April is National Minority Health Month (NMHM), and the theme for this year’s observance is Active & Healthy. The Office of Minority Health (OMH) will join partners throughout the country in raising awareness about the important role an active lifestyle plays in staying healthy.

According to the HHS Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, adults need at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, and children need 60 minutes of physical activity each day. OMH will highlight the health benefits of adding a small amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity into your daily routine throughout the month of April.

For more information, tools and resources to prepare for upcoming observance activities, visit the NMHM webpage and sign up for the National Minority Health Month topic on our email list for updates.

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March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an observance that encourages regular screenings and healthy lifestyle changes to prevent colorectal cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), colorectal cancer is most often found in people who are 50 years old or older and impacts both men and women of all racial and ethnic populations.

Learn more about CDC’s Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign which raises awareness about the importance of having regular colorectal cancer screening tests for men and women aged 50 years and older.

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National Kidney Month is observed every March to raise awareness about kidney disease prevention and management. Chronic kidney disease is a serious condition that affects more than 30 million adults in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).

This month, NIDDK is highlighting the importance of talking to your health care provider about kidney health, especially if you have diabetes, high blood pressure or a family history of kidney failure. For information on the National Kidney Disease Education Program and  National Kidney Month resources, materials and more visit the NIDDK National Kidney Month webpage.

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National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NWGAAD) recognizes the impact of HIV/AIDS on women and girls and promotes HIV education, testing, community involvement and treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2016, more than 7,000 women received an HIV diagnosis and of that 7,000, nearly two-thirds were African American.

Fortunately, there has been significant  progress against HIV and AIDS in the United States. However, women, specifically African American and Hispanic women, remain vulnerable to the infection.

Visit the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day webpage and the Office of Women’s Health NWGAAD observance page for more information, resources, testing services and downloadable materials.

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National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day raises awareness of the impact of HIV/AIDS on American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, as well as promotes HIV education, testing, community involvement and treatment in the United States and territorial areas. From 2011 to 2015, the number of new HIV diagnoses increased 38 percent among American Indian and Alaska Native communities, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

Despite advances in HIV and AIDS prevention and treatment in the United States, there are still challenges in HIV prevention among Native American populations.

For more information, resources, testing services and downloadable materials, visit the National Native HIV/AIDS Awareness Day webpage.

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In recognition of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Knowledge Center online catalog includes reports that explain disparities in colon cancer screening for ethnic and racial minority patients. For more information and resources, search here

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