Captain Mofidi brings years of experience in public health leadership and will be a tremendous asset to the Office of Minority Health. Prior to this appointment, Captain Mofidi served as the Director of the Division of Community HIV/AIDS Programs at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HIV/AIDS Bureau. In that role, he provided critical leadership and oversight of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Part C, D, and F dental programs, managing a budget of approximately $300 million to support over 600 community-based organizations. These organizations provide vital healthcare and support services to more than 500,000 individuals living with HIV, particularly

In the United States, Black infants die at more than twice the rate of white infants. A significant contributing factor is the lack of diversity in the healthcare workforce, especially in maternal care. Increasing representation among healthcare providers can be a crucial step toward reducing this disparity. Key Findings: Better Health Outcomes: Research shows that patients with the same race or ethnicity as their provider often report better health outcomes and are more likely to receive preventive care. Underrepresentation in Maternal Care: Despite making up 12–14% of the U.S. population, only 7% of midwives are Black. Similarly, the number of

The Alaska Alliance for Community Engagement — Climate and Health (AK ACE-CH) is partnering with rural Alaska Native communities to address these urgent health impacts. This collaborative initiative focuses on: Honoring Indigenous Knowledge: Integrating traditional perspectives on climate change's effects on health and well- being. Developing New Strategies: Co-creating tools to assess climate and health risks tailored to local needs. Implementing Indigenous-Led Interventions: Building adaptive, community-driven responses to protect holistic well- being. Why This Matters The AK ACE-CH team combines Indigenous expertise with research in nutrition, fisheries, and wildlife management. By working hand-in-hand with communities, they ensure solutions are culturally

Managing chronic diseases like diabetes or high blood pressure is hard enough—but it’s even harder for rural residents facing poverty and depression. A recent NIMHD-funded study found that low-income rural people with diabetes or hypertension are 2.5 times more likely to experience depression if they couldn’t afford their medications in the past year.   Project EDUCATE: Helping Rural Patients To address this, Project EDUCATE offers phone-based support from trained health educators. These educators help rural patients manage their conditions and mental health, making care more accessible. Key Challenges in Rural Areas: High costs: Medication expenses can lead to untreated depression.

How do racism and cultural barriers contribute to increased mental distress among African American and Hispanic individuals with Alzheimer’s disease? Research shows these groups are more likely to experience depression and anxiety but are less likely to be diagnosed and treated compared to White individuals. Key findings: Higher dementia prevalence: African Americans (7.1%) and Hispanics (5.7%) have higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease than Whites (4.5%). Mental health link: Depression and anxiety can both contribute to and result from dementia, making accurate diagnosis essential. Cultural barriers: Racism and limited access to culturally appropriate care may increase mental distress. Read the Full

Healthcare providers are seeing more Latinx immigrant youth, but there's limited research on their mental health needs. Dr. Amanda Venta, a psychologist working with unaccompanied immigrant minors, highlights key points: Family Separation Affects Mental Health: Migration-related separation raises the risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Familismo Provides Support**: The Latinx value of family (familismo) strengthens mental health resilience. Reuniting Matters: Family reunification is a crucial motivator for young migrants and supports their mental well-being. Dr. Venta's research shows that the mental health of immigrant youth is closely linked to family ties and community support. Addressing these needs can enhance resilience

Just Leaders for a Justice Health System (JUSTICE SQUARED) is a groundbreaking initiative from Well-being and Equity (WE) in the World @weintheworldorg, supported by Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) @rwjfoundation. Justice Squared invites healthcare organizations and patient and community leaders to engage in a trustworthy, humble, and courageous journey to confront structural racism in healthcare together by: ✅ Sharing power and accountability for meaningful impact. ✅ Going on a guided journey to change systems. ✅ Building lasting change through trustworthy relationships rooted in love and justice. Is your healthcare organization ready to create real system change in partnership with communities

Understanding how social determinants of health influence pain experiences is crucial for advancing pain management. The NIH HEAL Initiative, supported by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), is leading the charge to address health disparities in pain management through inclusive clinical research.  Clinical trials play a vital role in improving human health, relying on the participation of diverse patients to explore effective pain management strategies. To learn more about HEAL-funded pain management trials and see if you might be eligible to participate, visit the NIH HEAL-Funded Pain Management Clinical Trials webpage. Explore these trials and see

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has revealed its updated priorities for research on mpox. This initiative is intended to enhance our comprehension of the virus and improve methods for detection, treatment, and prevention. Key Objectives: 1. Virus Biology: Increase understanding of all mpox virus clades, including transmission and immune system responses. 2. Vaccine Development: Evaluate the current vaccine dosing regimens and develop new vaccine concepts to optimize the supply. 3. Treatment Advancement: Improve existing treatments and develop novel approaches, including antivirals and monoclonal antibodies. 4. Detection Strategies: Support

A Swedish study offers evidence that men can reduce their risk of prostate cancer by ramping up cardio exercise. Jan. 30, 2024, 6:39 PM EST By Aria Bendix Plenty of research has linked regular exercise to a lower risk of cancer, but a new study suggests that getting into better shape could reduce the risk of prostate cancer in particular, a diagnosis that around 113 out of every 100,000 men get every year in the U.S. The research, published Tuesday in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, showed that men whose cardiorespiratory fitness improved by 3% or more annually over