PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND MARKS NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH BY ENCOURAGING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO MAKE PREVENTIVE CARE A TOP PRIORITY

(New Haven, Conn.) — In recognition of April’s National Minority Health Month, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England (PPSNE) is joining the national call for members of communities of color to make themselves and their health a top priority.

National Minority Health Month is a nationwide community mobilization campaign highlighting the fact that many in the African-American, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian and Alaska Native, Asian-American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities experience severe health disparities, and seeking to raise awareness of the needs of these communities.

"Planned Parenthood of Southern New England continues to provide people the high-quality, affordable health care, they deserve no matter who they are and no matter where they live. We know when people are truly cared for their quality of life is enhanced," said Kafi Rouse Director of Public Relations and Marketing of Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. "We are committed to helping everyone and their families get the health care services and information they need to stay healthy through our affordable, quality preventive care."

Health disparities in racial and ethnic minority communities remain a serious issue. Many minority communities face greater obstacles to obtaining, and benefiting from, sexual and reproductive health care services than non-Latino whites. Minority communities have some of the greatest needs for preventive health care like lifesaving cancer screenings, testing and treatment for STDs, Pap tests, and health education. For example:

• Among women diagnosed with breast cancer, African-American women are the most likely to die from the disease.

• American Indian women are more likely to die from cervical cancer than white women.

• Asian-American women are 20 percent more likely to be diagnosed with HIV than white women.

• Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander’s rate of HIV infection was more than twice their white counterparts.

• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among Latinas; Latinas are 20 percent more likely to die from breast cancer than non-Hispanic white women.

"Planned Parenthood works every day for healthy families and healthy communities in Connecticut and Rhode Island," said Rouse. "We are proud to be part of this important work, especially when it comes to cancer prevention. We are committed to working with communities of color during National Minority Health Month — and every day — to detect cancer early, which helps save lives."

Every year, PPSNE provides lifesaving cancer screenings, birth control, testing and treatment for STDs, breast health services, Pap tests, and accurate, nonjudgmental sexual health education and information to over 70,000 women, men, and young people in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Planned Parenthood health centers offer affordable, quality preventive health care — no matter what.

For more information about Planned Parenthood health care services, visit ppsne.orgor call (203) 865-5158.

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