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“Of all forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the
most shocking and inhumane.” - Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Estelle T. Barada, left, an Avon Health Fund fundraiser, has her blood pressure measured by Woonsocket Fire Official, Michael Crepeau at the 8th Annual Hearing and Health Fair, Saturday, April 26, 2008. This Minority Health Month event, sponsored by Quota International of Woonsocket and YWCA Northern Rhode Island, was attended by over 200 people, and included cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, asthma, foot, and hearing screenings as well as information sharing and referrals.
photo by Deborah L. Perry
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Health disparities can be regarded as a 21st century civil rights and racial justice issue. Racial and
ethnic minorities in the United States have always experienced disparate health status compared to
their White counterparts. Although the health of all Americans has continued to improve in recent decades, racial and ethnic health disparities persist and, in some cases, are increasing. Such disparities can be linked to socio-economic factors, such as reduced access to culturally competent quality health services, delayed disease diagnosis, economic status, race, and ethnicity, as well as institutional racism that exists within the health care industry.
- YWCA USA
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Locally:
The YWCA Northern Rhode Island is committed to meeting the health needs of all racial and ethnic minority groups in Rhode Island and eliminating the health disparities that presently exist. Recently the YWCA was designated as a Minority Health Promotion Center by the Rhode Island Department of Health, Division of Community Health and Equity, Office of Minority Health. The YWCA is in the process of developing and implementing health information, health education and risk reductio activities that improve the quality of life and eliminate health disparities for Rhode Island’s racial and ethnic populations.
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Globally:
The 2007 YWCA World Council meeting held in Kenya focused on women and AIDS. This forum provided a platform to inform, inspire and mobilize women to take leadership roles in response to the feminization of HIV and AIDS globally. Ironically, the USA focuses more attention on the impact that the illness is having in Africa than what it is having in its own nation. In the USA, AIDS is now the number one killer of young African American women ages 25-34. The YWCA is committed to taking a leadership role in advocating for disease prevention efforts including outreach, education, research and training in an effort to reduce this staggering statistic.
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health for her 
