[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 134 (Wednesday, July 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 43021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-17528]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary


Office of Minority Health; Notice of a Cooperative Agreement With 
the National Medical Association

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Office of Minority Health.

ACTION: Notice of a cooperative agreement with the National Medical 
Association.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Office of Minority Health (OMH), Office of Public Health and 
Science, announces its intent to continue support of the umbrella 
cooperative agreement with the National Medical Association (NMA). This 
cooperative agreement will continue the broad programmatic framework in 
which specific projects can be supported by various governmental 
agencies during the project period.
    The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to (1) increase the 
association's support for and assistance in increasing the proportion 
of practicing minority health professionals within the U.S.; and (2) 
assist the association in expanding and enhancing its health 
prevention, promotion, and health services research opportunities, with 
the ultimate goal of improving the health status of minorities and 
disadvantaged people.
    The OMH will provide technical assistance and oversight as 
necessary for the implementation, conduct, and assessment of the 
project activities. On an as-needed basis, OMH will assist in arranging 
consultation from other government and non-government agencies.

Authority

    This cooperative agreement is authorized under Section 1707(e)(1) 
of the Public Health Service Act, as amended.

Background

     Assistance will continue to be provided to NMA. During the last 5 
years, NMA has successfully demonstrated the ability to work with 
health agencies on activities relevant to practicing minority health 
professionals and to the improvement of the health status of minorities 
and disadvantaged people. The NMA is uniquely qualified to continue to 
accomplish the purposes of this cooperative agreement because it has 
the following combination of factors:
     It has developed and expanded an infrastructure to 
coordinate and implement medical education programs within local 
communities and physician groups that deal extensively with African 
American health issues. The association has also established regional, 
state, and local divisions which provide a foundation upon which to 
develop, promote, and conduct professional medical programs for 
preventing and reducing unnecessary morbidity and mortality among 
African Americans, as well as other minority populations.
     It has established itself and its members as an 
association with professionals who serve as leaders and experts in 
public health campaigns aimed at improving health status of minority 
populations.
     It has developed an extensive knowledge-base of essential 
disease prevention, health promotion, and research evaluation 
strategies that are necessary for any health intervention dealing with 
these minority populations, with particular focus on African Americans.
     It has assessed the current education, research, disease 
prevention, and health promotion activities for its members, affiliated 
groups, and represented subpopulations.
     It has developed a national association whose members are 
all predominately minority health professionals and providers.
     It has developed a knowledge-base of critical knowledge, 
skills, and abilities related to instruction, training, and preparation 
of medical and health professionals. Through the collective efforts of 
its members, the association's committees, sponsored research, and 
sponsored health education and prevention programs, the NMA has 
demonstrated (1) the ability to work with academic institutions and 
health agencies on mutual education, service, and research endeavors 
relating to the goal of preventing disease and promoting health of 
minorities and disadvantaged people; (2) the leadership necessary to 
attract minority health professionals into public health careers; and 
(3) the leadership needed to effectively promote health professional 
careers as an option to minorities and disadvantaged people who would 
otherwise not consider such a career path.
    This cooperative agreement will be continued for an additional 
five-year project period with 12-month budget periods. Depending upon 
the types of projects and availability of funds, it is anticipated that 
this cooperative agreement will receive approximately $100,000 per 
year. Continuation awards within the project period will be made on the 
basis of satisfactory progress and the availability of funds.

Where To Obtain Additional Information

    If you are interested in obtaining additional information regarding 
this cooperative agreement, contact Ms. Cynthia Amis, Office of 
Minority Health, 5515 Security Lane, Suite 1000, Rockville, Maryland 
20852 or telephone (301) 594-0769.

OMB Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

    The Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance Number for this 
cooperative agreement is 93.004.

    Dated: June 22, 2000.
Nathan Stinson, Jr.,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health.
[FR Doc. 00-17528 Filed 7-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160-17-P