Story Category: Maryland News »

Joshua M. Sharfstein, M.D., Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, will be joined by other state and local health officials to host a community forum about the state's initiative to create Health Enterprise Zones (HEZ), created by legislation signed into law by Governor O'Malley and championed by Lt. Governor Brown earlier this year.

The forum will be hosted by the Charles County Health Department, and will be held on Wednesday, July 11, from 6  to 8 pm at the Greater Waldorf Jaycees Community Center (3090 Crain Highway, Waldorf). The HEZ Initiative creates the framework for the state to establish Health Enterprise Zones and use a range of incentives to target health disparities in the community. Funded with $4 million allocated to the Community Health Resources Commission, it is anticipated that between two and four zones will be part of the HEZ pilot program. Community based organizations, health care provides, and other health care safety net organizations parties are encouraged to attend this event to learn about the impact health disparities have on Maryland and the HEZ application and designation process.