HRSA - Grant Worth $25 Million Will Improve Health Care in Mississippi Delta

	U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration HRSA NEWS ROOM http://newsroom.hrsa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 18, 2006

CONTACT: HRSA PRESS OFFICE
301-443-3376

HRSA Grant Worth $25 Million Will Improve Health Care in Mississippi Delta

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) has awarded almost $25 million to a coalition of health care institutions and universities to improve the health care and social services of residents of the Mississippi Delta region.

“The funds will be used to expand access to health care providers and services and to implement health education, chronic disease management, wellness promotion, and health care coordination projects,” said HRSA Administrator Betty Duke. HRSA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The grant to the Delta Health Alliance in Stoneville, Miss., also may be used to increase workforce training and entrepreneurial opportunities and build new public health facilities.

The Alliance is composed of the following members:

Delta State University, Cleveland, Miss.;
Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss.;
Mississippi Delta Community College Capps Center for Workforce Technology, Indianola;
Mississippi Hospital Association, Madison;
Mississippi State University, Mississippi State;
Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena;
Primary Health Care Providers Association, Jackson;
University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson;
University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg.

Funds for the Delta Health Initiative were included in the FY 2006 appropriation for the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program and are administered by HRSA.