April is National Minority Health Month—a time to raise awareness on issues impacting health disparities and health equity in America. The theme for 2017, Bridging Health Equity Across Communities, emphasizes the collaborative, community-level work being done across the nation to help achieve health equity.
The conditions in the places where people are born, grow, live, work, play, learn, and age have significant impact on the health outcomes of individuals, families, and their communities. Throughout the month, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will highlight partner initiatives in communities that address the indirect conditions that affect health, also known as social determinants of health.
From federal agencies and national partners to grantees and community-based organizations, HHS OMH is proud to salute its partners from sectors such health, education, justice, housing, transportation, nutrition, and employment as we build bridges to help end disparities in health and health care.
By addressing the social determinants of health, we can strengthen the foundation of better health.
We invite all individuals and organizations to take action in helping communities achieve their full potential for health.
Join the conversation at our #Bridge2Health Twitter Town Hall on April 12 at 1PM.
Spread the word by sharing graphics on your website and social media channels throughout the month.
Stay on top of the latest National Minority Health Month events by signing up for OMH email updates or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Use these web and social media images to help connect your organization's work to health equity.
Health disparities—the differences in health and well-being—have a significant impact on our nation and among racial and ethnic populations in particular. Minorities are less likely to get the preventive care needed to stay healthy, less likely to receive quality care, and more likely to face poorer health outcomes.
The deaths that result from these health disparities cost the United States $1.24 trillion. Healthier communities mean lower health care costs, which translate into a stronger economy and a more productive, competitive America.
During this National Minority Health Month, we highlight the work of the HHS OMH and its partners that serve as bridges between the sectors that impact health.
Our work and the work of our partners creates bridges that help make high quality education, safe neighborhoods, quality housing, reliable transportation, clean surroundings, nutritious food, and stable employment available to all Americans. It is work that touches the everyday lives of American communities: transportation that makes it possible to get to a well visit; neighborhoods where it is possible to exercise or play outdoors; and accessible grocery stores that make it possible to eat a well-balanced diet.
All of us are touched by health. Whether you are a banker providing small business loans to bring grocery stores to local neighborhoods or a school administrator looking to bring a health center to your school, community-based partnerships are helping us move closer to being a nation where everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential for health.
Collection of blogs related to #NMHM17.
Below are ways you can get informed, get involved, and get connected this National Minority Health Month.
GET INFORMEDVisit the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities to learn more about collaborations at the community level that address the social determinants of health.
Explore resources for providing culturally and linguistically appropriate health services on the Think Cultural Health website.
Learn how your health coverage can work for you. Visit My Coverage, My Care to access tools and resources.
Find information on your health condition at the My Health portal. Use this information to prepare for your next medical appointment.
GET INVOLVEDShare infocards on your social media and web pages to illustrate the connection between health and the social determinants of health.
Use resources from the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities and Think Cultural Health to conduct a presentation on health disparities and health equity at your next membership, board or staff meeting.
Attend a health disparities webinar or presentation in your area to learn about the issues impacting your community. Find one in your area by visiting the National Minority Health Month Events Calendar.
GET CONNECTEDAdd your events to the National Minority Health Month Events Calendar and share photos from your event with us on Facebook.
Join the conversation on reducing health disparities. Connect with OMH on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Receive email updates on OMH and health disparities issues by signing up for our newsletters.
Questions about National Minority Health Month? Contact OMHMedia@hhs.gov.
SPREAD THE WORDShare this sample newsletter article on health equity with your networks so they too can get informed, get involved, and get connected! It takes action from all individuals and organizations to help create healthier communities and bridge the gap in health disparities.
SHARE
SOCIAL MEDIA
Join the conversation:
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Use these sample social media posts to promote health equity.
En Español
TWITTER
Ending health disparities includes addressing the social and economic condition of our communities. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #NMHM17
By addressing #SDOH, we strengthen the foundation for better health. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #NMHM17
April is National Minority Health Month. How do you serve as a bridge to health equity in your community? https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #NMHM17
It’s National Minority Health Month! We salute those working to end health disparities in their community! https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #NMHM17
Together we can bridge health equity across communities. Join us for National Minority Health Month 2017! https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #NMHM17
High quality education helps put communities on the path to health equity. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #SDOH #NMHM17
Safe neighborhoods help put communities on the path to health equity. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #SDOH #NMHM17
Quality housing helps put communities on the path to health equity. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #SDOH #NMHM17
Reliable transportation helps put communities on the path to health equity. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #SDOH #NMHM17
Clean surroundings help put communities on the path to health equity. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #SDOH #NMHM17
Access to nutritious food helps put communities on the path to health equity. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #SDOH #NMHM17
Stable employment helps put communities on the path to health equity. https://go.usa.gov/xX56D #SDOH #NMHM17
FACEBOOK
April is National Minority Health Month! Join us as we highlight the work being done in communities across the country. And be sure to lend your voice to this month’s activities. Visit the HHS Office of Minority Health website to download materials, find events and share your story. It’s all about community! #NMHM17 https://go.usa.gov/xX56D
It’s National Minority Health Month! Are you hosting or attending an event in your community? Post it to the HHS OMH National Minority Health Month Events Calendar and share your event photos so everyone can see how you’re making a difference! #NMHM17 https://go.usa.gov/xX5FW
What’s happening in your community to improve health? National Minority Health Month 2017 is all about highlighting the work at the community level to help achieve health equity. Drop us a photo and show off your stuff! #NMHM17 https://go.usa.gov/xX56D