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  1. Minority Health and Health Equity

Minority Health and Health Equity Resources

 

FDA Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) offers many easy-to-use and culturally-appropriate resources on minority health, health disparities, and related topics. These resources are available to view online, print, or share. Some are available in Spanish and other foreign languages.

 

Resources by Health Topic

Alzheimer's Disease

Asthma

Cancer

Chagas Disease

Clinical Trials

Diabetes

Health Disparities

Health Fraud

Heart Disease and Stroke

Hepatitis

HIV/AIDS

Kidney Disease

Language Access Plan

Lupus

Nutrition and Obesity

Sickle Cell Disease

Safe Medicine Use

Tobacco

 

 

Alzheimer's Disease

More than 5 million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Hispanics and African-Americans are disproportionately impacted by this disease.

Consumer Updates:
Videos:
Other Resources:

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Asthma

Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs, causing repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing.

Fact Sheet: Asthma- Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways to become inflamed and narrow.

Consumer Updates:
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Other Resources:

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Cancer

Health disparities persist in cancer research despite significant progress in cancer treatment.

Subscribe to FDA's Office of Hematology and Oncology Products Email Updates- select "Oncology Drugs" under the "Drugs" category.

Lung Cancer and Smoking- Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer of Americans.

Consumer Updates:
Videos:
Other Resources:

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Chagas Disease

Chagas Disease is a parasitic infection that primarily affects people living in rural parts of Latin America, and about 300,000 people in the U.S.

Fact Sheet: Chagas Disease- Learn about Chagas Disease

First U.S. Treatment for Chagas disease- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today granted accelerated approval to benznidazole for use in children ages 2 to 12 years old with Chagas disease. It is the first treatment approved in the United States for the treatment of Chagas disease.

Other Resources:

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Clinical Trials

Minorities have low rates of participation in clinical trials. FDA is working to improve this because it is important to test medical products in the people they are meant to help. This makes the products safer and more effective for everyone.

Minorities in Clinical Trials- Racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented in clinical research. This is a concern because people of different ages, races, and ethnicities, may react differently to medical products.

About Research Participation- Find information about research and research participation.

Fact Sheet: Minorities in Clinical Trials- Minority participation in clinical trials is important.

Brochure: Become a Research Volunteer- Research needs you! It's YOUR decision.

Drug Trials Snapshots- Find information about who participated in clinical trials for new drugs.Diversity in Clinical Trial Participation- It is important to test drugs and medical products in the people they are meant to help.

Webinar: Get to Know ClinicalTrials.gov!—(2015)Rebecca Williams, Pharm. D., MPH, gives a tutorial on how to navigate ClinicalTrials.gov (an online database of clinical trials managed by NIH) and what you can expect to find.

Consumer Updates:
FDA Voices and Interviews:
    Videos:
    Other Resources:

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    Diabetes

    African Americans and Hispanics are 70% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes compared to non-Hispanic whites.

    Subscribe to email updates about diabetes- select "Diabetes" under the "Disease and Conditions" category

    Diabetes and Tobacco Use- Smoking can increase your risk for Type 2 diabetes.

    Consumer Updates:
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    The National Diabetes Education Program (NDEP) works with partners to reduce the burden of prediabetes and diabetes, and prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes and the complications of diabetes.

    The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) has great resources on diabetes for individuals, health care professionals, organizations and communities.

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    Health Disparities

    Racial and ethnic minorities frequently experience health disparities—differences in health that are associated with genetic, social, economic, and environmental disadvantages.

    Consumer Updates:

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    Health Fraud

    Health fraud refer to products that claim to prevent, treat, or cure diseases or other health conditions, but are not proven safe and effective for those uses.

    Subscribe to email updates about health fraud- select "Health Fraud Scams" under the "Recalls and Safety Alerts" category.

    Tobacco-Related Health Fraud- All tobacco products are harmful to your health, despite what they taste, smell, or look like.

    Consumer Updates:
    Videos:

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    Heart Disease and Stroke

    Heart disease and stroke are the leading cause of death in the U.S. A person's race or ethnicity can affect his or her chances of suffering from a heart attack or stroke, and their chances of survival afterward.

    Subscribe to email updates about cardiovascular disease- select "Cardiovascular Disease" under the "Disease and Conditions" category.

    Note Card: Follow the ABCs [Español/Spanish]- Reduce your risk for heart disease and stroke.

    The Journal of Clinical Hypertension: Disparities in Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease in African Americans- African Americans are two to three times as likely as whites to die of preventable heart disease and stroke.

    Heart Health and Smoking- Most people think smoking only impacts the lungs. The truth is that smoking can hurt any part of your body, including your heart.

    Consumer Updates:
    FDA Voice Blogs:

    Jovonni Spinner, M.P.H., C.H.E.S., "Stroke Awareness Month: What's New in Stroke Therapies?" (May 2015) Stroke is the leading cause of severe disability and the fifth leading cause of death for all Americans...

    Other Resources:
    • Million Hearts- The national initiative to prevent 1 million heart attacks and strokes over 5 years.

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    Hepatitis

    Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver; it can cause scarring of the liver, cancer, and/or organ failure. The disease affects significant amounts of Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders (50% of Americans with Hepatitis B) and African Americans (25% of Americans with Hepatitis C).

    Subscribe to the hepatitis email updates- select "Hepatitis" under the "Disease and Conditions" category.

    Fact Sheet: Asian Americans and Hepatitis B- 1 out of 12 Asian Americans are chronically infected with hepatitis B.

    Lecture: Advances in Hepatitis C Treatment- (2015) Hepatitis C specialist Dr. Charles D. Howell discusses recent advances in treatment.Consumer Updates: 

    HIV and Hepatitis: Know Your Status and Learn About the FDA's Role- Health outcomes can be different among diverse ethnic and racial groups.

    Faster, Easier Cures for Hepatitis C- Advances in drug treatments help people living with hepatitis C live longer, healthier lives without the virus.

    FDA Voice:
    Other Resources:

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    HIV/AIDS

    HIV/AIDS can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender or age; but certain groups are at higher risk for HIV/AIDS.

    Get Tested- National HIV, STD, and Hepatitis testing location database.

    Subscribe to the HIV/AIDS email updates- select "HIV/AIDS" under the "Disease and Conditions" category.

    Consumer Updates:
    Other Resources:

    HIV.gov- The federal government's leading source for information about HIV.

    CDC HIV/AIDS- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has resources on HIV/AIDS ranging from information for different groups of people, risk and prevention, and testing locations.

    AIDSinfo- The National Institute of Health (NIH) offers the latest research and treatment information for patients and providers.

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    Kidney Disease

    African Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians are at higher risk for developing kidney failure. This risk is due to the high rates of diabetes and high blood pressure in these communities.

    Webinar: Clinical Trials and Kidney Disease- Learn why minorities and clinical trials matters.
    Blog:
    Podcast:
    Other Resources:

    The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease (NIDDK) has great resources on kidneys for individuals, health care professionals, organizations and communities.

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    Language Access Plan

    FDA wants to ensure that all Americans, including those with a limited ability to communicate in English, can access important health information.

    Language Access Program- oversee implementation of the Language Access Plan: an evolving blueprint to provide people with limited English proficiency easy access to health information in a language and manner that they understand.

    Consumer Updates:
    • FDA Broadens it's Vocabulary—Learn about the new FDA initiative connecting Americans who don't speak English well or at all to valuable, culturally appropriate health information.
    Other Resources:

    The U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM) is the world's largest biomedical library, offering resources on a wide range of topics in both print and electronic format.

    • Medline Plus- Get access to health information in multiple languages

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    Lupus

    Lupus is a disease that can damage many parts of the body including the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. African American, Latina, and Native American women have the highest rates of the disease.

    Consumer Updates:
    Other Resources:

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    Nutrition and Obesity

    Obesity is a risk factor in several disease. Find FDA resources on nutrition labels, a tool that will help you build a healthy diet.

    Labeling and Nutrition- Food labeling is required for most prepared foods, such as breads, cereals, canned and frozen foods, snacks, desserts, drinks, etc.

    Changes to the Nutrition Facts Label- Highlights of the final nutrition facts label.

    Consumer Updates:
    • Nutrition- View full list of nutrition related consumer updates.
    • Nutrition Basics Help Fight Child Obesity- With childhood obesity levels at an all-time high, parents, schools—even whole communities—are getting behind the movement to help young people eat healthier.
    Other Resources:

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    Sickle Cell Disease

    Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S. It primarily affects African Americans (1 in 365) and Hispanics (1 in 16,300).

    Fact Sheet: Sickle Cell Disease- Sickle cell disease is a chronic condition that can cause severe pain, organ damage, or even stroke.

    Lecture: Update on Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Patient with Sickle Cell Disease- (2019) Courtney Fitzhugh, M.D. discuss her current sickle cell research and Jennifer, an author, speaker and advocate for chronic diseases will talk about her experience being cured of sickle cell disease and multiple sclerosis through stem cell transplant.

    Blood Advances Manuscript: Haploidentical Peripheral Blood Stem Transplantation (PBSCT) for Sickle Cell Disease

    Consumer Updates:
    Videos:
    Other Resources:

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    Safe Medicine Use

    When used as directed, medicines can treat health problems and help you live a long, healthy life. Find information about medication safety and answers to common question about quality and effectiveness.

    Note Card: 3 Options for Safe Drug Disposal [Español/Spanish]- Use a take back-program, flush-it when appropriate, trash-it when indicated.

    Generic Drugs: Q & A- Answers to common questions about generic drugs, including appearance, effectiveness, cost, and other related topics.

    Generic Drugs Patient Education Resources- Infographics, brochures, handouts, posters, presentations, PSAs, and articles about generic drugs for educators, health care professionals, and consumers.

    Consumer Updates:
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    Tobacco

    Tobacco use can cause premature death and disease. Find information tailored for multicultural communities.

    Tobacco- Learn more about FDA's tobacco resources. You and your loved ones can contact the Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) with questions about tobacco at [email protected].

    Subscribe to email updates about tobacco- select the "Tobacco" category.

    Fact Sheet: The Center for Tobacco Products and Native Communities- Tobacco use has a serious impact on Native communities.

    Fresh Empire

    Fresh Empire is FDA's first public education campaign designed to prevent and reduce tobacco use among at-risk multicultural youth who identify with hip-hop culture.

    Fresh Empire Campaign Resources- Find fact sheets, social media toolkits, posters, and postcards that help raise awareness about risks associated with tobacco.

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    Office of Minority Health

    Contact Point

    1-888-INFO-FDA
    1-888-463-6332

    Hours Available

    Food and Drug Administration
    Food and Drug Administration
    White Oak Campus

    10903 New Hampshire Ave
    Silver Spring, MD 20993
    United States



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