Health status of Blacks in Northern Indiana

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PREFACE
The primary objective in developing a report on the health status of Blacks and Hispanics
was to gain a greater sensitivity to the cultural norms and values of these population
groups. The history of minorities has been one of economic deprivation, scarce
resources, and inadequate health care. These factors have been greatly reduced over
the last 20 years, but the health status of minorities remains disproportionately below
national standards. After review of the initial draft and subsequent discussions via
public forums and various committee meetings, it was found that an undertaking of this
nature had tremendous socio-political ramifications.
While one cannot overstate the need for accurate reporting by race, one finds very few
institutions, community agencies that compile data in this manner. One can, however,
make assumptions concerning certain diseases such as sickle cell, hypertension and
cancer, that these illnesses do affect a large proportion of minorities. It is hoped that
the document can be used by hospital administrators, planners, community health
agencies, and members of the general community toward developing a greater awareness of
problems that affect minorities. As supervisor of this project and a member of the
minority community, I believe that the document should produce an awareness of those
issues that disproportionately affect minorities. This being the first edition, it provides
a starting point for developing new data and new information concerning health status
problems facing minority communities. It is hoped with the 1980 census, that accuratE
information can be revealed and a more local flavor for the report can be developed. A
more accurate reflection of the community can possibly begin with the recruitment of
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specific community leaders that will collect and analyze health care information and make
.ppropriate recommendations to the health care system. There were some who charged
that this report was not a reflection of northern Indiana, but those people were unable to
provide substantial data to disprove the information contained in the document. It is
N I HSA·s position that it is very important to create an awareness of specific health status
problems and thus, informing the community of issues that need to be a part of the
communities political agenda. There are also those who found the draft report to be of
tremendous value in developing indicators for current and future health status problems.
It was the intent of N I HSA to explore and research various health status issues that
disproportionately affect minorities, and with this responsibility comes the subsequent
task of encouraging various institutions and agencies to develop plans that affect the
problems discussed in the document. The conclusions and recommendations in this report
represent the first step towards accomplishing this objective.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to Ms. Barbara
Wesson for her thoughtful and constructive criticism of the document. Her level of a~
wareness of issues that affect Black people and her subsequent development of a corn­mittee
to further explore research information concerning the health status of Blacks was
an important link to community resources. Additionally, I would like to extend a special
thanks to Mr. Moses Harris of the Detroit Free Press for his artistic input in the devel­opment
of the covers for both documents. I would also like to thank all those community
members vvho took the time to respond to the documents.
The general paramaters have been outlined and it is now up to the communities irl
northern Indiana to develop health care services that meet the needs of the minorilV'
ommunity.
James R. Lindsay
1 JRL4/A 4/17/81