Rep. Levin & HHS Secretary Becerra Announce New Funding to Address Health Disparities Affecting Latino Families
$333,000 Grant Will Support Bridges2Health Partnership Led by the National Latino Research Center
Vista, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) was joined by U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra to mark Hispanic Heritage Month and announced $333,000 in new funding for health equity research to address disparities in Latino health outcomes and access to medical care. This funding will support research through the Community Health advocate “Bridges2Health” program, a partnership between the National Latino Research Center (NLRC) at California State University San Marcos, Vista Community Clinic, and the Vista Unified School District to help improve access to health resources for Latino families.
Latino families in the United States are twice as likely as their White peers to live in poverty and have the highest uninsured rates of any racial or ethnic group in the country. This new partnership will help Latinos in Vista apply for health insurance coverage and access health services to improve quality of life and outcomes.
“The COVID-19 pandemic made clear we have systemic inequalities in our health care system that worsen the health outcomes for Latinos and communities of color across the United States,” said Rep. Levin. “We need dedicated health partnerships that meet the needs of Latinos and help them access quality, affordable health care. That’s why this funding is so crucial. The Bridges2Health program will improve health conditions and break down barriers that lead to health disparities in Latino communities. I thank Secretary Becerra for elevating the health needs of communities of color, particularly Latinos, across the country, and for visiting our district to announce this important grant.”
“I know from experience that families with limited English proficiency have a harder time navigating health care systems," said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. "Too often, they have to miss out on preventive care entirely. At HHS, we are doing everything in our power to implement equity by design and eliminate health disparities. I want to thank Congressman Mike Levin for his commitment to this work. Together, we are connecting more people to care and building healthier futures — especially for those who have historically been left behind."
"Locating a health advocate directly in local Community Schools provides the opportunity to directly impact social determinants of health at the health care system level and ultimately contribute to the reduction of health disparities for minority communities,” said NLRC Director Konane Martinez. "The National Latino Research Center anticipates that linking vital healthcare resources, including Medicaid/MediCal application assistance, in community schools will prove to be an innovative and impactful way to reduce barriers to healthcare for local Latino families."
BACKGROUND ON THE MINORITY RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM:
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) awarded a $333,000 Minority Research Grant Program (MRPG) award to the National Latino Research Center (NLRC) at California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), a Hispanic-serving institution. The grant will help develop and evaluate “Bridges2Health,” a Community Health advocate program that will tailor and evaluate the intervention of the program within two recently designated Community Schools within the Vista Unified School District in North County San Diego. A Bridges2Health Community Health Advocate from Vista Community Clinic will provide support at the two community schools to assist ethnic/racial minority, low-income, and limited English proficient students and their families to establish a medical home, connect them with community resources to address health needs, increase enrollment and sustain engagement with Medicaid/CHIP and SNAP programs, and plan health specific events in the community.