National African American History Month in February celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation’s history.
During Black History Month, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is celebrating the achievements of Black Americans and honoring the significant role and impact they have made on all facets of life and society throughout U.S. history.
This year’s theme, Black Health and Wellness 
, acknowledges the legacy of Black scholars, medical practitioners, and health care workers whose activities and initiatives have positively impacted the health and wellness of racial and ethnic minority communities. Focusing on the overall wellness of Black communities is particularly important now because of the high risk for COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and death faced by this community and the impact COVID-19 has on people with underlying medical conditions.
Populations of focus: Black, African American
Links to resource:
- View the full resource library from the Office of Minority Health (OMH).
- View resources for Black Americans throughout history from the National Archives.
- Watch and listen to videos and audio on African American history.
- Read statistics on Health for the African American communities in Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hispanic Health Vital Signs.
- View the fact sheet Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2019 on African American Health from the American Heart Association.
- Use the HD Pulse Data Portal to find more information about health disparities among African Americans.
- Access the Black Population 2010 Census Briefs report from the 2010 census.
- Read the article Honoring Black History While Honoring Mental Health, from Mental Health America.
- Access the Support Guide for Mental Health in the African American Community.
Date: 2020, updated 2024.