From SOPHE NATIONAL:

SOPHE encourages members to contact senators on funding the
Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Program

Washington, DC – May 3, 2022 – The Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) has long supported the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Since 1999, REACH has funded grantees across the United States to address racial and ethnic health disparities.

One of the core components of REACH is funding organizations that are representative of the communities they serve, those that can establish community buy-in and trust, and organizations effective at implementing evidence-based approaches to address racial health disparities.

REACH was targeted for elimination during the previous administration and while the program was saved, it was unfortunately underfunded. The Biden administration fully understands the necessity of this program, particularly at this critical moment in our nation’s public health history.

For fiscal year 2023, SOPHE supports funding the REACH program at $102.5 million with $27 million of that allocated for the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country program. This funding will allow for over 30 additional REACH grantees to be funded across the country, nearly doubling the program’s grantees.

SOPHE calls on its members to contact their senators to request that REACH and the Good Health and Wellness in Indian Country programs are fully funded at $102.5 million in the fiscal year 2023 budget.
Sincerely,
The SOPHE Advocacy Team
https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpao/state-local-programs/reach/index.htm