Muriel Lights' Candle Designs: April 2018

Friday, April 13, 2018

Celebrate National Minority Health Month!

April is National Minority Health Month. The theme for 2018 is “Partnering for Health Equity.” Learn more and help raise awareness of the health disparities that affect minorities.
Diverse hands stacked on top of one another

Diverse hands stacked on top of one another

“Without health and long life, all else fails.”
– Dr. Booker T. Washington

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, professional associations, and the most influential organizations in the African-American community to “pull together” and “unite… in one great National Health Movement.” That observance grew into what is today a month-long initiative to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities. – National Minority Health Month .

Minority Health

CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity’s mission is to advance health equity and women’s health issues across the nation through CDC’s science and programs, and increase CDC’s capacity to leverage its diverse workforce and engage stakeholders toward this end.

What is Health Equity?

Health equity is when everyone has the opportunity to be as healthy as possible.

What Are Health Disparities?

Health disparities are differences in health outcomes and their causes among groups of people. For example, African American children are more likely to die from asthma compared to non-Hispanic White children. Reducing health disparities creates better health for all Americans.

Why is Health Equity Important?

Health is central to human happiness and well-being and is affected by where people live, learn, work, and play. According to the World Health Organization , health also makes an important contribution to economic progress.

Mission Possible: Healthy Lives for Everyone

In 2018 CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity celebrates 30 years of service. Since 1988, CDC has focused on reducing health disparities and ensuring a culturally competent public health workforce. The theme for the 30th anniversary commemoration is Mission: Possible. We believe “healthy lives for everyone” is possible and a goal that resonates in public health. Throughout 2018, CDC will highlight success stories from the national centers, institutes, and offices at CDC that capture how they have improved minority health and reduced health disparities. Read these Mission: Possible stories.

For more Information :

Page last reviewed: April 5, 2018
Page last updated: April 5, 2018
Content source:
- Office of Minority Health & Health Equity (OMHHE)
- Page maintained by: Office of the Associate Director for Communication, Digital Media Branch, Division of Public Affairs

Muriel Lights' Candle Designs