Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Minority Health Determines
the Health of the Nation

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are below to assist with questions you may have. If you dont find the answers you are looking for, the CDC A to Z Index may be able to help. If needed, you can contact CDC or OMHHE.

Racial & Ethnic Classifications

Where do your racial/ethnic classifications come from?

We understand that no racial or ethnic group is homogenous -- each is made up of many sub-groups with unique origins, beliefs, and health practices. We are planning to expand our discussion of these sub-groups as we continue to develop our content.

Neither OMHHE, nor the U.S. government "classifies" Americans by race or ethnicity; individuals self-select into one or more racial and ethnic categories that are provided as response options (or written-in by the respondent) during surveys and other administrative data collection activities.

The racial and ethnic categories we use to report choices made by individual Americans were used by Census 2010 and were defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) after years of study, deliberation, and input from the public and public officials. It was the best we (the Nation) could do collectively, given the alternatives; and I'm sure that you and others will continue to influence changes over time as we learn more from actual experience using the current categories.

If you would like more information about these categories you can view the Census 2010 publication "Overview of Race and Hispanic Origin: 2010".

For information on how, and for what purposes, the racial and ethnic categories were established you can view the OMB Bulletin 00-02 document, "Guidance on Aggregation and Allocation of Data on Race for Use in Civil Rights Monitoring and Enforcement".

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Language

Where can I find health information in languages other than English?

CDC en Español is the Spanish version of CDC's website.

In addition, you may find some information at the HHS Office on Women's Health, womenshealth.gov Spanish Website.

For more information about health materials in non-English languages, please refer to your State or Local Health Departments. State Health Departments Listing.

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Internships

Where can I find information about internships, fellowships, and other training opportunities?

There are a variety of training opportunities available.
To view them, please refer to the following websites:

You may also want to check out the following websites from the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS):

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Employment

Where can I find information about employment opportunities?

There are a variety of employment resources available.
To view them, please refer to the following websites:

Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)

CDC Employment Home

US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS)

HHS Careers / Employment Opportunities

US Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

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Tribes

Where can I find information about CDC work with Tribes and about American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) Populations?

CDC's Office of State, Tribal, Local, & Territiorial Support (OSTLTS) serves as the primary link between CDC, ATSDR, and Tribal governments. For more information, see OSTLTS Tribal Support website.

For general information on AI/AN populations, see OMHHE's AI/AN Populations and AI/AN Heritage Month Observance web pages.

Speakers

How do I request a speaker for my event?

The CDC Speakers Bureau manages and provides assistance to identify speakers for events sponsored by CDC and outside organizations.

Requesting a CDC speaker is easy, simply review the Topics At A Glance, then fill out the CDC Speakers Bureau Request a Speaker Form. Requests take 8 weeks to process, so please plan your event accordingly.

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Funding

Where can I find information about funding opportunities?

Please see the CDC Procurement and Grants Office (PGO) for information on Funding and Program Announcements.

Brochures / Handouts

Where can I obtain copies of brochures/handouts?

Brochures and Handouts are available online in PDF format for viewing, printing, and download at OMHHE Brochures.

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Recruit Research Participants

Can you help my organization recruit research participants?

CDC's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (OMHHE) is unable to allow the use of its web site to recruit participants.

Recruiting participants is a research function covered by rules of institutional review boards (IRB); and CDC's ethics rules would not permit the agency to function as an investigator in the manner you propose.

Medical Advice

Can you give me medical advice or advice about my health insurance?

CDC does not provide medical advice to individuals (i.e., specific information on medical procedures and their risks). Please consult your physician for advice.

CDC does not answer questions pertaining to personal health insurance. The Medicare website may help answer some of your questions. In addition, your State or local health department may be able to direct you to appropriate programs in your area, such as your State’s Medicaid program.
State Health Departments Listing.

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Name & Organizational Changes

New Name & Organizational Realignment

Recent legislation requires the establishment of an Office of Minority Health within the Office of the Director at six US Department of Health and Human Services agencies - including CDC - with the head of each office reporting directly to the head of each agency.

Although CDC has had an Office of Minority Health in place for over 20 years (formerly the Office of Minority Health & Health Disparities or OMHD), in order to comply with all provisions of the new statute, CDC organizationally re-aligned and re-named it's office: Office of Minority Health & Health Equity (OMHHE).

HHS approved all six of these minority health offices in April 2011.
See HHS OMH for a listing of the six minority health offices.

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