For Immediate Release

September 1, 2004

GILL MEASURE TO ELIMINATE HEALTH DISPARITIES BECOMES LAW

TRENTON - A measure sponsored by Senator Nia H. Gill that would establish a comprehensive plan to reduce health disparities between the state's Caucasian and minority populations has been signed into law by the Governor.

"There are certain health conditions that have been found to affect minorities on a larger scale than non-minorities," said Senator Gill, D-Essex and Passaic . "This Initiative will require the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health to conduct studies and work to reduce these disparities."

Senator Gill's measure, S-1444, directs the Commissioner of Health and Senior Services to establish the "Eliminating Health Disparities Initiative" in the Office on Minority and Multicultural Health.

The measure would require special attention to be paid to "priority areas," which include asthma; infant mortality; breast, cervical, prostate and colorectal cancer screening; HIV/AIDS; hepatitis C; sexually transmitted diseases; adult and child immunizations; diabetes; cardiovascular disease; accidental injuries and violence.

The Office on Minority and Multicultural Health would be directed to establish significant outcomes to reduce health disparities, work to enhance current data collection tools and methods to ensure accurate statewide assessment of risk behaviors associated with the medical conditions and if feasible, compare findings with national data.

"This Initiative is about finding the reasons why the state's minorities are more widely affected by these conditions, and then working to reduce cases among all New Jerseyans," said Senator Gill.