Sec. 2227.

The department shall do all of the following:

(a) Develop and implement a structure to address racial and ethnic health disparities in this state.

(b) Monitor minority health progress.

(c) Establish minority health policy.

(d) Develop and implement an effective statewide strategic plan for the reduction of racial and ethnic health disparities.

(e) Utilize federal, state, and private resources, as available and within the limits of appropriations, to fund minority health programs, research, and other initiatives.

(f) Provide the following through interdepartmental coordination:

(i) Data and technical assistance to minority health coalitions and any other local entities addressing the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities.

(ii) Measurable objectives to minority health coalitions and any other local health entities for the development of interventions that address the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities.

(g) Establish a web page on the department's website, in coordination with the state health disparities reduction and minority health section, that provides information or links to all of the following:

(i) Research within minority populations.

(ii) A resource directory that can be distributed to local organizations interested in minority health.

(iii) Racial and ethnic specific data including, but not limited to, morbidity and mortality.

(h) Develop and implement recruitment and retention strategies to increase the number of minorities in the health and social services professions.

(i) Develop and implement awareness strategies targeted at health and social service providers in an effort to eliminate the occurrence of racial and ethnic health disparities.

(j) Identify and assist in the implementation of culturally and linguistically appropriate health promotion and disease prevention programs that would emphasize prevention and incorporate an accessible, affordable, and acceptable early detection and intervention component.

(k) Promote the development and networking of minority health coalitions.

(l) Appoint a department liaison to provide the following services to local minority health coalitions:

(i) Assist in the development of local prevention and intervention plans.

(ii) Relay the concerns of local minority health coalitions to the department.

(iii) Assist in coordinating minority input on state health policies and programs.

(iv) Serve as the link between the department and local efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities.

(m) Provide funding, within the limits of appropriations, to support evidence-based preventative health, education, and treatment programs that include outcome measures and evaluation plans in minority communities.

(n) Provide technical assistance to local communities to obtain funding for the development and implementation of a health care delivery system to meet the needs, gaps, and barriers identified in the statewide strategic plan for eliminating racial and ethnic health disparities.

(o) One year after the effective date of this section and each year thereafter, submit a written report on the status, impact, and effectiveness of the amendatory act that added this section to the standing committees in the senate and house of representatives with jurisdiction over issues pertaining to public health, the senate and house of representatives appropriations subcommittees on community health, and the senate and house fiscal agencies.

History: Add. 2006, Act 653, Imd. Eff. Jan. 9, 2007 Compiler's Notes: Act 368