logo
Google Play App Store
  • News
    • Northside Community Meetings
    • Community Calendar
    • Government
    • Features
    • Local Business
    • Pittsburgh Police Blotter
    • Public Safety
    • Sports
  • Arts + Culture
  • Moments
  • Real Estate
  • Classifieds
  • Marketplace
  • Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • News
      • Northside Community Meetings
      • Community Calendar
      • Government
      • Features
      • Local Business
      • Pittsburgh Police Blotter
      • Public Safety
      • Sports
    • Arts + Culture
    • Moments
    • Real Estate
    • Classifieds
    • Marketplace
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: August 2020
Government, Politicians
admin on
August 12, 2020
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: August 2020

“Racial inequality also includes health care.”

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

We are hearing the demands for justice and equality loud and clear in cities and towns across Pennsylvania and nationwide – outcries over systemic racism and police brutality against African Americans and people of color.

That racial inequality also includes health care.

Study after study continues to show definitive links between higher rates of chronic health conditions, like high blood pressure and diabetes, among our Black, Latino, and Native American residents.

Racism is truly a public health problem. It leads to higher levels of stress and significantly reduces access to medical and social services. It leads to higher levels of maternal mortality, disease, disability, and death.

Case in point: as it relates to maternal mortality, data from the National Center for Health Statistics for 2018, the most recent year available, showed the average estimated maternal death rate for all mothers nationwide is approximately 17.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, which equaled 658 women who died due to maternal causes. The center reports wide racial and ethnic gaps clearly exist between non-Hispanic Black women (37.1 deaths per 100,000 live births) compared to non-Hispanic white women (14.7).

As a state, we can and must do better, and my legislation will effectively address racial inequities among Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities in Pennsylvania.

My legislation would create a racial equity task force within the Pennsylvania Department of Health, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. This task force would be responsible for overseeing the review of policies and provide recommendations to the governor and the General Assembly on efforts focused on reducing disparities between people of color and white residents statewide.

We have the tools and resources to make a true difference in the lives of people in the 19th District and across the commonwealth.

It is vital that we respond to this public health crisis because this discrimination is putting real lives at stake.

I am urging my colleagues in the House to support my measure and I welcome any questions or concerns you may have on this issue. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at repwheatley@pahouse.net or call The People’s Office at 412-471-7760.

Related posts:

District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: July 2020

District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: June 2020

District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: May 2020

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

Join The Northside Chronicle's weekly newsletter for the latest Northside news, developments, and more. Delivered right to your inbox every Thursday evening.

* indicates required
Related Posts
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: December 2021
Government
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: December 2021
Rep. Wheatley provides details on Pa.’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which is now open, and the Property Tax Rent/Rebate, which is...
December 10, 2021
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: November 2021
Government
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: November 2021
Rep. Wheatley discusses how a group of bipartisan legislators he’s working with are trying to pass a bill removing obstacles for veterans and th...
November 16, 2021
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: October 2021
Government
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: October 2021
This month, Rep. Wheatley discusses legislation to help minority-owned businesses by counteracting systemic barriers such as lack of access to finance...
October 13, 2021
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: September 2021
Government
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: September 2021
The theme for Rep. Jake Wheatley’s annual Health and Wellness Weekend In this month’s column, Rep. Jake Wheatley discusses expanding the C...
September 13, 2021
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: August 2021
Government
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: August 2021
The theme for Rep. Jake Wheatley’s annual Health and Wellness Weekend event this year is ‘It’s Different Now.’ Photo: Office o...
August 12, 2021
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: July 2021
Government
District 19 News from Rep. Jake Wheatley: July 2021
Pennsylvania will receive $100 million in federal funds to support out-of school and afterschool programs. Photo: Office of Rep. Wheatley As our state...
July 14, 2021
e-Edition
ePaper
coogle_play
app_store
Northside Neighborhoods
Northside Guides
FORMS + SUBMISSIONS
Events Letters to the Editor News Tips
POLL
MOST READ
Ask An Attorney Sept. 2023
Features, Government
Ask An Attorney Sept. 2023
September 30, 2023
Litigation is a long and expensive process. The question that is always brought up at some point is “What is my case worth?” This is a loaded question...
this is a test
September 2023 Northside Real Estate Transfers
News, Real Estate...
September 2023 Northside Real Estate Transfers
September 30, 2023
Allegheny City Central Edward Jones to Elizabeth Hazzard at 1783 Perrysville Ave. for $449,900. Rebecca Obley to Monty and Toni Mrotz at 130 Parkhurst...
this is a test
Pro se or say “pro”
Government, News
Pro se or say “pro”
September 29, 2023
Magisterial District 05-2-42 News: Judge Leah Williams Duncan Esq. The term “pro se” is a Latin phrase meaning “for self” or “in one’s own behalf.” A ...
this is a test
Chamber Update: September 2023
Business, Local Business
Chamber Update: September 2023
September 29, 2023
From Gina Grone - Executive Director, Northside North Shore Chamber of Commerce The Northside North Shore Chamber serves the business community in and...
this is a test
Kinkead discusses free school meals for Pennsylvanian kids
Government, Politicians
Kinkead discusses free school meals for Pennsylvanian kids
September 29, 2023
District 20 News: State Rep. Kinkead Another summer is fading away and a new school session is now underway for our kids. This is a familiar transitio...
this is a test
Neighborhood Community Development Fund
Northside Leadership Conference
Donate

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter

* indicates required

The Northside Chronicle

thenorthsidechronicle.com
Phone: (412) 321-3919
Email: editor@thenorthsidechronicle.com

About Us

Stay tuned with us

Copyright Northside Chronicle. All rights reserved.