Celebrating National Minority Health Month 2017

April 12, 2017, by NCI Staff

Each year in April the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and other organizations across the country recognize National Minority Health Month (NMHM) and National Minority Cancer Awareness Week (April 9−15, 2017). This year’s National Minority Health Month theme is Bridging Health Equity Across Communities.

NCI and many of its divisions, offices, and centers have programs, funding mechanisms, and tools that focus on cancer health disparities research, cancer types and disparities, and building a diverse biomedical workforce. Here is some information we would like to highlight for National Minority Health Month.

Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities

• Starting in April, CRCHD launches a blog post series celebrating mentors who have made a difference in the careers of our CURE scholars.
• A new, 1-year administrative supplement opportunity was announced that supports cancer research training and education programs for high school and undergraduate students at NCI-designated Cancer Centers. The supplement places special emphasis on the cancer disparities afflicting American Indian/Alaska Native populations. Find out more about this and other disparities research funding opportunities.
• CRCHD supports two programs that focus on younger students. The UMB CURE Scholars Program identifies and cultivates middle schoolers’ interest in cancer research. The Youth Enjoy Science (YES) Research Education Program supports institutional programs that engage underrepresented grades 6–12 and/or undergraduate students, teachers, and faculty in cutting edge cancer research experiences. Learn more about this and our other CURE program opportunities.
• In the fall of 2016, CRCHD launched the Screen to Save: NCI Colorectal Cancer Outreach and Screening Initiative with the aim of increasing colorectal cancer screening rates among racially and ethnically diverse populations and those living in rural areas.

Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences

• Find out about health disparities funding opportunities, initiatives, and contacts from DCCPS: Health Disparities.
• The Health Disparities Calculator (HD*Calc) is statistical software designed to generate multiple summary measures to evaluate and monitor health disparities.
• The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer was recently released and includes data that show health disparities in cancer survival rates.
• Read more about two major recent study launches: NCI launches study of African-American cancer survivors and NCI launches largest-ever study of breast cancer genetics in black women.
• Watch these videos to learn more about cancer heath disparities:
  • Cancer Health Disparities | Did You Know? 
  • Addressing Cancer Disparities Among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations

Division of Cancer Epidemiology & Genetics

• DCEG has a new post, 2017 National Minority Health Awareness Month, that highlights their minority health research.
• Q&A with DCEG Fellows: Minority Health Research features two postdoctoral fellows who are conducting research on cancer health disparities.
• Learn how DCEG is Building a Diverse Workforce.

NCI Cancer Disparities Information

• Cancer Disparities
• Cancer Health Disparities Research
• The Biology of Cancer Health Disparities

In addition to the NCI observing NMHM, other HHS and NIH institutes will be celebrating and sharing resources throughout the month. Please visit the following links for more information.

Events

The National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) and other federal agencies will host an inaugural Minority Health 5K Walk / Run at the NIH Bethesda Campus on April 12, 2017, from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM.

Join the conversation with groups trying to end health disparities in their communities and help spread the word through social media.

• HHS Office of Minority Health Twitter Town Hall
  April 12, 2017, 1:00–2:00pm
  #Bridge2Health
• NIMHD Twitter Chat: Understanding Social and Environmental Determinants to Bridge Health Equity
  April 25, 2017, 2:00–3:00pm
  #HealthEquityChat

Additional Information

• HHS Office of Minority Health: National Minority Health Month - April
• NIMHD: National Minority Health Month, April 2017
• Food and Drug Administration/Office of Minority Health