State Laws Addressing Health Disparities
Cultural Competency | Health Professionals and Recruitment | Disease Burden and Risk Factor Management
For information on Health Disparities: Commissions and Offices of Minority Health, click here
Updated January 2009
Cultural Competency
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State
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Description
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| CA |
Cal Chapter No. 381 (2008 SB 564) establishes rules regarding and some funding for public school health centers. This law recognizes the role of student health centers in reducing health disparities.
Cal. Code § 1300.67.04 requires health, dental and other insurers to provide interpreters for patients with limited English proficiency.
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| CT |
Conn. Public Act No. 166 (2008 HB 5321) establishes the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission. This commission, among other topics, should address any issues dealing with access to health care or mental health and addiction services.
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FL
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Fla. Chapter No. 2008-96 (2008 HB 3) provides for the designation of "children's zones" where children in disadvantaged areas can be provided with a more positive educational and social environment. Among the goals of these zones is to eliminate health disparities between racial and cultural groups.
Fla. Chapter No. 2008-130 (2008 HB 1395) adjust the rules relating to the Council on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. As part of a required report, the council must explore mental health and other health issues as a public health issue related to black-on-black crime.
Fla. Chapter No. 2008-211 (2008 SB 988) states that the Transition Task Force for helping individuals with disabilities as they move from pediatric care to the adult health care system should include models addressing geographic and cultural diversity.
Fla. Stat. § 381.7352 creates the Reducing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Closing the Gap grants. The purpose of the grant program is to stimulate the development of community-based and neighborhood-based projects to improve the health outcomes of racial and ethnic populations. The programs should also foster the development of coordinated, collaborative, and broad-based participation by public and private entities, and faith-based organizations. The grant program will function as a partnership between state and local governments, faith-based organizations, and private-sector health care providers, including managed care, voluntary health care resources, social service providers, and nontraditional partners. The law requires the department to provide technical assistance and training to grant recipients and to develop a monitoring system and uniform data reporting requirements for the purpose of evaluating the performance of the grant recipients and demonstrating improved health outcomes.
Fla. Stat. § 0320.08056 requires that annual use fees from the hospice license plates be used to fund projects related to hospice care for special groups such as ethnic and minority groups.
Fla. Chapter No. 2007-243 (2007 HB 1269) provides for legislative intent regarding the black infant health practice initiative; requires local community to develop team to serve as part of statewide practice collaborative; requires healthy start coalitions to conduct case reviews; requires certain public universities or colleges to provide technical assistance, to assist in determining certain criteria, and to present findings and make recommendations; provides for grants and for immunity from liability.
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| IL |
Ill. Public Act 95-0781 (2007 HB 4456) creates the Commission on Children and Youth Act. Among the factors stated for the Commission to consider in creating a five year plan are disparities in access and outcomes based on racial, ethnic, geographic, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and other variables.
Ill. Public Act 95-0876 (2007 SB 2023) states that the Center for Minority Health Services should be consulted with on the development of a pamphlet on pharmacy practice. It also established the Culturally Competent Healthcare Demonstration Program aimed at improving the quality of health care for ethnic and racial minorities.
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IN
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Ind. Code § 16-46-11-1 directs the state department of health to develop and implement a state structure more conducive to addressing the health disparities of the minority populations in Indiana including: monitoring minority health progress; funding minority health programs, research, and other initiatives; staffing a minority health hotline; developing and implementing an awareness program that will increase the knowledge of health and social service providers to the special needs of minorities; and developing and implementing culturally and linguistically appropriate health promotion and disease prevention programs.
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KY
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Ky. Rev. Stat. § 205.201 outlines the duties of the cabinet for families and children. Among other things, the cabinet will provide services through the programs that they administer designed to meet the needs of the minority elderly. The cabinet will prepare a report identifying the special needs of the minority elderly population with the input of individuals and organizations representing the concerns of this population. The law also requires the cabinet to conduct an outreach program providing information to minority elderly about available programs to address health and social problems.
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MD
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Md. Chapter No. 162 (2002 SB451) Authorizing the Maryland Health Care Foundation to provide financial support to programs that expand access to health care services for uninsured and underinsured Marylanders and reduce health disparities for Marylanders; requires the Foundation to develop specified criteria for awarding grants to programs that may include programs addressing health care disparities; requires that the Foundation consider a geographical balance by county and region and that the geographical balance consider specified provisions; etc.
Md. Chapter No. 412 (2007 HB524) Requires the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities in the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to convene a Workgroup on Cultural Competency and Workforce Development for Mental Health Professionals; requires the workgroup to include representatives from specified groups; provides for the purpose and goals of the Workgroup; requires the Workgroup to develop specified recommendations.
Md. Chapter No. 26 (2007 HB788) Authorizes specified entities that provide health insurance to make an inquiry about race and ethnicity under specified circumstances, and subject to specified limitations; prohibits the use of specified racial or ethnic information to deny or otherwise affect a health insurance policy or contract; makes certain provisions of laws applicable to health maintenance organizations.
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MT
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Mt Chapter No. 128 (2005 H.B 452), Implements a redesign of the Medicaid program specifically involving Indian tribes and health service care facilities; requests a waiver; relates to the children's health insurance program and purchase of prescription drugs.
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| NC |
N.C. Session Law 2008-119 (2007 SB 4) improves the collection or race and ethnicity data for public healthy officials.
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NE
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Neb. Rev. Stat. § 71-7605 et seq creates the Excellence in Health Care Trust Fund which will be used for awarding grants for public health services which focus on health education, preventive health measures, and environmental health, assessment, and assurance, including services for reservation or service areas of federally recognized Native American tribes in Nebraska and organizations that focus on the health of minority groups. It also requires that the Department of Health and Human Services contract with the health clinics of Nebraska's federally recognized Native American tribes, Indian health organizations, or other public health organizations that have a substantial Native American clientele to provide educational and public health services targeted to Native American populations.
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NM
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N.M. Stat. § 9-7-11.1 requires the Department of Health and the New Mexico Health Policy Commission to consult with governments of Indian nations, tribes and pueblos in order to develop a strategic plan for health. The strategic plan is to be published by July 1, 2004 and July 1 of subsequent even-numbered years and will a focus on prevention, personal responsibility, access, and quality.
N.M Chapter No. 51 (2004 S.B 34) requires the Department of Health to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for health; provides for consultation with the governments of Indian nations, tribes and pueblos.
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| NY |
N.Y. Laws 119 (2007 AB 6820) directs the commissioner of mental health to study and report on unmet mental health needs including among racial and ethnic minorities among other groups.
N.Y. Laws 58 (2007 S.B. 2108) provides funding for budgeted health and mental hygiene tasks including the promotion of culturally competent mental health services to underserved communities where cultural or linguistic barriers result in health disparities.
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OR
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Ore. SB 0878 (2003) relates to medical assistance; relates to eligibility for Oregon Health Plan Plus benefits; makes individuals who are eligible for or receiving medical assistance and American Indian and Alaskan Native benefits eligible for benefits under certain circumstances.
Ore. Chapter No. 49 (2005 SB 855) Directs the Department of Human Services to contract for provision of maternal and child public health services with the tribal governing council of recognized Indian tribes that request to receive funds under certain federal grant programs.
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TN
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Tenn. H.J.R. 105 Names and designates April 2003, and each April thereafter, as Minority Health Awareness Month.
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| VA |
Virg. Chapter No. 636 (2006 HB413) Establishes the Virginia Cord Blood Bank Initiative as a public resource for the treatment of patients with life-threatening illnesses or in the event of a terrorist attack, to be used in the treatment of injured citizens; provides that the initiative will conduct outreach and research, particularly for ethnic and racial minorities and that information will be disseminated through health departments and Medicaid.
Virg. Chapter No. 343 (2007 HB3043) Requires the Commissioner to designate a senior staff member of the Department of Health, who shall be a licensed physician, to oversee minority health efforts of the Department.
Virg. Chapter No. 361 (2008 HB674) Requires the Department for Aging to develop a four-year plan noting changes in the aging population, particularly in the numbers of low-income, minority and non-English speaking individuals.
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| WA |
Chapter No. 238 (2006 SB6196) Includes a member of the American Indian health commission for Washington state on the State Board of Health
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WI
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Wis. Stat. § 146.19 authorizes the department of health and family services to award grants for cooperative American Indian health projects in order to promote cooperation among tribes, tribal agencies, inter-tribal organizations and other agencies and organizations in addressing specific problem areas in the field of American Indian health.
Wis. Stat. § 146.185 requires the department of health and family services to conduct statewide hearings on health issues of the economically disadvantaged minority group members in the state. The law also directs the department to review, monitor, and advise all state agencies with respect to the impact on the health of the economically disadvantaged minority group members of current and emerging state policies, procedures, practices, statutes and rules and to work closely with interested parties to develop long term solutions to the health problems of this population. The department is charged with encouraging minority students to enter health care professions and to disseminate information on the status of the health of economically disadvantaged minority group members. Finally, the law directs the department to administer a grant program to improve the health status of this population.
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Health Professionals and Recruitment
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State
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Description
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| AZ |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 15-1643 requires each health education center to operate a program for recruitment and retention of minority students in health professions.
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| AR |
Ark. Code Ann. § 6-60-212 allows institutions of public higher education to provide additional consideration and outreach for those from medically underserved regions who intend to study in preparation of a career in a medical profession in an underserved area.
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| CA |
Cal Chapter No. 179 (2008 SB 1498) requires health care service plans to adopt policies focusing on recruitment and retention efforts towards workforce diversity. It also encourages local mental health directors to consult with ethnic constituency groups when planning mobile service provision to those who receive court-ordered mental health treatment.
Cal Chapter No. 522 (2007 SB 139) creates rules regarding nursing education in the state. Requires that data be collected on health care workforce diversity by specialty, including race, ethnicity and languages spoken.
Cal Chapter No. 550 (2008 SB 1729) requires medical professionals in certain provider environments to receive continuing education training related to gender identity and sexual orientation in addition to the existing requirement related to cultural diversity.
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| CO |
Colo. Rev. Stat. § 25-4-2205 specifies promotion of workforce diversity within public health systems as a duty of the Office of Health Disparities and the Health Disparities Grant Program. |
| CT |
Conn. Gen. Stat. § 4-124dd creates the Connecticut Allied Health Workforce Policy Board with goals including recommendation of policies to promote diversity in the allied health workforce.
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| FL |
Fla Chapter No. 2004-365 (2004 SB1178, HB645) provides for the Department of health to monitor and report on Florida's status of attainment of Healthy People 2010 goals and objectives currently tracked by department; requires department to work with various groups to educate health care professionals on racial and ethnic issues in health, to recruit and train health care professionals from minority backgrounds, and to promote certain research; requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to contract with minority physician networks, etc.
Fla. Stat. § 381.0403 establishes the Program for Graduate Medical Education Innovations which seeks to increase health workforce diversity, promote primary care and service in underserved areas.
Fla. Stat. § 641.217 requires Health Matenince Organizations to implement a plan for recruitment and retention of minority practitioners.
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| GA |
(2007 HB 943) requires continuing education requirements for health care professionals, requiring training in cultural competencies to address medical disparities based on race, ethnicity and gender.
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| IL |
20 IL CS 2310/2310-210 creates the Advisory Panel on Minority Health including a focus on increasing the number of minorities in health professions.
110 IL CS 978/5 creates the Podiatric Scholarship and Residency Act, with preference in scholarships given to minority students.
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| LA |
La. ACT 19 (2008 HB 1) state budget act includes line item for Minority Health Access and Planning. The bill also has an objective of maintaining minority enrollment at the LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, which was achieved as enrollment stayed level.
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| ME |
20-A Me. Rev. Stat. § 12857 requires that each health education center must have a governing board that includes a balance of health care providers or health profession educators and individuals who reflect the ethnic, cultural and geographical characteristics of the center's service area.
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| MD |
Md. Health Code § 20-902 and 20-903 authorizes certain institutions of higher education to offer courses in the curriculum or special seminars that address the identification and elimination of health disparities among minority populations. Hospitals with a continuing education program are also authorized to offer and require medical staff to attend continuing education courses addressing health disparities.
Md. Chapter No. 349 (2003 HB1065) requires the Governor, when appointing members of the Health Services Cost Review Commission to fill vacancies, to make appointments, when appropriate, that would promote diversity within the Commission by race, gender, and geography.
Md. Chapter No. 453 (2003 HB883) declares the intent of the General Assembly; authorizing specified institutions of higher education in the State to include courses in the curriculum or offer special seminars on health care services disparities of specified minority populations; requiring the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, in consultation with the Maryland Healthcare Foundation, to develop and implement a plan to reduce health care disparities; etc.
Md. Health Code Ann. § 20-1004 requires the Office of Minority Health to develop a statewide plan for increasing the number of racial and ethnic minority health care professionals and to work with medical professional training programs to develop courses on cultural competency.
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| MI |
Mich. Comp. Laws § 333.2227 requires that the Department of Health develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies to increase the number of minorities in the health and social services professions.
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| MN |
Minn. Stat. § 137.42 requests that the University of Minnesota-Duluth School of Medicine apply for a federal Area Health Education Center Program grant to plan, develop and operate area health education center programs. Each program, among other things, must carry out recruitment and health career awareness programs among minority and other students in medically underserved areas of the state.
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| NJ |
N.J. Stat. § 26:2-162 requires that the Office of Minority and Multicultural Health develop a Statewide plan for increasing the number of racial and ethnic minority health care professionals which includes recommendations for the financing mechanisms and recruitment strategies necessary to carry out the plan.
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| NM |
2008 N.M. SB 165 allocates funding for encouraging and retaining underrepresented students in health care professions and a pipeline program in health careers at Sante Fe Indian School.
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| OR |
Ore. Stat. § 676.400 requires health profession regulatory boards to keep statistics on the diversity of the workforce and to promote education and recruitment of underrepresented groups into the profession.
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| PA |
Penn. Laws 22A (2007 HB2328) allocates funding to educate health professionals with an emphasis on recruitment and training of minorities. |
| SC |
S.C. Acts 117 (2007 HB 3620) is an appropriations bill that funds a program promoting diversity within the administrative services workforce as well as a study of and response to health disparities among the minority populations in the state. |
| TN |
Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-1-1601 to 1603 (1998) establishes the Area Health Education Center Programs of Tennessee to use educational interventions through community academic partnerships to improve primary care in underserved areas. Among other things, the programs will recruit minority and underprivileged individuals into health care professions. |
| TX |
Tex. Educ. Code § 51.711, 714, 715 creates the Medical and Health Care Professions Recruitment Fund, which provides funding to increase recruitment of minority students for programs of health care professions.
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| WA |
Wash. Rev. Code § 43.70.695 requires a survey of the supply and demographics of the health workforce. |
| WI |
Wis. Stat. § 250.20 requires the department of health to encourage economically disadvantaged minority group members who are students to enter career health care professions, by developing materials that are culturally sensitive and appropriate and that promote health care professions as careers, for use by the University of Wisconsin System, the technical college system and the Medical College of Wisconsin in recruiting the students.
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Disease Burden and Risk Factor Management
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State
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Description
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| AL |
Act No. 71 (2007 AL S.J.R. 12) Urges the Alabama Legislative Black Caucus and the Legislature of Alabama to recognize Alzheimer's as a chronic debilitating disease and its disproportionate impact on African-American citizens.
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AR
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Ark. Stat. Ann. § 19-12-114 requires the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences to establish the Targeted State Needs Programs which includes the Minority Health Initiative administered by the Minority Health Commission. This initiative will raise awareness and provide screening for hypertension to minority groups in Arkansas.
Ark. Public Act 865 (2003 HB2215) requires that one member of the Oversight Committee on Prostate and Testicular Cancer be African-American and that the Minority Health Commission be involved in the Committee's efforts to raise awareness concerning the diagnosis and treatment of these cancers.
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CA
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Cal Chapter No. 339 (2008 SB 491) alters the composition of the Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee and requires a review of state policies related to the disease. It recognizes the need to serve non-English speakers and ethnically diverse populations.
Resolution Chapter No. 151 (2006) Establishes a Task Force on Diabetes and Obesity to study factors contributing to the high rates of diabetes and obesity in Latinos, African-Americans, Asian Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans.
Resolution Chapter No. 103 (2006) Declares that the hepatitis B virus chronic infection rate among Asian and Pacific Islander Americans reflects a health disparity. Urges the medical community, including physicians and school health personnel, to emphasize the need for completion of the 3-dose HBV vaccination series to their patients, and parents of Asian Pacific Islander Children, including those entering public school between the 1st and 6th grade, or after the 7th grade. Requires such vaccination programs target those high risk groups.
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| CO |
Chapter No. 318 (2007 HB1301) Establishes the Cervical Cancer Immunization Program to immunize female minors and women against cervical cancer; directs the Department of Public Health and Environment to investigate ways of making cervical cancer vaccine available; encourages federally qualified health centers to contract with local public health agencies to administer vaccinations to underinsured female minors; authorizes local public health agencies to administer vaccinations to underinsured female minors; establishes a related fund
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| FL |
Fl. Chapter No. 2008-223 (2008 SB 2630) regarding the organ and tissue donor registry and includes recognition of a need to reach out to minority populations to increase donor registrations.
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| HI |
Act No. 199 (2005 HB3259) Increases the State's ability to address the dental- health crisis it faces regarding QUEST-eligible adults and children, people with developmental disabilities, and the uninsured by appropriating funds for the department of health to contract with federally qualified health centers to help the greatest number of individuals who need dental care; establishes community-based dental health clinics that are operated by federally qualified health centers or other community-based organizations.
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IL
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Ill. Public Act 95-0900 (2007 SB 2012) amends the Department of Public Health power and duties, creating the Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion task force. Particular emphasis is placed on addressing health disparities and targeting high-risk populations, especially in communities where racial, ethnic and socioeconomic factors contribute to higher incidence of chronic disease.
Ill. Public Act 93-0787 (2003 HB686) amends the Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Clinical Research Act; defines minority group by certain racial, ethnic and cultural categories; includes American Indian and Alaska Natives; requires a grantee, in conducting or supporting a project of clinical research, to comply with the National Institutes of Health Guidelines on the Inclusion of Women and Minorities as subjects in clinical research.
Ill. Public Act 93-0514 (2003 HB274) creates the Inclusion of Women and Minorities in Clinical Research Act that requires clinical research grantees receiving state funds must ensure that women and minorities be included as subjects in the research projects.
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| IN |
Ind. Enrolled Act No. 336 (2008 SB 336) adjusts the membership of the Stroke Prevention Task Force, which includes one seat for a representative of the Indiana Minority Health Coalition.
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| KY |
Ky. Act 71 (2008 HB 44) provides guidelines for health data collection. Included are requirements for evaluating the status of women's health including data on ethnicity and reporting on the special health needs of the minority population in odd-numbered years, identifying the diseases that affect this population disproportionately and provide recommendations to address this disparity.
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MD
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Md. Health Code Ann. § 18-801 requires the office of oral health to establish an African-American oral cancer initiative to promote screening, early diagnosis, and treatment of oral cancer in African-American men.
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| SC |
S.C. Acts 256 (2007 HB 3957) details membership of the Board of the Diabetes Initiative to include the head of the Office of Minority of Health.
S.C. Acts 310 (2007 HB 4800) is an appropriations bill that funds a study of and response to health disparities in minority populations in line with Health People 2010.
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TN
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Tenn. Code § 68-1-1701 creates the Memphis/Shelby county "Strike Out Stroke" pilot project to build the capacity of health care providers to control hypertension and treat cardiovascular disease through increased professional education. The pilot will also work to provide the appropriate standards for equipment, screening and measurement of blood pressure and to raise awareness of the general public, and specifically the minority community, about the importance of controlling high blood pressure. The program is to be a three-year pilot project and the project cost is not to exceed $100,000.
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