NC HEALTH AND WELLNESS TRUST FUND
ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES INITIATIVE
A growing body of evidence shows that African-Americans are disproportionately likely to suffer from various cancers, Latinos are much more likely than whites to struggle with diabetes, and American Indians face a higher risk of dying during infancy. Such differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality and burden of disease and other adverse health conditions among specific ethnic and racial population groups are known as “health disparities.”
Health Disparities Initiative
In 2004 the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commissioners (NC HWTF) voted to address the problem of unequal health outcomes for African-Americans, Latinos and American Indians in North Carolina by offering grants to eliminate health disparities. With a total allocation of $12.6 million, the Health Disparities Initiative seeks to reduce disparities associated with diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. The Initiative is focused on increasing awareness about health disparities, particularly within low-income African-American, Latino and American Indian communities, and on addressing the promotion of equal health quality for everyone in the state.
The Initiative is also designed to encourage collaboration among community stakeholders, including public and private health care providers, faith-based organizations, community-based groups and professional health organizations. The purpose of these collaborations is to develop culturally appropriate policies, practices and outreach methods that will result in culturally appropriate interventions and lead to better health outcomes for all.