SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 21
(By Senators Prezioso,
Unger, McCabe, Bowman, Rowe, McKenzie,
Hunter and Jenkins)
Requesting the Governor issue an executive order establishing an
Office of Minority Health.
Whereas, The African-American population in West Virginia
continues to experience inequality in the provision of health care;
and
Whereas, Health care disparities are well documented to the
extent that African-Americans have higher rates of morbidity and
mortality than whites; and
Whereas, In this state, African-Americans represent 37 percent
of the newly diagnosed HIV cases, African-American women represent
51 percent of all women diagnosed with HIV and African-American men
represent 28 percent of all men diagnosed with HIV; and
Whereas, African-Americans are at greater risk for
cardiovascular disease and stroke-related death than caucasians;
and
Whereas, In West Virginia, African-American males have a
markedly higher rate of prostate cancer than caucasian males and
African-American females tend to be diagnosed for breast cancer at
a later stage than caucasian women; and
Whereas, The American Cancer Society reports obesity among African-Americans as a risk factor for colorectal cancer; and
Whereas, The incidence of diabetes in the African-American
population in this state is alarmingly disproportionate to other
races and ethnic groups; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby requests the Governor issue an
executive order establishing an Office of Minority Health; and, be
it
Further Resolved, That the Office of Minority Health
coordinate resources and provide health education and services to
African-Americans; and that it also be responsible for preparing
and issuing an annual report on the status of health care for
African-Americans in this state; and, be it
Further Resolved, That all state agencies be directed to
assist the Office of Minority Health in the performance of its
duties; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Department of Health and Human
Resources provide the Office of Minority Health with the personnel,
supplies, materials and equipment needed to enable it to perform
its responsibilities; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby
directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the Governor and
the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.
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