Friday, February 22, 2008

JBC APPROVES HEALTH DISPARITIES FUNDING



Continued Funding Helps All Coloradans Stay Healthy Regardless of Race or Ethnicity


DENVER—This week the Joint Budget Committee gave initial approval to continue funding for the Health Disparities program within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

The Office of Health Disparities is a state program of multi-cultural professionals dedicated to eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities in Colorado, by fostering systems change and capacity building through multi-sector collaboration.

"Communities of color suffer at a greater rate from medical afflictions," remarked Morse. "We don't completely understand why, but understanding and addressing why would drastically improve thousands of lives."

Having been approved by the JBC, the funding will be incorporated into the state budget which will be considered by the legislature in April.