It’s no secret that Black Americans are more likely to carry the burden of a life-threatening illness than any other race. Senator Barack Obama is acknowledging this problem in his plan for action if he becomes president, according to the Chicago Defender. He called access to health care “universally important,” adding, especially in the African-American community. The statements were made in a telephone press conference with several members of the Black press. Additionally, he said he would better fund screenings for AIDS (which is a huge concern with Black women) and prostate cancer (an illness claiming the lives of Black males at high rates). He said his health care reform would cost an estimated $65 billion to implement.