National Minority Health Month: A Black-Owned Agency's Perspective on Health Equity

As a black-owned social marketing agency, we have a unique view of how vital National Minority Health Month is. Not only do we know how communication and education can help close health gaps, but we also know the problems that racial and ethnic minority groups face daily. In this blog post, we’ll share our insights on the significance of National Minority Health Month and offer suggestions on how we can all contribute to the cause.

History

In 1915, Booker T. Washington established National Negro Health Week. In 2002, National Minority Health Month received support from U.S. Congress with the concurrent resolution 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 health disparity populations…all health organizations and Americans to conduct appropriate programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority and other health disparity communities.”

Now celebrated every year in April, National Minority Health Month “builds awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups and encourages action through health education, early detection and control of disease complications.” (NIH, 2023)

Our Connection to the Cause

Being a minority-owned agency means that we have a personal connection to the mission of National Minority Health Month. Many of the people on our team come from different places and have seen or been affected by health disparities firsthand. This connection drives our passion for promoting health equity and our dedication to using our expertise in marketing to make a difference.

Disproportionate Health Burdens

Minority groups in the United States have a higher rate of illness and early death than other groups. Some factors contributing to these differences are socioeconomic status, access to health care, educational attainment, and cultural barriers. National Minority Health Month brings attention to these problems and encourages people to do something about them through health education, early detection, and control of the complications of diseases.

Facts about Health Disparities

1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African Americans are 1.4 times more likely to die from heart disease and 2.2 times more likely to have a stroke than non-Hispanic white individuals.

2. Hispanic individuals are 50% more likely to have diabetes and 1.5 times more likely to die from diabetes than non-Hispanic whites.

3. Native Americans and Alaska Natives are twice as likely to have diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites, and they experience a higher prevalence of obesity, which is a major risk factor for diabetes.

4. Asian Americans have a higher risk of developing certain types of cancers, such as stomach, liver, and nasopharyngeal cancers, compared to other racial and ethnic groups.

Empowering Communities Through Education

We are devoted to using our expertise and resources as a minority-owned business to strengthen minority communities by providing health education. We think achieving health equity is only possible with more people knowing about health disparities and sharing accurate information. Here are some ways we can all contribute:

1. Share information about minority health disparities on social media platforms, such as LinkedIn, to raise awareness and start conversations.

2. Create and distribute culturally sensitive educational materials to help minority communities better understand health risks and how to manage them.

3. Partner with local health organizations to host or attend webinars or workshops on minority health topics to engage the community and provide valuable resources.

Taking Action: Early Detection and Disease Management

In addition to teaching people about health, National Minority Health Month encourages people to find diseases early and deal with their complications. Here are a few ways we can all make a difference:

1. Support local health clinics in minority communities by volunteering, donating, attending or partnering with them for events.

2. Advocate for policies that improve healthcare access for minority populations, such as expanding Medicaid or investing in community health centers.

3. Encourage minority community members to take advantage of preventive health services like screenings and vaccinations.

Conclusion

National Minority Health Month is significant for us as a minority-owned marketing agency. We are committed to using our skills and resources to improve health equity because we care about the cause. By participating in educational activities and helping with early disease detection and management, we can all work toward a healthier future for everyone and reduce health gaps. Let's use our collective voices to spread awareness and drive change for the betterment of minority health.

If you want to work with us to promote health equity during and after National Minority Health Month, please email us at info@rigaudglobal.com.