Welcome to April 2014’s Amplify Your Expertise. This
month we have two special monthly observances to talk about. The first is
National Cancer Control Month sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The
second is National Minority Health & Health Disparities Month sponsored by
the Office of Minority Health Resource Center.
CMS the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services
states that the best defense against cancer is screening and prevention.
Everyone in American can reduce their risk of developing cancer by having a
healthy diet, limiting time in the sun, getting regular exercise, having a
tobacco free life, not drinking alcohol in excess, and of course having regular
cancer screenings. (cms.gov, 2014) This seems so simple and yet cancer is still
being fought daily. The American Cancer Society works diligently to remove the
threat of cancer worldwide. I am thankful for their efforts and their many
wonderful ways they help support cancer patients and their families. For more
information on the American Cancer Society check out www.cancer.org
The 2014 theme of National Minority Month is
prevention is power. Everyone deserves to live a healthy happy life no matter
what. Improving the health of communities takes everyone within the communities
to make it happen. During the month of April the Office of Minority Health
focuses on bringing awareness about
health disparities that continue to affect racial and ethnic minorities and the
nation as a whole. (minorityhealth.hhs.gov, 2014) For more information check
out www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov
Henderson-Hughes Health
Partners (H3P) selected both of these observances because they fit well with
the mission and vision of H3P. In order to stamp out health illiteracy we must
first educate the community no matter regardless of age, ethnicity, gender,
sexual orientation, sexual identification, disability, languages spoken,
country of origin, color or economic status, resulting in broken down barriers in
health care so that all people receive quality healthcare. Once the
community is educated they can prevent themselves from being exposed to
unhealthy living thus gaining power.
