Study Reveals Health Disparity Betweens Blacks & Whites
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
A study released by the Minority Health Commission shows Whites have better access to health care than Blacks.
71% of Blacks are either overweight or obese, compared to 58% of Whites and 55% of Hispanics, according to the study.
The study also found 36% of Hispanics and 20% of Blacks lack health care. Only 12 percent of Whites have no medical coverage.
"Just as we`ve taken a big step with education, now we need to take a big step with health care, "said State Sen. Tracy Steele.
Blacks didn`t fare well when it came to preventable diseases and illnesses.
Black Arkansans had a 150% higher death rate from diabetes and a 242% higher death rate from AIDS.
The commission studied 15 communities over a two-year period while cross-referencing data provided by the Health Department.
