N.C. Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities
April is National Minority Health Month: #VaccineReady
April is National Minority Health Month, and this year, the HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) is focusing on the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on racial and ethnic minority and American Indian and Alaska Native communities and to underscore the need for these vulnerable communities to get vaccinated as more vaccines become available. COVID-19 vaccination is an important tool to help us get back to normal, and to prevent the spread of COVID-19 to bring this pandemic to an end.
NC DHHS COVID-19 Resources
The OMH focus is to empower communities to:
- Get the facts about COVID-19 vaccines.
- Share accurate vaccine information.
- Participate in clinical trials.
- Get vaccinated when the time comes.
- Practice COVID-19 safety measures.
As more vaccines become available, there are steps communities can take to protect themselves until they can get vaccinated:
- Wear a mask to protect yourself and others and stop the spread of COVID-19.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from others who don’t live with you.
- Avoid crowds. The more people you are in contact with, the more likely you are to be exposed to COVID-19.
You can keep up to date on National Minority Health Month news and activities by signing up for OMH email updates or by following OMH on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Historically Marginalized Populations Engagement Toolkit for Healthcare Systems and Providers
Health inequities and disparities among historically marginalized populations (HMP) in the United States and North Carolina existed long before COVID-19; however, the pandemic has spotlighted these glaring problems.
The toolkit is intended as a guide for NC healthcare systems and providers to help ensure HMP are appropriately engaged in all aspects of public health and healthcare delivery – from planning to evaluation, whether emergency preparedness and response efforts or everyday programs and services.
The toolkit is organized to provide:
- A framework for embedding health equity into organizational infrastructure for long-term reduction in health disparities and improved health outcomes beyond the pandemic.
- Health equity considerations and strategies specific to COVID-19 response efforts.
- Resources (APPENDIX) to support health equity infrastructure development and COVID-19 response efforts.
The toolkit is a project of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) COVID-19 Historically Marginalized Populations (HMP) Workgroup.
Health Equity Report 2018
Measures and monitors the state’s progress toward eliminating the health status gaps experienced by racial/ethnic minorities.
Minority Health Webinars
Webinars related to Minority Health and Health Disparities
......serving North Carolina since 1992
From Health Disparities to Health Equity
What We Do
The mission of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities is to promote and advocate for the elimination of health disparities among all racial and ethnic minorities and other underserved populations in North Carolina.

The first N.C. Health Equity Impact Awards were held in Raleigh as part of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities' 25th anniversary celebration.

Programs and Services protect and improve the health of North Carolinians throughout the state.

Minority Health Advisory Council mission, mandate and members
Frequently Requested
- N.C. Social Determinants of Health Interactive Maps
- Minority Health Webinars
- N.C. American Indian Minority Health Fact Sheets
- Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in North Carolina: Health Equity Report 2018 (9 MB PDF)
- N.C. Health Priorities Summary Report (PDF); Source
- North Carolina Population & Health Data by Race & Ethnicity 2011-2015 (224 KB PDF)
- North Carolina Population & Health Data by Race & Ethnicity 2010-2014 (286 KB PDF)
- Minority Health Statistics and Reports (N.C. State Center for Health Statistics)
- Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities in North Carolina: Report Card 2010 (739 KB PDF)
- National Office of Minority Health
- National Minority Health Resource Center
Contact
Mailing Address
Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities
NC DHHS
1906 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1906
Courier #56-20-11
Physical Address
Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities
5605 Six Forks Road, 2nd floor
Raleigh, NC 27609
Telephone / Fax
Main: 919-707-5040Fax: 919-676-6145
Last Modified: April 14, 2021