The African American Health Program (AAHP) was created and funded in 1999 by the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). The mission of AAHP is to eliminate health disparities and improve the number and quality of years of life for African Americans and people of African descent in Montgomery County. The program focuses on six major areas which include infant mortality, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, oral health, cardiovascular disease and specific cancers. Mental health is a cross-cutting component which is woven into the focus areas. Included in the services are outreach, health education, support groups, nurse case management services, testing and referrals. While the program's offerings are available to all interested residents, the focus audience is the African American/Black residents of the county. AAHP County Merit Staff is involved with special project which impact the Black/African American populations such as COVID-19. The program is staffed by Master Level Public Health, Health Educator, Social Workers, Registered Nurses, and Community Outreach Workers. Volunteers and students are provided a program orientation and will be assigned and supervised a designated staff responsible for the community service event or program activity.
