National Minority Health Month = An Opportunity to Address Racial Disparities
Did you know that April is National Minority Health Month in 2022? Observed by the Office of Minority Health (OMH), the 2022 theme of this observation day is Give Your Community a Boost. Today, the COVID-19 vaccination is the best protection that people can get against the deadliest forms of the COVID-19 virus. However, the HHS Office of Minority Health points out that vaccinations and minority communities do not do well together. At the same time, COVID-19 disproportionately affects communities of color. Too many people have been lost. Hence, National Minority Health Month is an opportunity to address racial disparities.
Therefore, Tarzana Treatment Centers (TTC) continue to offer COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots at our primary clinic locations. Moreover, the TTC COVID-19 website page is in both English and Spanish with the hope of reaching a broader audience. Additionally, the outreach team at TTC makes concerted efforts to raise awareness about access to vaccinations. Indeed, we spread the message of availability in the minority communities that we have served for half a century.
National Minority Health Month and Disparities
Traditionally, National Minority Health Month highlights the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities. The overall goal is to reduce health disparities that have worsened during the pandemic. Thus, addressing a specific health disparity, this year’s theme emphasizes the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations and booster shots.
Often suspicious of healthcare providers, many people in minority communities are resistant to receiving the COVID-19 vaccination. Thus, an extra effort to communicate that the COVID-19 vaccination is one of the strongest and safest tools. Indeed, we need to use this tool to save lives and finally bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthcare and National Minority Health Month
However, there is no doubt that racial and ethnic minorities often experience racism and discrimination in healthcare. Thus, to address this issue, the JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion) Committee is part of the managing framework of Tarzana Treatment Centers. Beyond recognizing the importance of this observance, the JEDI Committee works year-round to address these racial disparities. Indeed, JEDI provides a sounding board for both patients and staff that experience racism and discrimination in a healthcare setting.
Founded in 1915 by Booker T. Washington, National Minority Health Month was made official by a Congressional Resolution in 2002. In the resolution, Congress stated, “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.” Moreover, the resolution encouraged “all health organizations and Americans to conduct appropriate programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority and other health disparity communities.”
TTC is proud to be a healthcare organization that underscores the crucial importance of National Minority Health Month. After all, the core values and mission of TTC emphasize the crucial importance of dignity and respect across all facets of the organization. Hopefully, given our experience and expertise, we will be able to help bridge some of these racial disparities in Southern California. Ultimately, in the beginning and the end, the goal is to save lives.