Texas Insider Report: WASHINGTON D.C. (DALLAS TX) Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson Chair of the House Committee on Science Space and Technologytoday announced that Parkland Health & Hospital System has been awarded a research grant to continue local programs aimed at improving the health of mothers and children before during and after pregnancy. The funding totaling $950000 is allocated to reduce the discrepancies in racial and ethnic rates of infant death and adverse perinatal outcomes.
Throughout my time in Washington I have devoted much of my efforts to expanding access and coverage of healthcare as well as confronting disparities in our communities health outcomes. I am proud that this funding will address such an important mission" said Congresswoman Johnson. As a clinically-trained psychiatric nurse and former chief psychiatric nurse of the Dallas VA Medical Center I have made it a priority to fund programs that offer considerable benefit to our communities and programs that benefit our children and mothers may be the most noble endeavors we can support. It is an honor to congratulate the staff at the Dallas County Hospital District for receiving this award and for the achievements we anticipate they will make to enhance the lives of mothers and children everywhere."
Currently African Americans have an infant mortality rate nearly three times higher than Caucasians. By using a community-based approach to service delivery Parkland will implement targeted strategies that focus on reducing the stark disparities that adversely affect African-American women at higher rates than others.
This grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Health Resources & Services Administration. Parkland known also as the Dallas County Hospital District serves many residents of District 30. The hospital was awarded this funding through a highly competitive process that factors in ingenuity innovation and dedication to research.
