qualitylonglifeequality: Your Monthly Planner: April

APRIL:
Know the resources around you: Remember this is the National Minority Health Month!
The theme: "Accelerating Health Equity for the Nation."

For more see: http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/nmhm16/.

You need to know where your nearest health facilities; social services; and where you can go to engage in community activities. Are all your immunizations done? What about that flu shot ? I know, I know.........

You need to know about initiatives such as:

1. Healthy People 2020 objectives and set goals around access to health services. Access to comprehensive, quality health care services is important for the achievement of health equity and for increasing the quality of a healthy life for everyone.

2. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP) is under The US Department of Health and Human Services: This plays a vital role in keeping the Nation healthy. They set national health goals and objectives and supporting programs, services, and education activities that improve the health of all Americans.

The office has provided the following resources:
1. Dietary guidelines
2. Physical activity guidelines
3. Health literacy and communication
4. Healthy care quality and patient safety
5. Healthy People 2020
6. Healthfinder.gov

Other Federal Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
National Institutes of Health
Office of Minority health
Office on Women's Health
Health Resources and Services Administration
Indian Health Services
Substance Abuse and mental Health Services Administration
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Dept. of Health & Human Services
National Minority Health Month 2016: A Presidential Message

Breaking News:
April 20, 2016
By: J. Nadine Gracia, MD, MSCE, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority Health; Director, HHS Office of Minority Health

Earlier this month, the HHS Office of Minority Health kicked off the nation’s observance of National Minority Health Month and the 30th anniversary of the HHS Office of Minority Health with a historic Health Equity Forum at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services headquarters in Washington, DC. The Forum highlighted initiatives underway by the Obama Administration and HHS to reduce disparities and further efforts to accelerate health equity and expand opportunity for all. We had a great turnout, with nearly 200 people attending the Forum and more than a thousand individuals watching online.

Every community deserves good health. This April we celebrate National Minority Health Month. HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH).

As an issue of national importance, attendees heard critical messages about the path forward to accelerate health equity from White House Cabinet Secretary Broderick Johnson, Secretary of Education John B. King Jr., Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason, Health and Human Services Acting Assistant Secretary for Health Karen B. DeSalvo, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, and myself. They also heard an important message from President Barack Obama about working to close “health care gaps that leave communities behind.” Read the full message.

As an immigrant, you too can join hands with others who are doing everything possible to provide quality health services. Infographic courtesy of HHS.gov