health care coverage. The activities are planned as part of Cover the Uninsured Week, a nonpartisan, nationwide effort to urge U.S. leaders to make health coverage for Americans a top priority. Organizations representing African Americans are actively involved in the effort.

According to government statistics, one in four African Americans is uninsured. African Americans who have insurance are three times as likely to see a doctor when they need to, compared to African Americans who do not have coverage. Nationally, nearly 46 million Americans have no health care coverage, including more than 8 million children. Eight out of 10 of the uninsured are in working families.

"The African-American community is at disproportionately high risk for diseases such as heart disease and cancer. It's imperative that we take an active role in our health care and attend regular doctor check-ups," said Louis W. Sullivan, M.D., former Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "Yet, millions of African Americans are without insurance and so they see small health problems become emergencies because they lack access to needed medical care. That is why it's important that members of our community participate in Cover the Uninsured Week activities to demonstrate our resolve to fix this national problem."

Some of the most influential organizations in the country are cosponsoring Cover the Uninsured Week, which occurs from May 1-7. Co-chaired by Presidents Gerald Ford and Jimmy Carter, the effort is supported by 10 former U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretaries and Surgeons General appointed by both Republican and Democratic presidents.

During Cover the Uninsured Week, hundreds of enrollment events will be held at hospitals, medical centers, malls, community centers, and in places of worship nationwide. Volunteers will help enroll uninsured adults and children in public programs that provide low-cost or free coverage to those who are eligible. In addition, information about local resources will be distributed and at many of the events, basic medical services and screenings will be provided. Other activities will focus on efforts of large and small businesses to provide health coverage, galvanize students on college campuses and engage faith communities to speak out about the need for solutions. A comprehensive listing of all events being held across the nation can be found at http://www.covertheuninsured.org/.

Organizers are calling on African Americans across the nation to tell elected officials that health coverage for uninsured Americans needs to be a top priority. African Americans are encouraged to express their concern by instantly e-mailing a member of Congress through the campaign Web site, http://www.covertheuninsured.org/.

"As African Americans, we must continue to be proactive about our health care because the lack of access to health coverage continues to be a serious concern in our communities," said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which organizes Cover the Uninsured Week. "It is essential that our voices are heard, and we must all get involved in this effort to demand our nation's leaders make health coverage for Americans a top priority."

African Americans are encouraged to visit the campaign's Web site at http://www.covertheuninsured.org/ to:

* Tell Congress that health care coverage must be its top priority. * Spread the word by sending a Cover the Uninsured Week e-mail to friends and asking them to help get America covered. * Get involved in Cover the Uninsured Week activities to show support.

Organizations sponsoring Cover the Uninsured Week include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, AFL-CIO, Healthcare Leadership Council, AARP, United Way of America, American Medical Association, National Medical Association, American Nurses Association, Families USA, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, America's Health Insurance Plans, American Hospital Association, Federation of American Hospitals, Catholic Health Association of the United States, Service Employees International Union, National Alliance for Hispanic Health, The California Endowment, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

To download state-specific resource guides, or locate Cover the Uninsured Week activities, log on to http://www.covertheuninsured.org/.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation's largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to improving the health and health care of all Americans, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, meaningful, and timely change. For more than 30 years the Foundation has brought experience, commitment, and a rigorous, balanced approach to the problems that affect the health and health care of those it serves. When it comes to helping Americans lead healthier lives and get the care they need, the Foundation expects to make a difference in your lifetime. For more information, visit http://www.rwjf.org/.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

CONTACT: Laura Morrill, +1-202-745-5058, for the Robert Wood JohnsonFoundation

Web site: http://www.covertheuninsured.org/http://www.rwjf.org/

Source: PRNewswire

More News in this Category