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Delta Regional Institute (DRI)
University of Mississippi Medical Center
2500 North State Street Jackson, MS 39216-4505
(601) 815-9000 (Phone)
(601) 815-9025 (Fax)

The Delta Regional Institute (DRI) will be the lead institution for this project, and it will operate out of the University of Mississippi Medical Center. DRI serves as a hub of multi-state activity, services, and information on health disparities and the impact on racial, ethnic, and rural communities within the Delta Region States.

The Institute for the Improvement of Minority Health and Health Disparities in the Delta Region
$5,300,000
Dr. Warren Jones
(601) 815-3305
wjones@ovc.umsmed.edu

Abstract

The purpose of the project is to create programmatic interventions and effectiveness research, generate human and scientific capital, Health Information Technology and Health Information Exchange infrastructure and TRIP products for rural, disadvantaged and minority populations in Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. Conditions targeted include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity and overweight, infant mortality and low birth weight, HIV/AIDS, mental health, cancer, kidney disease, STD prevention, and oral health. The Delta Region States rank at or near the bottom of most healthcare measures, and within the three Delta Region States, discrepancies exist by race, ethnicity and rurality. The targeted population includes racial and ethnic minority and rural populations. DRI plans to focus on the following core areas:

• Health disparities research
• Healthcare services
• Health education and disease intervention
• Health professional training
• Health information technology.

• Increase awareness of healthcare issues impacting the target population
• Increase access to care for these populations
• Increase the number of providers serving the target population in the Delta region
• Increase the number of researchers focused on disparities
• Improve health outcomes for the target population.

• Focus groups/community engagement sessions
• A survey instrument to be administered by staff
• Program records.

OMH objective(s) toward which the project's results most contribute:

• Increased awareness, education, & outreach to address racial/ethnic minority health & health disparities problems
• Improved access to, and appropriate utilization of, health & other community-based services and systems through user-centered design for racial/ethnic minorities (e.g., health IT, culturally/ linguistically appropriate services, service provider education/ training, workforce diversity)
• Strengthened leadership and coordination to leverage resources and enhance effectiveness and efficiency of individual and collective efforts (including, but not limited to, research and data)