Dr. Anthony Woart, (pictured) author/Principal Investigator for the grant and a member of the BSC faculty, noted, “This grant provides for a comprehensive approach to addressing the health disparities experienced by minorities living in this region. It includes outreach and information dissemination, administrative, training and research components.”

The three-year grant, establishes the following goals to address health disparities of minorities, particularly African-Americans, for the EXPORT Center: 1) conducting basic and behavioral/social science research to facilitate health promotion and early detection of diseases; 2) collecting and disseminating information concerning health status of minorities; 3) collaborating with local organizations as well as community leaders in operating projects designed to reduce the burdens of health disparities among the African-American populations of West Virginia, and; 4) engaging in outreach activities focused upon improving access to health care among West Virginia’s African-American population. These goals are consistent with the goals of the Minority Health Institute.

The grant is a project of the Bluefield State College Research & Development Corporation. Dr. Shekhar Pradhan, Professor and Director/Sponsored Programs at BSC, will serve as Director of Outreach Core, working with the Principal Investigator to ensure efficient operation of the Outreach and Information Dissemination component of the Center. Dr. Pradhan, also the Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the BSC Research & Development Corporation, will assist in developing operational protocol and assessment instruments for this component of the Center.

The grant provides for a partnership between BSC and Marshall University. “There is strong institutional and community backing for the project,” Dr. Woart stated. “We are grateful for this very significant expression of support from the National Institute of Health.”

September 29, 2004