BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — The University at Buffalo is embarking on a major new effort to make people who live on the city's East Side a lot healthier.
"We know our neighbors on Buffalo's East Side are more likely to have serious chronic and preventable diseases. As well as significantly higher mortality rates," said Dr. Timothy Murphy.
To study and address the root causes of health disparities in that area, the university launched the UB Community Health Equity Research Institute.
"We could not possibly address the health crisis in our community without addressing the inequalities and the inequities in education, housing, economics, criminal justice and the environment," said Rev. George Nicholas with the African American Health Disparities Task Force.
"Way too many services and way too many institutions in our society are delivered from a racial perspective," Assembly Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes.
Institute Director Dr.Murphy said African Americans in Buffalo die 12 years younger than White people. Good Health care can change that by 10 to 20 percent, but he said what's really going to make a difference is addressing inequalities.
Ten UB schools - along with members of the African American Health Disparities Task Force - will develop and test solutions to eliminate health inequities.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work with you in this quest to make health disparities a relic of of Buffalo's past," said Satish Tripathi, UB President.
Reverend Nicholas said the next step now is to continue talks with the community to gradually close the gap of the health disparities.
