Office of Minority Health

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) response to the COVID-19 pandemic has included initiatives and efforts to address the impact of the pandemic on racial and ethnic minority communities.  According to the CDC, COVID-19 has had a disproportionate impact among American Indian and Alaska Natives, African American and Hispanics in cases, hospitalizations and deaths. The HHS offices of minority health are a key part of the overall HHS response, helping to lead efforts around safety guidelines, partner engagement, minority representation in research and other areas. 

The Offices of Minority Health are established within six agencies at HHS:

• Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
• Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

These offices, in conjunction with the HHS Office of Minority Health and NIH National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities, lead and coordinate activities that improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations and reduce health disparities. Click on each logo below to see their work to reduce address the COVID-19 pandemic.