Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act
The Minority Health and Health Disparities Research and Education Act of 2000 was signed into law on November 22, 2000, as Public Law 106-525. This act aimed to enhance biomedical and behavioral research on minority health conditions and health disparities.
Key Provisions
Establishment of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD)
- Created within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to focus on minority health disparities research.
- Prioritized funding for research to prevent, diagnose, and treat minority health conditions.
Research and Training Support
- Provided support for medical training for minorities.
- Encouraged research on health disparities among various demographic groups.
Data Collection and Dissemination
- Improved the study, collection, and dissemination of data concerning minorities and other populations with health disparities.
Public Awareness and Education
- Mandated initiatives to increase public awareness of health disparities and programs aimed at reducing them.
Impact and Implementation
Establishment of the NIMHD
- The NCMHD was later elevated to an institute, the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), under the Affordable Care Act in 2010, enhancing its scope and resources.
Research Endowments and Programs
- Facilitated research endowments at centers of excellence for minority health and health disparities.
- Supported a comprehensive plan and budget for all NIH agencies involved in health disparities research.
Health Disparities Research
- Expanded research into the causes of health disparities and strategies to eliminate them.
Legacy and Future Directions
- Continues to guide NIH's efforts in reducing health disparities through research, education, and policy.
- Influenced subsequent health equity strategies and legislation, focusing on inclusive and equitable health research.
