TAKE A LOVED ONE TO THE DOCTOR DAY

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today urged Illinoisans, especially minorities disproportionately affected by preventable diseases, to take a loved one to a doctor for a regular checkup.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has designated the third Tuesday of each September as Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day as part of its national Closing The Health Gap initiative to focus attention on the importance of early disease detection and prompt health care referrals as ways to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.

“Any day is a good day to take a loved one to the doctor or make an appointment,” Dr. Whitaker said. “The point is to go see a health professional and begin taking charge of your health.”

Many people do not get regular check-ups, but wait until there is an emergency before going to the doctor. Dr. Whitaker noted that a lack of regular health care visits contributes to higher rates of mortality from preventable diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, HIV, cancer and diabetes.

While it is important for everyone to take care of their health, the Department is targeting this message at minorities because they are disproportionately impacted by a number of preventable diseases. For example:

African Americans and Hispanics represent less than a third of the state’s population, yet they make up more than 60 percent of those diagnosed with AIDS and 61 percent of all HIV cases.

African Americans and Hispanics are twice as likely to have diabetes as whites. Both groups are more likely to develop certain complications of diabetes, including Diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease.

Asian Americans disproportionately suffer from certain types of cancer, tuberculosis and Hepatitis B. Women of Vietnamese origin, for example, suffer from cervical cancer at nearly five times the rate of white women.

The Department is partnering with local health departments, communities of color and ethnic groups throughout the state to encourage individuals to take charge of their health care by visiting a health care professional, making an appointment for a visit, attending a health-related event in the community, or helping a friend, neighbor or family member do the same.

For the third straight year, the DHHS has designated the Department’s Center for Minority Health Services as a “Featured State Partner.”

September 21, 2004

TAKE A LOVED ONE TO THE DOCTOR DAY SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Eric E. Whitaker, state public health director, today urged Illinoisans, especially minorities disproportionately affected by preventable diseases, to take a loved one to a doctor for a regular checkup. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has designated the third Tuesday of each September as Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day as part of its national Closing The Health Gap initiative to focus attention on the importance of early disease detection and prompt health care referrals as ways to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. “Any day is a good day to take a loved one to the doctor or make an appointment,” Dr. Whitaker said. “The point is to go see a health professional and begin taking charge of your health.” Many people do not get regular check-ups, but wait until there is an emergency before going to the doctor. Dr. Whitaker noted that a lack of regular health care visits contributes to higher rates of mortality from preventable diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, HIV, cancer and diabetes. While it is important for everyone to take care of their health, the Department is targeting this message at minorities because they are disproportionately impacted by a number of preventable diseases. For example: African Americans and Hispanics represent less than a third of the state’s population, yet they make up more than 60 percent of those diagnosed with AIDS and 61 percent of all HIV cases. African Americans and Hispanics are twice as likely to have diabetes as whites. Both groups are more likely to develop certain complications of diabetes, including Diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease. Asian Americans disproportionately suffer from certain types of cancer, tuberculosis and Hepatitis B. Women of Vietnamese origin, for example, suffer from cervical cancer at nearly five times the rate of white women. The Department is partnering with local health departments, communities of color and ethnic groups throughout the state to encourage individuals to take charge of their health care by visiting a health care professional, making an appointment for a visit, attending a health-related event in the community, or helping a friend, neighbor or family member do the same. For the third straight year, the DHHS has designated the Department’s Center for Minority Health Services as a “Featured State Partner.”