The National Institutes of Health have granted Morgan State University $20.9 million to propel its research on health disparities, focusing on chronic conditions affecting minority groups in urban areas like Baltimore. According to a report from the Morgan State University news site, the NIH’s National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) provided the funds to support the continuation of work by Morgan's Research Centers in Minority Institutions (RCMI) Center for Urban Health Disparities Research and Innovation.
The hefty sum of federal funding comes at a critical time when Morgan's RCMI has turned its lens on diseases like cancer, diabetes, HIV, and COVID-19—illnesses that take a disproportionate toll on minority populations. As reported by WMAR2 News, these funds are slated for a five-year research period where, it will not only upgrade existing laboratory technology but also focus on the career progression of junior investigators.
The grant is set to boost Morgan's biomedical research infrastructure, emphasizing enhancing core laboratories, including those focused on Molecular and Cellular Biology, Bioinformatics, and Biostatistics. "The impact will be profound and far-reaching from fostering higher caliber multidisciplinary research, initiating novel programs and driving innovation in addressing health disparities," Paul B. Tchounwou, D.Sc., the principal investigator and executive director of RCMI at Morgan, as per WMAR2 News. "This investment ensures that Morgan continues to cultivate top-tier researchers who will lead in solving some of the most pressing challenges in urban health."
Furthering its efforts to make strides in urban health issues, RCMI@Morgan will also commit to fostering community partnerships. They aim to translate research findings into practical strategies that benefit Baltimore residents and beyond. Building upon a vision to eradicate health disparities, the $20.9 million contribution secures Morgan's role as a major actor.
Since its establishment in 2019, RCMI@Morgan, initially funded by a $14.2 million grant from NIH/NIMHD, has been instrumental in improving urban health through research initiatives. These initiatives have ranged from exploring the biological underpinnings to addressing socio-economic factors of health disparities and forging research partnerships, which, in turn, have revolutionized healthcare practices in community settings.
