November 21, 1995

THIRD COMMUNITY HEALTH FORUM SCHEDULED FOR CHICAGO'S NEAR SOUTH SIDE

CHICAGO -- The third in a series of forums organized by the Illinois Department of Public Health to disseminate information to residents and new immigrants about where to go in their neighborhoods for health services and advice has been scheduled for Chicago's near south side on Saturday, December 2.

The forum will be held in the auditorium at Benito Juarez High School, 2150 S. Laflin Ave., from 10 a.m. to noon. Those in attendance will participate in a town hall-style discussion about the status of community health in their area.

A special emphasis will be placed on the health status and needs of immigrants who may be unfamiliar with health services in their area. Spanish language translators will be in attendance to facilitate audience participation.

Community health organizations from around Illinois -- especially those serving African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and other minority populations -- are collaborating with the Department to make these forums possible.

Agencies involved in the planning of this forum include Benito Juarez High School, the Chicago Urban League, the Chicago-Cook County Ambulatory Care Council, the University of Illinois-Chicago School of Public Health, the Pilsen Coalition for Families, Claretian Medical Center, Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Public Health & Education Association of the Midwest, the National Center for Latinos with Disabilities, the Infant Welfare Society and the American Heart Association/Chicago South Chapter.

Representatives from the Chicago Department of Public Health and the Cook County Department of Public Health will address the audience and answer questions about access to services offered by their respective agencies. Neighborhood physicians and other health care providers also will be available for questions during the open discussion.

The Illinois Department of Public Health's minority health advisory committee, composed of 20 community health leaders from throughout Illinois, is coordinating the forums to improve community outreach and health services.

The first two forums were held early this year in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood and Chicago's south side. After the December 2 forum, the next forum will be held in February 1996 on Chicago's west side.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments