National Minority Health Month 2024 Take Action

Introduction

• Official U.S. government website (.gov) ensures secure connection (HTTPS).
• Focus on improving health outcomes and reducing disparities for racial and ethnic minorities.

What are Social Determinants of Health (SDOH)?

• Conditions in environments influencing wide health outcomes and risks.
• Affects everyone to varying degrees; more prominent in racial/ethnic minorities.
• Includes factors like poverty, healthcare access, education, and racism.

Key Aspects of SDOH:

1. Economic Stability

   • Steady income/resources essential for health.
   • Financial instability linked to health issues.

2. Education Access and Quality

   • Education enables understanding of health information.
   • Correlates with healthier lifestyle choices.

3. Healthcare Access and Quality

   • Affected by geography, affordability, and provider availability.
   • 10% of U.S. population uninsured, affecting service access.

4. Neighborhood and Built Environment

   • Impacted by living conditions.
   • Minority communities often face higher risks due to poor neighborhood conditions.

5. Social and Community Context

   • Importance of social connections for well-being.
   • Discrimination and lack of resources can hinder health support.

Taking Action

Steps for Organizations:

1. Convene

   • Gather community members to identify specific concerns.
   • Promote events for community involvement (e.g., National Minority Health Month Events).

2. Consider

   • Utilize diverse data to develop beneficial strategies.
   • Resources like OMH Population Profiles and Reading Lists provide valuable data.

3. Commit

   • Provide Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS).
   • Focus on equitable care and responsive services.

4. Collaborate

   • Partner with organizations to address SDOH impacts.
   • Mobilize strategies to tackle disparities and inequities.

Key Resources

• Think Cultural Health: OMH initiative for implementing CLAS.
• AHRQ Tools: For delivering high-quality CLAS.
• Health Literacy Plan: Improves health information accessibility.

Engagement

• Online engagement via social media using hashtags #SourceForBetterHealth, #MinorityHealth, #NMHM24.
• Collaborate with Offices of Minority Health and Health Equity at HHS.

Conclusion

• Addressing SDOH is complex. Requires multi-faceted approach.
• Public health organizations play a crucial role in improving outcomes.

Contact and Additional Information

• HHS Headquarters, 200 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C.
• Toll-free Call Center: 1-877-696-6775

Disclaimer

• Links may lead to non-federal sites, HHS not responsible for external content accuracy.

For further information, access the full web content at the HHS National Minority Health Month page.