National Minority Health Month: Bridging Health Gaps

It’s National Minority Health Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of reducing health inequalities and improving the health of diverse communities. The theme for Minority Health Month 2025 is "Advancing Commitments to Eliminate Health Disparities," encouraging individuals, organizations and communities to work together to improve the health outcomes of minority populations.

As part of our mission to alleviate suffering, the American Red Cross is working to bridge existing health gaps. These efforts include providing blood to help ensure patients receive lifesaving care; supporting hyper-local health partners to better withstand disasters and increase their capacity in communities with chronic disaster risks and socioeconomic challenges; and working with partners to increase access to swim lessons, water safety education and CPR training in communities with high drowning rates.

CAP PROGRAM The Red Cross is helping to strengthen communities that are better equipped for the next disaster through new partnerships with local nonprofits that provide health services. These efforts are part of our Community Adaptation Program (CAP), which works with hyper-local partners specializing in health, hunger and housing solutions for local families in historically underserved communities. Altogether, the Red Cross has supported more than 400 local resilience projects for more than 250 local partners in disaster-prone areas across the country.

An example of the CAP program is the funding provided to Yazoo City, Mississippi partner, G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center for a new mobile health clinic which will help them expand people’s access to healthcare.

Many people in the delta and rural areas of Mississippi don’t have access to transportation, which makes it difficult to get medical care. The mobile clinic will help G.A. Carmichael reach members of their community wherever they are and comes equipped with all of the critical items that the doctors and nurses need to conduct exams and treat patients.

G.A. Carmichael Family Health Center Linkage to Care Director and licensed Community Health Worker Courtney Thomas is excited that the new mobile clinic will enable G.A. Carmichael to “go out into the community and service people with limited access to healthcare services and limited access to transportation.”

Courtney says his work is as simple as taking the van to where it is needed most. But “it can be a life-or-death situation, something as small as an anthemia pump or somebody’s diabetes medication. So just getting that to them – this mobile unit can serve as a special conduit to get that to them,” Thomas said.

“Helping people has always been my inspiration, seeing a person when they’re struggling and to know that I was able to do something to help them get to the next day, or even week,” he said. “That unconditional support makes them feel good and it makes me feel good. The American Red Cross has been very supportive of the work we do. Their work allows us to get access to this community.”

“The partnership with the Red Cross has provided us resources to bridge the gap,” said Dr. James Coleman of G.A. Carmichael. “We're working together. There are no big I's, no little you’s, but everybody coming together to provide those resources so people, again, will be knowledgeable that they can receive care through the collaboration between the Red Cross and G.A. Carmichael.”

HOW TO HELP Just like the people we serve, the Red Cross is proud of those who step up to help patients of all backgrounds. Commemorate National Minority Health Month by rolling up a sleeve to give blood. Make an appointment today at RedCrossBlood.org. If you’re unable to donate, join our team of volunteers. Visit redcross.org/volunteer to learn how to give back in your community.