Observances

Minority Health Month

CDC’s Office of Minority Health & Health Equity (OMHHE) invites you to celebrate Minority Health Month! This year's theme is Health Equity Can't Wait. Act Now in Your CommUNITY! CDC and HHS are focused on highlighting strategies and actions leading to Health Equity.

African American History Month

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred on February 12, 1926. In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month.

Structural inequalities -- from disparities in education and health care to the vicious cycle of poverty -- still pose enormous hurdles for black communities across America. The health disparities between African Americans and other racial groups are striking and are apparent in life expectancy, death rates, infant mortality, and other measures of health status.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

During the observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages, and unique experiences represented among more than 47 ethnic groups from Asia and the Pacific Islands (speaking over 100 languages) who live in the United States. We also recognize millions of AAPIs whose love of family, hard work, and community has helped unite us as a people and sustain us as a Nation.

Hispanic/Latino Heritage Month

In September 1968, Congress authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim National Hispanic Heritage Week. The observance was expanded in 1988 to a month long celebration (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15). America celebrates the culture and traditions of U.S. residents who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Sept. 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on Sept. 16 and Sept. 18, respectively.

American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month

During November, we remember the legacy of the first Americans and celebrate their vibrant and living traditions.1 During this month, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will join with other Federal departments and agencies, local government offices, national and local organizations, and interested individuals to recognize American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) contributions to the development and history of the United States.