(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The pandemic brought disparities in health care into a harsh spotlight, said Illinois Department of Public Health director Dr. Sameer Vohra. Help is on the way in the form of $3.7 million in federal funds going to eighteen groups trying to close the gap, he added.
"This money can be used for is to fund community health workers, people that will help them get proximate with a community," said Megan Wanzo of the group Well-being and Equity in the World.
"We also encourage them as they bring in minority voices, whether it be racial, minority, socio economic minorities, or minorities based on their sexual orientation and identity to compensate those voices for their time and experience and the value they bring to communities."
Selena Stegeman of Quincy Medical Group, appearing at a news conference at the state Capitol Tuesday, said the major issues include “poverty, food insecurity, lack of transportation, lack of access to health care and other resources, and gender and racial inequities."
"West central Illinois is experiencing all of these challenges," she added.
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