Talk To Focus On Coronavirus Impact On Austin African Americans

AUSTIN, TX — Austin Public Health officials invite members of the African American community to an upcoming interactive Facebook Live conversation toward taking action to curb the disproportionate rate of coronavirus infection impacting the population segment.

Public health data indicate disproportionate numbers of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations among the African American community — comprising 9 percent of deaths in Travis County and 9.8 percent of hospitalizations in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area as of July 11.

"Austin Public Health (APH) wants to work closely with the African American community to identify and take actions that will address COVID-19 impacts and long-term public health challenges," health officials said in a prepared statement.

To that end, Austin Public Health and community leaders have scheduled an interactive Facebook Live conversation on Saturday, July 18, to hear the African American community voice and identify actionable steps and resources that will improve the COVID-19 related health outcomes, health officials said.

Titled "COVID-19 and the African American Community" the discussion will take place on Austin Public Health’s Facebook page. The community-led conversation will discuss concerns and questions requested by African American community members via a pre-event survey, officials said in a news advisory. Access the survey by clicking here.

Austin Public Health Director Stephanie Hayden is slated to moderate the event. Others scheduled to join the conversation leaders include Priscilla Hale, Executive Director of allgo; Jacqueline Smith Francis, Health Educator for the SAFE Alliance; Daryl Horton, Pastor for Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Chair of the African American Resource Advisory Commission; and Dr. Jeffree James, Internal Medicine Physician at Austin Medical Clinic.

For additional event details and updates, visit the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/208470087068800.