GHP to Host a Community Discussion on Minority Health

Genesee Health Plan to host a community discussion on reducing barriers to health care as part of Minority Health Month

Event will feature experts from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Genesee County Health Department and the City of Flint

FLINT – April is National Minority Health Month and the Genesee Health Plan (GHP) announced today it will host Minority Health Awareness: A Call to Action, a community discussion designed to raise awareness of minority health and health disparities. The event will take place on Wednesday, April 25 at 11 a.m. at the Genesee Health Plan office, 2171 S. Linden Road, Flint. Community members can attend in-person or attend virtually through Facebook Live.

“At Genesee Health Plan, we are working tirelessly to reduce barriers to lifesaving health care services so everyone in our community has access to affordable and quality health care regardless of race, background or gender,” said GHP Director of Outreach E. Yvonne Lewis. “Unfortunately, there are still gaps in health care services and barriers that prevent people of color, women, seniors and those with language and cultural barriers, from getting the services they need. This event is an opportunity to bring our community together to have a conversation about minority health and find ways we can work together to close the gaps to much-needed health care services in our community and across Michigan.”

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Minority Health Month raises awareness of the importance of health equity and ensuring all people have access to quality, equitable health care regardless of race or background. GHP’s event will feature experts from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Genesee County Health Department and the City of Flint, who will answer questions on minority health and health disparities. Participants will learn actionable ways they can help reduce barriers to health care in the community and factors that contribute to their health. Panelists include:

• Sheryl Weir, Manager of the Health Disparities Reduction and Minority Health Section at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• Shronda Grigsby, Program Manager of the Health Disparities Reduction and Minority Health Section at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
• John McKellar, Health Officer, Genesee County Health Department
• Pamela Pugh, Chief Public Health Advisor, City of Flint

GHP will host a Facebook livestream of the panel discussion starting at 11 a.m. for community members to attend virtually. There will be four presentations and each session will be followed by an interactive Q&A. Viewers are encouraged to share the Facebook livestream with friends, family members, co-workers and neighbors. Community members interested in attending in-person can reserve their seat by calling 810-232-7740 ext. 226 or emailing ylewis@countyhealthplans.org.

GHP is committed to making sure all Genesee County residents have access to affordable health care coverage and preventative health care services. In 2017, GHP was awarded a grant from (MDHHS) to develop a minority health program designed to help reduce barriers to health care and develop a system of care for community members who face language and cultural barriers. Through this program, GHP works with the community to identify barriers and develop solutions that ensure Genesee County residents have access to equitable health care coverage and services.

For more information about Minority Health Month, watch GHP’s Minority Health Segment that aired on Thursday, April 12 at geneseehealthplan.org/2018/04/06/ghp-health-yes-barriers-impacting-minority-health-and-available-resources/.

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Genesee Health Plan (GHP) is Genesee County’s plan for better health which began with the vision to have a community where each person has equal and affordable opportunity to live a healthy life. GHP is a nonprofit health care organization that was launched in 2001 to fulfill its vision by providing health care coverage and life-saving services to the uninsured residents of Genesee County.  The plan has provided more than 90,000 county residents with doctor’s visits, cancer screenings, prescription drugs, x-rays and many more life-saving services since 2001. GHP is still here, working hard to make it easier for Genesee County residents to get health care coverage.  Many individuals do not know when they’re going to need health care coverage, Genesee Health Plan is there to help them when they need it most.  Learn more about GHP at geneseehealthplan.org or call 844.232.7740 to schedule an appointment.

Click here for more information about the event:  Minority Health Event Flyer