Pittman Recognizes April as National Minority Health Month

OKLAHOMA CITY – State Representative Ajay Pittman of Oklahoma City celebrated National Minority Health Month with members of her community in April.

National Minority Health Month, observed throughout this month, is a month dedicated to minimizing health disparities in minority communities across the nation.

“National Minority Health Month is a chance to elevate organizations in our community that work tirelessly to improve health outcomes and increase awareness around issues that disproportionately affect minority communities,” Pittman, a Democrat, said.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health’s theme for 2022’s National Minority Health Month is “Give Your Community a Boost!

“We saw firsthand during the COVID-19 pandemic how our country’s health care infrastructure fails to meet the needs of minority communities,” Pittman said. “National Minority Health Month is an opportunity to have these conversations and hopefully get closer to solutions.”

Pittman encourages Oklahomans to follow up on missed appointments and opportunities to improve personal health.

“We had many trying times over the past two years,” Pittman said.“We have lost loved ones, missed doctor’s appointments, and have had challenges to our mental health. I want to personally ask you to make sure you reschedule those missed appointments with your primary care physician, seek mental health resources, get physical exercise, and continue to check on your neighbors to encourage them to do the same. We all are in this together!”

Black Maternal Health Week, April 11-17, was observed during this year’s Minority Health Month and amplifies the need to increase efforts to protect Black mothers.

“I appreciate the leadership and work of the Biden Administration, especially Vice President Harris, to bring attention to often ignored communities like mine. When groups of people remain isolated, we fail to reach our potential, but when we work together, we can ensure that every Oklahoman has access to the health care they need,” Rep. Pittman said in a press release sent to CapitolBeatOK.com and other news organizations.

For more information and shareable graphics, Rep. Pittman encouraged readers to visit Minorityhealth.HHS.gov for shareable graphics and ways to get involved.

Note: CapitolBeatOK.com is an independent, non-partisan and locally-managed news service based in Oklahoma City. Founder, editor and publisher Patrick B. McGuigan established this service in 2009. CapitolBeatOK.com covers primarily government — state, local, national and occasionally elsewhere in the world. The service also monitors cultural and other issues of broad interest. McGuigan is a member of the Oklahoma Journalism Hall of Fame, the author of three books, and editor of seven.