(1) The Office of Minority Health and Health Equity established under s. 20.43(9) shall develop and promote the statewide implementation of policies, programs, and practices that increase health equity in this state, including, but not limited to, increased access to and quality of health care services for racial and ethnic minority populations. One representative from each county health department shall serve as a minority health liaison to assist the office in implementing this section. The office shall use all available resources and pursue opportunities for increased funding to achieve the purpose of this section.
(2) The office shall coordinate with agencies, organizations, and providers across this state to do all of the following:
(a) Gather and analyze data regarding disparities in health status, health outcomes, quality of health care, and access to health care services for racial and ethnic minority populations in this state.
(b) Develop mechanisms that support better information dissemination and education about health disparities which lead to improved access to and delivery of health care services to racial and ethnic minority populations in this state.
(c) Support minority health liaisons by facilitating access to and the exchange of information related to health promotion, preventive health services, and education in the appropriate use of care.
(d) Develop and promote synergistic initiatives between programs, including, but not limited to, programs related to maternal and child health and human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome, to mitigate health disparities for racial and ethnic minority populations in this state.
(e) Promote evaluations of demonstration projects and disseminate the evaluation findings to enhance the success and sustainability of policies, programs, and practices that increase health equity in this state.
(f) Promote the use of community health workers to improve the cultural competency of services and build individual and community self-sufficiency.
(g) Promote the development of programs that improve access to health care services for individuals with limited proficiency in the English language, including individuals with disabilities.
(3) The Department of Health shall maintain all of the following on its website, updated at least annually:
(a) Current data on health disparities and issues affecting racial and ethnic minority populations in this state.
(b) Information about and links to resources available to racial and ethnic minority populations in this state.
(c) Resources for providers who wish to improve cultural competency, understand health disparities, and increase the quality of and access to health care services for racial and ethnic minority populations in this state. These resources must include, but need not be limited to, minority health literature, research, and referrals; capacity-building and technical assistance services; and training materials for implementing nationally recognized evidence-based practices for culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services.
(d) Contact information for local minority health liaisons.
(4) The office shall serve as a liaison to and assist the federal Offices of Minority Health and Regional Health Operations, as appropriate.
(5) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.
History.—s. 1, ch. 2021-117.