U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America	Frequent Questions Search

Font Size     Print     Download Reader

This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.

Designated as Sept. 24, 2002, "Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day" will rally African-Americans to visit a health professional or make an appointment to see a health professional. The campaign is part of "Closing the Health Gap," an ongoing partnership that combines HHS' medical expertise with the broadcast resources of ABC Radio Networks to provide important health information to the African-American population.

"People can take charge of their health, and participating in 'Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day' can be a positive first step," said Secretary Thompson. "Prevention and early detection of potential health problems are essential, and there are steps within our reach that we all can take to better protect ourselves and our families."

"Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day" is designed to encourage African-Americans and other minorities to become more involved in their health care and health choices by working with local organizations and ABC Radio Networks' 240 urban affiliates to help set up appointments with health care professionals and to accompany them on visits to the doctor. The campaign also focuses on linking the government's extensive health information resources directly to African-Americans to help put knowledge to better use.

HHS and ABC hope to encourage hundreds of fraternal, social, religious, health and community- based organizations, local health departments, and radio stations to take part in "Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day" by organizing screenings, health fairs, and other events promoting health and wellness. Already, 38 national organizations have signed on as partners. ABC Radio Networks' Tom Joyner, nationally syndicated radio personality and host of the Tom Joyner Morning Show, co-chairs the national campaign.

"We all know the importance of health care and taking care of ourselves," said Tom Joyner. "'Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day' is a call to action to not only take care of ourselves, but to take care of the people we love. Everyone knows someone that would benefit from a trip to the doctor. We can make a difference as a people and individuals in the quality of life in the African-American community."

Launched in November 2001, "Closing the Health Gap" combines the resources of HHS and ABC Radio's Urban Advantage Network, which reaches 17 million listeners each week, with civic organizations and community groups across the United States in an effort to reduce health disparities among African-Americans by encouraging individuals to take charge of their personal health. The program's goal is 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.

"The 'Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day' campaign is an historic step," said Traug Keller, president of ABC Radio Networks. "ABC is committed to the African-American community, and we are proud to initiate a program that helps everyone focus on health and wellness."

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. The average life expectancy for African-Americans at birth is 71.8 years, compared to 77.4 years for whites, according to the most recent statistics from HHS' Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. African-Americans are twice as likely to die from diabetes than whites, and the infant mortality rates for African-American children are twice as high as for white infants. ABC Radio Networks has more than 4,800 affiliate radio stations reaching 158 million persons age 12 and older each week. The Tom Joyner Show can be heard daily on 119 of 240 ABC Radio Urban Advantage Network affiliates and around the world on the American Forces Radio and Television Service. ABC Radio Urban Advantage Network reaches 17 million African-Americans weekly.

HHS has set up a toll-free number and Web site for people interested in "Closing the Health Gap" and "Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day" campaign information and materials, including a tool kit to help communities organize local health events. The number is 1-800-444-6472, and the Web site is www.healthgap.omhrc.gov.

A Webcast of today's HHS press conference will be made available by kaisernetwork.org, a free service of the Kaiser Family Foundation, after 5 p.m. today at www.kaisernetwork.org/healthcast/hhs/18apr02.

Editor's Note: Audio of Secretary Thompson discussing the "Take A Loved One To The Doctor Day" campaign will be available on the Internet at www.hhs.gov/news/broadcast. The audio will be available within 24 hours.

###

HHS Home | Questions? | Contacting HHS | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | FOIA | Disclaimers | The White House | USA.gov | Helping America's Youth

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. - Washington, D.C. 20201