April marks National Minority Health Month—a time to recognize the health disparities that have plagued communities of color for far too long. But this month is more than an observance. It is a rallying cry. A declaration that despite the odds, despite the barriers, and despite a system that hasn’t always served us well—we still have power.
We still have choices. We still have a say in how we live, how we heal, and how we thrive.
But first, we must tell the truth.
The Weight of the Disparities
The numbers are sobering. Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. Diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure disproportionately affect Black, Latino, and Indigenous communities. Mental health concerns go untreated, while access to affordable, quality care remains an uphill battle.
These aren’t just statistics, they are lived experiences in our families, our neighborhoods, and our own bodies.
But while the system may be flawed, we are not powerless. Health equity may be the goal, but self-advocacy is the starting point.
Know the Odds, But Own Your Power
We cannot wait for perfect conditions to start prioritizing our health. We cannot afford to ignore symptoms, delay appointments, or chalk up serious issues to “just stress” or “just getting old.”
This is your moment to choose differently.
Here are five practical, powerful ways to take control of your health—starting today:
Know Your Numbers: Get your annual checkups. Track your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and BMI. Preventive care saves lives. As the saying goes, ‘You can’t manage what you don’t measure.’ That’s not just a business principle—it’s a wellness truth. If you don’t know your blood pressure, your A1C, your cholesterol, how can you improve it? Awareness is not fear—it’s power. It’s the first step in reclaiming your health.
Be Your Own Advocate: Do not be afraid to ask questions, request second opinions, or speak up when something feels off. Bring someone with you to appointments if needed. You have every right to be heard and taken seriously. No one knows your body, your symptoms, or your story like you do. Don’t be afraid to demand better care. Your voice is not a disruption—it’s a necessity.
Move Your Body – Don’t Overthink it. You don’t need a gym membership, designer leggings, or a 60-minute workout plan. You just need to move. That’s it. Walk around the block. Dance while you’re cooking. Stretch while watching TV. March in place while brushing your teeth. Movement doesn’t have to be complicated to be transformational. Don’t let shame, age, weight, or ability stop you. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can—and do it consistently. Motion is medicine. It energizes your mind, strengthens your heart, and uplifts your mood.
Eat to Live, Not to Fill: It’s time we shift our relationship with food—from one of survival or emotional comfort to one of intentional nourishment. Food is more than flavor. It’s fuel. It’s healing. It’s information for the body. Fuel your body with intention.
Let’s keep it real: Yes, healthier food can be more expensive. A bag of chips costs less than a bag of apples. Organic anything feels like a luxury. And fast-food deals hit harder when you’re on a tight budget. That’s not your imagination, it’s a real barrier, and it’s part of a larger systemic issue. But here’s what’s also real:
- The cost of medication for chronic illnesses
- Time lost from work due to preventable conditions
- ER visits that could’ve been avoided
- The emotional toll on families when a loved one is constantly in and out of care
We pay either way. One bill comes at the register. The other comes in hospital visits, prescriptions, and often, regrets.
Prioritize Mental and Emotional Well-Being: Our minds carry heavy loads. Give yourself permission to rest, to heal, and to ask for help. Therapy, journaling, prayer, meditation, and community care are all part of wellness.
Create a Culture of Wellness Around You
This isn’t just about you. When you make health a priority, you give your children a new legacy. You change the dinner conversation. You normalize walking, wellness, and mental health check-ins in your circle. It becomes a culture. And culture is how we pass down healing. You may not have children but anytime you prioritize health, you are planting positive seeds that grow trees of wisdom and enlightenment for others.
A Word to the Caregivers: The Silent Warriors
To every daughter advocating for a mother who won’t go to the doctor…
To every son trying to help a father manage diabetes but getting met with resistance…
To every spouse coordinating appointments, researching diagnoses, and carrying the invisible weight of someone else’s well-being— We see you.
Caregiving is sacred. It’s a form of love that often goes unnoticed, underappreciated, and emotionally draining. Remember to set boundaries. Ask for help. Care for yourself, too. Because you matter just as much. Self-care is not selfish. Self-care is Salvation.
To those who are avoiding, resisting, or flat-out refusing to deal with their health.
You say, “I’m fine.”
You say, “I don’t like doctors.”
You say, “What I don’t know won’t hurt me.”
But here’s the truth: What you don’t address is already hurting you—and the people around you.
Your refusal to get help puts your family in emotional turmoil. It turns loved ones into emergency planners. It causes avoidable pain and preventable suffering. And at some point, it forces others to make decisions for you—often in crisis, often in tears.
We don’t want to bury you early because you were too afraid, too prideful, or too stubborn to face the truth.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to be willing.
- Willing to schedule the appointment
- Willing to take the medication
- Willing to let others support you
- Willing to choose life—over fear, over denial, over delay
There is no shame in needing help. The shame is in knowing better and still doing nothing.
You are loved. You are needed. And you are not invincible. Accept the help.
This Month—and Every Month—Choose Life
Let National Minority Health Month be more than an awareness campaign. Let it be a transformational month. Whether you’re taking the first step for yourself or speaking up for someone who can’t—do it now. Do it boldly. Do it with love.
We may be up against the odds, but we are not without options. Your health is your responsibility. Your choices matter. You are worth the work it takes to be well and so are the people you love.
Frenetta Tate is a five-time author, certified women’s empowerment coach, entrepreneur coach, business consultant and thought leader on leadership and personal development.
