Health Observances

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The CMS Office of Minority Health welcomes your participation in promoting observances throughout the year to raise awareness about health issues affecting people across our nation. Share our resources on prevention, health equity, and research about health disparities.

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Spotlight

Honoring Native American Heritage Month

Throughout November, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS - OMH) is honoring Native American Heritage Month by highlighting the importance of rural health care in tribal areas. American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities face unique health disparities due to various social determinants of health, including access to health care and education. AI/AN people in rural areas typically report worse patient care experiences than White people living in rural communities and often face other challenges in health care.

AI/AN people are also more likely to experience lower quality of life and higher rates of chronic conditions than other racial and ethnic groups due to high unemployment rates, lack of education, and increased likelihood of living in food deserts. COVID-19, heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, and chronic liver disease are the leading causes of death for AI/AN people. They also have the lowest life expectancy at birth in the United States, with an average of 67.9 years compared to 77.5 years for non-Hispanic White Americans.

CMS OMH is committed to helping AI/AN communities meet their health care needs. We encourage you to share the resources below with those you serve throughout Native American Heritage Month and beyond.