The origin of National Minority Health Month: was the 1915 establishment of National Negro Health Week by Booker T. Washington. In 2002, National Minority Health Month received support from the U.S. Congress with a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 388) that “a National Minority Health and Health Disparities Month should be established to promote educational efforts on the health problems currently facing minorities and other populations experiencing health disparities.” The resolution encouraged “all health organizations and Americans to conduct appropriate programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority and other communities experiencing health disparities.”
WHY NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH IS IMPORTANT?
- It champions equality: Everyone deserves equal access to good health and medical care. This is regardless of a person’s race or gender, or social standing.
- It focuses on groups not just individuals: It aims to provide programs that improve health standards for everyone. While individuals benefit from these programs, we like the focus on groups.
- Healthy communities build a healthy nation: When communities are healthy, they can live and work better. This will lead to economic growth which is good for the entire country.
To learn more about Minority Health Month or to get involved in Employee Resource Groups at UNC Health, email equityinclusion@unchealth.unc.edu.