May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is focused on advancing Better Health Through Better Understanding for AA and NHPI individuals by providing them with culturally and linguistically competent healthcare services, information, and resources.
According to a study by the Urban Institute, in 2019, about 30.8 percent of AA adults and 12.1 percent of NHPI adults had limited English proficiency (LEP), compared with 32.9 percent of Hispanic adults, 3.1 percent of Black adults, and 1.4 percent of white adults.
AA and NHPIs who have LEP, low health literacy, or other communication-related barriers may experience challenges in healthcare access that can result in consequences like infrequent medical visits, delayed receipt of care, and lack of adherence to treatment.
As part of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), the HHS works with the WHIAANHPI’s Language Access Subgroup to address barriers that LEP individuals face in obtaining information, services, and/or benefits from HHS programs.
Visit our AA and NHPI Heritage Month website to find more information, health resources, upcoming events, shareable graphics, and social media messaging.
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The month of May is designated as Hepatitis Awareness Month, with Hepatitis Testing Day occurring on May 19. During the month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) work to raise awareness of viral hepatitis while encouraging testing and vaccination.
Viral hepatitis is an infection that causes liver inflammation and damage. In the United States, the most common types of viral hepatitis are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.
Although viral hepatitis affects millions of Americans nationwide from all social, economic, and racial and ethnic minority groups, it disproportionately impacts certain populations and communities.
According to the CDC:
- Approximately 1 in 12 Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are living with hepatitis B.
- American Indians/Alaska Natives are 7 times more likely to die from hepatitis C than non-Hispanic whites.
- Blacks are 4 times more likely to die from viral hepatitis compared to non-Hispanic whites.
- Hispanics are 70 percent more likely to die from viral hepatitis compared to non-Hispanic whites.
Visit the CDC's Learn the ABCs of Viral Hepatitis webpage for more information on all forms of viral hepatitis and for resources that include tools for health professionals, patient education materials, training resources, and more.
Together we can help improve everyone’s understanding of viral hepatitis transmission and risk factors and to decrease social stigma against viral hepatitis.
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National Adolescent Health Month™ (NAHM™) is an annual observance celebrated in May and led by the HHS Office of Population Affairs (OPA). This observance emphasizes the importance of building on young people’s strengths and potential, encouraging youth engagement, and highlighting key topics in adolescent health.
According to OPA, “Nearly half of U.S. adolescents in 2019 identified as a racial or ethnic minority. This is important because large disparities by race and ethnicity continue to exist across a number of health domains and outcomes.”
Adolescent health involves many aspects of health and well-being, including sexual and reproductive health, mental health, community support, and the role of caring adults.
NAHM’s four weekly themes explore these aspects of adolescent health:
- Week 1: Expand sexual and reproductive health information and services.
- Week 2: Promote self-care to support mental health.
- Week 3: Celebrate ways that communities support youth.
- Week 4: Equip adults to support adolescent health.
Parents, caregivers, youth-serving professionals, and healthcare providers can empower youth to make decisions about their own health and become leaders in their communities. Find out how by visiting the NAHM website for more information, resources, events, and graphics.
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Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), National Prevention Week (NPW) is a national public education platform highlighting the work of communities and organizations across the country dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of substance use prevention and positive mental health.
According to the CDC, mental health care is important for mental wellbeing, yet many people from racial and ethnic minority groups still face obstacles in accessing needed care.
The observance tagline, “A Celebration of Possibility,” is about communities coming together to celebrate the possibilities and brighter futures that exist thanks to the ongoing work of prevention happening across the country.
You can help raise awareness about the importance of positive mental health and substance misuse prevention by hosting prevention events. Download the NPW Planning Toolkit for templates, tools, and support for participating.
Visit the NPW website to find more information, promotional materials, events and activities, and a planning toolkit. Be sure to use the hashtags #NationalPreventionWeek23 and #MyPreventionStory to join the conversation on social media.
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National Women’s Health Week (NWHW), held on May 14-20 and led by the HHS Office on Women's Health (OWH), highlights the importance of women focusing on their whole health - physical, psychological, emotional, and social wellbeing - with a focus on primary care.
According to OWH, “Many minority women continue to lag behind white women in a number of areas, including quality of care, access to care, timeliness, and outcomes. Although there have been improvements in minority women's health, we still have a lot of progress to make.”
This year’s NWHW theme, Women’s Health, Whole Health: Prevention, Care and Wellbeing, emphasizes the importance of women making their health a priority.
OWH encourages women and girls to achieve better health by doing the following:
- Schedule your annual physical and other health appointments.
- Get moving and stay active.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Nourish from the inside out.
- Practice self-care for your mental health.
- Find healthy ways to manage stress.
- Create good sleep habits.
- Incorporate safe behaviors into your daily routine.
To support the week-long observance, visit the NWHW website and access their social media toolkit for key messaging, shareable social media messages, graphics, and resources.
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National Asian & Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NAPIHAAD) is observed each year on May 19 to raise awareness about the impact of HIV and AIDS-related stigma in AA and NHPI communities and promotes HIV prevention and treatment.
According to the CDC, in 2019, Asian Americans accounted for 2 percent of all new HIV infections and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders were 2.4 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV infection, as compared to the white population.
Although new HIV diagnoses among AA and NHPI people have decreased or have remained stable since 2015, stigma keeps these communities from getting tested or seeking treatment.
You can help stop HIV stigma by being intentional and thoughtful in how you talk about people, health, and experiences, and by talking openly and honestly about HIV prevention options like PrEP and condoms, testing, and medicines that treat HIV.
For more information, visit the CDC Let’s Stop HIV Together NAPIHAAD webpage.
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This month, in recognition of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month, the OMH Knowledge Center is featuring a collection of publications related to the AA and NHPI communities and cultural competence. This collection includes documents and articles about cross-cultural communication, cultural differences in treatment seeking, organizational cultural competency, and more.
This collection is available for free through the online catalog.
Looking for more information on a topic included in this collection? View our search tips page for guidance on searching the online catalog.
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