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It's a New Day in Public Health.

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote & improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

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Minority Health and Health Equity

Contact the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity

Poor health outcomes for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are apparent when comparing their health indicators to Florida's general population.

These minority populations experience higher rates of illness and death from health conditions such as heart disease, stroke, specific cancers, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, mental health, asthma, hepatitis B, and obesity.

The Office of Minority Health was initially established in 2004 by the Legislature 20.43 (9), Florida Statutes to serve as the coordinating office within the Department of Health for consultative services and training in the areas of cultural and linguistic competency, coordination, partnership building, program development and implementation, and other related comprehensive efforts to address the heath needs of Florida's minority and underrepresented populations statewide.

Effective July 1, 2016 the office name officially changed to the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. (OMHHE)

The OMHHE will remain committed to promoting culturally and linguistically appropriate services that will ensure the needs of minority communities are integrated and addressed within health-related programs across the state.

The Definition of Health Equity
Health Equity Initiatives
Observances

illustration of a parent holding a baby.

For Every Newborn, There is One Mother
According to the CDC, U.S. mothers who are black are 3 to 4 times more likely to die from complications related to childbirth than mothers who are white—regardless of income, geographical location or relative health.

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illustration of a parent holding a baby.

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The Definition of Health Equity

Health equity: Health equity is attainment of the highest level of health for all people.

Achieving health equity requires valuing everyone equally with focused and ongoing societal efforts to address avoidable inequalities, historical and contemporary injustices, and the elimination of health and health care disparities.

Note: This definition is taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: A Practitioner’s Guide for Advancing Health Equity: Community Strategies for Preventing Chronic Disease https://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dch/pdfs/health-equity-guide/Health-Equity-Guide-intro.pdf

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Health Equity Initiatives

Closing the Gap Grant Program (CTG)

Minority Health Liaisons (MHLs)

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Observances

Minority Health Month (MHM)

Take A Loved One To The Doctor Month (TALOTTDM)

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