Programs
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities
The National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) promotes minority health and leads, coordinates, supports, and assesses the NIH effort to reduce and ultimately eliminate health disparities. The NCMHD works independently and in partnership with the NIH Institutes and Centers and with other Federal agencies and grassroots organizations in minority and in other medically underserved communities to:
- Conduct and support basic, clinical, social sciences and behavioral health disparities research and research training.
- Strengthen the infrastructure of qualified research institutions that conduct health disparities research and training.
- Increase the participation of minorities and other medically underserved populations in clinical research.
- Promote outreach and the dissemination of health information to medically underserved populations.
- Develop a culturally sensitive cadre of researchers and clinicians dedicated to eradicating health disparities
Important Events in NCMHD History
1990 – The Office of Research on Minority Health (ORMH) was established, with the encouragement of Congress, by the Director, National Institutes of Health (NIH).
1992 – The Minority Health Initiative (MHI), the centerpiece of the ORMH agenda, was launched. This biomedical and behavioral research and research training program co-funds: through its partnerships:
- interventions to improve prenatal health and reduce infant mortality;
- studies of childhood and adolescent lead poisoning; HIV infection and AIDS; and alcohol and drug use;
- research in adult populations focused on cancer, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders, asthma, visual impairments, and alcohol abuse; and
- training for faculty and for students at all stages of the educational pipeline – from precollege and undergraduate through graduate and postdoctoral levels.
Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service is an agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with the mission to be the principal advocate for and provider of health services to American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Migrant Health Center Program
The Migrant Health Center Program was established by the Migrant Health Act (1962) to provide medical and support services to migrant farm workers and their families.