Oakland, California, Dec. 12, 2022— Asian Health Services today announced it is among the awardees across the United States that received a grant from Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity, which mobilizes financial resources for organizations focused on non-clinical interventions that affect a person’s health. Commonly known as the social determinants of health, these factors include an individual’s physical, social, cultural, and economic environment. 

The grants, which will be disbursed over two years, were awarded with support from the AbbVie Foundation, which seeded the Fund for Health Equity with a $10 million donation as part of its commitment to support underserved communities across the United States.     

Asian Health Services received $380,000 from the Fund for Health Equity to expand our Smart Hypertensive Improvement Project (SHIP), as well as to increase remote patient monitoring (RPM) for those with the highest risk of congestive heart failure.

“We are pleased to bolster the indispensable work of Asian Health Services and other grassroots organizations striving to reduce disparities and increase equity in vulnerable populations across the United States,” said Dr. Byron Scott, MD, MBA, Co-Chair of the Fund for Health Equity and Board Director of Direct Relief and Chair of its Medical Advisory Council. “It is a privilege to promote and support these organizations that are deeply connected to the communities they serve, know best what their patients and communities need, and the most effective means of providing it.” 

The latest round of funding, which totals $1.6 million, also went to the following organizations for their efforts to enhance workforce diversification, reduce health disparities, and expand innovative models of care: 

• Neighborhood Outreach Access to Health – Arizona 

• North Country Healthcare, Inc. – Arizona 

• Asian Health Services – California 

• To Help Everyone Health and Wellness Centers – California 

• Esperanza Health – Illinois 

• Minnesota Community Life – Minnesota 

• Urban Health Plan – New York 

• North by Northeast Community Health Center – Oregon 

• Triangle Area Network – Texas 

• Seattle Indian Health Board – Washington