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The Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Office of Minority Health (OMH) will host a series of community meetings across the state of Oklahoma to receive input on the health care needs of minority (African Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, Native American and American Indian) communities.

The first in a series of four meetings will be Thursday, Feb. 12, from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. at the Morton Comprehensive Health Services Inc., 1334 North Lansing Ave. in Tulsa.

"We want to hear from members of minority communities about what they see as their primary health care concerns and how our office can partner with them to address those concerns," said OSDH OMH Director Linda Thomas.

The information received will be used to devise strategies to improve health outcomes and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. In Oklahoma, racial and ethnic minorities, especially African Americans, are disproportionately affected by heart disease, cancer, infant mortality, diabetics, HIV/AIDS and stroke.

Community meetings also will be used as a forum where people can voice health concerns and develop local solutions to local problems. The OSDH OMH will continue to work with local communities and assist them with the problem solving process.

After Tulsa, future community meetings will be announced in McAlester, Ardmore, and Oklahoma City. The specific details on dates, times and locations will be announced through public announcements and the media.

If you are unable to attend the meeting, you can write to the address below or email your comments about health care concerns by Feb. 6, 2009 to:

Oklahoma State Department of Health
Office of Minority Health
1000 N.E. 10th St.
Oklahoma City, OK 73132.

Or e-mail: lindat@health.ok.gov