Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Minnesota will host its third 5K Walk Around Lake Phalen prior to the start of the Dragon Festival at 9 a.m. on Sat., July 14 at Phalen Lake Park, 1600 Phalen Drive St. Paul, MN 55116.

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By Dr. Howard K. Koh

WASHINGTON (May 3, 2012) — This month we are observing both Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Hepatitis Awareness Month. The dual observances are an important opportunity to bring attention to the disproportionate burden of viral hepatitis among the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the United States and to renew our commitment and call to action to address this disparity.

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Dr. J. Nadine Gracia

By Dr. J. Nadine Gracia

WASHINGTON (April 25, 2012) — During April, we celebrate National Minority Health Month by reflecting on the progress that has been achieved in reducing racial and ethnic health disparities.

As we continue to move forward toward health equity, we recognize that this has truly been a year of unprecedented opportunity for minority populations.

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Hennepin County Public Health is offering low-cost immunizations to people who don’t have health insurance or their insurance does not cover immunizations.A vaccine is your best defense against many illnesses, including the flu. All are walk-in clinics so no appointments are needed. The clinics will be:

• Bloomington Clinic: Bloomington Division of Health, 1900 W. Old Shakopee Road, May 1 and 15, 3 to 5:30 p.m.

• Brooklyn Center Clinic: Hennepin County’s Brookdale Service Center, 6125 Shingle Creek Road, May 22, 9 to 11 a.m.

• Downtown Minneapolis Clinic: Hennepin Health Services Building, 525 Portland Ave. S., May 4, 8:30 to 11 a.m.

For more information about these clinics, call 612-348-2884 or go to www.hennepin.us/vaccines. Donations are requested but not required for the immunizations.

ST. PAUL — This week the U.S. Centers for Disease Control announced that in our country, autism now affects 1 child in 88.

For boys, the rate is 1 in 54. Since 2009 autism has increased by 23 percent in the U.S.

“This is a national emergency,” said AACMN member Wayne Rohde. “and the state of Minnesota needs to start addressing the impending avalanche of autistic adults who will be needing medical care, residential housing, all paid by the taxpayers.  The most cost effective action the state of Minnesota can do is pass comprehensive insurance coverage for the medically necessary treatments and therapies.”

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Ngoc Nguyen and Vivian Po
New America Media

SAN FRANCISCO (March 29, 2012) — What drove Binh Thai Luc, 35, to be charged this week with slaying five people in a San Francisco home last week?

The grisly murders have rocked the city and left investigators and the public searching for a motive.

“We’re not discussing any potential motive for these killings,” stated Omid Talai, spokesman for San Francisco District Attorney George Gascon, who said he couldn’t comment further because the investigation is ongoing. Asked whether gambling might be involved, he replied, “We’ll be exploring everything.”

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WASHINGTON (March 28, 2012) — The U.S. Justice Department reached a settlement agreement today with Onward Healthcare, a healthcare staffing company based in Wilton, Conn., resolving allegations that the company posted discriminatory job advertisements on its home page and third party websites that limited its jobs to U.S. citizens.

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Dr. Howard Koh

By HOWARD KOH

(March 21, 2012) — Two years ago, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act  into law. The Affordable Care Act provides hard working, middle-class families the security they deserve.  The new health care law forces insurance companies to play by the rules, prohibiting them from dropping your coverage if you get sick or lose your job, billing you into bankruptcy through annual or lifetime limits, and, soon, discriminating against anyone with a pre-existing condition.

Already, the Affordable Care Act has expanded access to free preventive services, including mammograms and other cancer screenings, to 2.7 million Asian Americans in 2011, and requires insurers to cover preventive care for children so families do not have to pay for services such as flu shots and well-child visits. And, to date, more than half a million Asian Americans with Medicare have received one or more free preventive services.

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Nancy Pomplun

Join the Minnesota Asian/American Health Coalition for its second annual Health Equity Day 2012 at the State Capitol on Wednesday, March 28.

Health Equity Day is a recognition of the power of awareness, empowerment and action of Asian, African, African American, American Indian, Latino, LGTBQ and other allied communities coming together to fight for greater equity at the state and local levels in Minnesota. The event seeks systemic change across social factors that influence and can provide optimal access to health for all.

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U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (MN-5)

MINNEAPOLIS (March 20, 2012) — Only two years after its enactment more than half of Metropolitan Minneapolis residents are already benefiting from the Affordable Care Act, also known as the Healthcare Reform bill.

The landmark bill, signed March 23, 2012, made comprehensive health care available to millions of Americans and gave them more control over the coverage they can receive.

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