(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated. (b) "Advisory Committee" means the Health Equity Resource Community Advisory Committee. (c) "Commission" means the Community Health Resources Commission. (d) "Community health worker" has the meaning stated in § 13-3701 of this article. (e) "Federally qualified health center" has the meaning stated in § 24-1301 of this article. (f) "Fund" means the Health Equity Resource Community Reserve Fund established under § 20-1407 of this subtitle. (g) "Health care practitioner" means an individual or, collectively, a group of individuals working together within the same practice, each of whom is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized by law to provide health care services under the Health Occupations Article. (h) "Health disparity" means a particular type of health difference, such as a difference in rates of hypertension, heart disease, asthma, diabetes, substance abuse, mental health disorders, and maternal and infant mortality, that: (1) Is closely linked with social, economic, or environmental disadvantage; and (2) Adversely affects groups of individuals who have systematically experienced greater obstacles to health care based on their: (i) Race or ethnicity; (ii) Religion; (iii) Socioeconomic status; (iv) Gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation; (v) Age; (vi) Mental health status; (vii) Cognitive, sensory, or physical disability; (viii) Geographic location; or (ix) Other characteristic historically linked to discrimination or exclusion. (i) "Health Equity Resource Community" means a contiguous geographic area that: (1) Demonstrates measurable and documented health disparities and poor health outcomes; (2) Is small enough to allow for the incentives offered under this subtitle to have a significant impact on improving health outcomes and reducing health disparities, including racial, ethnic, geographic, and disability related health disparities; (3) Is designated by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of this subtitle; and (4) Has a minimum population of 5,000 residents. (j) "Hospital" has the meaning stated in § 19-301 of this article. (k) "Institution of higher education" has the meaning stated in § 10-101 of the Education Article.
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