November 14, 2005 — Recently, the Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) received two distinguished grants that will benefit the public health of Mississippi.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation has selected the Mississippi Department of Health's Chief Science Officer Dr. Peggy Honoré to lead a public health systems research and financing project along with other national partners. The study is funded by a $235,000 grant from the foundation.

"The nineteen-month project will help advance evidence-based decision making in public health practice and allow MDH to host a national conference on public health systems research," said Dr. Honoré.

The grant will allow Mississippi health officials to work with Emory University in Atlanta, the United States Senate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Governor's Association on this project. Also, Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Brian Amy and Dr. Honoré will serve as guest editors of the January 2007 issue of the Journal of Public Health Management and Practice.

Also, the Mississippi Department of Health will be developing the state's first health disparity elimination plan, thanks to an $811,000 grant awarded to the agency. The grant is for $175,000 the first year, then $159,000 for the next four years.

MDH's Medical Director for Health Disparity Elimination Dr. Lovetta Brown will lead the effort, known as the "Magnolia Model." The project will address the elimination of factors such as geography, ethnicity, gender, and age which contribute to health disparities in the state's leading causes of death. It will also include a cultural competency component to help ensure equal and effective public health in Mississippi.

"It is an honor for the agency to receive these grants on systems research and health disparity elimination," said Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Brian Amy.

For more information on the Mississippi Department of Health, call toll-free 24/7 at 1-866-HLTHY 4U (1-866-458-4948) or visit online at www.HealthyMS.com.

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Press Contact: Liz Sharlot or Kelly Shannon, (601) 576-7667