Disparity Impact Statement

The Office of Behavioral Health Equity (OBHE) leads the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) efforts to advance behavioral health equity for the nation through its Disparity Impact Strategy.

As part of this strategy, SAMHSA requires all discretionary grant recipients to prepare a Behavioral Health Disparity Impact Statement (DIS) which:

• is a data-driven, quality improvement approach to advance equity for all;
• identifies racial, ethnic, sexual and gender minority populations at highest risk for experiencing behavioral health disparities;
• implements a disparity reduction action plan with a quality improvement process to address and close the identified gap(s);
• and aligns with Presidential Executive Orders 13985 - Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Under Served Communities Through the Federal Government and 14091 - Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through The Federal Government.

DIS Resources

SAMHSA requires a disparity impact statement (DIS) for all discretionary grant awards. Progress and updates on the DIS are included in the grant reporting requirements.

Special Conditions of Awards for Behavioral Health DIS, references, guidance, examples of a DIS for different grant programs, and additional resources and information about the Disparity Impact Statement is available on the SAMHSA Grants Management page for Special Conditions of Awards for Behavioral Health Disparity.