Health; State Health Officer shall develop program to close the gap in health status of gender and racial groups.

HB 508 requires Mississippi's State Health Officer to develop a program targeting health disparities among all gender and racial groups. It mandates a statewide assessment of priority health areas (like infant mortality, cancer screenings, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease) by 2031, with measurable outcomes and community partnerships. The bill allocates $250,000 to contract a Mississippi-based entity specializing in health disparities to lead planning, and requires biennial evaluations and reports to the Legislature. The program directly affects all racial and gender groups in Mississippi by focusing on reducing preventable health gaps through coordinated community initiatives and data-driven strategies.