CHICAGO (AP) — Illinois officials say swine flu hospitalization and death rates for blacks and Hispanics are higher than the rates for whites.
More chronic health problems, lower vaccination rates and less access to health care may contribute.
The swine flu hospitalization rate for blacks and Hispanics is three times higher compared to whites, while the death rate is two times higher.
State officials discussed the rates Friday at a meeting in Chicago. Federal officials say more research is needed to determine whether it’s a national trend.
Flu activity is slowing nationally, with medical visits declining for the fourth straight week.
Health officials have been meeting with journalists working for the ethnic news media in many U.S. cities, and the Chicago meeting was part of that effort.
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On the Net: http://www.flu.gov
State News
Racial disparities seen in state swine flu deaths
- State News
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Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Gun owners could carry concealed weapons in Illinois, the last state in the nation to prohibit it, under legislation that swept through the House Friday with the backing of the powerful Democratic speaker from Chicago, a longtime proponent of firearms restrictions.
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Ill. Senate approves health-coverage exchange plan
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — The Illinois Senate agreed Thursday to create a state-governed "health insurance exchange" where individuals and small businesses could shop for coverage as required by President Barack Obama's health law.
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5 dead in Ill. van crash part of Christian group
BALTIMORE (AP) — Five Baltimore men killed when a van careened off a southern Illinois freeway were members of an evangelical Christian church returning from a weeklong international conference in California, officials said Wednesday.
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New Ill. House gun bill excludes parks, transit
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — Public transportation and municipal parks would be off limits to guns in a compromise proposal filed Wednesday that would regulate the carrying of concealed weapons in Illinois.
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Ill. House committee approves Medicaid expansion
SPRINGFIELD (AP) — A plan to expand Medicaid coverage for low-income adults without children squeaked through an Illinois House committee Tuesday despite scrutiny over a last-minute amendment that would give more flexibility to mental health institutions.
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Ill. Senate panel endorses ammunition limit
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Parents of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims testified Monday in favor of an Illinois limit on the size of ammunition magazines, a proposal that got a Senate committee endorsement.
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Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
