Dillard University and LSU Health Sciences Center have partnered to establish a Minority Health Disparities Research Center on the Dillard campus, the universities announced on June 10. The center will be funded by a $6.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

"We have earned a huge award, an award that is very special because it addresses the health disparity issues that are so important to us," said Dillard University President Dr. Marvalene Hughes.

The Minority Health Disparities Research Center will focus on medical issues such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, obesity and asthma that afflict minority and disadvantaged populations disproportionately.

Dr. John Ruffin, director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities, traveled from Washington, D.C. to award the grant.

Watch video from the press conference and read the full story at WWL-TV Channel 4's official Web site.