The Community Programs to Improve Minority Health Grant Program is administered by the Office of Minority Health (OMH) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The OMH was created in December 1985 with a mission to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through policies and programs that address the health disparities and gaps experienced by these groups. Consistent with its mission, the OMH serves as the focal point within the Department for leadership, policy development and coordination, service demonstrations, information exchange, coalition and partnership building, and related efforts to address the health needs of racial and ethnic minorities.

The purpose of the Community Programs to Improve Minority Health Grant Program is to improve the health status of targeted minority populations through health promotion and disease risk reduction intervention programs. The Program fosters the use of a community coalition approach to health promotion and risk reduction as a means of reaching minority target populations, especially those at-risk or hard to reach. The intent is to demonstrate the effectiveness of coalitions in carrying out projects that coordinate integrated community-based educational screenings and outreach services, include linkages for access and treatment to minorities in high risk, low income communities, and address sociocultural and linguistic barriers to health care. At the inception of the Program in 1986, as the Minority Community Health Coalition Demonstration Grant Program, OMH provided support to organizations for the development of new coalitions. The Program has since evolved to the current concept of providing support to existing coalitions composed of three discrete organizations. These organizations must include a minority community-based organization as the lead agency; a health care facility such as a community health center, migrant health center, health department, or medical center to provide followup treatment services; and at least one other entity. In 2001, program changes included expansion of project eligibility to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities because of their unique and historical relationship with the target communities; and a focus on the 21 health areas which are part of the Healthy People 2010 focus areas (see Attachment A). Grantees were required to address at least one, but no more than three, of these health areas.

The 17 projects described in this fact sheet are funded for the three-year project period August 1, 2001 through July 31, 2004. The projects are located in 14 different states, with each addressing the health needs of its racial and ethnic minority communities. Some of the project activities include outreach, health screening, referrals to appropriate health services, peer counseling, health education workshops, development of informational materials, and case management services.

For additional information, please contact the Division of Program Operations, Office of Minority Health.

October 2003

List of Community Programs to Improve Minority Health Grant Program's 2003 Grantees