Black History Month 2026

February is Black History Month!

Each February, we honor the history, culture, and the many contributions of Black Americans that have helped shape the United States in profound and lasting ways.

This Black History Month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) remains committed to advancing a clear priority: improving the health of Black/African American communities by focusing on the prevention of chronic diseases.

Through evidence-based resources, practical tools, and targeted information, HHS OMH is supporting prevention efforts that help families live longer, healthier lives and support the Administration’s mission to Make America Healthy Again. Under President Trump's leadership, HHS is prioritizing disease prevention and measurable health outcomes to enhance the well-being of Black/African Americans and support better health for all Americans.

Keep reading for more information, resources, and actionable insights to share with your community this Black History Month.

Get Involved

Download, share, and customize the content in our Black History Month Toolkit to meet the unique needs of your audiences.
Follow and tag HHS OMH (@MinorityHealth) on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
Use #PreventChronicDiseases and #BlackHistoryMonth to share how you and your organization are focused on improving the health and well-being of Black/African American communities this Black History Month.

#PreventChronicDiseases

Black/African Americans are at higher risk for certain preventable chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. For too long, Black/African American families have lacked access to straightforward, reliable information about lowering their risk for these diseases. Keep reading to learn more about how these conditions are impacting Black/African American health and how following the new Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) can help lower the risk of these chronic diseases. Follow and tag HHS OMH (@MinorityHealth) on X, Instagram, and Facebook, and let us know what tools and resources you’re using to help #PreventChronicDiseases this Black History Month.

Did you know:

In 2024, Black/African American adults were 26% more likely to be diagnosed with hypertension than U.S. adults overall. Hypertension raises the risk of heart disease and is one of the leading causes of death among Black/African American adults.

In 2024, Black/African American adults were 24% more likely than U.S. adults overall to be diagnosed with diabetes. Black/African Americans also have a higher risk for developing prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.

Black/African American adults have the highest rate of obesity compared to other racial and ethnic groups. In 2024, Black/African American adults were 28% more likely than U.S. adults overall to be obese. In 2023, Black/African American high school students were 27% more likely than their peers to be obese.

Real Food, Real Solutions

These illnesses are not inevitable; they are the result of the Standard American Diet—a diet which, over time, has become overly reliant on highly processed foods. This Black History Month, HHS OMH calls on community leaders and health professionals to share evidence-based resources and practical tools, like the updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, to help address the chronic disease crisis affecting Black/African Americans. By encouraging flexible, practical choices that prioritize real, whole foods, the Guidelines support healthier lifestyles and long-term disease prevention. In addition to the Guidelines, The New Pyramid – a flexible framework meant to guide better food choices – supports cultural traditions, personal preferences, and different lifestyles while reinforcing one core goal: eat real foods most of the time.

Visit RealFood.gov to explore the research, recommendations, and implementation guidance that shape the Guidelines, including the science, the policy guidance, and the everyday serving framework.

Featured News and Initiatives

Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Promotes Excellence and Innovation at HBCUs

In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing a White House Initiative on HBCUs and a President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs. These efforts are designed to strengthen educational excellence, innovation, and opportunity at HBCUs nationwide. Learn more about how the Administration is dedicated to strengthening HBCUs as centers of education and economic opportunity.

Press Release: HHS Creates Fellowship and Career Fairs for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

In December 2025, HHS announced the launch of the Roy Wilkins Fellowship for students enrolled at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) interested in public service. The fellowship honors Roy Wilkins and recognizes his work in advancing equality and strengthening democratic institutions. Learn more about how HHS and the Administration continue building meaningful partnerships with HBCU students and faculty.

Sickle Cell Disease Awareness

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a complex group of inherited blood disorders associated with debilitating pain and complications that can affect the entire body. SCD affects about 100,000 people in the United States and more than 90% are Black/African American. The HHS OMH Sickle Cell Disease webpage has resources and information you can use to spread awareness about SCD and help create supportive communities for individuals with SCD.

Black/African American Population Profile

HHS OMH compiles and maintains data on Black/African American health that includes information on chronic diseases and other health conditions. Use our Black/African American Population Profile to help your efforts in preventing chronic diseases among Black/African Americans.

HHS OMH Knowledge Center Topic Guides

Access curated searches from the HHS OMH Knowledge Center on key topics related to the health of Black/African Americans as well as other minority and tribal populations within the United States and its territories.

HHS OMH Resource Center

Looking for information and resources related to Black/African American health? Visit the HHS OMH Resource Center, where information specialists can assist you with research on Black/African American health literature, funding opportunities, and more.