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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004

HHS Press Office
(202) 690-6343

Secretary Thompson Mobilizes Communities to Help Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health

Nationwide Call to Action to Visit a Health Professional

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today urged families across America to take a loved one to the doctor as part of President George W. Bush's initiative to reduce the incidence of disease among racial and ethnic minority populations. Today is the 3rd annual "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day" that encourages individuals to make an appointment and go to a doctor or health professional for a health screening.

"Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day is about bringing people to health care early, when diseases can be prevented or treated successfully," Secretary Thompson said. "Prevention can help add years to your life and the time to start is now."

For the third consecutive year, HHS is partnering with ABC Radio Networks on Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day, the signature event of HHS' Closing the Health Gap campaign. ABC radio personality Tom Joyner is the honorary chair of the Closing the Health Gap Campaign.

Nearly 500 national, state and local organizations spanning 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico are partnered with HHS to promote Doctor Day and host activities in their communities.

"Too many Americans especially minorities are dying from preventable diseases. Doctor Day is about showing a family, friend, or colleague you care by helping him or her to make health a priority," Thompson said. "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day is a truly a grassroots effort with national support that combines creativity, health, and community empowerment."

Highlights include health festivals and screenings, on-site applications for Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance Program, panel discussions, health center events, activities for children and a special broadcast on the national Tom Joyner Morning Show.

HHS officials, including Secretary Tommy G. Thompson, Deputy Secretary Claude Allen, United States Surgeon General Richard S. Carmona, Assistant Secretary for Aging Josefina Carbonell, CMS Administrator Mark McClellan and Acting Director for Minority Health Garth Graham, are participating in many events around the country.

The Tom Joyner Morning Show can be heard daily on 119 stations around the world and on American Forces Radio and Television Service. This year, HHS will broadcast nearly 200 health messages on various ABC radio formats between August and October. ABC Radio Urban Advantage Network reaches 19 million African-Americans weekly.

For more information on Closing the Health Gap and Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day, visit www.healthgap.omhrc.gov or call 1 (800) 444-6472.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: September 21, 2004

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