In America, we have a long way to go before we can say that everyone has access to good health and medical care. While this is a problem for everyone, it is especially true for minorities. That is why in April of each year, we observe National Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minority and American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and reducing health disparities.
The month offers an opportunity to focus on the health disparities that exist between ethnic groups, as well as gender disparities in health care. It's also an opportunity to learn about how these disparities affect a community at large, as well as individuals within that community.
This year's theme is "Better Health Through Better Understanding". It's an opportunity to highlight how we can all learn more about each other and build bridges between communities.
The foundation for National Minority Health Month was laid by educator, author, and civil rights leader Booker T. Washington, who, in 1915, established National Negro Health Week (NNHW) to bring awareness to the health disparities affecting African Americans caused by poor working and living conditions. Born on a slave plantation, Booker T. Washington rose to become a leading African American educator. Washington believed that the key to the progress of African Americans was rooted in the connection between poverty and poor health. He advocated for economic progress not just through education but through improved living conditions that included better sanitation as well as access to healthcare. NNHW was recognized in 1951 and formed the basis for many of the health-focused observances we celebrate today.
In recent times, this has evolved into what is now known as National Minority Health Month. Launched by the National Minority Health Month Foundation, it strives to lessen the health disparities experienced by minorities in the U.S. Health disparities are the imbalance in the quality of health and health care experienced by groups based on their environmental condition, and their social, racial, ethnic, and economic status. These are often caused by inequalities based on income, as a poor person might not be able to seek the same medical care as someone with a higher income. Discrimination also contributes to this by prioritizing one group over another. The environment plays a part as well; people can’t eat healthy food if they have no access to it.
Health equity is the state in which everyone has a fair and just opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Achieving this requires ongoing societal efforts to address historical and contemporary injustices; overcome economic, social, and other obstacles to health and health care; and eliminate preventable health disparities.
Social determinants of health are the conditions in the places where people live, learn, work, play, and worship that affects a wide range of health risks and outcomes. Long-standing inequities in six key areas of social determinants of health are interrelated and influence a wide range of health and quality-of-life risks and outcomes. Examining these layered health and social inequities can help us better understand how to promote health equity and improve health outcomes.
A person’s social and community context includes their interactions with the places they live, work, learn, play, and worship and their relationships with family, friends, co-workers, community members, and institutions. Interventions are critical to protecting the health and well-being of people who do not get the level of support they need to thrive in their social and community context.
People with disabilities and people from some racial and ethnic minority groups, rural areas, and White populations with lower incomes are more likely to face multiple barriers to accessing health care. For example, structural barriers related to socioeconomic statuses, such as lack of insurance, transportation, childcare, or the ability to take time off work, can make it hard to go to the doctor.
People from racial and ethnic minority groups are disproportionately affected by difficulties finding affordable and quality housing. The practice of redlining or denying mortgages among people of color – and as a result, access to public transportation, supermarkets, and health care – has contributed to the segregation of cities in the United States.
Although the US Federal Government has enacted legislation since the 1970s to reduce the segregation of cities, this historical discriminatory practice has limited housing options among racial and ethnic minority groups to neighborhoods and residences that have school districts with inadequate funding, higher crime rates, and poorly resourced infrastructure.
These conditions may make illnesses, diseases, and injuries more common and more severe among these groups. In addition, access to nutritious, affordable foods may be limited for these groups, and they may experience more environmental pollution within their neighborhoods.
Not all workers have the same risk of experiencing a work-related health problem, even when they have the same job. Occupational health inequities are avoidable differences in work-related disease incidence, mental illness, or morbidity and mortality that are closely linked with social, economic, and/or environmental disadvantage, such as temporary work arrangements, socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., age, sex, gender identity, race, or class), and organizational factors (e.g., lack of worker safety measures, limited or no health insurance benefits).
People who have been historically marginalized, such as people from racial and ethnic minority groups, people with disabilities, and people with lower incomes, are disproportionately affected by inequities in access to high-quality education. The historical practice of redlining and denying mortgages to people of color has also created a lack of opportunity for home ownership, and thus wealth accumulation, due to the inability to pass down property and build wealth. Such financial challenges may make it difficult to manage expenses, pay medical bills, and access affordable quality housing, education, nutritious food, and reliable childcare.
Everyone deserves equal access to good health and medical care. The importance of National Minority Health Month lies in its attention to groups rather than individuals. By recognizing how race and gender affect people’s access to quality healthcare, we can make sure that every person has equal access to good health and medical care. When communities are healthy, they can live and work better. This will lead to economic growth which is good for the entire country.
Medical professionals also need to understand that different cultures have different ways of dealing with disease and illness. This is especially true for minority groups who may have been subjected to racist practices or prejudice from doctors or other medical professionals over time. The end result is that they don't trust these kinds of professionals enough when they need help with an illness or injury.
Sources:
https://www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/nmhm/
https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/whatis/index.html