Rhode Island § 23-64-2 - Minority Health Promotion Act

§ 23-64-2. Purpose and findings.

The general assembly has found and hereby declares that:

(1) Recent health data indicate that minority groups in Rhode Island, as in the United States, face excess rates of preventable disease compared to other nonminority populations.

(2) The mortality rate for minorities from such preventable diseases as heart disease, cancer and stroke is up to fifty (50) percent higher than non-minorities. Minorities also experience excess deaths from injury and excess morbidity due to low birth weight. All these health problems are amenable to reduction through lifestyle change.

(3) Minority populations in Rhode Island frequently encounter barriers to information and services which promote healthy lifestyles and prevent unnecessary disease.

(4) It is the intent of this chapter to establish a minority population health promotion program to provide health information, education and risk reduction activities to reduce the risk of premature death from preventable disease in minority populations.

(5) The minority health promotion program shall be funded by a tax imposed on smokeless tobacco, cigars and pipe tobacco — substances which have been determined by the United States surgeon general to be associated with preventable death and disease, particularly cancer of the mouth, oral cavity, and pharynx.