Observances

Minority Health Observances

Througout the year, several events are observed to highlight minority heatlh, health equity, health disparities and the work being done at CDC to eliminate them.

The major observances are listed below with links to more information on each.

25 Years a Champion for Health Equity!

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the CDC Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE)!

During these 25 years, OMHHE has advanced the science and practice of eliminating health disparities and inequities –or health differences that are systematic, unfair, and avoidable--by, for example, collaborating with others across CDC in publishing manuscripts exploring topics such as health life expectancy by race, sex, and geography and contributing to the 2011 CDC Report on Health Disparities and Inequalities.

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April is Minority Health Month!

Minority Health Month

CDC’s Office of Minority Health & Health Equity (OMHHE) invites you to celebrate Minority Health Month!

This year's theme is Advance Health Equity Now: Uniting our Communities to Bring Health Care Coverage to All!

CDC and HHS are focused on highlighting strategies and actions leading to Health Equity.

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February is African American History Month!

African American History Month

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred on February 12, 1926. In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month.

Structural inequalities -- from disparities in education and health care to the vicious cycle of poverty -- still pose enormous hurdles for black communities across America. The health disparities between African Americans and other racial groups are striking and are apparent in life expectancy, death rates, infant mortality, and other measures of health status.

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May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

During the observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented among more than 47 ethnic groups from Asia and the Pacific Islands (speaking over 100 languages) who live in the United States. We also recognize millions of AAPIs whose love of family, hard work, and community has helped unite us as a people and sustain us as a Nation.

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September 15-October 15 is Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month!

Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

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November is American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month!

American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month Feature

American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month
American Indians and Alaska Natives have profoundly shaped our country's character and our cultural heritage. Today, Native Americans are leaders in every aspect of our society -- from the classroom, to the boardroom, to the battlefield.

This month, we celebrate and honor the many ways American Indians and Alaska Natives have enriched our Nation, and we renew our commitment to respecting each tribe's identity while ensuring equal opportunity to pursue the American dream.

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