September 2014

In this issue:

• Steps toward Eliminating Infant Mortality – Baby Buggy Walk in the Park
• Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15-October 15
• Catch Up with us in September
• What’s Your Story? Using Social Media to Reach Communities of Color
• Knowledge Center Pick of Month – Latinas and Diabetes Risk
• News from Reuters: Asthma Attack Rates Decreasing for African American Kids
• Advancing Health Equity at the Federal Level

Steps toward Eliminating Infant Mortality – Baby Buggy Walk in the Park

Baby Buggy Walk in the Park is a national infant mortality awareness initiative developed by Baltimore Healthy Start and supported by the Office of Minority Health Resource Center. Baby Buggy Walk in the Park empowers women and new mothers to take charge of their health and the health of their families through a day of exercise (a walk around the park ) and information (exhibits, displays and give-aways from health providers).

Baby Buggy Walk in the Park events – which are free and open to the public – will take place around the country on September 13, commemorating Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Learn more about Baby Buggy Walk in the Park.

Hispanic Heritage Month – September 15-October 15

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the nation honors the many contributions Hispanics have made to society. The theme, “Hispanics: A legacy of history, a present of action and a future of success,” recognizes the critical role Hispanic communities play in America’s past and its future. Join us in celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month and get involved. Visit the OMH website for more information.

Save the Date – September 15: Twitter chat in English and Spanish. Tweet with us (@minorityhealth and @saluddeminorias) at 2 pm ET using #HHMSalud

Catch Up with us in September

CityMatCH
September 17-19, Phoenix, AZ

What’s Your Story? Using Social Media to Reach Communities of Color

From the AIDS.gov blog: hear from health communicators about how social media has become an effective outreach strategy to engage with communities of color. This blog features the power of storytelling to connect with people. Read the blog

Knowledge Center Pick of Month – Latinas and Diabetes Risk

Nearly one million Latinas are not aware that they are at risk of developing diabetes, and may not get necessary preventive care. FDA Gives Latinas Tools to Fight Diabetes identifies prevention resources specifically designed to educate Latino/Hispanic women about lowering their risk for diabetes.

Search the Knowledge Center catalog.

News from Reuters: Asthma Attack Rates Decreasing for African American Kids

African American children develop asthma at a higher rate than white children; however, instances of asthma attacks are becoming more equal between the two groups. Indicators point to better disease management. Read the article: Asthma Attack Rates Similar for Black and White Kids.

Advancing Health Equity at the Federal Level

OMH Director Dr. J. Nadine Gracia and former Director of the NIH National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities Dr. John Ruffin discuss how federal partners are coordinating efforts to reduce health disparities and advance health equity in Partnership, Research and Leadership to Advance Health Equity and Eliminate Health Disparities in the September 2014 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.