PROMOTING MINORITY HEALTH AWARENESS AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH IN APRIL 2025.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Kamela Smith & Rep. Minor-Brown & Rep. Ortega & Sen. Pinkney & Sen. Townsend

Reps. Gorman, K. Johnson, Morrison, Neal, Osienski, Phillips, Snyder-Hall, Yearick; Sens. Mantzavinos, Seigfried, Sokola, Wilson

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 26

PROMOTING MINORITY HEALTH AWARENESS AND SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL MINORITY HEALTH MONTH IN APRIL 2025.

WHEREAS, celebrated every year in April, National Minority Health Month: Builds awareness about the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in people from racial and ethnic minority groups and encourages action through health education, early detection and control of disease complications; and

WHEREAS, the origin of National Minority Health Month was the 1915 establishment of National Negro Health Week by Booker T. Washington. In 2002, National Minority Health Month received support from the U.S. Congress with a concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 388) that “a National Minority Health and Health Disparities Month should be established to promote educational efforts on the health problems currently facing minorities and other populations experiencing health disparities.” The resolution encouraged “all health organizations and Americans to conduct appropriate programs and activities to promote healthfulness in minority and other communities experiencing health disparities”; and

WHEREAS, significant health disparities exist among minority groups, including differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and burden of preventable health conditions and diseases which include gun violence, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS, infant mortality, maternal health, and mental health; and

WHEREAS, National Minority Health Month is an inclusive initiative addressing health needs of African American, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American people and other minorities with the aim of strengthening the capacities of local communities to eliminate the disproportionate burden of premature death and preventable illness in populations of color through prevention, early detection, and control of disease complications; and

WHEREAS, even though improvements have been made in the health status of most Delaware residents during the past decade, the state's populations of color remain challenged by poorer rates of overall health status and higher death rates for preventable disease; and

WHEREAS, public awareness and culturally relevant health education, disease prevention, and health care services are essential to improving the health of racial and ethnic minorities; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with this year's National Minority Health Month theme, "Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections," Delaware is focused on emphasizing “Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections”.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the State of Delaware of the 153

rd

General Assembly, the Senate concurring therein, does hereby proclaim the month of April 2025 as National Minority Health Month in Delaware, in support of efforts to help eliminate health disparities, accelerate health equity, and make the State of Delaware a stronger and healthier state for all.

SYNOPSIS

This Concurrent Resolution promotes minority health awareness and supporting the goals and ideals of National Minority Health Month in April 2025, which include bringing attention to the health disparities faced by minority populations in the State of Delaware.