CMS awards two minority research grants to address disparities in the Hispanic community

January 16, 2019

For over two decades, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has funded health equity research through the Minority Research Grant Program (MRGP). The program was founded in response to Executive Orders which endorse the promotion of excellence and innovation at Minority-Serving Institutions. The program reflects CMS’ support of Minority-Serving Institutions to address disparities impacting minority populations.

CMS recently awarded two grants to investigators at Hispanic Serving Institutions:

University of Puerto Rico received funding to test interventions to reduce prenatal stress for women in Puerto Rico in the wake of 2017 Hurricane Maria. Researchers there will explore mechanisms of decreasing pre-term births through evaluating the mental health impacts of receiving prenatal care.

University of Houston received funding to address diabetes, hypertension and obesity rates in Hispanic adults through a study using Spanish-language photo comics, or fotonovelas. Researchers there will create an electronic fotonovela that will support post-hospitalization symptom management for Hispanic populations.

Both grantees will evaluate critical public health issues through rigorous analysis and community engagement. This adds to the body of research that helps improve our understanding of disparities and their causes and informs the development of solutions to address them.   

Learn more about the Minority Research Grant Program by visiting the following site:

go.cms.gov/minorityresearch.