[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 65 (Monday, April 23, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E826]]
                     NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 23, 2007

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Madam Speaker, I proudly join my 
colleagues today calling attention to the grave disparities in minority 
health in our Nation. The research is clear: there is a health gap 
between races and ethnicities. There should be no more debate on 
whether this is a reality.
  African Americans are more than twice as likely to have diabetes as 
Whites. Asian American men suffer from stomach cancer twice as often as 
non-Hispanic White men. Hispanic women are 2.2 times more likely to be 
diagnosed with cervical cancer than non-Hispanic White women. African 
American women are 36 percent more likely to die from breast cancer 
than White women. American Indians/Alaska Natives have diabetes rates 
that are nearly three times the national rate.
  In addition to disparities in health outcomes, Hispanics and African 
Americans are least likely to be covered by insurance. Disturbingly, 
over 32 percent of Latinos are uninsured. Lack of insurance translates 
to lack of preventive care, lack of care for chronic conditions, and 
failure to attain screenings that could catch diseases and conditions 
at an early stage. Not only do these communities of color lack access 
to health care, but they face medical debt that could be paralyzing to 
their economic situation.
  I am pleased that Congress is finally addressing racial and ethnic 
health disparities. Not only because there should be parity in health, 
but because the number of minorities is growing. It will be detrimental 
to the future of our Nation if we do not continue to support 
understanding and addressing how to best serve communities of color. 
Understanding health risk factors and how to effectively deliver health 
care to our minority population today will help us prepare to serve a 
majority of the population of tomorrow. In the end, we will all 
benefit.
  While we work toward solving the national healthcare crisis, we 
cannot lose sight of racial and ethnic health disparities. The only way 
to solve our current dilemma is to use evidence-based research 
findings. I support funding research for further innovation. We already 
know some of what we must do to improve health outcomes for minority 
population. For instance, we need more minority health care providers 
who are culturally competent. We also need to address linguistic 
barriers.
  April is National Minority Health Month. It is imperative that we 
have a productive and invigorating discussion on racial and ethnic 
health disparities. We need to make sure all communities of color can 
live healthier lives. As health care programs and policies are 
considered, let us not forget to include all aspects in the debate, 
including minority health. As a multicultural Nation, we should 
celebrate our diversity, not punish it.

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