Celebrated every year in April, National Minority Health Month:

• Builds awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups.
• Encourages action through health education, early detection and control of disease complications.

The origin of National Minority Health Month was the 1915 establishment of National Negro Health Week by Booker T. Washington. In 2002, National Minority Health Month received support from the U.S. Congress with a concurrent resolution that “a National Minority Health and Health Disparities Month should be established to promote educational efforts on the health problems currently facing minorities and other health disparity populations.” The resolution encouraged “all health organizations and Americans to conduct appropriate programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority and other health disparity communities.”

The theme for National Minority Health Month 2023 is Better Health Through Better Understanding.

This year’s theme focuses on improving health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native communities by providing them with culturally and linguistically competent healthcare services, information, and resources. When patients are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate information, they are empowered to create healthier outcomes for themselves and their communities.

About 1 in 5 people in the U.S. (and Malheur County) speak a language other than English at home. Nearly 3 in 5 patients aged 18 years or older from racial and ethnic minority communities believe it’s important to visit healthcare providers who share and understand their culture. Through both cultural competence and cultural humility, healthcare providers can improve communication with patients and empower them to lead healthier lives. Help promote Better Health Through Better Understanding this National Minority Health Month.

Learn more at minorityhealth.hhs.gov.