National Minority Health Month happens every April and this year’s theme is Health Equity Can’t Wait. Act Now in Your CommUNITY! The theme for this year is a call to action and unity for all organizations, departments, and partners, whether local, state, or regional to be involved and to participate in reducing health disparities. April 2012 marks the first anniversary of the National Stakeholder for Achieving Health Equity. This strategy provides “a common set of goals and objectives for public and private sector initiatives and partnerships to help racial and ethnic minorities – and other underserved groups – reach their full health potential.” This month also marks the first anniversary of the HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. This plan outlines “goals and actions” that “HHS will take to reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic minorities.”
The Office of Minority Health (OMH) of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) celebrated Health Equity Day of UNITY on Monday, April 2nd, 2012 by encouraging local communities to host their own town hall like the one that occurred in Washington, D.C. On April 21st, 2012 you can join the Health Equity Day of Action by creating events for children and families that include educational and fun activities dealing with four themes: Stop Bullying Now! Prevent Youth Violence, Donate the Gift of Life! Promote Organ Donation, Get moving! Fight Obesity, and Watch your mouth! Promote Oral Health. To get involved in local, state and regional events, take a look at OMH’s list of events. If you have an event that you would like to register, please visit OMH’s registration form.
Collection Spotlight from the National Rehabilitation Information Center 