Office of Minority Health

Events

FYI: Weekly Health Resources – Special Edition – February 3

Wear Red Day – February 5

 

New Infographic

 

Toolkit

 

February is Black History Month. We take this time to celebrate the achievements of African Americans and honor the significant role and impact they have made on all facets of life and society throughout U.S. history. This year during Black History Month, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) will partner with fellow Offices of Minority Health at HHS and healthcare professionals around the nation to focus on highlighting the impacts
COVID-19 has on African Americans with underlining health issues such as uncontrolled hypertension.

This strategic partnership is designed to provide the African American community with accurate information from trusted minority healthcare professionals and experts that will assist in easing vaccine hesitancy and address the disproportionate rate COVID-19 is having on racial and ethnic minorities. The goal is to increase awareness, and to empower communities to proactively practice COVID-19 safety measures, getting the facts about COVID-19 vaccines, and actively working to monitor, control or lower high blood pressure.

According to the American Heart Association, the prevalence of high blood pressure (or hypertension) in African Americans in the United States is among the highest in the world. More than 40 percent of non-Hispanic African American men and women have high blood pressure. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

• Having high blood pressure may increase the risk of severe illness from COVID-19.
• African Americans ages 35-64 years are 50% more likely to have high blood pressure than whites.
• African Americans ages 18-49 are two times as likely to die from heart disease than whites.
• Research shows significant health benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle that incorporates even small amounts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity throughout the day.

Visit this webpage during Black History Month for materials, events and health resources. Follow OMH on Twitter , Facebook  and Instagram , and sign up for newsletters for additional updates.

Black History Month Graphics

Download these sharable images for use on social media by right clicking and saving the images.

NOTE: These images may be downloaded and used only for purposes of promoting Black History Month activities, and may not be used for commercial purposes, including selling of products and services and advertisements in newspapers and other publications.

Health Disparities

Despite continuous advances in scientific knowledge and technology regarding public health and health care, the health status of the African American community is still disproportionately lagging behind other racial and ethnic groups.

Use the HD Pulse Data Portal to find more information about health disparities among African Americans.

Hypertension Prevention Resources:

• Choose Heart – Healthy Foods
• Find High Blood Pressure Tools and Resources
• Heart-Healthy Living
• People with Certain Medical Conditions
• Screening and Prevention

See additional statistics on health disparities:

• American Heart Association Blood Pressure Fact Sheets – African American
• CDC African Americans Heart Disease and Stroke Fact Sheet
• CDC Health of African American non-Hispanic Population
• Healthy People 2020: DATA2020
• OMH Minority Population Profile: Black/African Americans

Projects and Partnerships

Below are OMH projects and partnerships that are helping to reduce disparities and promote better health for the African American population:

• National Hypertension Control Initiative: Addressing Disparities among Racial and Ethnic Minority Populations (HTN Initiative)
• OMH National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care

Resources and Publications

• Million Hearts® 2022
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Heart and Vascular Disease Research
• OMH Healthy People 2020 Health Disparities Data Widget
• The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Control Hypertension