[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E700]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         COMMEMORATING NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ALBIO SIRES

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 12, 2011

  Mr. SIRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to observe National Minority 
Health Awareness Month and to spread awareness on the disparities 
between the health of minorities in the United States and the general 
population.
  Nationally, minority groups are disproportionately affected by many 
health conditions and diseases, many of which are preventable.
  For example, minority groups have higher rates of infant mortality, 
low birth weight babies, and HIV/AIDS.
  African Americans, in particular, suffer disproportionately from such 
chronic conditions as heart disease, stroke and diabetes.
  Similar disparities exist between other minorities such as the 
Hispanic populations.
  The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for example, 
reports that Latinos are twice as likely to die from diabetes.
  Eliminating the causes of similar health and healthcare disparities 
must remain a priority in this Congress.
  Additionally, we must continue to raise awareness of the need to 
improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations across 
America and to develop health policies and programs that will help 
eliminate health disparities.

                          ____________________