HHS' Office of Minority Health Awards $16.2 Million to Help Eliminate Health Disparities among Racial and Ethnic Minorities

HHS' Office of Minority Health Awards $16.2 Million to Help Eliminate Health Disparities among Racial and Ethnic Minorities.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Minority Health (OMH) announced $16.2 million in grants and cooperative agreements for demonstration projects aimed at eliminating health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities. Recipients include states, territories, national and community organizations, organizations serving tribes, and post-secondary educational institutions.

"We're living in extraordinary times with many opportunities to improve the nation's health and ultimately achieve health equity," said Assistant Secretary for Health Dr. Howard K. Koh. "These grants will provide much needed support for a variety of programs that will improve health outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities."

The funds come from five different programs:

* $5.9 million was awarded for the State Partnership Program to Improve Minority Health for strategic partnerships with state offices of minority health. * $3.8 million was awarded for the Partnerships Active in Communities to Achieve Health Equity program to establish community-based networks that collaboratively employ evidence-based disease management and preventive health activities; build the capacity of communities to address social determinants and environmental barriers to healthcare access; and increase access to and utilization of preventive health care, medical treatment, and supportive services.

* Nearly $2.8 million was awarded to address gaps in healthcare, social, and supportive services for high-risk minority families living with HIV/AIDS or at risk for HIV infection, who are in transition from incarceration, domestic violence, and/or substance abuse treatment. The Linkage to Life Program: Rebuilding Broken Bridges for Minority Families Impacted by HIV/AIDS, will identify barriers caused by system and service fragmentation and establish Health and Social Service Resource Networks, whose member organizations are equipped to meet the complex needs of minority families in transition.

* More than $2.4 million was awarded to the National Umbrella Cooperative Agreement Program to demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborations among Federal agencies and national organizations to: improve access to care for targeted racial and ethnic minority populations; address social determinants of health to achieve health equity for targeted minority populations through projects of national significance; increase the diversity of the health-related work force; and increase the knowledge base and enhance data availability for health disparities and health equity activities.

* $1.15 million was awarded for the Minority Community HIV/AIDS Partnership: Preventing Risky Behaviors among Minority College Students program to demonstrate the effectiveness of partnerships in improving the health status, relative to HIV/AIDS, of young adults. The projects involve national organizations, community-based healthcare facilities, and accredited post-secondary institutions with a demonstrated history of serving minority populations.

"These projects will help us work with public and private organizations nationally and locally to help achieve health equity for communities, families, and young people," said Dr. Garth Graham, deputy assistant secretary for minority health. "We must all work together to close the health gap and transform our communities into safer and healthier places for all people."

The competitive grants awarded under these programs are going to a diverse set of organizations. For a full list of grantees visit: minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/content.

The Office of Minority Health is dedicated to improving the health status of American Indians, Alaska Natives, African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders; eliminating health disparities; and achieving health equity in the United States.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Office of Minority Health John West (240) 453-6903 Blake Crawford (240) 453-6905