Rhode Island Health Department Awards Grants to Improve Minority Health, Access to Care

As part of a three-year program designed to include community organizations in health promotion efforts, the Rhode Island Department of Health has awarded nearly $150,000 in grants to six agencies to address the health disparities that cause minorities to die younger and be "diagnosed with illnesses later" than whites, the Providence Journal reports. The selected agencies will manage "minority health promotion centers," which will provide racial and ethnic minorities "greater access" to health information and resources. Grant recipients include:

• The Providence Housing Authority will receive $25,000 for its Health Phase Program, which provides health screenings and sponsors monthly workshops for residents of public housing.
• The International Institute will receive $25,000 to provide outreach to immigrants and refugees through health fairs, workshops, screenings and classes.
• Women & Infants Providence Family Van will work to improve the health of children in the city with a $25,000 grant.
• The Neighborhood Minority Health Promotion Center at South Providence Ministries will use a $25,000 grant to create a "comprehensive" promotion program that will include risk assessment, community outreach, health education, consumer empowerment, screening and referral services.
• The Westminster Senior Center Health Promotion Center will receive $24,325 to create a program designed to improve disease prevention, nutrition, physical fitness, mental health and access to long term care for black and Hispanic seniors.
• The Genesis Center will fund its "Healthy People at Genesis" initiative with a $24,335 grant. The program "emphasizes" the importance of exercise and nutrition and will also work to improve access to health care and reduce "injuries and violence."