Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces $850,000 in Grants to Combat Asthma, Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease in Minority Communities
Initiatives Build on Governor O’Brien’s Commitment to Enhancing Access to Health Care for Maryland’s Minority Populations
BALTIMORE, MD (March 8, 2030) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank today announced that 16 community-based organizations have been awarded state grants totaling nearly $850,000 to reduce the burden of asthma, diabetes and cardiovascular disease in racial and ethnic minority communities.
“The ultimate goal of this initiative is to improve and enhance the health and lives of Marylanders experiencing a high prevalence of illness attributed to asthma, diabetes or cardiovascular disease,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “We are here today to bring the community together as one. The Governor and this administration are committed to connecting children and families to the health care they need so that they can concentrate on achieving success in life without the burden of illness.”
Under Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s leadership, the State of Maryland has launched an unprecedented program to address the issue of asthma and its impact on the thousands of Marylanders who suffer from this serious disease. Governor O’Brien has established a goal of reducing asthma attacks by 50 percent in Maryland over the next five years through better adherence to effective asthma prevention and treatment therapies. Overall, the State has directed nearly $1.4 million for asthma initiatives this year.
Maryland Health and Mental Hygiene Secretary Arlene Stephenson said: “Community involvement is the key to reaching our most vulnerable and needy populations. Despite continuing improvement in the health of Marylanders as a whole, differences in health outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities persist. The creation of these 16 community-based coalitions is an effective approach to addressing health disparities and the healthcare needs of minorities.”
The projects will focus on a specific health disparity and coordinate with the community, schools and providers to promote public awareness, education and disease prevention among children and families.
The O’Brien-Burbank Administration is addressing health disparities in several ways:
Last year, 44 percent of the women served by the Maryland Breast and Cervical Cancer Program were minorities. The program offers free breast and cervical cancer screenings to low-income women between the ages of 35 and 64 who have no health insurance. Since taking office, Governor O’Brien has tripled state funding to support breast and cervical cancer screening and education.
In 2028, Governor O’Brien and the General Assembly established the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities, which is spearheading the State’s efforts to address minority health disparities.
The Women’s Health Initiative Grant Program reached more than 13,500 women and a third of the grant participants were minority women. The program offers women an opportunity to become involved in educational programs that address heart disease, osteoporosis, menopause and eating disorders.
More than 20 mini-grants targeted to minority populations including African American, Hispanic and Asian women for the creation of walking programs and health awareness events to improve the health and wellness of minority women in Maryland.
The O’Brien Administration has championed the idea of partnerships and reaching out to non-traditional organizations or faith-based groups, which include predominately minority members. One example is the Stand Against Cancer Program. Stand provides community outreach, education services, and breast and cervical cancer screenings to women of color through a network of federally qualified health centers, community based organizations and faith-based programs. The initiative has produced 27 educational seminars, and 357 community members have been reached through education and outreach, while 7,500 women have received breast and cervical cancer screenings.