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March 2015
As we approach National Minority Health Month in April, we are pleased to announce this year’s theme, “30 Years of Advancing Health Equity; The Heckler Report: A Force for Ending Health Disparities in America,” in commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Report of the Secretary’s Task Force on Black and Minority Health (also known as the Heckler Report). This theme reflects our collective efforts to accelerate momentum towards achieving a nation free of disparities in health and health care and the ways in which the Heckler Report has served as a driving force for the monumental changes in research, policies, programs and legislation to advance health equity.
You can learn more about the Heckler Report and find tools and resources for celebrating National Minority Health Month by visiting www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/NMHM.
One year ago, President Obama launched My Brother’s Keeper to address persistent opportunity gaps and to tear down barriers that too often prevent boys and young men of color and other young people from realizing their potential. Since then, nearly 200 Challenge Communities across the country have stepped up to lay the groundwork for improving opportunities. Read the My Brother’s Keeper Task Force Report, released last week, and OMH Director’s blog about the initiative.
CDC, Million Hearts Announce Blood Pressure Control Champions
Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Million Hearts® recognized 30 public and private health care practices and systems for their success in helping patients control high blood pressure. The 2014 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge Champions achieved blood pressure control for at least 70 percent of their hypertension patients through innovation. See the list of champions and find out how your organization can take the challenge on the Million Hearts® website.
New Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) from CDC
CDC plans to award $2.5 million over five years to a national organization to disseminate and promote evidence-based cardiovascular disease prevention strategies and resources. CDC will host an Informational Teleconference to answer questions about the FOA at 2 pm EDT on March 25 (teleconference number: 1-800-779-2592, participant code 3201699). More information about the FOA and application requirements is available at www.grants.gov.
From Coverage to Care, an initiative of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), helps consumers get the most out of their health insurance, and promotes use of preventive care among the newly insured. The roadmap guides consumers through locating a provider in network, setting up an appointment, knowing what questions to ask and what to do after the visit, and more. Read more about From Coverage to Care on the Blog for Health Equity.
Haven’t visited thinkculturalheatlh.hhs.gov in a while? The site offers a wealth of resources for building cultural competency in your organization:
Later this year, the Office of Minority Health will offer a new e-learning program in English and Spanish to train promotores de salud in empowering community members to make healthy choices and changes. Stay tuned to thinkculturalheatlh.hhs.gov for more information.
HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted infections and hepatitis affect American Indian and Alaska Native communities in disproportionate numbers. Circle of Life, based on the medicine wheel, is a unique interactive middle school curriculum to help Native youth model healthy choices and prevent diseases. The program infuses a multimedia rich format with various skill-building games and activities about making positive choices and the consequences of risky behaviors. Learn more about the Circle of Life multimedia program.
Many racial and ethnic minority groups face higher rates of diabetes, the leading cause of kidney failure. During March – National Kidney Month – we’re encouraging everyone to become a kidney health champion, and raise awareness about kidney health in your church, school, workplace and your community. The National Kidney Disease Education Program has information on how to talk with family and loved ones about kidney health, an education toolkit tailored for the faith based community, a Spanish language website and more.
March is a great time to renew your commitment to overall health, including healthy eating. Visit USDA’s ChooseMyPlate.gov to get healthy eating tips, meal planners, nutrition charts and tools for education at home, work and school, and more.
The Office of Minority Health is seeking candidates to be considered for appointment to vacancies on the Advisory Committee on Minority Health. The committee provides advice to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health on improving the health of racial and ethnic minority groups, and on development of goals and specific program activities of OMH. More information about the call for nominations.
- March 25-28: American College of Research Libraries 2015 Conference, Portland, OR
- March 27-29: National Hispanic Medical Association Annual Conference, Washington, DC
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The Knowledge Center at the Office of Minority Health Resource Center maintains a collection of 50,000 documents, reports, books, journals, media and articles related to the health status of racial and ethnic minority populations. The library collection also includes sources of consumer health material in more than 35 languages.
Contact the Knowledge Center to learn more.
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