Executive backs $5M vaccine hesitancy & health plan for KC Eastside

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 9, 2021 

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. will express his support at Monday’s legislative meeting for “Our Healthy KC Eastside” (OHKCE), a community-based partnership and project to address vaccine hesitancy and health inequities in portions of Jackson County identified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as having exceedingly high socially vulnerable index scores. The meeting on Monday, May 10 begins at 10:00 a.m. in the Legislative Assembly Area on the 2nd floor of the downtown Jackson County Courthouse.

Led by Dr. Jannette Berkley-Patton, Director of the UMKC Health Equity Institute, the OHKCE project proposes the use of $4,998,014 in CARES Act funding to implement its innovative efforts. The project is proposed to take place June 1, 2021 – November 31, 2021 with primary goals to significantly increase vaccination intake and the use of prevention health services.

Building on nearly two decades of large-scale collaborative community studies, the organizers will fully engage community members in the multi-sectoral COVID-19 education, communication and vaccination project. The OHKCE project will also tap the University of Missouri Kansas City’s, Truman Medical Center’s and the Black Health Care Coalition’s extensive experience in providing health services in community and medical settings on KC’s Eastside.

In addition to County Executive White and Dr. Berkley-Patton, the following project partners will be in attendance to speak on the importance of the OHKCE program:

  • Dr. Mauli Agrawal, Ph.D., Chancellor, University of Missouri-Kansas City
  • Charlie Shields, President and CEO, Truman Medical Centers/University Health
  • Rev. Eric D. Williams, Pastor, Calvary Temple Baptist
  • Dr. Mary Anne Jackson, Dean, UMKC School of Medicine and member of the National Vaccine Advisory Committee

These individuals, as well as the Chairman of the Jackson County Legislature, Dan Tarwater, will be available afterward for individual interviews with the media.