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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, and the Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) celebrates the cultural contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders contend with numerous factors that may threaten their health. Some of these factors include infrequent medical visits, language and cultural barriers, and lack of health insurance. The Asian American and Pacific Islander community have a high prevalence and are most at risk for the following health conditions: cancer, heart disease, stroke, unintentional injuries (accidents), hepatitis B and diabetes.
Physical activity and healthy nutritional choices can help to prevent health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Furthermore, early detection of hepatitis B and treatment can prevent serious liver damage.
Visit our AAPI Heritage Month webpage for downloadable materials and health resources.
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OMH joins HHS, the CDC, and the rest of the nation in promoting resources to help Americans stay safe while staying home to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. Recent resources for using cloth face coverings and safety practices for critical workers have been translated into Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Korean.
In the most recent OMH Blog for Health Equity, the Assistant Secretary for Health, ADM Brett P. Giroir, explains what signs and symptoms of a medical emergency you should always seek treatment for immediately. Symptoms could be associated with conditions that are not related to COVID-19 but could be related to stroke, appendicitis, or mental health.
If you are not sure whether your symptoms are serious enough that you need immediate medical attention:
- Contact your usual healthcare provider.
- Your healthcare insurance program may offer a nursing advice line.
If you do not have a routine healthcare provider, insurance, or internet access:
- Contact the nearest emergency medical system by calling 911.
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The Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Training and Mentoring Program (STAMP) is a collaboration between OMH, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Maternal and Child Health Bureau, and the HRSA Bureau of Primary Health Care. STAMP is a free telehealth series taught by hematologists for primary care providers. The program trains primary care providers on the basics of sickle cell disease care such as pain management, hydroxyurea, and preventive services. Trainings this month include:
- Tuesday, May 19, 2020 ǀ 1 PM ET: Back to Basics: Common Lab Findings in SCD
Visit our sickle cell disease site to register and learn more about upcoming trainings.
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During National Physical Fitness and Sports Month in May, the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition is encouraging everyone to be physically active at home while practicing social distancing.
Share how you are staying active on social media and encourage others to virtually join you by using the hashtag #MoveInMay.
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May is also Hepatitis Awareness Month with a Hepatitis Testing Day occurring May 19. According to the CDC, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders make up more than 50 percent of Americans living with chronic hepatitis B.
Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver and is often caused by a virus. There are three types of viral hepatitis:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
The CDC's Learn the ABCs of Viral Hepatitis webpage breaks down each type of viral hepatitis and also has health professional tools, patient education materials, training resources, and more.
To learn how hepatitis affects the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, visit our Minority Population Profiles.
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OMH joins the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) in recognizing National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month and the historic declines in the rates of teen births in the United States. According to OPA, significant declines have occurred in all 50 states and among all racial and ethnic minority groups, yet disparities continue.
Throughout the month, OPA will focus on the historic progress that has been made while highlighting the steps communities are taking to raise awareness and reduce teen pregnancy.
Visit OPA’s webpage to learn more about the observance and how you can get involved.
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May is the national observance for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The Knowledge Center online library catalog covers a broad range of topics related to health and social conditions for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Search here to read some recent reports.
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