The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) developed the Minority Health Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to enhance existing resources to support the identification of racial and ethnic minority communities at the greatest risk for disproportionate impact and adverse outcomes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Minority Health SVI is an extension of the CDC Social Vulnerability Index, which is a platform that helps emergency response planners and public health officials identify, map, and plan support for communities that will most likely need support before, during, and after a public health emergency. 

Learn More Access the Minority Health SVI

As part of National Minority Mental Health Month, join OMH for a webinar on the mental health impact of COVID-19 on racial and ethnic minority populations. Speakers will discuss the signs, symptoms, and impact of trauma, share strategies, programs, and resources to maintain mental wellness, and highlight current federal efforts to address racism and health inequities. 
July 29, 12:00 pm ET. 

Register

OMH seeks input from Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and AAPI-serving organizations to inform the development of guidance for advancing cultural competency, language access, and sensitivity toward AAPIs in the context of the Federal Government's COVID-19 response. OMH also seeks comments on best practices set forth by public health organizations and experts for mitigating racially discriminatory language in describing the COVID-19 pandemic.
The deadline to submit comments is August 17.

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July 28 is World Hepatitis Day. CDC provides information on What to Know About Liver Disease and COVID-19, which includes guidance for people living with hepatitis A, B, or C. 

Listen to National Institutes of Health (NIH) Tribal Health Research Office Director, David R. Wilson, and National Institute of Mental Health Director, Dr. Joshua Gordon, discuss current issues related to mental health in American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, including the impacts of COVID-19, the importance of suicide prevention, and NIH research and resources. 

The Kaiser Family Foundation has released its Latest Data on COVID-19 Vaccinations by Race/Ethnicity.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine have released the proceedings of a recent workshop, Contact Tracing and the Challenges of Health Equity in Vulnerable Latino and Native American Communities. 

This year, World Hepatitis Day will be observed with the campaign, Hepatitis Can't Wait. This campaign from the World Hepatitis Alliance will highlight the need to accelerate hepatitis elimination efforts, especially during COVID-19, as well as the social injustice and inequity caused by the lack of action on hepatitis elimination.

Learn more about viral hepatitis at the CDC What is Viral Hepatitis? webpage and the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Viral Hepatitis health information page. 

Get tested and vaccinated against hepatitis. Use the National Prevention Information Network database to find local hepatitis testing services. 

Following a challenging time, it can be tough to get back into a healthy routine. The NIDDK has created messages to support people looking to start – or reinvigorate – an active and healthy journey! Try these tips to help manage your weight and stay active: 

• Add motion to your day.
• Have healthy snacks on hand. 
• Reduce screen time and time spent sitting. 
• Use a food diary to track your meals.