Mission
To provide national leadership, resources, and coordination to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations and American Indians and Alaska Natives and eliminate health disparities.
Vision
All individuals, families, and communities are healthy and thriving.
Our History
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was established in 1986 as a key outcome of the landmark 1985 Secretary's Task Force Report on Black and Minority Health, commonly known as the Heckler Report. This report set “the framework for improving the health of minorities,” and marked “the beginning of the end of the health disparity that has, for so long, cast a shadow on the otherwise splendid American track record of ever improving health.”
The HHS OMH was officially authorized by Congress in 1990 through the Disadvantaged Minority Health Improvement Act of 1990 (Public Law No: 101-527). The Office is currently authorized under Section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 300u–6).
What We Do: Our Priorities
HHS OMH accomplishes its mission and goals through a range of programs, initiatives, and services to support OASH priorities:
Chronic Disease Initiatives
Addressing chronic diseases through innovative and community-based grants and initiatives focused on prevention and improving health outcomes.
Knowledge, Resource, and Data Dissemination
Disseminating minority health information to share best practices, health related data, up-to-date resources and news, and policy updates.
Provider Education & Training
Training healthcare professionals to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information on nutrition, physical activity, and healthy lifestyles.
Strategic Partnerships
Establishing and leveraging strategic partnerships to reverse chronic diseases and improve health outcomes.
Community Engagement
Engaging the voices of those we serve to guide programmatic development.
OMH Resource Center and Knowledge Center
Launched in 1987, the OMH Resource Center and Knowledge Center (OMHRC) have served as nationwide resources providing a variety of evidence-based information resources, including access to online document collections, database and funding searches, and customized responses to requests for information for more than 30 years. OMHRC is a part of the HHS Office of Minority Health's statutory mandate to facilitate the exchange of information related to health information and promotion, preventive health services, and education in the appropriate use of health care.
Think Cultural Health
In 2004, HHS OMH launched Think Cultural Health (TCH), a website featuring information, continuing education opportunities, resources, and more for health and health care professionals to learn about culturally and linguistically appropriate services. TCH supports the HHS Office of Minority Health’s statutory mandate to build the capacity of health professionals in addressing cultural and linguistic barriers to care; improve access to health care for individuals with limited English proficiency; and advise in matters related to the development, implementation, and evaluation of health professionals’ education in improving health care outcomes.
Date Last Reviewed: November 2025