LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $4,296,855 to Louisville Metro Government to help address COVID-19 health disparities and advance health equity among high risk and underserved populations.
The funding is part of a $2.25 billion initiative by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to address health equity, the largest investment to date to support communities affected by COVID-19-related health disparities.
Data show that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected some populations and placed them at higher risk, including those who are medically underserved as well as racial and ethnic minority groups.
These groups experience a higher risk of exposure, infection, hospitalization, and mortality. Additionally, evidence shows that racial and ethnic minority groups have disproportionate rates of chronic diseases that can increase the risk of becoming severely ill from COVID-19 and may also encounter barriers to testing, treatment or vaccination.
