Each April, National Minority Health Month highlights the persistent health disparities affecting racial and ethnic minority communities across the United States. The 2026 theme, “Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections,” calls on individuals, organizations, and systems to strengthen community trust, enhance cultural competency, and provide accessible resources to help eliminate health inequities.

The theme reinforces a powerful message: everyone—from healthcare providers and community organizations to families and neighbors—can help improve health.

This message closely aligns with the mission of the Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging (WRAAA), which works to positively impact the health and well‑being of older adults, including minority populations across Northeast Ohio.

“It is an honor to celebrate National Minority Health Month,” said Fatima Perkins, Director of Community Outreach & Advocacy at WRAAA. “WRAAA does so by assisting minority older adults reach their optimal health.”

Minority Health Disparities in Cleveland

In Cleveland and Cuyahoga County, minority health—particularly among Black residents—is marked by stark and persistent disparities. According to the Cleveland Office of Minority Health (COMH), Black residents experience significantly higher rates of obesity, chronic disease, and infant mortality than their white counterparts.

Perhaps the most alarming disparity is in infant mortality. Black babies in Cleveland die at more than 4.5 times the rate of white babies, and in 2020, 73 percent of infant deaths occurred in African-American families. These losses highlight deep inequities tied not to biology but to access, opportunity, and systemic barriers.

Other key disparities include:

• Obesity: In Cuyahoga County, 37 percent of African Americans are classified as obese, compared with 19 percent of white residents, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
• Chronic Disease: African‑American residents in Ohio experience disproportionately high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and childhood asthma, often driven by limited access to preventive care.
• Cancer Outcomes: Black Ohioans are the least likely to receive early‑stage diagnoses for colorectal and female breast cancers, reducing survival rates.
• Healthcare Access: In Cleveland, 45 percent of Black non‑Hispanic residents rely on Medicaid for healthcare, compared with 21 percent of white non‑Hispanic residents, underscoring disparities in income, insurance coverage, and access to consistent care.

Social Determinants of Health: The Root Causes

Health outcomes are shaped far beyond the walls of clinics and hospitals. COMH identifies Social Determinants of Health—conditions where people live, work, and age—as major drivers of inequity in Cleveland.

Neighborhood and Environmental Factors

People of color make up 66.2 percent of Cleveland’s population, and residents in the city’s lowest‑resourced neighborhoods—often predominantly Black—experience a 50.7 percent prevalence of hypertension, nearly double the 25.5 percent seen in high‑resource areas. Limited access to fresh food, safe spaces for physical activity, and quality health care all contribute to these outcomes.

Workplace and Care Experiences

Research also shows Black women in Cleveland frequently encounter structural racism in the workplace and dismissive or biased treatment in healthcare settings, leading to delayed care, increased stress, and poorer health outcomes over time.

Emergency Care Disparities

In emergency situations, inequities can be life‑threatening. Black patients in the region face 1.26 times higher odds of death in emergency departments compared to white patients, highlighting the urgent need for bias‑aware, equitable care delivery.

Priorities for Action in 2026

The 2026 National Minority Health Month framework identifies several key focus areas to help close these gaps:

• Preventive Care: Promoting screenings for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancer, which disproportionately affect minority communities.
• Community Engagement: Leveraging trusted local organizations, faith groups, and neighborhood networks to share accurate health information and rebuild trust in healthcare systems.
• Cultural Competence: Ensuring healthcare providers understand and respect cultural differences, beliefs, and experiences to improve communication and outcomes.
• Social Determinants of Health: Addressing economic stability, education, housing, transportation, and environmental safety as essential components of health equity.

These efforts are led nationally by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health, in partnership with the National Institutes of Health (NIH), encouraging individuals and organizations alike to take active roles in improving health outcomes.

Statewide Leadership for Health Equity

In Ohio, the Ohio Commission on Minority Health (OCMH) plays a critical role in advancing these goals. Established in 1987 as the nation’s first state agency dedicated solely to minority health, OCMH focuses on eliminating health disparities among African‑American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American populations.

Through innovative strategies, grant funding, and policy advocacy, OCMH supports local Offices of Minority Health in cities including Cleveland, Akron, Columbus, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown. Its strategic priorities include reducing chronic disease, improving infant mortality outcomes, addressing mental health needs, and enhancing cultural competence across healthcare systems.

Becoming the Source for Better Health

National Minority Health Month 2026 is more than an observance—it is a call to action. By strengthening community connections, addressing social determinants, and delivering culturally responsive care, organizations like WRAAA and its partners are helping ensure that every individual has the opportunity to live a longer, healthier life.

When communities lead, trust grows. And when trust grows, better health becomes possible—for everyone.

 

About WRAAA
Building upon four decades of experience in providing services and support to individuals in need, WRAAA is designated by the State of Ohio to plan, coordinate, and administer federal and state aging programs across five counties. WRAAA, the largest of Ohio’s AAAs, is committed to enhancing the lives of more than 440,000 older adults and veterans in our service area through innovative, person-centered services.