About REACH

To download a copy of the REACH Initiative factsheet please click here [402K–PDF].

The Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) began in 1999. REACH is an important component of CDC's efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in the United States. REACH partners use community-based, participatory approaches to identify, develop, and disseminate effective strategies for addressing health disparities across a wide range of health priority areas. Because the causes of racial and ethnic health disparities are complex and include individual, community, societal, cultural, and environmental factors, REACH communities and partners engage a variety of strategies in their work, from counseling and education to systems and environmental changes.

Which populations are served by REACH?

The racial and ethnic groups currently served by REACH include:

• African American / Black
• American Indian / Alaskan Native
• Asian
• Hispanic / Latino
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander
  

How are REACH projects funded?

REACH funding opportunities have been made available to state and local health departments, tribes, universities, and community-based organizations. Consistent with the tenets of its community-based participatory approach, REACH emphasizes the importance of developing and maintaining strong partnerships to guide and support the program's work. In addition to funding, CDC provides technical assistance to REACH grantees.