Yarmuth Announces $4.2 Million in Funding to Address COVID-19 Health Disparities in High-Risk, Underserved, and Minority Populations in Louisville

Press Release

Today, Congressman John Yarmuth (KY-3) announced a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services award in the amount of $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.

"The ongoing pandemic has exposed countless fault lines in the ways health care is administered in this nation, but chief among them is the dire need to improve health equity, provide universal access to affordable care, and address the many socioeconomic and racial disparities that make health care in America unequal and unfair," said Yarmuth. "This funding will tackle these inequalities head on here in Louisville and address their root causes. We have a tremendous opportunity before us to not only recover from this pandemic but to make the real, substantive, and necessary systemic changes that will ensure that health care is a right for all--not a privilege for some. I'll continue to help lead these efforts in Congress."

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 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.

"We are so grateful for the support of Congressman Yarmuth in helping secure this grant, which will enhance our work advancing health equity through policy and population health initiatives," said Mayor Greg Fischer. "Through our Center for Health Equity, the funds will help support a Community Advisory Board, as well as community health workers and initiatives to further foster development a 21st century public health workforce."

This CDC initiative is funded through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, legislation Yarmuth supported when it passed in Congress and was signed into law by President Biden in December of 2020.

Source