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Final Report
• Table of Contents
• Special Dedication
• Introduction
(pdf)
(853K)
Please download the report here or obtain hard copies of the report by contacting us via email: Jenny.S.Lee@state.or.us or phone: (503) 731-4582.
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Racial & Ethnic Health Task Force
Report to the Governor November, 2000
Introduction
The Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Health is pleased to present its report for
consideration in the 2001-03 budget and legislative process. This report reflects the
leadership of Governor John Kitzhaber and the commitment of racial and ethnic community members throughout Oregon to a shared mission of ending health disparities. Racial and ethnic communities in Oregon are disproportionately impacted by health concerns that are not adequately addressed by the current health systems in Oregon or nationally.
The Task Force recognizes that this as an opportunity to proactively remedy persistent and emerging health disparities, and to reconstitute a collective approach - public, private, medical and community together - to the health and well-being of ALL Oregonians. Together, we must strive for quality, affordable and culturally competent health services for every member of every community in Oregon.
There are reasons to be hopeful. Oregon is a leader in many areas of health and health care. The Oregon Health Plan has lowered the percent of Oregonians without health insurance from 18 percent in 1994 to 10 percent in 2000. Oregon is a leader and innovator in moving toward universal access. In spite of this progress, one out of ten Oregonians, or, more than 300,000 people, are still without health insurance coverage - more than 85,000 are children. Eighteen percent of the total uninsured population is made up of people of color, despite there being only nine percent of the total state population.
In addition, the incidence of many chronic diseases, lead poisoning in children and
alcohol or drug abuse continue to escalate in communities of color. For example, diabetes is at least two times more common in the African American, American Indian, Hispanic, Asian and Pacific Islander communities, and people of color are also more likely than whites to have undiagnosed diabetes. This points to the need for making quality outreach, education and treatment available, accessible and culturally appropriate for all racial and ethnic communities.
The Governor's and Legislature's responses to the findings of the Task Force will begin to solidify a role for state government in ending health disparities in Oregon. The challenge is significant and will require partnerships that go beyond current efforts. The solutions will involve finding new resources, redirecting existing programs and services, or establishing new policy directions. The ultimate goal is for all Oregonians to live in a state where equity in health programs is a basic and important human right that works effectively to end
health disparities.
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