§ 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 life
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§ 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.