RIDLEY-THOMAS CALLS FOR PLAN TO IMPROVE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTION OUTREACH EFFORTS TO AFRICAN AMERICANS

 

 

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 15, 2009                                                                                                                                      Contact:    Aurelio Rojas 213-280-6579

                                                                                                                                                                                            James Bolden 213-200-5314

 

SUPERVISOR RIDLEY-THOMAS CALLS FOR PLAN TO IMPROVE COMMUNICABLE DISEASE PREVENTION OUTREACH EFFORTS TO AFRICAN AMERICANS

 

 

LOS ANGELES – Expressing concern that the level of H1N1 vaccinations among African Americans has been unacceptably low, Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas today called for a plan to improve the County’s outreach to African Americans with the goal of increasing rates of vaccination. 

 

Recent data shows that the County Department of Public Health’s H1N1 vaccine  program has reached roughly 28 percent of the target African American group, compared with 82 percent of Latinos, 72 percent of Whites and 282% of Asians. 

 

“The outreach plan should include an enhanced strategy to work with other public and private health partners – such as community leaders, faith organizations and schools – and a proposed budget and timeline,” the Supervisor stated in his motion. 

 

He added that the plan should lay a foundation for longer-term and deeper community engagement that improves preparedness, prevention and community resilience to threats and emergencies. 

 

 

In a related matter, the Board today approved a recommendation by the Public Health department to approve an agreement with Clear Channel Communications to provide public information and health messages related to H1N1, including urging County residents to get seasonal flu shots. 

 

Supervisor Ridley-Thomas instructed the County’s Chief Executive Officer and the  Public Health department to report back December 22 with a plan to improve its H1N1 outreach to African-American residents. 

 

“We are looking for the department to provide leadership in implementing a more comprehensive, aggressive, innovative and strategic outreach campaign to African Americans,” the Supervisor said.

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