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"African-Americans suffer disproportionately from diabetes, heart disease and other medical problems. As a nation, we need to work aggressively to close this gap," Secretary Thompson said. " 'Closing the Health Gap' is a new partnership between HHS and ABC Radio to spread the word about good health and prevention directly to millions of African-American listeners. ABC Radio will turn HHS' scientific knowledge about promoting better health into effective radio programming."

The campaign is designed to inform, educate, challenge and empower African-Americans to change behaviors through providing lifestyle tips and information on local sources of health care and public health programs. It also will combine the radio networks' broadcast resources with HHS' health information expertise, and will involve civic organizations and community groups across the country.

As part of the campaign, all 240 of ABC Radio's Urban Advantage Network affiliates will air detailed messages about the severity of the health crisis facing African-Americans, emphasizing specific steps listeners can take to adopt healthier lifestyles. The spots will range from 10-second health tips to broader one-minute messages. Secretary Thompson will record a 30-second message emphasizing the importance of these health education efforts, and Surgeon General David Satcher will narrate other spots.

"The 'Closing the Health Gap' campaign is a major breakthrough in public awareness," ABC Radio Networks President Traug Keller said. "We are very proud to help create and sponsor this program designed specifically to empower the African-American community on ways to take charge of their health."

HHS has made eliminating health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority populations a critical goal of Healthy People 2010, the nation's public health agenda for the current decade. For instance, African-Americans are twice as likely to die from diabetes than whites. Similarly, infant mortality rates for African-American children are twice as high as for white infants. Overall, the average life expectancy for African-Americans at birth is 71.8 years, compared to 77.4 years for whites, according to the latest-available statistics from HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

"The 'Closing the Health Gap' campaign addresses the major health threats confronting African-Americans, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease and stroke, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, substance abuse, suicide and violence," said Nathan Stinson, M.D., HHS deputy assistant secretary for minority health. "It will also promote organ donation and improved rates of child and adult immunizations, and address health issues among women and older adults."

"ABC's Urban Advantage Network can be heard by 93 percent of all African-Americans every week, making it the perfect medium to provide vital information to the community," said Kevin Miller, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of ABC Radio Networks. "Urban consumers are loyal listeners who seek and receive a connection with the community through radio. Playing a key role in this campaign will be our radio hosts Tom Joyner and Doug Banks, who each have large followings in the African-American community. They are truly trusted advisors."

A special telephone number and Web site address have been set up to aid callers in receiving campaign information and material. The "Closing the Health Gap" hotline number is 1-800-444-6472. The Web address is: www.healthgap.omhrc.gov.

Another part of the HHS and ABC Radio campaign will be a special one-day event to encourage people to visit a health professional or make an appointment with one in the near future. The event, which will take place in spring 2002, will involve national, state, local and community organizations to facilitate access to health care for those most in need. Earvin "Magic" Johnson, chairman & CEO of Magic Johnson Theatres and Johnson Development Corp., and ABC Radio personality Tom Joyner have agreed to serve as honorary co-chairs of the event.

"Educating our communities to seek preventive health care is critical," Johnson said. "This is a very important initiative for the African-American community, and I am proud to play an active role as co-chair with Tom Joyner."

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