National Institute of Mental Health Five-Year Strategic Plan for Reducing Health Disparities

摘要

The NIMH has a long history of concern and action related to health disparities and ethnic minority groups as well as other underrepresented groups (i.e. women, children, and disabled persons). In 1980, NIMH established the position of Associate Director for Special Populations and subsequently established an Office for Special Populations (OSP) to oversee NIMH activities concerning underrepresented groups, including ethnic minorities. Recently, NIMH in collaboration with consultants and public comment has developed a five-year Strategic Plan to address mental health outcome disparities through research that aims to describe, understand, and remedy the disproportionate impact on minority populations of mental disorders and behaviorally influenced physical health conditions such as HIV/AIDS. The research takes into consideration relevant contextual frameworks, including interpersonal, socio-cultural, and organizational factors.