mpox infections once again on the rise among gay men, one out member of Congress is calling for big changes to the Department of Health and Human Services.Rep.
Ritchie Torres, who represents the Bronx, is introducing legislation aimed at improving the federal government’s response to public health emergencies, citing the mpox outbreak in 2022.Torres’ bill would require the HHS to form a department-wide strategy for reviews of major health events, including analysis from inside and outside the department, NY1 reports.Stay woke with our briefing while staying informed on all things LGBTQ+ entertainment, life, and more!Just as importantly, the legislation would mandate that HHS set up a culturally sensitive communication strategy targeting at-risk populations.
Healthcare inequity was one of the major issues facing the U.S.’s response to COVID, as the virus had a disproportionally higher impact among communities of color.
Due to decades of medical distrust, ethnic minority populations were hesitant to receive the COVID vaccine. Torres’ bill would aim to improve communication between federal government health agencies and marginalized communities.