District 3 Public Health Advisory Council

Background

In January 2006 Commissioner John Wiley Price created the District 3 Public Health Advisory Council, seated by key stakeholders from the health community. He charged membership to focus on innovative solutions to health-related issues and disparities impacting constituents within Dallas County District 3, as well as the County at large.

Public Health Advisory Council

Goals

To realize this charge, the following council goals were established:

1. increase the level of support for health-related initiatives in the District 3 sector
2. serve as a conduit for health information and resources to providers and the community
3. evaluate and improve the overall health emphasis through community outreach activities

Accomplishments

• HealthFest: The largest health outreach effort targeting the African American community in North Texas, providing FREE health services at the annual KwanzaaFest event, held each December at Fair Park.
• The Beat Obesity 5k Walk/Run: Premiered in 2006 at KwanzaaFest, it has become a hallmark of health emphasis to improve the lifestyles of both young and adult citizens to reduce the risk for being overweight or diagnosed as obese.
• AT&T Health and Wellness on the Plaza: This event premiered in 2006 and was held again in 2007 through leveraging a public/private collaborative effort between AT&T, KwanzaaFest Inc., and the District 3 Public Health Advisory Council. This event merges health education and screening activities with the AT&T Summer Concert Series.
• Community Forums and Lecture Series: Both medical professionals as well as community members are targeted to provide educational outreach to address cutting edge health topics. The Health Disparities Lecture Series was supported through a unique and unprecedented partnership between UT Southwestern Medical Center and Baylor Health Care System.
• Community Outreach: Efforts to link under and uninsured citizens to necessary health care support, as well as provide health education to reduce health disparities are key focus areas of the council.

2008 Projects

• Forums and Lecture Series
  • Obesity Forum
• Health Outreach Activities
  • Annual KwanzaFest HealthFest
  • Texas Department of State Health Services Fight HIV Partnership
  • Annual Beat Obesity 5K Walk/Run
  • Health Watch – weekly vignettes focusing on health disparities and related assistance programs aired on radio programs
• Public/Private Initiative
  • Town Hall Meetings – hosted by Commissioner John Wiley Price and Senator Royce West focusing on relevant topics affecting their constituents well-being

Member Organizations

Commissioner John Wiley Price has appointed a strong contingency of both public and private healthcare representatives who participate on the District 3 Public Health Advisory Council.

Health Impact and Needs

Almost one quarter of all Texans are estimated to be uninsured, the highest rate of uninsured people in any state. Additionally, Texans also are among the highest rate of residents living in poverty when compared to the national average.

• Heart disease is the number one cause of death, one in three adults has some form of heart disease.
• The second leading cause of death is cancer. Lung cancer kills more African Americans than any other form of cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of death among African American men and breast cancer is the second leading cause of death among African American women.
• Every 45 seconds someone has a stroke.
• There are one million new cases of diabetes every year, and it is the main cause of blindness, kidney failure and amputations – shortening life spans up to 15 years!
• It is estimated that 60 million adults and over 9 million children are obese.
• Obesity is the second leading cause of preventable disease and death.
• 70% – 80% of obese adults will experience chronic disease impact.
• Obesity impact for overweight adults:
  • 2-4 time greater risk of uterine cancer
  • 50% greater chance of breast cancer
  • 60% increased risk of diabetes
  • 80% increased risk of high blood pressure

Chaired by Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price, the District 3 Public Health Advisory Council continues to grow in scope and impact through focusing initiatives that address the challenges of health equity, health access, and health literacy and through supporting individual responsibility for health and well-being. For further information about this council please call 214-653-6671.