MDHHS Office of Equity and Minority Health seeking public comments on proposed race and ethnicity data collection standards

"Data is critical to our efforts to reduce health disparities and promote health equity,” said MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel. “Accurate and consistent data collection is needed to make informed decisions and it is essential that MDHHS’ data accurately reflects the population's diversity."

To enhance inclusivity and community engagement, MDHHS is making the public comment form available in English, Spanish, Arabic and Mandarin. This request for public feedback aims to ensure a diverse range of community members can actively participate and share their insights and perspectives. The form is open for responses until Jan. 12, 2024.

"All voices are vital in shaping policies and initiatives that eliminate health inequities and improve health outcomes for everyone,” said Brenda Jegede, Office of Equity and Minority Health manager. “We encourage everyone to provide feedback to the newly proposed standards."

A series of community conversations being hosted by MDHHS are also being hosted online in December.

• Asian, Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: Saturday, Dec. 9, 10 to 11:30 a.m. RSVP online.
• Hispanic or Latino: Tuesday, Dec. 12, 3 to 4:30 p.m. RSVP online.
• General Public: Thursday, Dec. 14, 3 to 4:30 p.m. RSVP online.

African American and Middle Eastern North African community conversations were held in October.

MDHHS’ OEMH was created in 1988 and is the third oldest minority health office in the United States. Since its inception, OEMH has dedicated its efforts to assuring health equity and eliminating health disparities among Michigan's racial and ethnic populations, including African Americans, American Indians/Alaska Natives, Arab and Chaldean Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Hispanics/Latinos.