College of Medicine Urban Health Program (COM-UHP)
The Urban Health Program was established in 1978 when the Illinois State Legislature called for its formation at the University of Illinois Chicago in response to community protests and outcries that significant health care disparities plagued the state’s underserved communities.
The College of Medicine Urban Health Program (COM-UHP) has a proven track record of developing leaders who will advance health equity. On all three sites of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, COM-UHP offers programs and services for students who are interested in working with underserved communities.
Mission and History
Mission
The mission of the College of Medicine Urban Health Program (COM-UHP) is to recruit, support, and graduate students into medicine with the goals of eliminating health disparities and advancing health equity.
History
As a response of health inequities disproportionately affecting communities in Illinois, in 1978, the Illinois State Legislature created the University of Illinois Urban Health Program (UHP). The creation of UHP was a tangible response to address these growing health disparities through the training a diverse physician workforce.