Skip Navigation
A A A En Español Newsroom Contact Us Search:
FYI: Weekly Health Resources – Special Edition – February 3
Wear Red Day – February 5
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):
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.
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.
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:
See additional statistics on health disparities:
Below are OMH projects and partnerships that are helping to reduce disparities and promote better health for the African American population: