Blogs

With just two days to go until the start of Open Enrollment, I want to share with you what we've been doing at the Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to quality, affordable coverage to more people and to lay the groundwork for a successful Open Enrollment.

When President Obama founded the White House Council on Women and Girls (CWG) within the first two months of taking office, he charged us with working to address inequalities and barriers facing women and girls in our schools, workplaces, and throughout American life. And as women’s role in society and our economy continues to evolve and grow, so too has the importance of ensuring that all women and girls succeed, including women and girls of color who often face compounded disparities.

The re-development experience of South Memphis, TN, exemplifies truly transformative change that tackles the needs of a community faced with multiple disadvantages by leveraging cross-sector partnerships and social capital. It all began in South Memphis, a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designated Enterprise Community where 97 percent of residents are African American and the poverty rate is 35 percent. South Memphis residents lack access to healthy, affordable fresh fruit and vegetables while experiencing a prevalence of food deserts and disproportionately high

Violence is one of the most urgent public health problems we face in America. Its tragic consequences run deep and have an especially profound impact on minority youth and young minority men.

Earlier this year, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI), in coordination with Payu-ta Inc. (an umbrella organization of non-governmental organizations in the Pacific region), held its first Community Tour and Regional Summit outside the contiguous U.S. at Guam Community College, where I serve as President and Chief Executive Officer. During this convening, community leaders shared stories of their respective struggles and challenges, while federal representatives highlighted programs and technical assistance to address the community’s needs. We are

Across the country, communities of color are mobilizing for a stronger, healthier future, and advancing health equity for all by tackling one of the most significant drivers of disparities in health – access to insurance coverage. At the center of that movement are the many organizations and advocates working tirelessly to connect minority individuals and their families with opportunities to attain affordable health coverage made possible by the Affordable Care Act.

During National Minority Health Month, we acknowledge the potential for health information technology (health IT) – from electronic and personal health

During National Minority Health Month, we acknowledge the potential for health information technology (health IT) – from electronic and personal health records to online communities to mobile applications – to transform health care and improve the health of racial and ethnic minorities. Lack of access to quality, preventive health care, cultural and linguistic barriers, and limited patient-provider communication are factors that aggravate health disparities.

During National Minority Health Month, we acknowledge the potential for health information technology (health IT) – from electronic and personal health

As a part of National Minority Health Month’s Workforce Week, the HHS Office of Minority Health is launching an e-learning program entitled

In April, we commemorate National Minority Health Month to raise awareness about the health disparities that disproportionately impact racial and ethnic