In the United States, many racial and ethnic minority populations are underserved in health care, experience poorer health and greater disparities in health outcomes, and are socially disadvantaged due in part to being subject to racist or discriminatory acts. (NIMHD)
This month’s focus raises awareness on improving the health disparities in racial and ethnic minority communities.
This year’s National Minority Health Month theme is Sickle Cell Anemia Awareness. This theme was chosen to bring awareness to a disease disproportionately affecting the African American population, and to highlight a group that requires frequent blood transfusions. Sickle cell disease affects 1 out of every 365 Black or African American births, and people with sickle cell disease may need as many as 100 units of blood each year. Voluntary blood donations can help alleviate the symptoms of someone living with sickle cell disease, or even help save their life.
Learn more about sickle cell disease and how you can donate blood to help this population at https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/blood-types/diversity/sicklecell.html
You can even help this group and other people requiring blood transfusion by donating blood at the Red Cross Blood Drive here at LBL on 4/9/24. Reserve your appointment here: http://go.lbl.gov/blooddrive
https://nimhd.nih.gov/resources/understanding-health-disparities/: Find out more about health disparities among minority populations, including diversity and inclusion in clinical trials and how NIMHD is addressing structural racism.
On a local level, learn more about programs in the Bay Area addressing social and health
inequity: https://barhii.org/
See the requirements for blood donation in California here: https://www.redcrossblood.org/donate-blood/how-to-donate/eligibility-requirements.html
Find more information about Sickle Cell Anemia here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sickle-cell-anemia/symptoms-causes/syc-20355876
