As black voters head to the polls in record numbers this election season, health care is a top issue influencing their votes for President of the United States. With this in mind, Black Health Magazine released today a Presidential Report Card that scores the health plans of Republican candidate Senator John McCain and Democratic candidate Senator Barack Obama on the top five health issues for African Americans.
According to Black Health Magazine's Presidential Report Card, Obama's plan outscores McCain's plan by a full letter grade, with Obama receiving a grade of B+ and McCain receiving a grade of C.
Health care ranks second only to the economy as a primary issue this election year, and because health disparities remain a sad reality between blacks and whites in the U.S., it's an issue about which black voters can't afford to be misinformed
As the only national publication focused on the healthy living choices for African Americans, we felt we had a responsibility to provide a 'spin-free' assessment of how the candidates' plans will or won't improve health care in the black community.
To arrive at these scores, Black Health Magazine engaged a panel of physicians, pharmacists, health scientists, public health workers and other experts to assess and grade both plans on the most pertinent health issues for African Americans: (1) Health Care Access & Choice; (2) Insurance Affordability; (3) Prescription Drug Costs; (4) HIV/AIDS Prevention; and (5) Childhood/Adult Obesity (which is directly related to the disparities between blacks and whites in diabetes and heart disease).
"Health care ranks second only to the economy as a primary issue this election year, and because health disparities remain a sad reality between blacks and whites in the U.S., it's an issue about which black voters can't afford to be misinformed," said Marcus Oaks, publisher and CEO, Black Health Magazine. "As the only national publication focused on the healthy living choices for African Americans, we felt we had a responsibility to provide a 'spin-free' assessment of how the candidates' plans will or won't improve health care in the black community."
The focus and timing of this Health Care Plan Report Card coincides with Black Health Magazine's national and international launch on Election Day, November 4, 2008. The premier newsstand issue features Grammy Award-winning urban gospel artists Mary Mary on the cover. Other notable figures who have graced the covers of Black Health Magazine include actress Vivica Fox, comedian and syndicated radio host Steve Harvey, NBA legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, award-winning R&B icon Patti LaBelle, actress Victoria Rowell and celebrity physician Dr. Ian Smith.
Black Health Magazine will be available on newsstands nationally and internationally (in 12 countries) at the per issue cost of $3.99. Yearly subscriptions are available at the cost of $18.00 plus tax and can be purchased online at
www.blackhealthmag.com. To review the entire Black Health Magazine Health Care Plan Report Card, visit
www.blackhealthmag.com, or email Kinetra Smith at kinetra@kls-pr.com to request a copy.
Posted By: Dante Lee
Sunday, November 2nd 2008 at 6:27PM
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