Nationally Syndicated Radio Host, Philanthropist Tom Joyner, Celebrities, Government Officials Celebrate 'Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day'

Nationally Syndicated Radio Host, Philanthropist Tom Joyner, Celebrities, Government Officials Celebrate 'Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day'

Fourth Annual National Health Initiative Encourages African-Americans to take Active Role in Health Care

DALLAS, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Tom Joyner, host of the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Show, celebrates 'Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day' today. Now in its fourth year, 'Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day' is an integral part of the Closing the Health Gap campaign, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and dedicated to improving the health care among minority groups, including African-Americans.

Scheduled each year for the third Tuesday in September, Tom Joyner founded the program to encourage individuals to take charge of the heath by simply making an appointment for a check up or a screening and encouraging a friend, neighbor, of family member to do the same. Individuals are encouraged to visit any health professional including doctors, nurses, dentists, nurse practitioners, physician's assistants, attend a health event in the community or help a friend, neighbor, or family member do the same.

"It's widely known that many African-Americans just don't like to go to the doctor," says Joyner. "Well, I'm giving everybody a chance to ask someone they love, someone they know and take them to the doctor. As African-Americans, we have higher rate of diabetes, heart problems, kidney disease... and we've got to get regular check ups and take better care of ourselves."

Today finds the nationally syndicated 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' radio show chock full of supporters of 'Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day.' Guests include Al Roker, Montel Williams, the Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr., Tavis Smiley, Dr. Ian Smith (VH1 Celebrity Fit Club), and Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt. The lineup will address health issues and concerns disproportionately affecting the African-American community including diabetes, cancer, heart diseases, HIV/AIDS, Asthma, and Obesity.

Launched in 2001, Closing the Health Gap is an educational campaign designed to make good health an important issue among racial and ethnic minority populations. These populations tend to be affected by serious diseases and health conditions at far greater rates than other Americans. The National Healthcare Disparities Report cites a largely disproportionate number of minorities with adequate health insurance and a higher rate of difficulty in obtaining quality health care for the same sector. Encouraging minorities to go to the doctor and make appointments is the very first step, but an important one.

Joyner, who reaches more than 8 million listeners weekly in over 115 markets, is kicking off Doctor Day activities in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Winston-Salem, Las Vegas, Birmingham, Savannah, Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Chicago, Charlotte, and Raleigh. Sponsors for 'Take a Loved One to the Doctor Day' include Tylenol, Walgreen's, Glucerna, Pepto-Bismol, Metamucil, Prilosec, LifeScan, OneTouch, and St. Joseph's.

For more information regarding 'Take A Loved One to the Doctor Day' please visit www.blackamericaweb.com.

About Reach Media

Reach Media, founded by radio and television personality, philanthropist and entrepreneur Tom Joyner, is a multi-media company formed in January 2003 as the parent company of all of The Tom Joyner Morning Show, the Tom Joyner Show in television syndication and several other businesses that will target African-Americans through radio, television, event production and the internet. The Morning Show is aired in more than 115 markets throughout the United States, reaching more than 8 million listeners every week. Its website, BlackAmericaWeb.com, which has more than 850,000 members, is a virtual town square for visitors to get daily news, play games, search for jobs and listen to the Morning Show online.

Source: Reach Media

CONTACT: Pilaar Terry, or Doug Piwinski, both of Bragman Nyman Cafarelli, +1-310-854-4800, for Reach Media; or Neil Foote of Reach Media, +1-972-371-5840

Web site: http://www.blackamericaweb.com/

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