WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressmen Dutch Ruppersberger, John Sarbanes and Kweisi Mfume (all D-Md.) today announced $654,592 in federal funding for Johns Hopkins University (JHU) to research COVID-19 testing and health disparities among women suffering from substance use disorders.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a harsh light on the racial and ethnic disparities that plague our communities and institutions. These disparities are especially pervasive in our health care system, and impact everything from COVID-19 testing to access to treatments,” the lawmakers said. “This new federal funding, secured by our delegation, will help Johns Hopkins University explore and break down these social barriers, stigmas, and other obstacles to treatment that impact those suffering from substance use disorders. As we continue to fight COVID-19, we remain committed to helping our state deliver equitable and affordable health care to every Marylander.”

This award comes from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) RADx Underserved Populations initiative, which examines COVID-19 disparities in communities across the country.

In October, the lawmakers announced more than $8.3 million in federal funding for the RADx program. NIH has awarded more than $283 million through this program to improve COVID-19 testing for underserved and vulnerable populations nationwide.

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