Leader Russo Announces $100K in Grant Funding from the Ohio Commission on Minority Health for Diabetes Prevention in Black Men

COLUMBUS - House Minority Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) today has announced that the Ohio Commission on Minority Health has approved $100K in grant funding for The Ohio State University’s Black Impact pilot study.

“We have an obligation to support the healthcare needs of all citizens and eliminate costly health disparities among Ohioans,” said Leader Russo. “As of 2021, Black Ohioans face a diabetes mortality rate that is 77 percent higher than whites. These mortality rates can be lowered through improved access to treatment, early intervention, and comprehensive education developed through this grant.”

Prediabetes impacts 39 percent of Black Americans with higher rates in men compared to women. This precondition contributes to higher rates of cardiovascular disease and other complications that contribute significantly to Black men having the shortest life-expectancy of any non-indigenous race. The Black Impact study aims to address the medical and health-related social needs of Black men to compose and coordinate sustainable intervention solutions that advance diabetes prevention in Black men.