In establishing the AAIUH, Arthur Ashe was clear that new approaches were needed to address seemingly intractable health problems in underserved communities of color.

​

The institute implements two community engagement health promotion models, one in which general information is provided to clients by a health provider or educator, and the other in which stylists and barbers are trained to deliver the health messages to their clients. The AAIUH is also focused on addressing health inequities by increasing the number of individuals of color in the health professions.  The institute realizes Arthur’s vision to increase diversity in the health professions through the Health Science Academy program, an after-school science enrichment program for High School and Middle School students interested in pursuing careers in the health professions.