CHARLOTTE — Friday was the final day of the budget retreat for Mecklenburg County commissioners and it started with a discussion about health disparities and the county’s investment to reduce them.
In 2021, the commissioners committed millions in funding to tackling health disparities. On Friday, they got an update on how the health department is making sure good health is equally within reach for everyone who lives in the county.
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The county says health disparities -- particularly among low income and minority communities -- persist.
Commissioners provided $2 million to address these disparities and got two big grants, making a total of $10 million that will be spread over a few years.
The county hired a community health worker manager to coordinate access to health care, resources and other basic needs. The county provided more money to Village HeartBeat, a network of more than 60 faith-based organizations focused on chronic disease prevention.
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The county also hired two more epidemiologists to focus on maternal and child health and COVID-19 disparities.
Commissioners say this will remain a priority in the next budget.
“We have a major problem with health issues for black and brown people and that’s across this country,” said Commissioner Vilma Leake.
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