April is National Minority Health Month, focusing on the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities and reducing health disparities.

The theme for 2022 is “Give Your Community a Boost,” with a focus on the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccinations, including boosters.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health, “experiences with racism and discrimination can contribute to mistrust of the health care system among racial and ethnic minority groups, leading to mistrust of factual information on vaccines and boosters.”

This year’s theme not only supports the U.S. Surgeon General's recommendations on combating COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation at the individual, community and organizational levels, but also addresses how it disproportionately affects minorities.

Locally, Facts Not Fear ICT continues to try to lessen the impact of COVID-19 on Wichita’s vulnerable communities. 

Through community facilitators working with each minority population, Wichita residents are connected with health education materials and resources. Additionally, the program obtains feedback from the community to guide the work of these efforts. The initiative is steered by a local Advisory Council made up of health care leaders, nonprofit representatives and community residents to assist in guiding the campaign.

If you’re interested in learning more about health disparities, explore Healthy People 2030’s Social Determinants of Health.