PRESQUE ISLE, Maine (AP) - A group that promotes access to health care in Maine says it’s providing grants to organizations that support marginalized groups, including American Indian tribal members.

The Maine Health Access Foundation says it’s giving $525,000 to seven groups, including the Aroostook Band of Micmacs and Wabanaki Public Health. Foundation president and chief executive officer Barbara Leonard says health metrics such as life expectancy and quality of health care vary significantly within different communities in Maine.

Leonard says the grants are designed to help by “strengthening the organizations within the communities that experience the challenges.” That’s why the grants are called Health Equity Capacity Building grants.

Others receiving grants include Mabel Wadsworth Center, Survivor Speak USA, Together Place Peer Run Recovery Center, New England Arab American Organization and Somali Bantu Community Association.

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