Scott, Cardin Praise Senate Passage of Resolution Marking National Minority Health Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.) applaud the passage of the resolution recognizing April as Minority Health Month. As in previous years, the Senators introduce this resolution to raise awareness of the disparities in health care and health outcomes faced by minority populations including American Indians, Alaska Natives, African Americans, Hispanics, Native Hawaiians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic places an urgency on this issue, as preliminary data suggests that minority groups have been disproportionately impacted by the disease. Targeted solutions to help communities of color are critical to closing gaps in health outcomes and improving efforts to combat the COVID-19 crisis.

“As the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affects many of our minority communities across the country, Minority Health Month takes on added significance this year,” Senator Scott said. “Many minority communities experience higher rates of high blood pressure, chronic lung disease, diabetes and other conditions that leave people more susceptible to other diseases and viruses such as COVID-19. But this fight does not stop with the pandemic; we must continue efforts to improve access to care and healthy habits long after the pandemic has ended.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has held up a mirror to the flaws in our health care system and health outcomes in our nation,” said Senator Cardin. “Minority populations have experienced historical obstacles in accessing care. This, along with higher rates of chronic diseases, have combined to result in COVID-19 disproportionately affecting minority populations. This did not happen in a vacuum. Until we commit to improving health care for the most vulnerable among us, they will continue to be left behind. The key to fighting this public health crisis, to protecting the public health in our communities, and creating a healthier, stronger nation for all is working to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in health.”

In addition to Senators Scott and Cardin, the resolution is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Kamala Harris (D-Calif.), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kevin Cramer (D-N.D.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.),  James Lankford (R-Okla.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Mike Braun (D-Ind.),  Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.).

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