April is National Minority Health Month

Posted by Carolyn Martin on March 9th, 2021 Posted in: Health Information, Minority Health Concerns
Tags: health disparities, health equity, health literacy, minority health, national health observances, vaccines

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This year, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) is focusing on the impacts COVID-19 is having on racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native communities and underscoring the need for these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated as more vaccines become available. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), certain vulnerable populations, such as non-Hispanic African Americans, individuals living in nonmetropolitan areas, and adults with lower levels of education, income or who do not have health insurance, have a higher likelihood of forgoing getting vaccinated.

This year’s theme for National Minority Health Month is #VaccineReady. The goal of this campaign is to empower vulnerable populations to get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines, share accurate vaccine information, participate in clinical trials, get vaccinated when the time comes, and proactively practice COVID-19 safety measures.

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping people from getting COVID-19 and the CDC recommends that everyone get vaccinated as soon as they are eligible. As more vaccines become available, there are steps communities can take to protect themselves until they can get vaccinated:

• Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
• Stay at least six feet (about two arm lengths) from others who do not live with you.
• Avoid crowds. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.