FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                              Connecticut Department of Public Health

August 8, 2012                                                           Contact: William Gerrish

                                                                                    (860) 509-7270

Hartford - The Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has appointed Commissioner Jewel Mullen to its advisory committee on health disparities.

Commissioner Mullen was appointed to the Health Disparities subcommittee, part of a larger Advisory Committee to the CDC Director that provides guidance on policy issues and broad strategies to help CDC fulfill its mission to protect and promote the nation’s health. Health disparities are avoidable differences in disease risk, morbidity, and mortality among vulnerable population groups as defined by race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, geography, gender, age, disability status, and risk status related to sex and gender.

According to the CDC, persistent disparities in our country are unacceptable and correctable. The subcommittee recommends ways to prioritize CDC’s activities, improve results, and address such disparities. It also provides guidance to help CDC work more effectively with its various private and public sector constituents to make health equity a practical reality.

“There are many reports that detail health disparities along racial, social, and economic lines,” said Governor Dannel P. Malloy. “Commissioner Mullen’s appointment to this committee gives our state a chance to influence the decision-making that will shape our nation’s strategy to assure good health for all residents both here in Connecticut and across the country.”

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and full life but for many, social factors such as poverty, socioeconomic status, educational attainment, discrimination, and environmental exposures deny them this human right,” said Dr. Mullen. “I am honored by this appointment and look forward to working with my colleagues to assist the CDC with their work to address health disparities.”

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is the state’s leader in public health policy and

advocacy with a mission to protect and improve the health and safety of the people of our state. To contact the department, please visit its website at www.ct.gov/dph or call (860) 509-7270.

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