Healthy Start coalitions and other children’s health programs across 7 states received new grant funding from the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) on Monday to improve infant health disparities. The funding comes from the Catalyst for Infant Health Equity Program Fiscal Year 2022 Awards, administered by the Health Resources & … Read more
Climate change and environmental policies play a major role in our health, and when left unchecked can negatively impact vulnerable communities and exacerbate health disparities. Last week, the Community Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health (CEEJH) program under the University of Maryland School of Public Health gathered environmental experts for roundtable discussions at the 8th Annual … Read more
The Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) voted to approve a total of 17 grants totaling $7.2 million to support innovative, replicable, and sustainable projects across the state that will serve vulnerable populations and promote health equity. These programs are projected to serve more than 6,600 residents throughout the state of Maryland. The grants awarded … Read more
Maryland’s unique regulatory systems offer a unique opportunity for population-based approaches to health equity, according to Health Affairs Editor-in-Chief Alan Weil. Weil, along with Maria Tildon, Vice President of State and Local Affairs at Johns Hopkins University & Johns Hopkins Medicine, joined the 2022 Maryland State of Reform Health Policy Conference last week … Read more
Maryland’s unique Total Cost of Care (TCOC) model continues to shape the state’s recovery from the pandemic, especially among hospitals and other health facilities. Bob Atlas, President and CEO of the Maryland Hospital Association; Katie Wunderlich, Executive Director of the Health Services Cost Review Commission (HSCRC); and Joe DeMattos, President & CEO of the Health … Read more
MedStar Health welcomes Karey Sutton, Ph.D. as the new scientific director of health equity research for the MedStar Health Research Institute. Dr. Sutton comes to MedStar Health after close to a decade with the American Association of Medical Colleges where she was instrumental in launching the AAMC Center for Health Justice, an effort dedicated to advocating … Read more
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), the largest health plan in the mid-Atlantic region, has named A. Tonya Odom as its Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). In this role, Odom will champion the DEI team’s efforts to develop and implement diversity and inclusion strategies throughout CareFirst’s workforce, workplace and practices. She will lead the company’s … Read more
A new public service announcement from the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) aims to encourage vaccinations among Marylanders by highlighting support from community voices. The 30-second PSA features Baltimore City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) President, Reverend Kobi Little, as a GoVAX ambassador. In the video, Rev. Little says … Read more
Addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) and integrating health and social services are top priorities in the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission’s (CHRC) FY 2022 Call for Proposals, released earlier this month. The grant program, titled “Promoting Community Health Resources,” will award a total of $7 million over a maximum of three years. … Read more
Maryland policymakers began the hearing process for several health bills this week during the 2022 legislative session. Here are the latest bills to watch, from increasing reimbursement rates for emergency medical services to newborn screening. H.B. 109 – Maryland Department of Health — System for Newborn Screening — Requirements This bill clarifies that … Read more