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.
Body
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...
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