AAWA

  AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN'S AGENDA EDUCATION FOUNDATION

I Am Woman, Hear Me...

African American women want a Mayor committed to increasing the availability and quality of health care services.  Black women face unique health challenges.  Breast and cervical cancer death rates are, respectively, 11% and 80% higher for Black women than White women; African Americans are 3 times more likely to die from a treatable disease because of a lack of preventive and affordable health care; and 60% of all reported Cuyahoga County female HIV cases are among Black women.   The Mayor must address the alarming HIV rate among African American women, and must immediately establish a Women’s Health Care Commission to address these health inequities.

Priority Issues for Health Care: Facts

• Too many Clevelanders still lack access to health care on a regular preventive basis.

• In Cleveland in 1996, the mortality rate for Black babies was 16.7 deaths per 1000 births – almost twice the mortality rate for White babies.

• In 1998, more than one in five Black working adults lacked health insurance, compared to one in ten White working adults.

• Over 60% of all reported female cases of HIV/AIDS in Cuyahoga County are among African American women.

• African Americans are 3 times more likely to die from a treatable disease because of a lack of preventive and affordable health care services.

• For the years 1993-1997, the Ohio death rates for breast cancer and cervical cancer were, respectively, 11% and 80% higher for Black women than White women.

Priority Issues for Health Care: Action

African American women want a Mayor committed to improved health care and expanded services for all Cleveland residents.

As Mayor I pledge to:

• Clearly define the city’s role in health care and health insurance coverage, and how that role is to be administered.

• Appoint a medical doctor to head the Department of Public Health.

• Clarify the city’s role in health care enforcement and monitoring of safety and environmental codes, including the city’s responsibility for removal of toxic lead paint.

• Increase financial support for Primary Healthcare Facilities and Trauma Centers.

• Ensure that the prosecutor's office reactivates an empowered domestic violence department.

• Establish a Woman's Health Care Commission (WHCC) to promote health care that includes education and prevention services for physical, emotional and mental health.  The WHCC should maintain a special focus on diseases disproportionately impacting black women; and its membership must include, without being limited to, religious, business and labor leaders, community activists and health care providers.

•  Use the stature of the Mayor's office to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS; enhance HIV prevention and treatment programs; and expand inpatient services for people with HIV/AIDS.

• Identify, through the Cleveland Public School system, children at all grade levels who are without health insurance, and advise families of health insurance options available for their children.

Last modified: 08/25/05