The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded Wyoming $38.3 million to address health disparities in the state’s pandemic response.
A sign directs traffic to a drive-thru clinic in Arapahoe in April 2020. Wyoming has received more than $38.3 million from the CDC to help address health disparities related to COVID-19.
Wyoming’s grant is part of a larger $2.25 billion CDC program to bridge the gap for “underserved” communities by putting resources specifically toward high-risk populations, particularly where a geographic or racial health disparity exists.
“Data show that COVID-19 has disproportionately affected some populations and placed them at higher risk, including those who are medically underserved, racial and ethnic minority groups, and people living in rural communities. These groups may experience higher risk of exposure, infection, hospitalization, and mortality,” a CDC statement on the grant reads.
Indeed, COVID-19 did not touch all Wyomingites equally. American Indians make up less than 3% of the state’s population but make up more than 7% of the state’s 725 virus deaths.
In addition to racial disparities, the CDC has required grantees to dedicate a specific dollar amount to serve rural communities. Nearly 60% of Wyoming’s award is dedicated to that purpose, according to the CDC.
The state has not finalized exactly how the money will be spent, Wyoming Department of Health spokesperson Kim Deti said. But the department is required to submit a “work plan” for the two-year grant to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that includes those details.
