Sept. 20 is National Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day

The Illinois Foundation for Quality Health Care encourages everyone to visit a health care professional and help a loved one do the same.

September 16, 2005

Oak Brook, Ill, – Closing the Health Gap is a national campaign developed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and supported by the Medicare-contracted Quality Improvement Organization for Illinois, The Illinois Foundation for Quality Health Care (IFQHC). This campaign is designed to help improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations, who are affected by serious diseases and health conditions at far greater rates than other Americans. Scheduled for the third Tuesday of every September, Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day encourages individuals to take charge of their health by visiting a health professional; making an appointment for a visit; attending a health event in the community; or helping a friend, neighbor or family member do the same.

"People can take charge of their health, and participating in ‘Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day’ can be a positive first step," said Carol Krohm, M.D., principal clinical coordinator for the Illinois Foundation for Quality Health Care. "Prevention and early detection of potential health problems are essential, and there are steps within our reach that we all can take to better protect ourselves and our families."

While Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day is specifically targeted toward racial and ethnic minorities who suffer from the greatest health gap, the campaign urges all Americans to focus on prevention and early detection, beginning by going to a health care professional for a check-up.

More information about the Closing the Health Gap campaign and Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day is available on the Office on Minority Health Resource Center web site, www.healthgap.omhrc.gov or by contacting IFQHC at 1-800-386-6431.

Media Contact:
Lisa Bevilacqua - (630) 928-5819
lbevilacqua@ilqio.sdps.org

This material provided by the Illinois Foundation for Quality Health Care, the Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO) for Illinois, was prepared by the Iowa Foundation for Medical Care, the Iowa QIO, under contract with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The contents presented do not necessarily reflect CMS policy.