Austin, Texas – Public health data indicates disproportionate numbers of COVID-19 deaths and hospitalizations among the African American community – comprising 9% of deaths in Travis County and 9.8% of hospitalizations in the Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), as of July 11.

Austin Public Health (APH) wants to work closely with the African American community to identify and take actions that will address COVID-19 impacts and long-term public health challenges.

On Saturday, July 18 at 10 a.m., APH and community leaders will host an interactive Facebook Live conversation to hear the African American community voice and identify actionable steps and resources that will improve the COVID-19 related health outcomes.

COVID-19 and the African American Community will be held on Austin Public Health’s Facebook page. The community-led conversation will discuss concerns and questions requested by African American community members via a pre-event survey.

• Access the survey at www.bit.ly/AACAPH

APH Director Stephanie Hayden will moderate the event. Conversation leaders will include Priscilla Hale, Executive Director of allgo; Jacqueline Smith Francis, Health Educator for the SAFE Alliance; Daryl Horton, Pastor for Mt. Zion Baptist Church and Chair of the African American Resource Advisory Commission; and Dr. Jeffree James, Internal Medicine Physician at Austin Medical Clinic.

For additional event details and updates, visit the Facebook event page at www.facebook.com/events/208470087068800.