About the Office of Minority Health

Our History and Mission

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was created in 1986 as one of the most significant outcomes of the landmark 1985 Secretary's Task Force Report on Black and Minority Health. The mission of the Office of Minority Health is 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.

OMH Divisions

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health leads the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH), which is comprised of three divisions in the national office and 10 Regional Minority Health Analysts in the HHS regional offices

Division of Policy and Data

Leads efforts to improve the understanding of minority health and health disparities through analysis of federal data, development of data tools and products, and expert input on HHS data collection efforts. Provides expertise to support performance measurement and evaluation. Leads efforts to fulfill OMH statutory, Department, and Administration requirements, including the Advisory Committee on Minority Health, Congressional reports, and Executive Order activities. Oversees OMH contract portfolio management. Promotes the adoption of practices to address health disparities through collaborative information dissemination, resource development and education activities.

Division of Program Operations

Leads programmatic activity for OMH, including federal grants and cooperative agreements. DPO develops, implements, and monitors health policy demonstrations designed to help eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. DPO supports OMH-funded initiatives, public and private community-based practices and innovative program models designed to address health disparities through improvements in public awareness, education, prevention and service delivery to minority communities.

Division of Strategic Communication and Community Engagement

Increases public awareness of the Office of Minority Health's strategic priorities and initiatives to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations and American Indians and Alaska Natives communities and eliminate health disparities by coordinating communications activities with all internal and external partners, stakeholders and the public. Coordinates outreach activities and campaigns, traditional and social media engagement, and the work of the Office of Minority Health Resource Center.

Our Statutory-Required Resources

The Center for Linguistic and Cultural Competency in Health Care and National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (The National CLAS Standards) help organizations provide culturally and linguistically appropriate services to better serve our nation's increasingly diverse communities. The Center helps fill fulfill the requirements of P.L. 101-527.

The Office of Minority Health Resource Center (OMHRC), created in 1987, is a one-stop source for minority health literature, research and referrals for consumers, community organizations and health professionals. OMHRC also offers capacity building and technical assistance services designed to increase the strength and competence of health care agencies and programs. OMHRC is authorized by section1707 of the Public Health Service Act.