Montgomery County Council proclaims April Minority Health Month; health leaders outline steps to reduce disparities

Council member Lorien Sales led a proclamation recognizing National Minority Health Month and urged county officials, health providers and community partners to redouble efforts to reduce racial and economic disparities in health outcomes.

The proclamation, read at the Montgomery County Council hearing, notes that although Montgomery County ranks among the nation’s healthiest counties, health benefits are not evenly experienced and cites specific disparities: about one in six residents rely on Medicaid; Black infants have higher rates of low birth weight; Hispanic residents have higher preterm birth rates; and nearly one-third of Hispanic or Latino residents reported being sometimes or never able to get care when needed, compared with 7% of non-Hispanic…