Through the strong history, mission, and values of Morehouse School of Medicine, the SHLI is committed to developing the next generation of health leaders and professionals.

Our mission is to develop a diverse group of public health leaders, foster and support leadership strategies, and influence policies and practices toward the reduction and ultimate elimination of disparities in health with the focus on neglected diseases and underserved populations, while giving priority to health promotion and disease prevention.

The Satcher Health Leadership Institute vision is to become an internationally renowned institute of leadership development for individuals committed to the reduction and ultimate elimination of health disparitites. The SHLI values diversity, integrity, trustworthiness, consensus-building, prevention as a priority, and access to quality healthcare for all persons.

The SHLI leadership development model has been designed by a preeminent advisory board of 23 individuals. Participants will include young students, undergraduates, graduate students, and professionals engaged in or pursuing interests in health policy and equity specifically focused on the elimination of health disparities. The innovative curriculum includes both research and action-oriented components. For instance, fellows and scholars will devote their studies and research on health-disparity topics. Participants will be instructed on these topics as well, but will also learn skills such as consensus-building strategies designed to find common ground among advocates who would normally oppose one another. And, perhaps most critical, after participants have completed the program they will continue to be connected to the institute, which will offer mentoring and resources to support their efforts; in turn, they will serve as a resource for the SHLI.

By providing the education, skills, and ongoing support to advocates, the SHLI will not only improve the lives of those who suffer from our system's disparities, but will strengthen the system's infrastructure and the quality of care for all. Left unchecked, the crisis of our current system will jeopardize the future of millions of people worldwide.

Current programs of the Satcher Leadership Institute include the following:

• The Three-Dimensional Mental Health Program. This program's goal is to reduce the stigma associated with mental disorders and illnesses; to improve access to mental health services by progressively integrating mental health and primary care; and to advance community mental health programs based on enhancing resiliency and preventing mental illness. This program includes the Poussaint-Satcher-Cosby Chair in Mental Health, funded by Bill and Camille Cosby.
• Center of Excellence for Sexual Health. This Ford Foundation-funded program was developed to implement actions proposed in the Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Sexual Health and Responsible Sexual Behavior. Its mission is to raise the level of national dialogue on human sexuality and sexual health and well being in a sustained, informed, honest, mature, and respectful manner, and to produce actions that reflect scientific evidence and deeply held beliefs.
• Community Voices. Funded by the Kellogg Foundation, this national program works with eight communities in areas that are home to some of the nation's most underserved populations, such as immigrants and the homeless. The program's mission is to develop innovative models for improving access and the quality of healthcare and health outcomes. Its approach is both preventative and holistic; For instance, Community Voices has done studies of the link between mental health services and prison inmates, as well as established a men's health clinic.
• The Health Policy Institute. A program that provides policy and practice alternatives designed to foster equal access to quality and sustainable health care systems for underserved populations and to reduce health disparities across racial and socioeconomic groups.

The core leadership development programs of SHLI will draw upon the expertise and experience of these existing programs to support fellow's training, undergraduate teaching, and leadership support strategy. Leadership exists in various capacities and we plan to engage individuals, organizations, institutions and corporations to advance the elimination of health disparities worldwide.