Blog

Language barriers experienced by people with limited English proficiency (LEP) can lead to disparities in health care access and health outcomes. OMH is joining agencies across the federal government in the release of a 2024-2026 Language Access Plan (LAP).

Since we published our first blog on bias in healthcare algorithms and artificial intelligence (AI) less than a year ago, we have already started to see a progressive shift in how the healthcare industry recognizes and addresses these biases. In late October 2023, President Biden signed an Executive Order on the Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence recognizing that “harnessing AI for good and realizing its myriad benefits requires mitigating its substantial risks” and a society-wide effort to address these risks. By December 2023, 28 healthcare providers

As Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Heritage Month comes to a close, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) commit to continuing to promote health equity for AA and NHPI communities. We’re focusing today on maternal health equity and highlighting the role OMH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) play in promoting equity in maternal mortality review. Understanding the Issue  Despite spending more money per capita for perinatal care than

May 12–18, 2024 is National Women’s Health Week, a time to focus our collective attention on improving the health and well-being of women across the United States. This year’s theme is “Empowering Women, Cultivating Health: Celebrating Voices, Wellness and Resilience.” The theme aims to empower women across the lifespan of their health journey while highlighting the unique health issues women face. The second day of this observance week is designated as Safe Sexual Health Day and is intended to further highlight the role of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being on women’s health

Note: This blog was originally published on NIMHD Insights , the official blog of the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD). We are nearing the end of  National Minority Health Month (NMHM), an annual observance led by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH). NMHM is a time for us all to reflect on the role we can play in advancing health equity and eliminating health disparities in racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native populations. This year the theme  Be the Source for Better Health: 

Racial and ethnic minority populations and tribal communities often face preventable differences, or inequities, in their health due to structural disadvantages and diminished opportunities in health care, education, social context, economic stability, and the environment. These five areas are called the social determinants of health (SDOH), and they have a major impact on people’s health and well-being.

Doctors and other health care providers are increasingly using healthcare algorithms (a computation, often based on statistical or mathematical models, that helps medical practitioners make diagnoses and decisions for treatments) and artificial intelligence (AI), to diagnose patient illnesses, suggest treatments, predict health risks, and more. In some cases, this is fine. However, using healthcare algorithms and AI can sometimes worsen things for people from certain ethnic or racial groups. This is because algorithms and AI are based on data from one set of the population that may not work well for others.

While the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency has ended, COVID-19 remains a public health threat and a priority for the federal government. Response and recovery efforts must continue to meet the needs of diverse communities. To support these efforts, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) led a Departmental effort to develop guidance on best practices for culturally and linguistically appropriate response activities. OMH is pleased to announce the release of the Advancing Equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Communities in COVID-19 Response Efforts resource guides.

Community health centers provide culturally and linguistically competent care to limited English proficient (LEP) patients, including those who identify as LGBTQI+. Providing care in your patient’s primary language is key to patient-centered care.

Health literacy – the ability to find and understand health information so a person can make informed health decisions – is a cornerstone for better health outcomes. Health literacy skills develop early in life and reflect an individual’s culture. Unfortunately, disparities exist, resulting in low health literacy among racial and ethnic minority populations. Recent COVID-19 pandemic studies have shown a direct relationship between racial and ethnic health disparities, low health literacy, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, and mistrust in the health system. These factors have increased COVID-19 cases and death rates among racial and ethnic minorities, including Black, African American, and Hispanic/Latino populations. Building health literacy can improve outcomes, and one key to doing so is empowering a corps of trusted messengers who can help others better understand health information by making it culturally and linguistically appropriate.

Almost 22 percent of people in the United States speak a language other than English at home, and 8 percent have limited English proficiency (LEP), meaning they speak English less than very well. It is also estimated that only 14 percent of the U.S. population has proficient health literacy. Individuals with LEP are more vulnerable to experiencing health disparities due to their limited ability to understand and communicate health information compared to English-proficient patients. Specifically, individuals with LEP have worse healthcare access and report getting lower quality of care compared to individuals who are proficient in English. Language access services, like translation of materials and interpretation, are an important tool for addressing disparities and advancing health equity.

Health literacy is key to meeting the health needs of high need communities. Healthy People 2030 uses the following definitions of health literacy: Personal health literacy is the degree to which people can find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others. Organizational health literacy is the degree to which organizations equitably enable individuals to find, understand, and use information and services to inform health-related decisions and actions for themselves and others.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Office of Health Equity (OHE) is celebrating 35 years of “baking” health equity into the work we do. “Baking” health equity into our work means that health equity principles are foundational ingredients, rather than separate ingredients we layer in, sprinkle on top, or serve on the side. OHE works across CDC to find opportunities to incorporate health equity into all aspects of the agency – from science and interventions to partnerships and our workforce.

Every year, during the month of April, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) recognizes National Minority Health Month. This observance promotes education regarding the health disparities that many underserved communities experience.

After receiving the diagnosis that he was HIV positive at the age of 22, Tony Enso, a member of the Cherokee tribe, never imagined that he would become one of the first Indigenous performers to open the U.S. Conference on AIDS. Tony’s story is featured as part of the EQUITY of Voices video series from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) about individuals living with HIV, finding hope, and better health through antiretroviral therapy.