About Minority Health
The Office of Minority Health works to eliminate differences in health status between racial and ethnic minority and non-minority populations by providing leadership and guidance on best ways to address racial and ethnic health disparity and specific health needs of racial and ethnic minority groups.
Mission: To provide leadership to reduce health inequities in minority communities of Columbus and its surrounding areas.
Vision: The office ultimately envisions a society where the opportunity for health equity exists for all persons and ideally, eliminates the social and economic barriers to good health.
What do we mean by "Disparities"?
Health Disparities are the differences in rates of disease, health outcomes and access to healthcare found between different groups of people.
Healthcare Disparities are the differences in the quality of care received by different groups.
Health Equity is a basic principle of public health — that all people have a right to health. Racial and ethnic minorities tend to receive a lower quality of healthcare than non-minorities, even when other factors are the same, such as insurance and income.
Minority Health Month
April is Minority Heath Month. In 1989 the Ohio Commission on Minority Health developed the concept of a high-visibility campaign designed to focus on heath awareness and disease prevention. This 30-day campaign consists of numerous activities designed to solicit the interest and participation of minorities or providers of health services to minority populations. In 2000, Minority Health Month became a national celebration. The five goals established for the month from inception remain valid today:
- Provide crucial information to allow individuals to practice disease prevention;
- Promote healthy lifestyles.
- Showcase the resources for and providers of grassroots healthcare and information
- Highlight the resolution of disparate health conditions between Ohio’s minority and non minority populations, and
- To gain additional support for on-going efforts to improve minority health year round.
Learn about our Local Conversations
Office of Minority Health 4 Core Work Areas
Monitor and report the health status of minority populations
Inform, educate, and empower people to make choice about their health
Mobilize community partnerships
Develop policies and plans to support health efforts
We are part of the Ohio Commission on Minority Health
Created in 1987, the Ohio Commission on Minority Health serves as the lead agency for six local offices in Ohio:
- Columbus
- Dayton
- Cleveland
- Akron
- Toledo
- Youngstown
The National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA)
The National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities (NPA) is intended to lead local offices of minority health and its partners toward a shared destination: a nation free of health disparities, with quality health outcomes among racial and ethnic minority populations. The NPA is an initiative of the US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health in partnership with a broad, diverse array of partners. The NPA is intended to serve as a catalyst for leadership action around five core objectives:
• Increased awareness of health disparities
• Strengthened leadership at all levels
• Improved patient-provider communication
• Improved cultural and linguistic competency
• Improved coordination and utilization of research and evaluation outcomes
HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
National Stakeholder Strategy for Achieving Health Equity
National Partnership for Action to End Health Disparities: Toolkit for Community Action
The Effective and Empowered Health Care Consumer Workshop
Become An Active Partner in Your Health Care. It Leads To Better Health.
Improving your health starts with you. Funded by Columbus Medical Association and Columbus Public Health, this workshop gives you the tools you need to partner with your doctor by preparing for your visit, what to do while at your visit, and how to follow-up after your visit. Your instructor will guide you through a workbook of tools and local resources that coach you in:
- Maintaining your health records
- Preparing for healthcare visits.
- Communicate confidently with your healthcare provider (asking questions and providing information).
- Understanding how to be a full partner in your healthcare and to follow your treatment plan.
Workshops are free and are held at various places around Columbus. They have been held at libraries, senior housing complexes, churches, and recreation centers. Call to find the workshop closest to you or to arrange one for a group.
Evaluation of the Local Office
Evaluation is an integral part of all planning efforts. When we conceptualize, write, or implement a program we should pay attention to evaluation very closely. This becomes more important for health programs as stakeholders, funders, and legislators demand more accountability, and as staff and administrators want to know more about the implementation and effectiveness of their programs.
The Ohio Commission on Minority Health (OCMH) funded a Research and Evaluation Enhancement Program (REEP) to bring together Ohio evaluation experts who have experience evaluating culturally diverse health research projects.
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