National Hispanic Heritage Month 2024

September 15 – October 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month! This annual observance is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements, histories, traditions, diversity, and vibrant culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

This year, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Minority Health (OMH) is observing National Hispanic Heritage Month through its theme, Be the Source for Better Health: Improving Health Outcomes Through Our Cultures, Communities, and Connections. This theme calls on each of us to better understand how the unique environments, cultures, histories, and circumstances (known as social determinants of health, or “SDOH”) of Hispanic/Latino populations impact their overall health.

Several SDOH factors impact Hispanic/Latino health outcomes. Delaying medical care due to cost, limited social support, and experiencing food insecurity are all examples of adverse SDOH factors that can lead to negative health outcomes for Hispanics/Latinos.

OMH is committed to working with its public health and community-based partners to Be the Source for Better Health by providing Hispanics/Latinos with quality, equitable, and respectful care and services that are responsive to their diverse cultural health beliefs and practices, preferred languages, economic and environmental circumstances, and health literacy levels. When patients are provided with culturally and linguistically appropriate information, they are better able to create healthier outcomes for themselves, their families, and their communities.