New NC Health Disparities Fellowship Launched

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Published September 16, 2008, last updated on June 3, 2020 under Education News

The NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund (HWTF) announced on September 16 the creation of a new fellowship program to focus on health disparities in North Carolina. HWTF is partnering with the Duke Global Health Institute (DGHI) to manage the project. 

The fellowship aims to engage talented public health or social work professionals in ongoing efforts to address health disparities in North Carolina. The project is funded and directed by the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund as part of their statewide health disparities initiative.

“North Carolina communities face many health disparities, and people are working every day to address these challenges,” said Dennis Clements, MD, DGHI Member and faculty director of the fellowship program. “This fellowship will provide community health professionals with the critical evaluation, planning, and management skills necessary to develop programs that truly make a difference.”

Statistics show that, for example, African-American residents of the state are twice as likely as white residents to die from diabetes, kidney disease, HIV, or homicide [see chart]. Similarly, American Indians and Latinos are disproportionately affected by certain health problems. 

 

Data from North Carolina Minority Health Facts: 2005 (available at http://www.caretoactnc.com/uploads/AAFacts.pdf)

The NC Health Disparities Fellowship program is directed toward mid-level to senior-level health professionals and aims to increase their knowledge of health disparities in North Carolina. The two-year program will include three weeks of course instruction led by faculty at Duke University and North Carolina Central University during the first year. Through these courses, fellows will learn more about the major health disparities in North Carolina, approaches to project design and evaluation, applied research methods related to the delivery of priority health programs, and data management, collection and analysis.  Fellows will also assist with the development of a community-based project in the second year that can be incorporated into their daily work.

The deadline for applying is October 31, 2008. For more information and for application materials, visit www.caretoactnc.com .