National Minority Health Month 2023
(French Camp, CA) – Health Plan of San Joaquin (HPSJ) collaborates with the community to celebrate National Minority Health Month in April. This includes the first Black Maternal Health Symposium hosted by San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) and partners.
As people of color carry the burdens that include racism, environmental stresses, and other health related inequities, they too often face added illness burdens and even premature death.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) leads the observation of Minority Health Month each April to highlight the importance of improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities, American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities and reducing health disparities. The 2023 theme is Better Health Through Better Understanding. “This year’s theme focuses on improving health outcomes for racial and ethnic minority and AI/AN communities by providing them with culturally and linguistically competent healthcare services, information, and resources. When patients are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate information, they are empowered to create healthier outcomes for themselves and their communities.” (Source: www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/nmhm/)
Black Maternal Health Symposium to honor Black Maternal Health Week (April 11- 17, 2023)
San Joaquin County Public Health Services (PHS) is hosting the first Black Maternal Health Symposium in honor of Black Maternal Health Week. The public is invited to Join PHS and community partners (Community Health Leadership Council/San Joaquin and Health Plan of San Joaquin) to learn more about services in the county and to meet those who are focused on reducing disparities that jeopardize Black maternal health. (NOTE TO EDITORS: See the attached flyer for featured topics. Also, HPSJ social media platforms – Facebook and Instagram – will offer information on events as available.)
Attached: Flyer –
Resource:
- Perinatal Equity Initiative (PEI) – “PEI is an innovative pregnancy and parenting support program for Black/African American women in San Joaquin County and their partners. The program raises awareness of the health-related inequities facing Black/African American women, leading to maternal and infant deaths.” – Perinatal Equity Initiative.” Find more on PEI and promising practices at Rally Around Our Sisters (Public Health Services of San Joaquin County (sjcphs.org)
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Health Plan of San Joaquin serves over 400,000 members in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. Visit the web site at www.hpsj.com.
Media Contact: Jill Center, Health Plan of San Joaquin, jcenter@hpsj.com