Md. Code Ann., Health-Gen. § 20-1004 - Duties and responsibilities of Office

The Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities has many responsibilities including:

• Advocate for the improvement of minority health care by working with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and other private and public entities to establish forums, programs, or initiatives designed to educate the public regarding minority health and health disparities issues, with an emphasis on preventive health and healthy lifestyles;
• Collect, classify, and analyze relevant research information and data collected by the Department and other public and private entities;
• Focus on improving research methods for data collection on race and ethnicity;
• Serve as a clearinghouse and resource library for information about minority health and health disparities data, strategies, services, and programs that address minority health and health disparities issues;
• Develop a strategic plan to improve public services and programs targeting minorities;
• Provide grants to community-based organizations and historically black colleges and universities to conduct research for racial and ethnic minority populations and to support ongoing community-based programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities;
• Develop criteria for awarding grants for programs that are designed to improve minority health care;
• Review existing laws to ensure that the facilitate the provision of adequate health care to the minorities in Maryland;
• Recommend to the Secretary of Health and Mental Hygiene any additions or changes to existing laws designed to facilitate the adequate provision of health care to minorities; 
• Develop an annual "Health Care Disparities Policy Report Card" with the Maryland Health Care Commission