AR SB459

Defines 19 Arkansas counties as "red counties" most in need of services to reduce mortality disparities: Arkansas, Chicot, Crittenden, Cross, Dallas, Desha, Fulton, Jackson, Jefferson, Mississippi, Monroe, Ouachita, Perry, Phillips, Poinsett, St. Francis, Sevier, Union, and Woodruff.

Requires each state agency, board, and commission receiving state dollars or tobacco settlement funds for health improvement to create and maintain programs aimed at reducing mortality disparities in red counties, including health screenings, preventative services, outreach, and awareness programs.

Establishes that life expectancy differences of 6-10 years between different parts of Arkansas are unacceptable and recognizes that health disparities have human, economic, social, and developmental costs.

Mandates five entities (Arkansas Center for Health Improvement, Arkansas Minority Health Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Health, and Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health) to work together to identify red counties most in need of assistance and make data publicly available.

Requires the five designated entities to jointly prepare an annual report to be delivered by October 1 each year to the House Public Health Committee chair, House Labor Committee chair, Senate Public Health Committee chair, and Governor.