April is National Minority Health Month, which brings attention to the importance and necessity of reducing health disparities among minorities. Poor health outcomes for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are apparent when comparing their health indicators against those of the rest of the U.S. population. These populations experience higher rates of illness and death from health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, specific cancers, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, asthma, hepatitis B, and overweight and obesity.1 In order to improve the public health services provided to underserved populations, public health professionals should explore opportunities that increase knowledge of minority health concerns and help teach strategies that improve minority health issues.
National Minority Health Month is an initiative of the Office of Minority Health (OMH), which focuses on improving the health of racial and ethnic minority populations through the development of health policies and programs that will help eliminate health disparities.2 By declaring April National Minority Health Month, OMH has raised awareness of initiatives improving minority health and suggested participation in topical trainings, including webinars, symposiums, and conferences, occurring across the nation, and on the web.
Taking a course or viewing a webinar on TRAIN, the nation’s premier learning resource for professionals who protect the public’s health, is another way to participate in educational opportunities related to National Minority Health Month. With over 525,000 registered learners and over 25,000 courses available from 4,000 course providers, TRAIN offers a selection of trainings that discuss minority health and related health disparities, as well as methods to help build bridges across gaps in minority health. Examples of trainings offered on TRAIN include:
Register or log on to TRAIN today to explore opportunities to enhance your awareness of minority health concerns and strategies to improve the health of minority populations. To learn more about National Minority Health Month and access relevant resources, visit OMH’s official site today.
1. About OMH. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/templates/browse.aspx?lvl=1&lvlID=7. Accessed April 4, 2012.
2. The Office of Minority Health. http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/. Accessed April 4, 2012.