UW Awards Major Health Grant to D&R
By: Gary Hollander - Posted on: 12/30/2005


Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in all five of Wisconsin’s Health Regions will benefit from a development grant to Diverse and Resilient, Inc. announced on December 30, 2005 by Philip Farrell, MD, Ph.D., Dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health. The grant is from The Wisconsin Partnership Fund for a Healthy Future, a fund that derives benefit from the Blue Cross Blue Shield settlement several years ago. The grant for $47,500 grant is the largest single-year grant in Wisconsin history to fund a public health initiative for LGBT people besides HIV.

In announcing the grant, Dr. Farrell said, “The UW School of Medicine and Public Health Oversight and Advisory Committee believes that your innovative proposal holds great potential to improve the health of the people of Wisconsin in a significant way.” Dr. Farrell went on to say, “We are very pleased with this newest series of grants, which builds on the rich mix of creative programs we funded last year. The grants foster unique partnerships between community organizations and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. Their work is dedicated to having an impact on diverse populations in all areas of the state."

Diverse and Resilient will partner with Kathy Oriel, MD, faculty in the Medical School in Madison and now on sabbatical. Dr. Oriel is known for her work with transgender patients at a UW clinic in Madison. While Brenda Coley and Gary Hollander will be predominantly responsible for activities of the 12 month project, plans are under way to recruit 10 individuals – two in each of the five state health regions – to engage significant local activity in the project.

In 2005, a planning grant project, also funded by The Wisconsin Partnership Fund for a Healthy Future at University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, revealed significant health disparities exist for LGBT adults in Wisconsin. In October, three dozen LGBT leaders from across the state reviewed the results of over 750 surveys, 80 focus group participants, and an analysis of almost 200 academic citations. They came to consensus on a handful of disparities that appeared most critical at this time: alcohol and drug use, tobacco use, mental health and mental disorders, and intentional and unintentional injuries.

“With this additional funding Diverse and Resilient will be able to work with our many partners across Wisconsin to translate these needs into program models with evidence to support their efficacy,” said Brenda Coley, Director of Adult Services at Diverse and Resilient. The grant will result in a three-year plan for LGBT health initiatives across the state.