Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS OMH provides 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.

HHS OMH is administratively supported by the HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH). The Director of the Office of Minority Health, CAPT Mahyar Mofidi, serves as the HHS Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health and is the principal advisor for health program activities that promote minority health.

HHS OMH was created in 1986 after the 1985 Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health, commonly known as the Heckler Report, highlighted major health disparities affecting minority populations. It also highlighted significant gaps in health data for minority populations, making it difficult to fully understand and address their health needs. HHS OMH was established to help address these disparities by:

• Improving health education and prevention efforts
• Expanding access to quality health care
• Improving collection and reporting of minority health data
• Strengthening research on minority health
• Coordinating federal efforts across HHS agencies

HHS OMH was later authorized by Congress, which means a law was passed to formally recognize HHS OMH. It is currently authorized under Section 1707 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. § 300u–6).

HHS OMH develops programs and educational resources, provides funding, disseminates health information and data, builds partnerships, and supports community engagement to improve health outcomes. Our statutory duties are the responsibilities set by federal law that guide our work. These include:

• Leading efforts to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations
• Developing programs to improve health outcomes
• Coordinating minority health activities across HHS agencies
• Supporting research, data collection, and information sharing on minority health issues
• Providing resources, education, and technical assistance to communities and organizations
• Building capacity of healthcare professionals to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate information

These requirements ensure that our work is focused on improving health outcomes for minority populations.

HHS OMH does not primarily conduct biomedical research or provide clinical services. Instead, it coordinates, develops educational resources, builds partnerships, funds demonstration projects, and supports efforts across HHS to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations.

A health disparity is a measurable difference in health that exists between specific population groups.

These differences can include the risk of certain health behaviors, how common those behaviors or health conditions are, the problems they cause, and differences in how often people develop, live with, or die from diseases, conditions, or disorders.

No. HHS OMH does not provide direct medical care services. Instead, we support programs, initiatives, and partnerships that improve access to quality health care and health outcomes.

Yes. HHS OMH funds community-based organizations, academic institutions, and other partners through grant programs focused on improving minority health and reducing disparities. Grant opportunities are announced on our Funding Opportunities page and Grants.gov. Sign up for email updates to learn about future funding opportunities.

HHS OMH supports a range of programs through our grants, including but not limited to:

• Chronic disease prevention programs
• Maternal and perinatal health initiatives
• Lupus clinical trial awareness and participation programs
• Indigenous innovation and health efforts
• Infertility and reproductive health conditions
• Men's health
• Physical activity

Congressionally earmarked funds also help HHS OMH support several initiatives, including:

• Think Cultural Health
• The HHS OMH Resource Center and Knowledge Center
• Coordinating sickle cell disease resources and events
• Improving cultural and linguistic competence for health care providers and organizations
• Expanding opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to participate in HHS programs and initiatives

Visit our Initiatives page and Grants and Programs page to learn more.

HHS OMH’s statutory authority supports a national minority health resource center that provides health information, publications, and referral services to the public, professionals, and organizations nationwide.

Think Cultural Health is a statutorily supported HHS OMH initiative that offers education and training for healthcare providers on culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) to improve quality of care and access to services.

HHS OMH supports research and data collection through grant funding opportunities and other community-based initiatives in collaboration with other HHS Agencies and Operational Divisions. Additionally, HHS OMH produces periodic blog posts, data briefs, and submits research studies to be disseminated through national conferences and peer-reviewed publications.

HHS OMH compiles data from multiple federal sources to disseminate information about health and health outcomes on populations from multiple race and ethnicity groups. Visit our Population Profiles or Data page for more information.

Yes, OMH offers online training opportunities on cultural competence and linguistic needs applied to health and health-related professions through the Think Cultural Health website. These online learning opportunities provide free continuing education units/credits to health and health-related professionals.

Organizations can partner with OMH through:

• Grant opportunities
• Collaborative initiatives
• Community engagement efforts
• Public health campaigns

To browse and apply for open positions at OMH, visit HHS Careers.

If you are an active-duty U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS) Commissioned Corps officer or an applicant who has been approved for commissioning into the PHS Commissioned Corps, you may apply for a specific HHS OMH job announcement. Be sure to indicate on your application that you are a “PHS officer or PHS applicant.”

Most of the information on the minorityhealth.hhs.gov website is in the public domain and can be used without charge or restriction. But not everything is copyright-free. Citation of the original source is appreciated. However, downloaded materials may not be reproduced or distributed for a fee without the specific, written authorization of the OMH and HHS.

The minorityhealth.hhs.gov website links to other federal government sources. As a federal office, HHS OMH cannot endorse or promote commercial or individual interests or services. In some cases, where the information serves the public good and is consistent with HHS OMH’s mission, we may include an outside link to an external resource.

Yes, the HHS OMH website does have a privacy policy.

Please send us an email to minorityhealthinfo@hhs.gov.