Title
To recognize the Office of Minority Health of Columbus Public Health for its exemplary effort in communicating and addressing health disparities in minority communities.
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WHEREAS, between 2003 and 2006, the combined costs of health inequalities and premature deaths in the United States exceeded $1.24 trillion. Eliminating health disparities in the United States for minorities would have reduced direct medical care expenditures by $229.4 billion for the years 2003-2006. Approximately 31% of direct medical care expenditures for African Americans, Native Americans, Asians, and Hispanics were excess costs due to health inequalities; and
WHEREAS, the social, economic and environmental root causes of health disparities often occur outside the health care setting, but can be directly addressed and/or influenced by resources and personnel within governmental entities and their partners; and
WHEREAS, Columbus established the first local or community-based office of Minority Health in Ohio in 1999, and
WHEREAS, having a focal point within city government is essential to coordinate strategies that are innovative and comprehensive in scope to respond to the dynamic nature of health disparities and health inequities; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Office of Minority Health will serve as a focal point for the sharing of health policies and model programs designed to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity among minority populations; and
WHEREAS, core functions of the Columbus Office of Minority Health are to work with internal programs and related government agencies to monitor health status; inform, educate, and empower community members; establish and mobilize community partnerships; and work to develop and implement policies and plans that address health disparities and health equity in at-risk communities; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Office of Minority Health will work with key partners to train individuals to serve as advocates in educating the community on health and health disparities; and
WHEREAS, Columbus appreciates additional funding from the Ohio Commission on Minority Health beginning in 2008; and
WHEREAS, the Columbus Board of Health is authorized to apply for and enter into an agreement with public and private sources for funding to continue to operate the Columbus Office of Minority Health; now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
Section 1. That we recognize the important issues of health disparity and health equity among racial and ethnic minorities.
Section 2. That we recognize the Office of Minority Health for its leadership in informing city departments and community groups about the importance of working together to address health disparities.
Section 3. That we recognize and value the effort to proactively address root or upstream causes of such health disparities.
Section 4. That we encourage all interested parties to join with Columbus Public Health's Office of Minority Health to achieve a community with no disparities in health outcomes.