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News Release

HHS ANNOUNCES NEW EFFORTS TO REDUCE RISK OF
CHRONIC DISEASES AMONG MINORITY POPULATIONS

Secretary Thompson Unveils Campaigns Aimed at Preventing Disease by Promoting Better Health

In recognition of the 17th annual National Minority Cancer Awareness Week, April 20-26, HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today announced several new efforts aimed at preventing cancer and reducing health disparities among minority populations. The initiatives focus on nutrition; colorectal cancer; preventive health care; and comprehensive cancer control programs.

"Cancer devastates millions of Americans each year, especially racial and ethnic minorities," Secretary Thompson said. "Often, this major cause of death can be prevented through changes in our daily routines and by getting regular health care check-ups and screenings. We must close the gap in health care disparities in minority communities and reduce the incidence of cancer nationwide."

Historically, racial and ethnic minorities have experienced a disproportionate burden of death and disease from chronic illnesses, particularly cancer. The public awareness efforts announced include the "African American 9 A Day" campaign; new "Screen for Life" public service announcements (PSAs); this year's "Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day," and the Cancer Control PLANET Web portal.

African American 9 A Day campaign

Joined by National Cancer Institute (NCI) Director Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, Secretary Thompson announced African American 9 A Day -- a national campaign to encourage African American men to eat 9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. African American men are among the most seriously affected by diet-related chronic diseases, and have the lowest overall consumption of fruits and vegetables.

NCI will collaborate with African American health, faith-based, civic, and fraternal organizations to get the 9 A Day message out to African American men. The campaign also includes national radio spots, a new Web page for African American men (www.9aday.cancer.gov) and "Men: Eat 9 A Day," a brochure specifically for African American men available through NCI's Cancer Information Service, 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237).

Screen for Life public service announcements (PSAs)

Joined by Dr. Nancy C. Lee, director of cancer prevention and control at HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Secretary Thompson also introduced new television PSAs and other educational materials designed to inform Americans, particularly African Americans, Hispanics, and people with Medicare coverage, about the benefits of colorectal cancer screening for all adults aged 50 or over.

The PSAs are one component of Screen for Life, a national colorectal cancer action campaign developed by HHS' Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CDC and NCI. "We are still losing too many lives to a disease that largely can be prevented," said Secretary Thompson.

For more information about the Screen for Life campaign, or to order materials, visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife or call 1-888-842-6355. For information about Medicare coverage of colorectal cancer screening, visit http://www.medicare.gov. To learn about colorectal cancer testing, diagnosis and treatment, call NCI's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.

Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day

Joined by ABC Radio personality Tom Joyner, Secretary Thompson also announced this year's Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day will be held on Sept. 16, 2003. Dr. Day is a key element of the Department's Closing the Health Gap educational campaign designed to improve health among racial and ethnic minority populations. The focus of the day is to encourage individuals to take charge of their health by visiting a health professional, making an appointment for a check-up or screening and encouraging a friend, neighbor, or family member to do the same. For a second year, HHS is partnering with ABC Radio Networks on this initiative.

More information is available at http://www.healthgap.omhrc.gov or 1-800-444-6472.

Cancer Control PLANET Web portal

Secretary Thompson also announced the creation of Cancer Control PLANET a universal portal Web site. PLANET serves as a doorway to new evidence-based tools that can aid communities in better understanding and addressing their cancer burden. Partners in this effort include the American Cancer Society, NCI, CDC, and HHS' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. All of the current tools are available through this new Web portal at http://cancercontrolplanet.cancer.gov. PLANET will be updated regularly based on the best available science.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last Revised: April 24, 2003