April marks National Minority Health Month, dedicated to raising awareness about health disparities and the disproportionate burden of illness faced by racial and ethnic minority groups. This year’s theme, “Be the Source for Better Health,” underscores the urgency of improving health outcomes for minorities.

Historically, health disparities in minority communities have been closely linked to the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH), which encompass non-medical factors influencing health outcomes. These determinants are typically classified into five domains (Health.gov):

• Economic Stability: Having a consistent and steady enough income to meet basic needs.
• Education Access & Quality: Having access to quality education that informs individuals with sufficient knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and the healthcare system.
• Healthcare Access and Quality: Proximity, affordability, and availability to quality healthcare and health services.
• Neighborhood and Built Environment: Neighborhoods that promote healthy behaviors, including, walkable communities, and greenspaces.
• Social and Community Context: Interpersonal relationships such as friends, families, coworkers, and community members impact health by either supporting or hindering health outcomes.

Many of the health disparities and inequities impacting minority populations are a symptom of a combination of SDOH factors. Comprehensive approaches to healthcare help reduce inequities by addressing SDOH factors.

At Whittier Street Health Center, we provide comprehensive and innovative health care and wellness championing equitable access to high-quality, cost-effective health care for diverse populations. We offer a comprehensive array of primary care services and free social and wellness programs to educate and empower patients and community residents and to promote lifelong health and wellness in the diverse populations served.

To deliver comprehensive and holistic care for the individual Whittier provides a “Prescription for Health” Program. The Prescription for Health Program is patient-centered and is developed with the individual’s strengths, needs, and preferences in mind. Every patient is assigned a Care Team, which develops an individualized plan that meets all of the patient’s medical, dental, visual, behavioral health, and social needs. The prescription emphasizes prevention, stress reduction, and positive behaviors which promote a culture of wellness. Using this approach, we seek to keep patients from developing chronic illnesses like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and obesity and help patients with existing chronic illnesses to develop self-management skills enabling them to avoid health crises that would result in Emergency Department visits or hospitalizations.