Valley represented on Ohio Minority Health Strike Force

Mayor Tito Brown (L) Ursel McElroy (R)

The Valley is represented on a newly formed panel to deal with the disproportional impact of COVID-19 on minority groups.

Governor Mike DeWine has appointed Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown and Ohio Department of Aging Director Ursel McElroy to the Minority Health Strike Force.

McElroy, a Youngstown native,  was appointed by Governor Mike DeWine in January 2019 to direct the Ohio Department of Aging and administer the State Plan on Aging.

DeWine announced the formation of the Strike Force on Monday based on data from the Ohio Department of Health which found 21 percent of individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Ohio are African American, although they only make up approximately 14 percent of Ohio's population.

"We must recognize that there are many Ohioans who have an increased risk of being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, and we must do everything we can to protect all Ohioans from this pandemic," said Governor DeWine.

A list of those  serving on the Minority Health Strike Force can be found below: