NOTE: This is a Forecasted Opportunity.

The HHS Office of Minority Health is offering funding to support State and local collaborative teams in implementing a methodological framework and strategies for assessing and addressing structural racism in health policies, developed through a complementary policy academy initiative. In particular, awardees will: (1) Obtain governmental and public buy-in for engaging in this policy collaborative endeavor; (2) Create a multi-sector team (e.g., comprised of leadership from the governor's/mayor's office and health, behavioral health, child welfare, justice, education, commerce, community service and other agencies, and from community organizations); (3) Conduct a review of existing policies to identify the areas primed for a structural racism assessment; (4) Develop or revise a policy (or policies) to address structural racism and improve health outcomes; (5) Implement the new/revised policy and evaluate its impact on health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities within their jurisdiction; and (6) Create and implement strategies to communicate, sustain and spread policies resulting in improved health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities.

Racial and ethnic minority populations experience a number of disparities which contribute to poor health outcomes.

Structural racism, evidenced in residential segregation, inequitable allocation and quality of services and resources such as health care and education, disproportionate contact with the justice system, and lack of access to employment opportunities, plays a persistent and large role in historical disadvantage and supports the persistence of racial and ethnic health disparities.