Health Committee
Are you interested in the health and wellness of our community? Do you want to be a voice for vulnerable populations living in SW Washington? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?!?
Join the Vancouver NAACP Health Committee!!!
The Health Committee fulfills the NAACP's commitment to eliminating the racial and ethnic disparities in our health care system that plague people of color in the United States. The NAACP brings our national voice to assist in the eradication of these racial and ethnic disparities, with a focus not only on disease prevention, but on the social and environmental factors that affect health and wellness. In addition the NAACP is engaged in the workforce development movement to increase the number of minorities represented in the medical and public health profession, and a leading presence on governmental advisory workgroups and national coalitions developed to provide counsel on cultural competency in the health care system.
The NAACP's national health agenda includes a four-tiered approach to improving the health and well being of African American families and families of color:
Childhood Obesity: Childhood obesity has plagued a generation--one that that has been predicted to be the first that will not outlive their parents. Addressing the issue of childhood obesity in the African American community requires an advocacy agenda designed to change policies and programs at the local, state and federal levels and an effective, community-wide outreach plan that will educate African American families and increase awareness on the root causes for childhood obesity, its connection to other health disorders that affect our wellbeing, and the need to eradicate childhood obesity across the nation.
HIV/AIDS: African Americans are disproportionately impacted by the HIV/AIDS epidemic more than any other racial or ethnic group in the United States. The NAACP's health department is committed to "sounding the alarm" about the effects of HIV/AIDS through advocating for increased testing, education, and polices aimed at stopping the rates of new infections and increasing the access to care especially in communities of color.
Healthcare System Reform: The NAACP successfully advocated and mobilized in support of the passage of the health care reform bill for all Americans. Every American deserves security when it comes to health care. As we consider the healthcare debate across this country, the Association encourages local units and collaborative partners to stand for the rights of those that can't stand for themselves.
Health Disparities: The NAACP will continue to utilize our national voice as a premiere civil rights and advocacy organization to assist in the eradication of racial and ethnic health disparities. This work will include identifying social and environmental factors that affect health and wellness for communities of color. The NAACP will also engage in the workforce development movement to increase the representation of people of color in medical and public health professions.
What is your commitment???
- Work to promote, protect and maintain the health of African Americans and People of Color
- Assess the health needs of the community;
- Advocate for equal access to health education, care, treatment and research for all Americans;
- Sponsor health-related activities such as health forums, fairs and workshops highlighting issues of importance to people of color; and
- Support health initiatives of the Association.
- 2 hour meeting quarterly (TBA)
Dolly England
DollyEngland@gmail.com