Saturday, August 30, 2008

Cincinnati NAACP makes request that Closing the Health Gap remove name

Posted by Media Release

Photo courtesy of here.

It has come to the attention of the 93 year old Cincinnati Branch of the NAACP that the organization “Closing the Health Gap” has taken a position against the Cincinnati Health Department (CHD) because of the successful grant funding of its Health Disparities program for $260,000. The total grant would exceed 500,000! This is a grant to address the significant and severe health disparities in the City of Cincinnati. The Cincinnati NAACP cannot support the organization Closing the Health Gap’s perplexing position against the Cincinnati Health Department, a city resource that has historically and often provided care to African American and poor residents in Cincinnati when no other organization would do so—a city department (CHD) that has by state’s legal authority and responsibility for the health and well-being of all citizens in Cincinnati and therefore is the appropriate and legal institution to receive this health disparities grant funding.

The infant mortality rates in Cincinnati are three times higher in the African-American as compared to the White community, death rates from all causes of death 2 and 3 times higher in the African-American community as compared to the White community, access to basic health care services and resources 4 and 5 times less likely for African-Americans as compared to Whites, and health service outcomes 2 and 3 times worse in the African-American community as compared to the White community.  Any organization, any politician/public official/public servant or citizen, or any Cincinnati institution that would take a position against the city health department’s seeking and acquiring funds to address Cincinnati’s significant health disparities, cannot be supported by the Cincinnati NAACP.

The organization “Closing the Health Gap” has chosen to take just such an ill-considered and irresponsible position. Therefore, the Cincinnati NAACP—which is an organization charged with advocating and supporting the equal rights, justice and access to equitable resources for African Americans—cannot support the position of Closing the Health Gap, and therefore the organization itself. The Cincinnati NAACP is therefore obligated to mandate that “Closing the Health Gap” stop using any form of its name. The Cincinnati NAACP will take the appropriate legal action to have its name removed. Smitherman says,” The removal of our organization’s name should send a strong message to the community that the Cincinnati NAACP supports our Cincinnati Health Department and its doctors, nurses and health scientists and no longer supports ‘Closing the Health Gap.’ The rejection of this State Grant will have a devastating impact on Cincinnati receiving Health dollars in the future.  I have requested help from many politicians and have heard back from Congressman Steve Chabot who has now requested an investigation into Cincinnati City’s Council rejection of the grant.”

(Steve Chabot’s letter is posted on web site http://www.naacpcincinnati.org) The timeline to receive and accept the grant is September 18, 2008. After this date the resource is redistributed to Dayton, Akron, Columbus, Toledo, and Cleveland. The Cincinnati NAACP is asking that its members show up for the September 4th Cincinnati City Council meeting and express your concern with Cincinnati City Council’s decision to reject a grant that could help save lives of African-American babies.

The Cincinnati NAACP does not have representation on city council and will vote “yes” on Proportional Representation(PR) on November 4th to gain access and fair representation on city council. Smitherman says,” We must speak truth to power that gain our community access to more resources and power.”

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JFD says:
31 Aug 2008  at  08:12 am | #

What is the source for Smitherman’s statistics? He neglected to cite where they came from: and, it will be interesting to see if that source also states the numbers in such an ambiguous manner.


The infant mortality rates in Cincinnati are three times higher in the African-American as compared to the White community, death rates from all causes of death 2 and 3 times higher in the African-American community as compared to the White community, access to basic health care services and resources 4 and 5 times less likely for African-Americans as compared to Whites, and health service outcomes 2 and 3 times worse in the African-American community as compared to the White community.

How could death rates possibly be both, 2 and 3, times higher? Is infanticide included in these numbers? That would be a criminal justice matter rather than a health issue. Please cite these sources so we can get to the bottom of this.

Is Smitherman referring to Chabot, “expressing his interest” and, “requesting their (DHHS), input”, as the investigation noted? Why did the NAACP support a do nothing organization, like Closing the Health Gap, and a do nothing director like Tillery in the first place? Did the grant require matching funds from the City?

BTW Jason, Smitherman clearly demonstrated that this is a Black vs White issue, by excluding Appalachians from his comments this time. Since that was the basis for your argument against Smitherman’s being considered racially divisive in the last article, you should reassess you position on that.

says:
31 Aug 2008  at  09:23 am | #

Are you calling Smitherman divisive, or the NAACP itself, which, as noted, is an organization dedicated to “advocating and supporting the equal rights, justice and access to equitable resources for African Americans.”

Please learn to read more carefully.

As to the stats.  If you doubt them, did you spend even one single moment trying to disprove them?  Did you engage even a five second Google search?

http://www.omhrc.gov/templates/content.aspx?ID=3021

African Americans have 2.4 times the infant mortality rate as non-Hispanic whites. They are almost 4 times as likely to die as infants due to complications related to low birthweight as compared to non-Hispanic white infants.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS239076+29-Feb-2008+PRN20080229

Health Disparities among African Americans when compared to other American
citizens were first identified by W.E.B Du Bois in the 1800s. The distinct and
often dramatic differences in health status persist in 2008.

http://menshealth.about.com/od/blackhealth/a/Af_amer_stats.htm

Black men live 7.1 years less than other racial groups

They have higher death rates than women for all leading causes of death

They experience disproportionately higher death rates in all the leading causes of death

40% of black men die prematurely from cardiovascular disease as compared to 21% of white men

They have a higher incidence and a higher rate of death from oral cancer

Bill, the manner by which you wish to ignore the health concerns of a minority population, and the way you marginalize our Country’s oldest civil rights organization—both these things highlight the racially divisive manner by which you promulgate your racist views.

No more from you on this strand, unless you substantiate your frivolous claims with documented facts.

Smitherman Supporter says:
31 Aug 2008  at  11:15 am | #

Thanks Dean of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Beacon. Your paper is 10 times more credible than the Cincinnati Enquirer will ever be. Your paper allows a variety of voices to be heard. And thus far the bloggers comments that I’ve read, have strong opinions and may even give out incorrect info, but at least they aren’t flat out attacks. The Enquirer allows their bloggers to name call and spew hatred and insults. It’s terrible.

I know Smitherman, and yes he advocates for African-Americans but he also advocates for all groups (regardless of race). He works with all groups of people regardless of race, class, gender.  It troubles me that many believe that Smitherman is racist. Smitherman is not racist and I would not associate with him if I believed otherwise.

I’m not going to get in the Closing the Health Gap beef. After all I’m more concerned with starting a center called, Closing the racial disparities Gap.

Nonetheless when Smitherman takes a person or organization “on” he always has a valid reason and documents to back him up.

says:
31 Aug 2008  at  11:40 am | #

Who wrote the article?

Did this person ever get out of high school?

If this is a news release from the NAACP, they should be ashamed.

Who or what is “ Closing the Health Gap “?

Does the writer know what a sentence is or what commas are used for?

I don’t know whether the statistics are true or not, but when presented in the manner that they were presented in this article, I am inclined to question them.

And what is with the level of devotion or allegiance that the writer has for a city department that can’t tolerate criticism?

says:
31 Aug 2008  at  11:50 am | #

Dieter, we have been writing about “Closing the Gap” for some time.  Google it if you can’t figure it out.

And given the clarity of your own writing, I’m surprised at your attitude.  Focus on the facts, not attacks on style.

Ms. Good says:
31 Aug 2008  at  12:32 pm | #

In response to Dieter: It’s not an article it’s a media release. Still your point is taken, taken, then thrown out.

JFD says:
31 Aug 2008  at  01:40 pm | #

Jason #2:

Are you calling Smitherman divisive, or the NAACP itself, which, as noted, is an organization dedicated to “advocating and supporting the equal rights, justice and access to equitable resources for African Americans.”

Smitherman’s leadership style is what I would call racially divisive.

Jason #2:

As to the stats.  If you doubt them, did you spend even one single moment trying to disprove them?

No, I spent no time trying to disprove them; and I still would like to know the source of the statistics Smitherman used, not the ones you provided to support your opinion.

Jason #2:

the manner by which you wish to ignore the health concerns of a minority population, and the way you marginalize our Country’s oldest civil rights organization—both these things highlight the racially divisive manner by which you promulgate your racist views.

I’m not ignoring the health concerns of a minority population; I’m trying to make it clear that the parents of these children should be responsible for them, not the government and taxpayers. If I were to advocate for minority members to have children they were ill equipped to handle, both on an emotional level, as well as a financial basis, then yes, that would be a racist view. As for marginalizing the NAACP, Smitherman’s tactics are doing that, not me.

Jason #2:

No more from you on this strand, unless you substantiate your frivolous claims with documented facts.

Please document one frivolous claim I’ve made in this strand. I wonder if you might persuade Smitherman to substantiate his claims, by citing his sources; and if he could answer any of the other questions I asked that would also be appreciated.

says:
31 Aug 2008  at  02:13 pm | #

Frivolous claim:

Smitherman’s leadership style is what I would call racially divisive.

I’m white, and don’t feel “divided.” What are you talking about?


I’m not ignoring the health concerns of a minority population; I’m trying to make it clear that the parents of these children should be responsible for them, not the government and taxpayers.

It’s disgusting how you frivolously dismiss the lives of infants for your opinion about their parents.

No, I spent no time trying to disprove them; and I still would like to know the source of the statistics Smitherman used, not the ones you provided to support your opinion.

I cited facts in line with the commonly known information Smitherman stated.  One usually does not cite common knowledge.  These details are common to all buy you.  If Smitherman is wrong, prove it.  (Hint:  you can’t.)

plane48 says:
31 Aug 2008  at  06:09 pm | #

The infant mortality rates in Cincinnati are three times higher in the African-American as compared to the White community, death rates from all causes of death 2 and 3 times higher in the African-American community as compared to the White community, access to basic health care services and resources 4 and 5 times less likely for African-Americans as compared to Whites, and health service outcomes 2 and 3 times worse in the African-American community as compared to the White community.

The release points out cincinnati statistics as opposed to the national ones that Jason cited.  Are statistics for cincinnati available? If they are is there any indication that “closing the gap” does or does not have an effect?  example- is the comparative death rate on infant mortality an increasing or a decreasing phenomenon in the city of cincinnati? 

Those are the real questions that should be asked an shown.  Not a quick google search that reveals information for the entire nation for which closing the gap is not responsible.

And yes infant mortality rate is unfortunately often related to the parents lifestyle.  and what is disgusting is that the NAACP is not working to stop mothers from smoking, drinking and getting proper nutrition and living an appropriate lifestyle if they are so concerned about hte problem.

JFD says:
31 Aug 2008  at  09:23 pm | #

Jason #8:

If Smitherman is wrong, prove it.

Once he provides his sources I will determine whether or not I disagree with his opinion. In the mean time there are still a lot of unanswered questions. Where are you Mr Smtherman?

anon says:
01 Sep 2008  at  01:43 am | #

Only one wrinkle has emerged in my support for Smitherman in this endeavor - and that is the recent exposure of the city’s health dept’s failure to properly operate the inspections of nursing homes in cincinnati - ala the westside nursing home.  This huge story harms the credibility of the health dept to function properly.

says:
01 Sep 2008  at  06:56 am | #

Dean!

I just googled “Closing the Gap” .

Just what “Closing the Gap” are you talking about?

“ClosingtheGap.com” seems to be about handicapped kids and then there are a lot of “Closing the Gap” sites and they seem to be independent of the others.

Sorry not to have been tuned in lately.

says:
01 Sep 2008  at  07:06 am | #

Ref#11:

Anon!

Why should the health department be inspecting nursing homes? As I understand it, Cincinnati is unique in taking on this service.

Cincinnati doesn’t license nursing homes and it would seem that the Cincinnati Health Department is meddling. In the case of the westside nursing home, there seems to be some underlying agendas of bureaucrats. I have yet to see any specifics that would allow the public to draw an opinion based of the facts. Once again we have government employees making accusations while being protected with conditional immunity.

JFD says:
01 Sep 2008  at  07:22 am | #

Jason,
The “frivolous claim”, you quoted was from comment #7 which came after you threatened to ban my comments for making “frivolous claims”. Please quote a “frivolous claim” of mine, from the comments prior to that.
(Hint: You can’t.)

says:
01 Sep 2008  at  09:23 am | #

JFD wrote, in comment #1:

Smitherman clearly demonstrated that this is a Black vs White issue, by excluding Appalachians from his comments this time.

Frivolous:  Unworthy of serious attention.

It is unworthy to spend undue time deconstructing your hate-filled opinions.  The Black community is not pitted against the white community by the NAACP’s acknowledgment of health disparities.  So I cannot devote any “serious attention” to your statements, since your insistence that Smitherman has made a “Black vs White issue” is pure frivolity.

In fact, I have given too much time and attention already.  I will not approve further comments from you on this strand.  Save them for next time.

says:
01 Sep 2008  at  10:10 am | #

dieterschmied:

Look at the title of this piece:  “Cincinnati NAACP makes request that Closing the Health Gap remove name.”

I just Googled the phrase “Closing the Health Gap” with no quotes.  Item number two is labeled thusly:

The Center for Closing the Health Gap in Greater Cincinnati

For someone so hellbent on complaining about commas, you sure can be a bit dense.

anon says:
01 Sep 2008  at  08:29 pm | #

Why and how is Closing the Health Gap using the NAACP’s name?  Have your name removed from what????

Lobbied Interests says:
02 Sep 2008  at  07:46 am | #

Wonder if Dwight knows that his old consulting gig, The Grassroots Leadership Academy, closed down in early 2005? These are the CFCTHG partners from their website.http://www.closingthehealthgap.org/partners.aspx

From the Center for Closing the Health Gap website:
Community Partners
American Heart Association
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Avondale Community Council
Baptist Ministers’ Conference of Cincinnati
Black Nurses of Cincinnati
Brighton Center
Catholic Social Services
Central Community Health Board
Child Policy Research Center
Cincinnati Diabetes Program
Cincinnati Health Department
Cincinnati Human Relations Commission
Cincinnati Medical Association
Cincinnati Museum Center
Cincinnati Public Schools
Cincinnati Union Bethel
Cincinnati Works
Cincinnati-Hamilton County Community Action Agency
Crossroad Health Center
Diabetes Center
East End Health Center
Elm Street Health Center
Every Child Succeeds
Greater Cincinnati Healthcare Access Project
Greater Cincinnati Northern Kentucky African American Chamber of Commerce
Hamilton Choices
Hamilton County Job and Family Services
Health Foundation of Greater Cincinnati
Health Improvement Collaborative
Healthpoint Family Care
Healthy Moms & Babies
Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Cincinnati
LifeCenter Organ Donor Network
Lincoln Crawford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Lincoln Heights Health Connection
Mental Health Association of Northern Kentucky
Mental Health Association of Southwest Ohio
Michael Maloney & Associates
Mt. Auburn Health Center
NAACP
NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness of Hamilton County
National Council of Negro Women, Inc.
The National Women of Colors Cancer Foundation
Neighborhood Health Care, Inc.
Northern Kentucky Community Action
Northern Kentucky Health Department
Northern Kentucky University Dept. of SWK
Norwood Service League
Ohio Civil Rights Commission
Project GRAD
Santa Maria Community Services
Sisters Network Cincinnati
Seven Hills Neighborhood House
SO-ACT
SOTENI International
Southwest Ohio Career Resource Network
Spradley & Associates
St. Luke Hospital East
Su Casa Hispanic Ministry Center
SUCCESS BY 6
Talbert House
The Citizens’ Committee On Youth
The GrassRoots Leadership Academy
United Way of Greater Cincinnati
Urban Appalachian Council
Urban League of Greater Cincinnati
Victory Neighborhood Services Agency, Inc.
Walnut Hills/Evanston Health Center
West End Health Center
Winton Hills Medical & Health Center

says:
02 Sep 2008  at  10:00 am | #

Dean!

If you will go back to your suggestion in #5 above, you will see that you told me : “Dieter, we have been writing about “Closing the Gap” for some time.  Google it if you can’t figure it out.”

I did as you suggested.

And you went on and said: “And given the clarity of your own writing, I’m surprised at your attitude.  Focus on the facts, not attacks on style. “

Now you are telling me that you really meant to google “Closing the Health Gap”, which is different in the eyes of the google-gods, who apparently couldn’t read what was or was not on your mind either.

The word,"clarity", is defined as clearness of thought or style; lucidity. writes with clarity and perception.

Me thinks that the pot should not be calling the kettle black.

Now, going back to my original question, can you clarify who or what wrote the original report? Who or what is Media Release? It is still a poor report that lacks clarity. And while I believe that there is a health care disparity among races and income levels in this country, I don’t see how your muddy messages are going to help to clarify the issue in the minds of the public.

JFD says:
03 Sep 2008  at  07:20 am | #

Well how about answering those questions? How can anyone take Smitherman seriously, if he can’t, or won’t take the time to clarify his comments? Is this site about divergent viewpoints; or. have you modeled it after what you say you don’t like about the Enquirer? Don’t you think that dismissing and banning opposing viewpoints is more like running a PR machine for Smitherman than anything else you might try and call the Beacon?

says:
05 Sep 2008  at  04:59 pm | #

Wassup?

Smitherman is still an idiot, and the Beacon is still the NAACP Cincinnati’s house organ.

Dean & Justin: were it anyone but Smitherman you’d assail his crappy prose.  Nowhere in the media release does he write what it is he wants the NAACP’s name removed from.  Smitherman writes more off the cuff than anyone, including me in the pre-dawn hours (comma check Dieter?).

Clearly:

1.  Smitherman intends to run for Mayor.
2.  Smitherman supports Mallory for Treasurer so he can campaign as The Black Candidate.
3.  Smitherman doesn’t want Tillery or Cole running for Mayor.
4.  The Beacon will uncritically and unquestioningly promote Smitherman in whatever manner possible.
5.  I’ve missed nothing here this summer while busting my hump at work to squirrel away as many earnings as possible before and/or in case Obama’s confiscatory communism comes to raid my piggy bank and give my hard-earned dollars to someone who doesn’t deserve them.

Ciao bellas!

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