BETTER HEALTH THROUGH BETTER UNDERSTANDING

April Is National Minority Health Month

Booker Taliaferro Washington, a renowned civil rights leader and educator, inaugurated National Health Improvement Week in 1915 shortly before his death at age 59. The eight-day week awareness event was later celebrated annually around April 5th (Washington’s birthday) and renamed National Negro Health Week. Washington quoted, “Without health, and until we reduce the high death rate, it will be impossible for us to have permanent success in business, in property getting, in acquiring education, or to show evidence of progress.” The United States Health and Human Services Department adopted Washington’s principles and renamed the observance National Minority Health Week in 1989 and in 2002 expanded it to a month.

WHAT THE DOCTORS ARE SAYING?

Progress, Mr. Washington? 107 years later have we reduced disparities and health outcomes for minority populations? We checked in with Tracie Collins, MD, Dean and Professor, University of New Mexico School of Population Health and Duane Ross, MD, New Mexico Black Leadership Council Physical Health Committee Chair and retired Medical Director, True Health New Mexico to ask.

Tracie Collins, MD

“Although I think the concept is amazing, I’m not aware that National Minority Health Month has had a major impact in New Mexico. [In defining the issue,] when you talk about diabetes, hypertension, strokes, and heart attacks, you have to look at what is driving poor health outcomes—you have to take a multipronged approach. When you start looking at neighborhoods and grocery stores, where are the opportunities for people in communities to go take a walk? Do they have affordable nutrient-dense foods or adequate employment to buy a home? It’s not just about choices concerning physical activity and what you eat, it’s about having the opportunity to live a comfortable life so you can fully engage in the health journey. As physicians, researchers, and educators, we have to be in the trenches. In order to make an impact on inequities and disparities and health outcomes, minority health has to be a daily goal.”

2023 Theme And Beyond

“Better Health Through Better Understanding” is the 2023 National Minority Health Month theme. We hope educators, healthcare providers, philanthropists, and the entire community will remember Mr. Washington’s prophetic words and will understand and adopt the words of our experts. For more information scan the QR code.

Duane Ross,

“I think the historical context to Booker T. Washington is great—that resonates with a lot of people. I think we can use this month to focus on consolidating a lot of things—like prostate cancer screenings for Black men. Years ago, the New Mexico Department of Health originated the idea of consolidating national children’s immunization schedules and increased compliance. For instance, diabetes screenings could all be done in one day. If we have awareness events and screenings this month, it may not be 100% participation, but it will definitely help improve health outcomes. In terms of addressing health inequities and disparities, incorporating consistent processes in our healthcare systems has proven effective in reducing bias. But we also have to be looking at things like livable wages, better education, and transportation improvements—we have to take a multipronged approach. We can’t be looking at improving health by just approaching health.”