National Minority Health Month
As a family physician, you have the power to advocate for the health of the communities you serve. The AAFP observes National Minority Health Month to further encourage that advocacy. “Be the Source for Better Health” is this year’s theme, and we'll share resources that will help you identify and address barriers to health equity. We'll also feature the work of diverse group of doctors who are engaged in being the source for better health through advocacy in their communities.
A Word From The President
AAFP Members in Action
Your colleagues are doing incredible work to address health equity issues and serve minority patients. We're putting their voices at the center, because it's their work that paves the way for change.
We Still Have Work to Do
An important way for AAFP to honor NMHM is to recognize that we still have work to do to address racism and inequalities in patient care. We are focused on improving existing health care processes that negatively affect minority communities. Our advocacy is critical to ensure the health care system works for everyone.
Browse the topics below for resources you can use to support your practice.
Podcast: Well-being and Inclusivity in Family Medicine
The Inside Family Medicine podcast welcomes Joedrecka Brown Speights, M.D., FAAFP, for a conversation about the power of mentorship; the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion in medical education; and how DEI can help physicians improve their well-being.
Community Engagement Health Equity Briefs
It is an AAFP policy priority to address the social determinants of health. Participate in advocacy efforts in your community using these health equity issue briefs covering social deterinamants of health including food insecurity, housing instability, transportation, and socioeconomic stauts.
Anti-Racism & Social Determinants of Health Action Guides
To give family physicians tools to address social determinants of health and counter longstanding misconceptions about race and medicine, the Academy has developed action guides. Clinicians are encouraged to share these resources with other members of their health care team.
Improving the Patient Experience
FPM, a peer-reviewed journal published by AAFP delved into the importance of a patient's experience with their care, and how to address the biggest issues that create patient dissatisfaction or frustration.
- Screening for Social Determinants of Health in Daily Practice: Social factors often have greater influence on patients' health than medical care. Identifying those factors is the first step to addressing them.
- Overcoming Barriers of Distrust: Whether distrust stems from discrimination or other negative experiences, “Seek first to understand.”
- What Do Patients Want?: “Patient satisfaction” is the measure of how well the entire experience met patients' expectations. Was the clinic warm and welcoming? Did they feel listened to and cared for?