News Release

HHS Convenes National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health

HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt today announced new activities to help eliminate health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities and medically-underserved communities. He made the announcement at the National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health in Washington, D.C.

"Reducing health disparities as they affect racial, ethnic and underserved populations is an essential goal of this department," Secretary Leavitt said. "I am convinced that we can create a healthier and a more hopeful nation, one in which disparities are fewer and diseases have less of an impact on society's most vulnerable."

During the summit, Secretary Leavitt announced:

• $56.9 million in grants by the National Institutes of Health's National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities to support the advancement of health disparities research. More information on the grants is available at http://www.ncmhd.nih.gov/

• The 2005 National Healthcare Quality Report and its companion document, the 2005 National Healthcare Disparities Report, part of an annual series of reports that measure quality and disparities in four key areas of health care: effectiveness, patient safety, timeliness and patient centeredness.

• A new Minority Health Data Portal, a one-stop shop geared toward assisting researchers, academics, and health professionals with locating minority health data. The Web-based site will feature federal, public and private minority health research and data sources that identify data gaps and opportunities for linkages. This data portal is available online at http://www.hhs-stat.net/omh/.

• The launch of a newly, redesigned Office of Minority Health (OMH) web site -- www.omhrc.gov -- which provides comprehensive information on minority health issues, low-cost health care locators, and key health disparities and minority health resources. It also provides information on health topics and publications that are tailored to minorities.

The summit promotes best practices and collaborative actions that are vital to improving minority health and commemorates the 20th year since the establishment of the OMH. Nearly 2,000 participants are joining the event being held January 9-11.

"Over the last 20 years, we have worked to change the lives of people by focusing on the health needs of communities and supporting organizations and communities," HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health Garth Graham, M.D., M.P.H., said. "This summit is an important opportunity to celebrate progress, reflect on the challenges, and move forward a new agenda and vision to improve minority health and end health disparities in America."

For more information on the National Leadership Summit on Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Health, please visit www.omhsummit2006.org.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at http://www.hhs.gov/news.

Last revised: January 9, 2006