ADVANCING COMMITMENTS TO ELIMINATE HEALTH DISPARITIES AMONG BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES
Every February our nation observes Black History Month to celebrate and recognize the many ways Black history, culture, leadership, and innovation have influenced and contributed to all facets of life in the United States.
This year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) celebrates Black History Month with its 2025 theme, Advancing Commitments to Eliminate Health Disparities. OMH encourages public, community, and nonprofit private organizations to adopt this theme in their 2025 communication to highlight how they are advancing commitments to eliminate health disparities and supporting healthier outcomes for racial and ethnic populations.
Did you know?
- In 2022, the average life expectancy at birth for Black/African Americans was just 72.8 years, compared to 84.5 for Asian Americans, 80.0 for Hispanic/Latinos, 77.5 for Whites, and 67.9 for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
- In 2022, non-Hispanic Black or African Americans had the highest infant mortality rate among all racial and ethnic groups.
- In 2020, non-Hispanic Black or African American adults were admitted to the hospital for uncontrolled diabetes at nearly four times the rate of non-Hispanic White adults.
The Presidential Proclamation on National Black History Month 2025
"Today I am very honored to recognize February 2025 as National Black History Month. Every year, National Black History Month is an occasion to celebrate the contributions of so many black American patriots who have indelibly shaped our Nation’s history. Throughout our history, black Americans have been among our country’s most consequential leaders, shaping the cultural and political destiny of our Nation in profound ways."
Black/African Americans are also more likely to be affected by certain diseases, like sickle cell disease. OMH encourages public, community, and nonprofit private organizations to take steps to advance commitments to eliminate these and other health disparities impacting Black/African Americans.
Ways to Help Advance Commitments to Eliminate Health Disparities Among Black/African American Communities
Consider
Considering cultural backgrounds, preferred languages, and health literacy levels is the first step toward helping address health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups, including Black/African Americans. When individuals are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate services (CLAS) and information, they are better able to create healthier outcomes for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Connect
Connecting multiple sources of trusted data and information, like the OMH Black/African American Population Profile and Healthy People 2030 Objectives Data can help develop comprehensive, data-driven policies, programs, and practices that benefit racial and ethnic minority groups, including Black/African American communities.
Collaborate
Collaborating with federal, state, and local partners may help identify and provide the resources needed to support efforts to eliminate health disparities.