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News – Monday, April 11, 2022
State Public Health Department Celebrates National Minority Health Month
2022 Theme – Give Your Community a Boost
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), is celebrating National Minority Health Month this April by hosting and promoting a series of activities.
Observed every year in April, National Minority Health Month raises awareness about health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minority populations. This year’s theme is “Give Your Community a Boost!” The goals are, to continue raising awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine and booster as one of the strongest tools to combat the virus, and to forge new alliances and partnerships to promote community revitalization and resilience, especially in communities of color disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
Illinois has become increasingly diverse in the last century and is projected to be even more diverse in the coming years. Currently, one in three Illinoisians is from racial and ethnic minority populations. However, disease burdens such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease, stroke, HIV, substance abuse, infant mortality, and COVID-19 infection and deaths rates remain higher among these populations. In partnership with communities, IDPH continues to work towards stopping health disparities, accelerating health equity, and making Illinois a stronger and healthier state.
“The health of racial and ethnic populations, as well as all populations experiencing health and wellbeing disparities can be greatly improved through programs designed to incorporate a health equity focus. Through this critical work, we will continuously learn how to serve the public health needs of all precious persons through the most dignified and efficacious program designs,” said Interim Director Dr. Amaal Tokars.
The IDPH Center for Minority Health Services encourages everyone to become part of this awareness month by joining in health promotion events and activities going on around the state. For a listing of the IDPH-sponsored community activities, visit https://dph.illinois.gov/resource-center/news/2022/april/national-minority-health-month/grantee-events