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Highlights in Minority Health
September 21st, 2004
| September 21 is Take a Loved
One to the Doctor Day |
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Take A Loved One to The Doctor Day
is part of a national campaign by the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services (HHS), that focuses on the health gap between racial
and ethnic minorities and the general population. |
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Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day
encourages individuals to see a health care professional on
September 21, 2004, or make an appointment for the near future. By
focusing our efforts on a single day, we believe we can help
generate a greater understanding of the importance of regular health
screenings while at the same time focus on those populations that
tend to have the least access to health care. |
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Research has shown that many individuals
need to be motivated to seek out regular health care. While most
people wait until there is an emergency before they go see a doctor
(Health care professionals understand the value of preventive care),
Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day is an excellent way
to screen individuals, and where necessary, refer them for follow-up
care. |
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| How can I
Participate in Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day? |
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Identify someone you know who hasn't been to the
doctor lately and make an appointment for them. Then take them. |
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Or, if you haven't been to the doctor in a while,
make an appointment for yourself. |
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If they (or you) don't already have a doctor, or
don't have health insurance, contact your local community health
center (www.bphc.hrsa.gov/databases/fqhc)
or local health department to ask about free or low-cost care. |
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If you have insurance and don't use it, there is no
better time than now. |
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If you need assistance finding a health provider,
click here or call 1-800-444-6472 and ask to speak to
an information specialists. |
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When is Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day? |
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September 21, 2004. But individuals are urged to
consider any day as a good day to take a loved one to the doctor. If
you can't get an appointment on September 21, make an appointment
for later in the week. The point is to go see a health professional
and begin taking charge of your health. |
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Many organizations and communities are sponsoring health events on
September 21. Some communities will have health events or
screenings, others will have health centers ready to take new
patients on that day. |
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Call
toll-free at 1-800-444-6472
to find out which organizations in your area have agreed to be
campaign partners. Ask them what they are doing on September
21. |
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