Blog

Racial and ethnic minority populations and tribal communities often face preventable differences, or inequities, in their health due to structural disadvantages and diminished opportunities in health care, education, social context, economic stability, and the environment. These five areas are called the social determinants of health (SDOH), and they have a major impact on people’s health and well-being.

Doctors and other health care providers are increasingly using healthcare algorithms (a computation, often based on statistical or mathematical models, that helps medical practitioners make diagnoses and decisions for treatments) and artificial intelligence (AI), to diagnose patient illnesses, suggest treatments, predict health risks, and more. In some cases, this is fine. However, using healthcare algorithms and AI can sometimes worsen things for people from certain ethnic or racial groups. This is because algorithms and AI are based on data from one set of the population that may not work well for others.

While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has ended, COVID-19 remains a public health threat and a priority for the federal government. Response and recovery efforts must continue to meet the needs of diverse communities. To support these efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) led a Departmental effort to develop guidance on best practices for culturally and linguistically appropriate response activities. OMH is pleased to announce the release of the Advancing Equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities in COVID-19 Response Efforts resource guides.

Community health centers provide culturally and linguistically competent care to limited English proficient (LEP) patients, including those who identify as LGBTQI+. Providing care in your patient’s primary language is key to patient-centered care.

Health literacy – the ability to find and understand health information so a person can make informed health decisions – is a cornerstone for better health outcomes. Health literacy skills develop early in life and reflect an individual’s culture. Unfortunately, disparities exist, resulting in low health literacy among racial and ethnic minority populations. Recent COVID-19 pandemic studies have shown a direct relationship between racial and ethnic health disparities, low health literacy, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and mistrust in the health system. These factors have increased COVID-19 cases and death rates among racial and ethnic minorities, including Black, African American, and Hispanic/Latino populations. Building health literacy can improve outcomes, and one key to doing so is empowering a corps of trusted messengers who can help others better understand health information by making it culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Almost 22 percent of people in the United States speak a language other than English at home, and 8 percent have limited English proficiency (LEP), meaning they speak English less than very well. It is also estimated that only 14 percent of the U.S. population has proficient health literacy. Individuals with LEP are more vulnerable to experiencing health disparities due to their limited ability to understand and communicate health information compared to English-proficient patients. Specifically, individuals with LEP have worse healthcare access and report getting lower quality of care compared to individuals who are proficient in English. Language access services, like translation of materials and interpretation, are an important tool for addressing disparities and advancing health equity.

Health literacy is key to meeting the health needs of high need communities. Healthy People 2030 uses the following definitions of health literacy: Personal health literacy is the degree to which people can find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Organizational health literacy is the degree to which organizations equitably enable individuals to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office of Health Equity (OHE) is celebrating 35 years of “baking” health equity into the work we do. “Baking” health equity into our work means that health equity principles are foundational ingredients, rather than separate ingredients we layer in, sprinkle on top, or serve on the side. OHE works across CDC to find opportunities to incorporate health equity into all aspects of the agency – from science and interventions to partnerships and our workforce.

Every year, during the month of April, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) recognizes National Minority Health Month. This observance promotes education regarding the health disparities that many underserved communities experience.

After receiving the diagnosis that he was HIV positive at the age of 22, Tony Enso, a member of the Cherokee tribe, never imagined that he would become one of the first Indigenous performers to open the U.S. Conference on AIDS. Tony’s story is featured as part of the EQUITY of Voices video series from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) about individuals living with HIV, finding hope, and better health through antiretroviral therapy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been waning over the past several months; however, its impact on the way we approach public health, deliver care, and disseminate information continues to be felt across the country. This is especially true for racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of health literacy as a tool for understanding public health measures and driving steps to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. Health Literacy Month, observed every October, gives us a chance to recognize the organizations and initiatives working to improve health outcomes by addressing personal and organizational health literacy.

Every year, the United States recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM) from September 15 to October 15, to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of generations of Hispanic Americans born in and outside the U.S. who have helped to shape this diverse country. The theme for this year’s NHHM is Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. In Hispanic culture, unidos (in unity, with inclusivity) is associated with positive outcomes. Being unidos is necessary for getting through tough times, for meeting goals and getting things done together.

Denise Octavia Smith, MBA, CHW, PN, is the founding Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW). In September 2020, Mrs. Smith joined the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for a virtual symposium highlighting state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Darielys Cordero, MPH, DrPh is the Special Programs Director at Puerto Rico Primary Healthcare Association (La Asociación de Salud Primaria de Puerto Rico). In September 2020, Dr. Cordero joined the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for a virtual symposium highlighting state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Sandra C. Brown, DNS, APRN is Dean and Professor at the College of Nursing and Allied Health, Southern University and A&M Baton Rouge and co-chairs the Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. In September 2020, Dr. Brown joined the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for a virtual symposium highlighting state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.