Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! This month is a time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have played in our country’s shared history. While we observe the contributions of AA and NHPI populations together, it’s important to understand and acknowledge the vast diversity of these groups and their stories.  

This year, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority (OMH) is observing AA and NHPI Heritage Month through its theme, Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections, which calls on each of us to understand how the unique environments, cultures, histories, and circumstances (known as social determinants of health, or SDOH) of AA and NHPI populations impact their overall health. Public health and community-based organizations can take steps to start improving the health of AA and NHPI communities by addressing SDOH factors.