Honoring National Minority Health Month

National Minority Health Month takes place in April of every year. Established in 2001 by the National Minority Health Foundation, this annual event is dedicated to raising awareness for and addressing the health disparities impacting racial and ethnic minorities, in both medical and mental health categories. 

Disparities in healthcare have a long history in the U.S. and persist for many people of minorities. April is a month dedicated to bridging these gaps. It's a time for creating a better future with improved health and healthcare resources. 

In observance of National Minority Health Month, let's take the time to discuss what disparities in healthcare can look like for minority groups and how to address them—not just in April but throughout the year.

How do disparities in health care affect minority communities?

Disparity refers to "a noticeable and usually significant difference or dissimilarity." An apt synonym with which we may all be familiar is “inequality.”

A minority group “refers to any group that is subjected to oppression and discrimination by those in more powerful social positions, whether or not the group is a numerical minority.” A minority group that is not a numerical minority may also be considered a majority-minority group. This means that while there are many people within that minority group, these individuals may still face several different challenges and barriers within society.

A common misconception is the belief that an individual's lifestyle choices either entirely or predominantly determine their health and well-being. Health and well-being may be influenced by various factors, some of which may be frequently overlooked. These factors can include genetics, personal behaviors, environmental factors, public reach to adequate medical care, and social factors, all of which can be interconnected.

What health disparities do minority groups face?

Since well-being can be influenced by such a wide range of factors, it's helpful to understand how these challenges show up and affect mental health stigma both in and outside of healthcare settings. A small example of health disparities individuals in minorities may face include:

• Higher poverty levels and the cultural stigma around this can negatively impact mental and physical health in many ways. While disparities in wealth are improving, they are by no means gone, with 2021 statistics from census.gov showing the median household income for Black households was $48,297. In contrast, the median income was $57,981 for Hispanic households, $77,999 for non-Hispanic White households, and $101,418 for Asian households.
• Lower reach to mental health care, health education, diagnosis, and recognition of symptoms among medical and mental health professionals can also be a struggle. One example of this can be seen in the detection of eating disorders. Various studies have found that clinicians are less likely to detect the same eating disorder symptoms in people of minorities, with one study noting disparities in detecting symptoms in the Hispanic and Black communities. 
• Lower reach to accurate healthcare information and healthcare screenings can be common. These may include mental and physical resources, with one notable disparity seen in cancer screenings.
• Lack of clean water, clean air, and adequate nutrition can be another challenge. For example, various groups are more likely to live in food deserts, areas without clean drinking water, or areas with higher levels of air pollution.

Eating disorders are serious, and they can affect anyone. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder or might be, please call or text the National Eating Disorders Association helpline at 1-800-931-2237.

Limited ability to utilize health care 

There are also lower rates of healthcare coverage in these groups. Stressors uniquely related to minorities can also impact health. Although this includes concerns like poverty, which disproportionately affects Black and Hispanic households, other areas where minority stress may appear are discrimination, harassment, and poor social support. 

An individual may also face macro or microaggressions in the world and healthcare settings, thus putting them at increased risk for poor mental and physical health outcomes. A provider who isn’t aware of disparities may overlook important aspects of an individual's care. 

Addressing disparities in health care

It's not only medical and mental health professionals who can help bridge gaps and address difficulties in the mental and physical health treatment for minorities. Anyone can play a role. Here are some ways you can support these goals this month and throughout the year.

Get involved with National Minority Health Month events each April

Review the activities on the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) website to learn how to get involved with and support the goals of minority health awareness. These activities can involve showing educational videos, graphics, and more to continue raising awareness.

Help and underserved communities get the resources they need

Many groups may experience a higher risk for unique struggles like poverty, hunger, food insecurity, living in high-pollution areas, and more. These things not only impact a person's health status, but they often go overlooked and can affect a person's ability to receive care when they need it. 

Follow and learn from people online

One of the best ways to learn about what underrepresented groups face may be to listen to individuals who are part of minority communities. Many advocates, including activists, therapists, and primary care doctors, offer training opportunities such as webinars or speaking events in person or online. 

Author Bebe Moore Campbell has some excellent articles and novels on the physical and mental health disparities the Black community has faced. You may also be able to find resources like minority-led blogs, organizations, and newsletters. You may choose to bring these resources online via social media to help others find these resources and learn from them.

Help foster inclusivity in your community

You may want to work to make your spaces more inclusive, including those in educational, medical, social, and other settings. It may be challenging, but you can try to identify and bring awareness to any biases about which you may be unaware, including possible implicit biases, and see where bias may show up in your spaces. 

You might try to stand up for others experiencing discrimination or harassment if you witness it. 

Advocate for inclusivity in educational and professional settings

Continuing to expand resources for minority individuals who want to join the medical or mental health fields may be part of how we bridge the gaps. Various studies have found that when someone can get a doctor or another medical professional from the same minority group, they receive more effective care. 

If you are part of one of these groups, this can be one way to advocate for yourself and potentially get better care. Examples of professionals in minority groups for which you might look include primary care physicians, mental health counselors and therapists, psychiatrists, massage therapists, and dietitians. This search can be conducted through an online search or provider directory.

Mental health support for minority communities

If you are part of a minority group, you have the right to care for yourself as much as anyone else, whatever that means for you. It can be challenging and tiring to advocate for yourself at times, and having tools for self-care can be significant in managing your mental health. 

Social support and community can be integral, which one may find face-to-face or online via support groups and other avenues. Sometimes, there are support groups for people in gender or ethnic minority groups experiencing specific concerns like mental health conditions, which can provide a valuable sense of connection. If you need a space to talk about something impacting your emotional, psychological, or social well-being, consider speaking with a therapist or counselor who can help.

How online therapy can help bridge health disparities

If you’re part of a minority group, finding a counselor with a similar background may be challenging, especially if you live in a small town or rural area. Online therapy can provide you with a more diverse population of therapists. Internet-based treatment can also be more convenient, sometimes making getting the services you need more available. You don't have to commute to an office when you get therapy online, which may be a relief for those with busy schedules or who prefer online services.

The benefits of online therapy

Online therapy has been the subject of much research. A recent study highlighted the capability of internet-based counseling to reach underserved people of minority groups who may not have traditional mental health services. 

Platforms like BetterHelp may give you a more comprehensive range of mental health professionals who offer talk therapy, including those who specialize in your concerns. With online therapy, you also aren't restricted to care professionals in your immediate city or town.