Credit: Direct Relief

This spring, Direct Relief and The Pfizer Foundation announced the third cohort of the Innovation Awards in Community Health, marking five years of support for community health centers working to strengthen infectious disease prevention, education, screening, testing, treatment, and care in medically underserved communities. Through $4.5 million in grants distributed over two years, the latest program cohort includes 16 U.S. safety-net community health organizations across 11 states.

Since launching in 2020, the program has supported more than 40 organizations that have reached more than 1.3 million people and delivered nearly 520,000 vaccinations. This newest cohort builds on that momentum, empowering frontline health providers to implement locally driven solutions that address some of the country's most persistent public health challenges — including HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), respiratory illness, and other vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.

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Credit: Direct Relief

"Advancing community health depends on new, creative ideas and the trusted individuals who put them into action," said Amy Weaver, CEO of Direct Relief. Through the partnership with The Pfizer Foundation, Direct Relief continues to invest in community-led innovation that expands access to care while strengthening health systems long-term.

The Innovation Awards are funded by The Pfizer Foundation and implemented by Direct Relief to strengthen the capacity of safety-net providers serving communities facing the greatest barriers to care. The latest cohort supports community health centers across the U.S., including in Alabama, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Partners were selected based on community need, patient population, and their ability to expand access to care where it's needed most.

“Community health centers play a vital role in helping people stay healthy by bringing trusted health services closer to them,” said Darren Back, President, The Pfizer Foundation. “Through our ongoing partnership with Direct Relief, we are proud to support health centers across the country as they expand access to lifesaving vaccines and provide culturally responsive education and support, helping more people stay protected and strengthening the health of their communities.”

Through this continued collaboration, Direct Relief and The Pfizer Foundation are supporting organizations that are developing sustainable, community-centered solutions with the potential to create meaningful impact today and strengthen health outcomes.

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Credit: Direct Relief

HIGHLIGHTED RECIPIENTS

Adelante Healthcare Inc. (Phoenix, AZ) is establishing a permanent Sexual Health & HIV Care Center offering testing, treatment, PrEP/PEP, behavioral health support, and care coordination for populations facing the greatest health disparities.

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic (Homer, AK) will expand access to STI prevention, testing, treatment, and HPV vaccination for residents of the Kenai Peninsula, where it's the only dedicated provider serving low-income, uninsured, and underinsured patients.

Pocatello Free Clinic (Pocatello, ID) is launching a sustainable immunization program that builds routine vaccination into every clinic visit and outreach event for low-income adults, creating a scalable workflow that can accommodate future vaccine additions.

North Mississippi Primary Health Care (Ashland, MS) will use a mobile health unit to expand access to free STI screening and treatment to rural communities facing rising rates of syphilis and gonorrhea.

Tunica Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana (Marksville, LA) is launching a community-driven rural health promoter model that pairs clinical care with community-based outreach to reduce barriers and advance health equity.