Objectives

An objective of CEMHD is to launch a statewide coalition to develop the capacity to address the healthcare disparities challenges in small cities in New York.

Through the PARTNERSHIP of

• Community Groups,
• Healthcare Providers,
• County & State Health Departments,
• and University at Albany and other area higher education institutions.

CEMHD will DETERMINE

• Community Needs,
• Goals,
• and Resources

and thereby IMPLEMENT specific solutions for minority communities in small cities.

Addressing the Problem

Achieving this objective will involve several COMPONENTS:

• Research,
• Mentorship and Training,
• Outreach and Dissemination,
• and Education and Training

...as well as ACTION:

• Investigation of policies that impair and/or reduce health disparities,
• Training of young researchers for health disparities work,
• Improvement of lines of communication for minority communities,
• and Strengthening the cultural competence of health providers.

The GOALS of this action are to:

1. Improve access, utilization, and health in minority communities,
2. Distribute information on healthcare to minority communities,
3. and Begin specific community projects to reduce barriers and eliminate health disparities.
   

Participating Communities

Currently participating communities are in Albany and Amsterdam, New York. These populations were chosen because of their rich history of working with the University at Albany, the minority composition of each community, and the willingness of the communities to partner with UAlbany in this unique enterprise. As the Center develops, it will expand to include other cities north of New York City. Within each community, the Center will seek to engage local community groups, hospitals, and county departments of health as partners, while fostering a statewide partnership with the New York State Department of Health.

In the future our focus will expand to minority populations in

• Binghamton,
• Poughkeepsie/Newburgh,
• Rochester,
• Schenectady/Troy,
• and Syracuse

Community Partners

Amsterdam

• Amsterdam Resource Center for Independent Living
• Centro Civico of Amsterdam, Inc.
• Council of Latino Service Providers (CLASP)

Albany

• Capital District African-American Coalition on AIDS
• Centro Civico Hispanoamericano
• The College of Saint Rose
• Healthy Capital District Initiative
• Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Center

Supporters

• Capital Area School Development Association, Albany
• Concilio de Pastores Latinos, Amsterdam
• Empire State College
• Hudson Valley Community College
• Latino Awareness Within Society (LAWS), Amsterdam
• Montgomery County Community Services
• New York State Department of Health
• St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam
• United Way of Northeastern New York, Inc.