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Description of organization:
In May 2007, The Division of Minority Health and Health Disparities Elimination (DMHHDE) was created within the Tennessee Department of Health. This new Division consists of four offices: The Office of Minority Health, The Office of Health Disparity Elimination, The Office of Faith Based Initiatives and the Office of Title VI. The mission of the DMHHDE is to promote health policies, programs and services designed to improve health and quality of life by preventing and controlling the disproportionate burden of disease, injury and disability among racial and ethnic minority populations. The Division serves as the focal point in the Tennessee Department of Health for coordination, information exchange, coalition and partnership building and related efforts to address the health needs of racial and ethnic minorities. Prior to the creation of the Division, the State Partnership Grant was housed in the Office of Minority Health.

Description of project:
The Tennessee Institute for Healthy Communities facilitates the development and implementation of a Statewide Disparity Plan, development and implementation of an internship and fellowship program, a Speakers’ Bureau, a Cultural Competency database, training and referrals. The Institute facilitates viewings, community dialogues, town hall meetings, focus groups, through presentations of “Undoing Racism, Unnatural Causes, etc” throughout the state of Tennessee. The Institute provides and facilitates Social Action training schools, for specific disease trainings, such as HIV/AIDS, diabetes, cancer, violence and teen pregnancy prevention. Partners include dental societies, local and regional health jurisdictions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, March of Dimes, Legislative Black Caucus, Black Health Care Commission, Housing and Urban Development, community development coalitions, health advisory councils, school districts, the state school system, Matthew Walker Health Center and community- and faith-based organizations.