Creighton University and four community partners have received a grant for programs to reduce health disparities in Omaha's African-American community.
The $1.4 million grant will be used to focus over the next three years on screening, healthy food and exercise, healthy education, and other programs. Dr. Sade Kosoko-Lasaki is Associate Vice President of Health Sciences at Creighton. She says the black community is about 14 percent of Omaha's population, but they have higher incidences of serious health conditions than their white counterparts.
"About 25 percent have cardiovascular disease, more than their white counterparts, and they tend to die more. Also, when we look at the incidence of stroke in African-Americans in Omaha, it's about 1.5 percent higher than their white counterparts."
Creighton and its community partners will also reach out to the faith community, and look to address cultural issues.
The Charles Drew Health Center, Omaha Housing Authority, Douglas County Health Department, and Nebraska Center for Healthy Families are the community partners with Creighton.