Per the notice below, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) is highlighting National Minority Health Month.

New York State Department of Health Recognizes National Minority Health Month

"Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections" Theme Stresses Importance of Advancement of Health Equity

Department Has Implemented Programs to Promote Health Equity Among Communities of Color

The New York State Department of Health recognizes National Minority Health Month with a commitment to advancing health equity and eliminating health disparities among communities of color.  This year's theme is "Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections."

"National Minority Health Month is a time to acknowledge the health disparities and inequities that communities of color continue to face due to systemic racism," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said.  "This year's theme reflects the importance of providing quality care and resources sensitive to cultural health beliefs and practices, diverse communities, different languages, and health literacy levels.  The Department remains committed to advancing health equity among all groups in this state."

The New York State Department of Health, Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention (OMH-HDP) works with individuals, communities, government, and public/private partners to ensure high-quality, affordable, and accessible health care for all New Yorkers.  It is a resource for New York State that aims to reach every resident.  The Department has implemented several programs and initiatives to enhance the health of all New Yorkers, especially communities of color plagued by health inequities.

The New York State Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides breastfeeding support, nutrition education, referrals to other services, and nutritious foods to approximately 425,000 women, infants, and children each month.  Participation in WIC is associated with healthier births, improved birth weights, reduced risk of infant mortality, and better access to primary and preventive health care, among other positive health outcomes.  The Department recently added Spanish as a language option for "Wanda," its virtual assistant that helps people learn about and connect with the program.

The New York State Healthy Neighborhoods Program (HNP) seeks to reduce the burden of housing-related illness and injury through a holistic, healthy homes approach.  The program provides in-home assessments and interventions for asthma, tobacco cessation, indoor air quality, lead, fire safety, and other environmental health hazards in selected communities throughout New York.  These communities identify as high-risk using housing, health, and socio-economic indicators from census and surveillance data.

The Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) is an evidence-based, educational, and support program for individuals with prediabetes at risk for type 2 diabetes.  The goal is to prevent or delay the development of type 2 diabetes.  The Department also focuses on improving chronic disease health outcomes by using health information technology with quality improvement initiatives for individuals with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and other common conditions.

The Community Cancer Prevention in Action (CPiA) is a Department program supporting local cancer prevention and risk reduction interventions using a policy, systems, and environmental (PSE) change approach.  Free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening is available for eligible, uninsured, and underinsured men and women through Cancer Services Program partnerships in every county and borough in New York State.

Comprehensive Family Planning and the Reproductive Health Care Services Program aims to support pregnant people and educate them about choosing the timing and spacing of their pregnancies.  The Department offers care confidentially and respectfully and includes Family Planning services such as birth control, emergency contraception, free condoms, sexually transmitted infection screening and treatment, and infertility services.  All are welcome at the 160 family planning clinic sites, no matter their financial situation or insurance status.

Recognizing that racism is a public health crisis, the Department is committed to making the State healthier for all New Yorkers, regardless of their race, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, language access, immigration, or socio-economic status.  In recent years, the Department has implemented many programs around maternal health to improve maternal health outcomes and to address the critical issue of pregnancy-related deaths among Black pregnant people.

In addition, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a law creating a state doula directory and allocated $4.5 million to support Regional Perinatal Centers to provide high-level perinatal and infant care where needed.  The Department remains committed to advancing health equity for optimal health and well-being of all New Yorkers.