April is National Minority Health Month. It’s a perfect opportunity to increase your outreach efforts to racial and ethnic minority populations, which studies show have more difficulty accessing health care. Some minority groups also are at greater risk of developing certain diseases.
- Visit the Office of Minority Health online to get information about health equity and minority outreach. Commit to reaching a broad section of your community. You can also find a great toolkit to help end health disparities while you’re there.
- Participate in the National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities by taking the online partner pledge.
- Reach out to Latino and African American patients you have served and their families. They can provide testimonials about how you helped their loved one.
- Make sure your agency information, education and communication is available in Spanish as well as English. Although many in this group are fluent in English, many others are not or may feel more comfortable with the Spanish language. In addition, hospice agencies should develop clear, concise, informative collateral on end-of-life issues in both English and Spanish. Arrange to have some of your materials on display at health clinics that serve Hispanics. TAG Partners has developed some informative patient action flyers in both English and Spanish.
- Reach out and partner with groups that serve the minority markets, including community health centers, charitable organizations, chambers of commerce and groups that work with migrant populations. Offer to help educate the groups they serve about various health issues.
- Don’t forget about Spanish-language media. Local radio stations and newspapers often will offer a discount or free spot for health care education. Increasing your visibility on these platforms will help you carve your spot in this community’s consciousness.
- Build your library of health education materials in Spanish by visiting www.cdc.gov and searching for Spanish fact sheets on conditions commonly seen in your community. Distribute them in your service area.