What is Minority Health Week in Houston?
Minority Health Week in Houston is a collaborative effort between Houston Style Magazine, the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Centers for Research on Minority Health (CRMH) and the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services. This combined effort provides a local venue for Houstonians to join in the celebration of National Minority Cancer Awareness Week. To celebrate Minority Health Week in Houston, the Host Committee has planned three events for Houstonians participation and involvement.

The Host Committee will kick off the Minority Health Week activities with the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center - Centers for Research on Minority Health’s 10th Anniversary Luncheon Symposium honoring HEB Grocery Stores for outstanding support in community health and wellness. The luncheon will take place on Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm at the Houston Crowne Plaza Hotel at Reliant Park, 8686 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77054. The Minority Health Week VIP Reception will take place on Friday, April 23, 2010 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm and will bring together Houston’s medical, health and wellness community. The Minority Health Week activities will conclude with Houston Style Magazine and the City of Houston Department of Health and Human Services hosting the United Health Group's 4th Annual Houston Multicultural Health Festival on Saturday, April 24, 2010 from (10:00 am – 4:00 pm). This year the Host Committee will coordinate the Multicultural Health Festival simultaneously, at four participating City of Houston Multi-Service Centers.

City of Houston Multi-Service Centers (MSCs) participating in the health festival include: The Southwest MSC, 6400 High Star; Kashmere MSC, 4802 Lockwood; Denver Harbor MSC, 6402 Market Street and Third Ward MSC, 3611 Ennis Street. Further details and vendor/exhibitor registration for these events will be released at a later date on the Houston Multicultural Health Festival website at: www.houstonhealthfestival.org.

What is the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Centers for Research on Minority Health Luncheon Symposium?
Since 1987, National Minority Cancer Awareness Week (NMCAW) promotes increased awareness of prevention and treatment among those segments of the population at greater risks of developing cancer. This week’s emphasis gives physicians, nurses, health care professionals and researchers an opportunity to focus on high-risk populations and develop creative approaches to battling cancer problems unique to these communities. The American Medical Association and the American Cancer Society both endorsed NMCAW as a means of drawing attention to the cancer disparities among minorities and the poor. Also, the Center for Research on Minority Health (CRMH) in the Department of Health Disparities Research at UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center has used this forum to acknowledge the outstanding work that is being done in the community by local organizations and individuals to eliminate health disparities.

What is the VIP Reception?
The VIP Reception is a venue that has been set aside to recognize and honor Minority Health Week Sponsors and Volunteers as well as a time for networking opportunities.

What is the Health Festival?
The Houston Health Festival is a family friendly one-day outdoor festival that features 200+ exhibitors who showcase the finest in healthcare products that introduce cutting-edge discoveries in natural health and is free to the public. Supported by the Mayor’s Office, the HMHF has goals to unite Houston’s multicultural communities to elevate the importance of living an active, healthy lifestyle and help eliminate Houston’s ranking on the national “Fattest Cities in America” list compiled by Men’s Fitness Magazine.

The HMHF includes a showcase of Gospel and R & B Music, Zones for health (includes free health screenings and immunizations), youth and adult participation, exposition of local businesses and professional organizations, arts and crafts as well as an assortment of food, beverages and entertainment. The entire family and people of all backgrounds are welcome to attend!

HMHF Mission
To bring awareness of the top 10 leading causes of death among African Americans, Hispanics and other ethnic groups, encourage early testing and the need to adopt an active, healthy lifestyle to preserve each culture generationally.

Top 10 Leading Causes of Death among African Americans and other ethnic groups

1. Heart disease
2. Cancers including prostate cancer
3. Stroke
4. Diabetes (emphysema, bronchitis, asthma)
5. Obesity
6. Infant mortality (SIDS)
7. Homicide (related mental illness)
8. HIV/AIDS
9. Chronic lower respiratory disease
10. Kidney disease

• Annise Parker, Mayor, City of Houston
• Robert Austin, M.D., Texas Children’s Pediatric Associates
• Al Green, Congressman, U.S. House of Representatives
• Nicole Hare, DHSc, MS, CHES City of Houston Wellness Director
• James Harris, Director Supplier Diversity, H-E-B Food Stores
• Edward Lord, M.D., Obstetrician / Gynecologist
• Harold Mullins, M.D., Internal Medicine
• Francis Page, Jr., President, Minority Print Media, LLC
• James Phillips, M.D., Senior Associate Dean Baylor College of Medicine
• Matthew Plummer. D.D.S., HCHD Foundation
• Reverend Leslie Smith, Founder and CEO, Families Under Urban & Social Attack
• Ronald Cookston, Ed. D., Executive Director - Gateway To Care
• Karen Love, Executive Director - Harris County Health Alliance
• The Honorable Sheila Jackson-Lee – Congresswoman from 18th CongressionalDistrict of Texas

HMHF Producers

Francis Page, Jr., is president and CEO of Minority Print Media, L.L.C., one of Texas’ fastest growing media companies. He also is the publisher of Houston Style Magazine – Houston’s leading weekly African-American publication, Viet-Style Magazine and New Orleans Style Magazine since 1989.

Minority Print Media, L.L.C. produces weekly newspapers and special editions like the 104-page ESSENCE Festival guide and the 68-page Houston Black Expo guide. This year, the company will produce for Houston’s health community the Houston Multicultural Health Festival guide.

Minority Print Media, L.L.C. produces the special events “Money.Power.Destiny,” which was nationally recognized By Black Enterprise, “Houston’s Thirty Under 30” and deploys the Web initiative “We Want WiFi.”

Minority Print Media, L.L.C. publishes Houston Style Magazine eBlast, the integrated daily eBlast to over 50,000 desktops for a growing list of local, regional and national brands. The company also deploys for local, state and national politicians like Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton who need targeted executions.

Minority Print Media, L.L.C is a certified minority owned business with the City of Houston, Houston Minority Business Council, Port of Houston, Harris County, State of Texas, State of Illinois, Chicago Minority Business Council and the National Minority Supplier Development Council.

.

HMHF Event Beneficiary
A percentage of the proceeds will benefit the HMHF fiscal agent, Change Happens! Formerly FUUSA (www.changehappenstx.org), a 19-year-old Houston community-based 501(c) 3 non-profit agency that serves adults and at-risk youth in Harris and 12 surrounding counties.