Bristol Myers Squibb, a global biopharmaceutical company, has announced grants totaling nearly $8 million in support of efforts to help medically underserved patients and communities gain access to quality health care.

As part of a five-year, $150 million investment to advance diversity, inclusion, and health equity, grants were awarded to 24 organizations across the company’s oncology, cardiology, immunology, and hematology therapeutic areas and will bolster community outreach and education, increase patient support and care coordination services, and support diversity, cultural competency, and collaboration. Recipients include the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, which will use the funding to train and implement community health worker and patient navigator programs focused on Asian patients; the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, which will implement a pilot “train the trainer” program to improve the quality of clinical care for African American patients; and Crossroads4Hope, which will work with community advocates to address the psychosocial needs of cancer patients in vulnerable communities.

“Through our Health Equity Commitments grants and partnerships, Bristol Myers Squibb is focused on scaling what works in removing barriers that patients may face when accessing care,” said Adam Lenkowsky, senior vice president and BMS general manager of U.S. cardiovascular, immunology, and oncology. “We know that the complexities of specialty care bring unique challenges that community health workers and patient navigators can help solve. They are trusted members of their communities, have deep knowledge of health systems, and are vital to medically underserved patients receiving high-quality care, including access to medical innovations and clinical trials.”

(Photo credit: Getty Images/Nicolas)