Schools, Groups Receive Grants To Address Minority Health Issues; Legislation In Massachusetts Would Set Up Health Equity Office

Main Category: Public Health
Article Date: 03 Dec 2007 - 6:00 PDT

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Little Rock, Ark.: The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Public Health has received more than $20 million in grants, including $6.6 million over five years from NIH's National Center for Minority Health Disparities. The grant money will go toward research on diabetes prevention, public health systems and reducing health risks among blacks in rural areas who use illicit drugs (AP/Springdale Morning News, 11/29).

Montana State University: The university has received a five-year, $6.5 million grant to establish the Center for Native Health Partnerships to address health disparities in American Indian communities in Montana. The center will undertake such projects as looking into health disparities among men, asthma among children and preventing type 2 diabetes among women. A subcommittee of the Montana Board of Regents has approved a request to create the center at MSU (Great Falls Tribune, 11/17).

Massachusetts: State Rep. Byron Rushing (D) and the Disparities Action Network in Massachusetts have developed legislation that would create an Office of Health Equity. The office would conduct research, analyze the state's progress on addressing racial and ethnic health disparities, aim to improve access to care, expand local and statewide work force development, and support medical interpreter services, community health workers and wellness education (Gniazdowski, Waltham Daily News Tribune, 11/22).

National Indian Child Welfare Association: The association has received $24,625 from the American Legion Child Welfare Foundation to create and support the "Ensuring the Seventh Generation: Youth Suicide Prevention Kit." The kit is modeled after the American Indian and Alaska Native Summit on Suicide Prevention, Intervention and Healing. The toolkit will be available in December 2008 and initially 300 kits will be distributed to tribal welfare programs across the country (Indian Country Today, 11/21).

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