PPSWCF Marks National Minority Health Month

[SARASOTA, FL] — In recognition of National Minority Cancer Awareness Week and National Minority Health Month, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida is joining the national call for members of minority communities to make themselves, their health, and their community 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 seeks to raise awareness of the needs of these communities.

“Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida 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 that when people are truly cared for, they make their lives, their families, and their communities better and healthier,” said spokesperson Kellie Dupree. “We are committed to helping everyone 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, healthy babies, and healthy communities in Florida,” said Dupree. “We’re proud to be part of this important work, especially when it comes to cancer prevention. We are committed to working with minority communities during National Minority Cancer Awareness Week — and every day — to detect cancer early, which helps save lives.”

Every year, Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida 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 25,000 women, men, and young people in southwest and central Florida. Planned Parenthood health centers offer affordable, quality preventive health care — no matter what.

For more information about Planned Parenthood health services, or to schedule an appointment at the health center nearest you, visit www.MyPlannedParenthood.org or call 1-800-230-PLAN.

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Planned Parenthood of Southwest and Central Florida, an affiliate of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, began operations in 1966 and provides vital sexual and reproductive health services and comprehensive sexuality education to women, men and teens in Sarasota, Manatee, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Ft. Myers, Lakeland and Winter Haven. The mission of Planned Parenthood is to ensure the right of all individuals to manage their sexual and reproductive health by providing medical services, education and advocacy. Go to www.myplannedparenthood.org for information or call (941) 365.3913.

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