National Minority Health Month

National Minority Health Month

National Minority Health Month is observed in April. Recognizing that health is the key to progress and equity in all other things, Dr. Booker T. Washington proposed the observance of National Negro Health Week in April 1915. He called on local health departments schools, churches, businesses, and professional associations. In addition, he called on the most influential organizations in the African-American community. For example, he wanted them to “pull together” and “unite… in one great National Health Movement.” National Minority Health Month grew from that observance. Today it is a month-long initiative in April. The goal is to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities.

Protecting Diverse Populations – National Minority Health Month

Every April, the FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) observes National Minority Health Month (NMHM). During this time, it raises awareness of the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations. And it focuses on reducing health disparities. It has included the theme, “Better Health Through Better Understanding.” This supports OMHHE’s mission to promote and protect the health of diverse populations. It strives to reduce health disparities through research and communication of science.

During National Minority Health Month 2023, OMHHE emphasized its Enhance EQUITY Initiative which focuses on:

• EQUITY in clinical trials by supporting efforts to advance diverse participation in clinical trials;
• EQUITABLE data efforts by increasing data available on diverse groups; and
• EQUITY of voices by amplifying FDA’s communication with diverse groups. And it ensure stakeholders, including consumers, are informed about FDA’s efforts. It strives to understand diverse patient perspectives, preferences and unmet needs.

The Aim of OMHHE’s Initiatives

EQUITY of Voices is one of the three aims of OMHHE’s Enhance Equity Initiative. This highlights research projects and communication resources to advance EQUITY in Clinical Trials, and EQUITABLE data efforts, in addition to Equity of Voices. As the FDA observes National Minority Health Month this April, the Enhance Equity Initiative raises awareness of the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations. It also looks to reduce health disparities. OMHHE’s mission is to promote and protect the health of diverse populations. This is done through research and communication of science that addresses health disparities.

Clinical Trials to Foster National Minority Health Month

As part of their work to advance Equity in Clinical Trials, over the past year, OMHHE continued efforts to improve diversity in clinical trial participation by updating our educational materials and making them available in 10 additional languages. These efforts also support their commitment to language access. Further, it provides health education that supports the cultural and linguistic needs of the diverse communities they serve.

OMHHE also works to increase evidence to support the evaluation of outcomes of FDA-regulated products by demographic data. This includes ethnicity, race, age, disability, and geography.

During fiscal year 2022, OMHHE awarded more than $8 million in funding to support multiple projects to advance health equity-focused regulatory science research and to increase understanding of diverse patient perspectives, preferences, and unmet needs. These projects engaged a wide range of stakeholders, including academia, minority-serving institutions, government agencies, and non-profit organizations.

OMHHE is continuing to advance EQUITABLE data efforts through future and current funding opportunities such as the FDA OMHHE Health Equity Innovation Award: Racial and Ethnic Minority Acceleration Consortium for Health Equity (REACH). This open funding opportunity will help OMHHE develop a consortium of diverse institutions to strengthen minority health and health equity focused research, outreach, and communications. The recipients of the award will also support the training and mentoring of diverse students, fellows, and researchers.

Along with funding new projects, OMHHE also partners with the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) at the National Institutes of Health. This supports the next generation of scientists and researchers committed to addressing health disparities and advancing health equity.