African-Americans in Baltimore City are 15% more likely to die from heart disease than white City residents. In Baltimore County, African-Americans are twice as likely to die from a diabetes-related illness than whites.
Baltimore City and Baltimore County are partnering in an important public health initiative to reduce cardiovascular disease and diabetes for all residents and to reduce unacceptable health disparities.
Led by Mayor Sheila Dixon, Congressman Elijah E. Cummings, and Delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, this agenda of community-based strategies offers tremendous potential to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its complications before tragedy strikes. This proposed initiative will be viable for groups to implement strategies and funders looking to impact health disparities.
We are seeking your input on five draft strategies that will be part of this agenda. Specific questions include: (1) Are these proposals feasible? (2) Are the goals reasonable? (3) Where can we seek funding for these efforts? (4) What partners should be involved in planning and implementing these activities?
Press Release
Summary of the Initiative
Background Information on Health Disparities
Draft Strategy 1 - Increase or Expand Community-Based Smoking Cessation
Draft Strategy 2 - Expand Community Health Worker Programs
Draft Strategy 3 - Increase Screening in Barbershops and Beauty Salons
Draft Strategy 4 - Increase Partnerships with Faith Institutions to Reduce Heart Disease
Draft Strategy 5 - Launch a Task Force on Reducing Salt (Sodium) Intake
Proposed Outcome Measurements
Public comment period ended February 1, 2008. All strategies and documents are being reviewed and restructured.
Health Disparities Contact Point:
Shannon Cosgrove, MHA
Health Disparities Coordinator
210 Guilford Avenue, 3rd Floor
Baltimore, MD 21202
(443) 984-4098
shannon.cosgrove@baltimorecity.gov
|
