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DRAFT MINUTES COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS MAY 21, 1996 12 NOON
PRESENT: Chairman: Clinton I. Young, Jr. Members: Lois Bronz, Bob Darcy Secretary: Lynne Creighton Legislators: Kay Carsky, Ursula LaMotte, Andrea Stewart-Cousins Staff: Dan Rodriguez
OTHERS: Commissioner Mark Rapoport, Mary Landrigan, Dept. of Health Ed Dowdy, Affirmative Action, Craig Jennings, County resident
The meeting was called to order at 12:10pm by Mr. Young, who introduced Dr. Rapoport who was invited to give a presentation on minority-related illnesses.
Dr. Rapoport said that some diseases are directly related to poverty and race, especially the minority population-- sickle cell, tuberculosis, and AIDS are the most prevalent.
Tuberculosis is spread from person to person and the treatment takes at least one year. At least 1/3 of the world population is infected with tuberculosis, which is drug-resistant. A person with tuberculosis may have to take 14 different drugs, some of which may have long-term side effects. HIV/AIDS patients are more prone to getting tuberculosis because their immune systems are weakened.
Dr. Rapoport mentioned that there is a substantial amount of TB cases in Mt. Vernon, and that he had been in contact with Mayor Davis, who is anxious to address the problem.
Dr. Rapoport said that AIDS is the number one health problem in Westchester, because it can’t be controlled. There have been 2500 AIDS cases in Westchester. There are 1000 active cases; the other 1500 have already died.
There are two waves of this epidemic--gay men and needle-associated cases. Drug users represent the future of AIDS in Westchester. Most addicts are male and 7/8 of women who get AIDS heterosexually get it from drug users. African American men are five times as likely to be HIV positive as White men and African American women are 15 times as likely to be HIV positive as White women. The African American mortality rate is two times the White rate.
Dr. Rapoport believes there needs to be more aggressive AIDS education in schools and use of the SANE Program (Syringe And Needle Exchange).
DRAFT PAGE TWO COMMITTEE ON MINORITY AFFAIRS MAY 21, 1996
After answering questions on these diseases, as well as addressing lead poisoning and sickle cell, Dr. Rapoport finished his presentation and was asked by Mr. Young to keep the committee advised of any additional minority-related health information.
The committee then resumed the normal order of business. The minutes of May 14 were approved on motion of Mrs. Bronz, seconded by Mr. Young, by a vote of 3-0.
Mr. Young said that he would like comments from the committee regarding his resolution on Tara Circle, and that he would like to get it out of commitee today. After further discussion of this matter, and at the suggestion of Mrs. Bronz, the committee agreed to draft a position paper condemning any bias-related conduct, with the language to reflect respect for other people.
On motion of Mr. Young and seconded by Mrs. Bronz, the committee moved to draft a position paper on Tara Circle, by a vote of 3-0. Mr. Young said that the deadline for this position paper would be Tuesday, May 28.
The meeting was adjourned at 1:00pm on motion of Mr. Young, seconded by Mr. Darcy, by a vote of 3-0.
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