National Minority Health Month is observed in April. Recognizing that health is the key to progress and equity in all other things, Dr. Booker T. Washington proposed the observance of National Negro Health Week in April 1915. He called on local health departments, schools, churches, businesses, professional associations, and the most influential organizations in the African-American community to “pull together” and “unite… in one great National Health Movement.”

National Minority Health Month grew from that observance into what is today a month-long initiative in April, with the goal to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities.