NACDD has never wavered in our commitment to the underserved, and now, more than ever, we are working hard to help state and territorial health prevent disproportionate morbidity and mortality from COVID-19 among communities of color.

Recently, in honor of National Minority Health Month, NACDD hosted a webinar featuring Dr. Renée Branch Canady, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Michigan Public Health Institute, on improving the fundamental social, systemic, and economic structures to decrease barriers and improve supports that allow people to achieve their full health potential. [Watch the recording].

More resources related to underserved communities and the social determinants of health are listed on our page in observance of National Minority Health Month.

The Association has dedicated many years of work and activities to reducing health inequities and disparities through our Health Equity Council (including A Tool to Address Racial Equity for Public Health Practitioners) and through our work on the Reaching People with Disabilities in Healthy Communities national project.

Through our program work, we also support the state and territorial response to those health issues that are most prevalent among threatened populations: diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular health.

Former NACDD Board President Gabriel Kaplan’s podcast series “Socially Determined: Moving Public Health to 3.0” shares practical examples of how Members can engage with a variety of non-traditional partners and industries to address the social factors influencing health disparities and communities’ chronic disease burden.

During these difficult times, we encourage you to remain steadfast in your active work supporting and partnering with those communities who have deserved greater consideration long before COVID-19. We have an important journey ahead. Let’s continue on the path to health and health equity together.