Differences in health currently exist between minorities and non-Hispanic whites in the U.S., with people of color suffering disproportionately from chronic diseases, many of which are preventable. During the month of April, your congregation is invited to commemorate National Minority Health Month by hosting events and working to improve the health of all God’s children, regardless of race.
As noted in a recently released statement by Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the health gap in our country is persistent but there are glimmers of hope. For example, the life expectancy gap between non-Hispanic whites and African Americans is closing; more children, including minority children, are getting the seasonal flu vaccine; and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act has offered greater access to preventive services to more Americans.
To learn more about National Minority Health Month, please visit www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov. For ideas on how to improve the health of your faith community, please visit www.healthandwholeness.org.
