Two New Reports Detail Health Disparities Facing Minorities in Minnesota

Health education initiatives need to be targeted toward young African-American men in the Minneapolis area to eliminate disparities in access to health care, a new study found. Conducted by the African American Men Project at Hennepin County Office of Planning and Development in Minnesota, the study was designed to illustrate the problems facing the county's African-American men and how government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and businesses can "streamline processes, align programs" and "improve their service" for young black men. Regarding health care issues, the report, titled "Crossroads: Choosing a New Direction," recommends that policymakers work to ensure all African-American men have access to health care by doing the following:

• Reconfigure health care delivery systems to "meet the needs" of black men;
• Extend health coverage to young black men through MinnesotaCare, the state's health insurance program for low-income individuals without access to employer-sponsored health insurance;
• Foster job training to place black men in positions that offer employer-sponsored health insurance;
• Teach black men to live "healthier lives" by implementing "innovative" programs at public health agencies and community organizations;
• Adequately fund "safety-net" programs; and
• Increase the number of minorities in health care professions.

Minority Children Fare Poorly
In related news, a study by the Children's Defense Fund of Minnesota found that minority children in Minnesota "fare significantly worse" than white children in terms of "well being," the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. For example, infant mortality rates are 2.5 times higher among blacks and American Indians than the rate for white infants (Hopfensperger, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1/23). In addition, minority infants are four to seven times more likely to be born to teenage women and also are more likely to be born at "dangerously low birth weights." The study adds that even though the state has the nation's lowest rate of uninsured children, the "low overall rate disguises racial gaps" (Beckstrom St. Paul Pioneer Press, 1/23). For example, while 3.5% of white children are uninsured, 15% of Hispanic children and 11% of black children lack health coverage. "The disparities cut across education, economics, health, safety, and that leads one to think that there are other issues going on," Diane Benjamin, the study's author, said. The study is based on statistics from the 2000 Census, private research groups and government agencies (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 1/23). The report, "All Kids Count! Assessing the Well-Being of African-American, American Indian, Asian and Latino Children," is available online. Note: You must have Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the report.