Disparities in income, race, and social status are often reflected in health statistics. The Lexington Health Department is hoping to spotlight those issues during a summit in September.
A report released earlier this year by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that African-Americans are hit proportionately harder by stroke and heart disease. The same report found Mexican-Americans typically faring the worst when it comes to controlling high blood pressure. It's disparities like these that Lexington-Fayette County Health Department equity team leader Mark Johnson hopes to address with the upcoming 2011 Health Equity Network Summit, which will look at prevention, education, and basic issues of access.
"If there aren't medical facilities in a particular neighborhood, we need to make sure that there is adequate transportation so that these individuals can get a medical facility that may be a few miles away," Johnson said.
The summit will be held in Lexington September 21st and 22nd.