Joint Center launches Media and Technology Institute.

A new assessment that measures the healthiness of states shows a
decline in the overall health of the nation. The American Public
Health Association and Partnership for Prevention collaborated
with the United Health Foundation to produce the 18th annual edition
of America’s Health Rankings: A Call to Action for People & Their
Communities.

The report found that the overall health of the nation fell by a rate of 0.3
percent between 2006 and 2007. By contrast, the nation’s average annual
improvement was 1.5 percent between 1990 and 2000. Even reductions in
the rates of cancer and cardiovascular mortality could not offset growing
rates of obesity, an increase in the number of uninsured and persistent risks
such as tobacco use and violent crime.

The report ranked Vermont, Minnesota, Hawaii, New Hampshire and
Connecticut as the five healthiest states. The least healthy states are
Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Tennessee.
Reed Tuckson, M.D., a member of the board of the United Health
Foundation, discussed the report and the problems it highlights with
FOCUS. The entire report can be viewed at www.americashealthrankings.
org or www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.

Political empowerment requires full engagement.

On the day following such a historic election, FOCUS Magazine interviewed Rep. James E. Clyburn for his reactions and perceptions of the challenges that lie ahead.

As it celebrates is 40th anniversary, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has set an ambitious agenda for the new Congress. With a former member of the CBC serving as the President of the United States and other members serving esteemed roles in Congress, the CBC is in a position to have extraordinary influence on key legislation during hte next two years.

In an interview with FOCUS magazine, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater, Esq. emphasized the importance of a national vision for the future of transportation in the context of the recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  He also explained the impact of the infrastructure provisions of the stimulus package on the African American community and the role of black elected officials in this process.  The highlights of the interview follow....