State public health director kicks-off Minority Health Month and encourages healthier lifestyle

IDPH hosts fun events while raising awareness to eliminate health disparities

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, was at the Springfield Boys and Girls Club to talk about the benefits of exercise and a healthier lifestyle during an event to kick-off Minority Health Month. “Step into a Healthier Lifestyle” is one of approximately 50 events planned throughout April’s Minority Health Month. These events are sponsored by the Illinois Department of Public Health’s Center for Minority Health Services, to raise awareness and eliminate health disparities in communities of color.

Minority Health Month is a national 30-day health promotion and disease prevention campaign to address the disparity in health outcomes among communities of color.

“We are working hard to ensure all men, women and children in Illinois receive the necessary care to eliminate health disparities among our minority populations,” said Dr. Arnold. “Simple lifestyle changes such as walking and other low impact activities can make a difference to lower the incidence, prevalence, and mortality rate that continue to impact minority groups for preventable health conditions and diseases like cancer, diabetes, and HIV/AIDS.”

Dr. Damon T. Arnold, state public health director, tours the Wellness on Wheels Van

Today’s event officially kicked off the Community Spiritual and Physical Walk Challenge promoting exercise workshops during April. In keeping with the theme “Step into a Healthier Lifestyle,” the importance of exercise was promoted at the event. Setting an example were State Senators Rickey Hendon, of the 5th legislative district, and Kimberly Lightford, of the 4th legislative district, who demonstrated a Chicago dance style called “Stepping.” State Senator Mattie Hunter, of the 3rd legislative district, and Dr. Arnold were wearing pedometers and talked about walking for better health. (A list of this month’s free exercise workshops is at the bottom of this release.)

Educating communities of color about health disparities in their communities and encouraging them about the benefits of exercise is important. Hispanics living in the United States are almost twice as likely to die from diabetes as are non-Hispanic whites. Hispanics also have higher rates of high blood pressure and obesity than non-Hispanic whites.

In the African American community, the infant mortality rate more than doubles that of whites. Heart disease death rates are more than 40 percent higher for African Americans. When it comes to cancer, the death rate is 30 percent higher for African Americans than whites, and more than double that for prostate cancer. African-American women have a higher death rate from breast cancer despite having a mammography screening rate that is almost the same rate as for white women. The death rate from HIV/AIDS for African Americans is more than seven times the rate for whites.

And here, in Illinois, more than half of the total reported HIV/AIDS cases are among African Americans.

Among the programs offered through the Illinois Department of Public Health Center to reduce health disparities: