April is National Minority Health Month

Apr. 4, 2012 / By

According to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), this year’s theme,Health Equity Can’t Wait. Act Now in Your CommUNITY!, is a call to action and unity for the regions, the state and local offices of minority health, the health departments and all the organizations and partners involved and invested in reducing health disparities. Saturday, April 21 is Health Equity Day of Action. From the HHS Office of Minority Health:

Youth Festival: Young. Healthy. YouNITED!OMH encourages every community to host a youth festival on Saturday, April 21, 2012, for our Health Equity Day of Action.This would be an educational activity, include a health fair, and have a ton of fun things to do. It should work around the four themes, and localities will add some other aspects as they see fit.

Themes:

  • Stop Bullying Now! Prevent youth violence
  • Donate the Gift of Life! Promote organ donation
  • Get moving! Fight Obesity
  • Watch your mouth! Promote oral health

We will emphasize the utilization of the youth as educators themselves, not just as receivers of the educations. So, a strong focus should be put on how the youth can bring these messages home. For instance, educate children on the importance of organ donation and how to discuss it with their parents and other family members.

This would be a partnership with local schools, departments of health, NPA partners, community and faith based organizations, radio stations and others.

To find out more about how you can get involved, visit http://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/actnow/

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