Each month we feature select National Health Observances (NHOs) that align with our mission to improve health across the United States. In April we’re raising awareness about minority health, public health, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and immunization.

Below, we’ve pulled together some resources that you can use to join the conversation. We hope you’ll promote these NHOs with your networks and help us advocate for better health!

• National Minority Health Month
  The Office of Minority Health (OMH) sponsors National Minority Health Month in April to highlight efforts to improve the health of racial and ethnic minority populations nationwide. This year the NHO theme is Give Your Community a Boost and focuses on the continued importance of COVID-19 vaccination, including boosters, as one of the strongest tools we have to end the COVID-19 pandemic that has disproportionately affected communities of color. Join the conversation on social using the theme’s hashtags, #BoostYourCommunitity and #NMHM2022 to raise awareness about COVID-19 vaccination in vulnerable communities. It’s also a great time to explore Healthy People 2030 to learn about the major impact of social determinants of health on our nation’s health and well-being. 
   
• National Public Health Week
  Sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA), National Public Health Week is celebrated on April 4 – 10 as an opportunity to recognize the contributions of public health and highlight issues that are important to improving our nation’s health. This year’s theme is Public Health is Where You Are — and during each day of National Public Health Week, we focus on a particular public health topic. Get involved by using APHA’s toolkit and sharable graphics on your social networks. And check out the Healthy People 2030 framework to learn how the initiative is committed to improving health and well-being for people nationwide. You can also take a look at the Healthy People 2030 objectives related to public health infrastructure.
   
• STD Awareness Week
  This year, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recognizes STD Awareness Week on April 10 to 16 — as a time to raise awareness about STDs, reduce STD-related stigma, and ensure people have access to the tools and knowledge to prevent, test for, and treat STDs. Get involved by using CDC’s STD Awareness Week Toolkit to promote this important NHO to your networks. And share our easy-to-understand MyHealthfinder sexual health content. Finally, be sure to explore the Healthy People 2030 Sexually Transmitted Infections topic to learn about national efforts to reduce infections and improve access to quality care. 
   
• World Immunization Week
  The World Health Organization (WHO) sponsors World Immunization Week from April 24 to 30 to promote the use of vaccines to protect people against disease. And the CDC acknowledges National Infant Immunization Week as part of World Immunization Week. Join the conversation and share our MyHealthfinder resources on vaccines to encourage people of all ages to stay on top of their vaccinations. And check out the Healthy People 2030 Vaccination topic to learn about efforts to increase vaccination rates nationwide. 

We hope you’ll use these resources to promote important NHOs on your channels. Together, we can improve health in communities across the United States.