This bill establishes a permanent Office of Health Equity in the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, and creates a statewide grant program to support community based interventions that reduce health disparities.

Background:
• Massachusetts residents of color face disproportionately higher rates of morbidity and mortality than residents of the state as a whole.
• Health disparities exist between racial and ethnic groups, even when health insurance coverage is equal.
• Health disparities cost the state in excess direct medical costs and indirect social costs.
• Health disparities result from a variety of social factors including economics and employment, neighborhoods and housing, educational opportunities, bias and discrimination.

Specifics:

The Office of Health Equity will oversee all activities of the Commonwealth to eliminate health disparities, by coordinating interagency initiatives, evaluating interventions, and identifying and replicating successful practices across the state. The Office will administer a community based disparities reduction grant program, to address key health disparities issues in local communities. The grant program will support initiatives based on best practices that are replicable across the state.

See below for fact sheet about the program: