Blogs

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.

The COVID-19 pandemic has been waning over the past several months; however, its impact on the way we approach public health, deliver care, and disseminate information continues to be felt across the country. This is especially true for racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities. COVID-19 has highlighted the importance of health literacy as a tool for understanding public health measures and driving steps to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities. Health Literacy Month, observed every October, gives us a chance to recognize the organizations and initiatives working to improve health outcomes by addressing personal and organizational health literacy.

Every year, the United States recognizes National Hispanic Heritage Month (NHHM) from September 15 to October 15, to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of generations of Hispanic Americans born in and outside the U.S. who have helped to shape this diverse country. The theme for this year’s NHHM is Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation. In Hispanic culture, unidos (in unity, with inclusivity) is associated with positive outcomes. Being unidos is necessary for getting through tough times, for meeting goals and getting things done together.

Denise Octavia Smith, MBA, CHW, PN, is the founding Executive Director of the National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW). In September 2020, Mrs. Smith joined the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for a virtual symposium highlighting state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Darielys Cordero, MPH, DrPh is the Special Programs Director at Puerto Rico Primary Healthcare Association (La Asociación de Salud Primaria de Puerto Rico). In September 2020, Dr. Cordero joined the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for a virtual symposium highlighting state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Sandra C. Brown, DNS, APRN is Dean and Professor at the College of Nursing and Allied Health, Southern University and A&M Baton Rouge and co-chairs the Louisiana COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force. In September 2020, Dr. Brown joined the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for a virtual symposium highlighting state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

Sudarshan Pyakurel, M.A., is the Executive Director of Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio (BCCO), and a community leader and advocate for social justice. In September 2020, Mr. Pyakurel joined the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for a virtual symposium highlighting state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

In September 2020, Matías Valenzuela, Ph.D., Director of the Office of Equity and Community Partnerships for Public Health in Seattle & King County and the Director of COVID-19 Community Mitigation and Recovery, joined the Office of Minority Health (OMH) for a virtual symposium highlighting state, tribal, territorial, and community-based efforts to address COVID-19 among racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

With the COVID-19 vaccine becoming available during the past year, many of us, especially parents, were hopeful that we were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and would be able to begin the school year with the pandemic in the rearview mirror. However, the surge of COVID-19 cases in children and adolescents has intensified concern among parents and public health leaders alike. And as the pandemic continues, so do existing health disparities and inequalities.

During public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, racial and ethnic minority groups disproportionately experience adverse outcomes like high hospitalization and mortality rates as a result of a variety of factors, including social determinants of health (SDOH).

Growing up in Tonga, it was all but impossible not to recognize a lack of access to education, health, and economic opportunities within my Pacific Islander family and community. These experiences have inspired me to support and promote health equity in vulnerable groups as part of my professional career and personal interests.

Each year in the U.S., approximately 700 women die from pregnancy-related complications and more than 25,000 women suffer unintended outcomes of labor and delivery that can result in significant short- or long-term consequences to their health. Black women in the U.S. are three to four times more likely than white women to die in pregnancy or childbirth. American Indian/Alaska Native women are two to three times more likely to die. More women of color than white women report feeling mistreated, ignored, or dismissed by their maternal health providers.

Maybe you’ve seen the videos on social media. A 52-year-old Chinese American woman assaulted in New York City. An 84-year-old Thai American man pushed to the ground so violently in San Francisco that he dies from his injuries. Both incidents in recent weeks are part of an alarming increase of attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) in the United States since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.