Maternal and Child Health Federal Set-Aside Program; Healthy Start Initiative, Closing the Health Gap Initiative on Infant Mortality: African American-Focused Risk Reduction

Resumen

The Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCHB), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), awarded four cooperative agreements of $562,500 each, (for a total of $2.25 million) in fiscal year (FY) 2004, to four States: Illinois, Michigan, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The grants support the creation of evidence-based interventions and strategies to lower infant mortality among African Americans. The award was made from funds appropriated under Public Law 108-199 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2004). As part of HHS's overall appropriation, monies have been designated to support the Closing the Health Gap on Infant Mortality Initiative, under HRSA Guidance HRSA-04-097. The African American Initiative, to reduce low birthweight and SDS, was developed jointly by HRSA and the Acting Assistant Secretary for Health to address health disparities in States experiencing the highest mortality rates for African Americans. Limited Competition Justification: The HRSA is providing Federal funds to lower infant mortality among African Americans in these four States based on their high rates of African American infant mortality; significant number of births to African Americans; their r