Georgia Health Department Launches $1.2M Breast Cancer Initiative Targeting Low-Income, Minority Women
The Georgia Department of Community Health has launched a $1.2 million initiative that will give grants to community groups that offer breast cancer education, screening and treatment to low-income and minority women, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
The initiative will provide grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 for screening projects and up to $300,000 for treatment programs. According to the department, groups applying for grants must demonstrate "strong, comprehensive partnerships with various health care providers to provide breast cancer services to underserved populations." The department will accept applications for the grants through July 21.
Breast cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer-related deaths among white, black, Asian-American/Pacific Islander and American Indian women, health department Commissioner Rhonda Medows said. Medows added that although breast cancer-related deaths have decreased recently among both white and black women, "African-Americans continue to suffer the greatest burden of [breast cancer], to be diagnosed later and are more likely to die from breast cancer."
More than 1,000 women annually die of breast cancer in the state, according to James Peoples, executive director of the health department's Office of Health Improvement. The department is "empowering community-based organizations to make a significant contribution to the reduction in breast cancer disparities," Peoples said.
The grants for screenings "will stimulate organizations to educate those who need to be informed. Even $1.2 million will be far-reaching," he added.
Separately, the department also announced plans to unveil the Georgia Health Equity program, which will provide $75,000 to $100,000 to community-based groups that seek to reduce racial health disparities (Hendrick, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 6/10).