The Office of Minority Health

Quarter 1 Newsletter - April 2026

To empower communities to support optimal health for all and to eliminate disparities for racial, ethnic and under-served populations. 

To serve as a statewide leader, recognizing and addressing health disparities and health equity, through meaningful collaboration and engagement. 

The Office of Minority Health (OMH) strives to promote health policies, programs, and services designed to improve health and quality of life by preventing and controlling the disproportionate burden of disease, injury, and disability among disparate populations, particularly racial and ethnic minorities. OMH strategic priorities are Health Excellence Infrastructure, Community Partnerships, Data-Informed Disparities Reduction, Preventive and Chronic Disease Interventions, and Access to Care and Resources Navigation.

OMH recognizes that disparate populations often experience poor health due to health inequities, driven by Social Drivers of Health (SDOH), limited prevention measures, and inadequate access to health care. We seek to collaborate with community-based, faith-based, academic, and other entities to address the health issues affecting disparate populations in Tennessee. These efforts include community outreach, education, seminars, competitive funding opportunities, and health promotion campaigns.

Brittany Cox, PhD

Assistant Commissioner

Division of Health Disparities Elimination

Michél Perry, DrPH(c), MPH

Director | Office of Minority Health

Division of Health Disparities Elimination

Monique Anthony, MPH, CHES

Deputy Director | Office of Minority Health

Division of Health Disparities Elimination

The aim is to improve health, prevent chronic disease, and reduce health disparities among racial and ethnic populations with the highest risk or burden of chronic disease by promoting food and nutrition security through the expansion of fruit and vegetable voucher incentives.

REACH also promotes accessible and safe physical activity, continuity of maternal health care, early care and education, and family healthy weight programs.

Program Contact: Melody Princes-Kelley (Dr. PK), Ph.D., MPH, MSA

Project Manager

Melody.Princes-Kelley@tn.gov

Mental Health First Aid is a training program conducted through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that enables individuals to identify and appropriately respond to warning signs for mental health challenges or crises and substance use concerns.

Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Program Contact: Jamila Batts, BSN MPH, MSA

 Program Manager

Jamila.Batts@tn.gov

The PCI Team strengthens the public health workforce through coaching, facilitation, and targeted training that builds confidence and leadership around health excellence. All offerings are grounded in the CDC’s Strategies to Repair Equity and Transform Community Health (STRETCH) Framework. 

Because no two communities are alike, the PCI Team designs training experiences tailored to your audience and goals. Current customized solutions include: 

Program Contact: Cosmelitia Sain

Program Manager

Cosmelitia.Sain@tn.gov

For many Tennesseans living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), access to compatible blood is not just important, it is essential for survival. 

According to the Sickle Cell Foundation of Tennessee, more than 4,000 people in the state are living with SCD. The condition primarily affects individuals of African descent in the United States, though it can also impact individuals of Hispanic, Southern European, Middle Eastern, and Asian Indian backgrounds. 

Blood Assurance, a nonprofit community blood center responsible for collecting and supplying blood products to hospitals across Tennessee, works to strengthen the blood supply through outreach, trust-building efforts, and community education that supports a diverse donor base. These efforts are guided by Blood Assurance’s African American and Sickle Cell Outreach Initiative, which focuses on increasing awareness, improving donor representation, and strengthening community partnerships. 

Many individuals living with SCD require frequent blood transfusions to manage pain, treat severe anemia, prevent complications, and maintain their quality of life. 

Closely matched blood is especially important. Donations from individuals of similar racial or ethnic backgrounds often provide the best match, helping reduce the risk of complications associated with repeated transfusions. 

Despite the need, African Americans remain underrepresented in the nation’s blood donor population. Historical experiences, along with past perceptions and unanswered questions, can influence decisions about blood donation, highlighting the importance of continued education and community engagement. 

“Trust is essential,” said Clif Redish, Director of Community Relations at Blood Assurance. “Building strong relationships through community partnerships and blood drives plays an important role in strengthening the blood supply for patients living with SCD.” 

Blood Assurance team members are available for educational outreach and community presentations across the region, helping organizations and community groups better understand SCD, blood donation, and the critical need for diverse donors. 

Individuals interested in learning more about blood donation, hosting a blood drive, or scheduling an appointment can visit www.bloodassurance.org. 

Contributed by Brooke Katz, Media Relations Coordinator, Blood Assurance 

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) is a campaign founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) to raise awareness, foster activism, and build community-driven solutions to improve maternal health outcomes. It highlights that Black women in the U.S. are over three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, with 80% of these deaths being preventable. 

At the conclusion of this year's Black Maternal Health Week, hear from OMH Director, Michel Perry, DrPH(c), at TDH's Maternal Health Taskforce Quarterly Meeting. 

National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month (NAAAM) is continuing the annual tradition led by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) since 1984 to educate the public during peak allergy season about these chronic conditions, focusing on management, triggers, and treatment accessibility, through various events like Air Quality Awareness Week and Food Allergy Awareness Week. 

Men's Health Month raises awareness of preventable health issues, promotes healthier lifestyles, and encourages early detection of diseases affecting men, focusing on physical health (such as heart disease and cancer) and critical mental health concerns like depression, with a blue-ribbon symbol and "Wear Blue" campaigns. 

Men often delay seeking medical care due to stigma, viewing health problems as a weakness. Men's Health Month aims to change this by highlighting that taking charge of health is a sign of strength, leading to better outcomes for serious conditions and improved overall well-being. 

The Tennessee Department of Health has launched its newly redesigned website, offering a more accessible, user-friendly experience for visitors across the state. The updated site features improved navigation and enhanced functionality to help users more easily find important health information and resources.

As part of the transition, most pages from the previous website will automatically redirect to their corresponding locations on the new site. However, some content has been reorganized or updated to better serve users. Visitors who have bookmarked pages from the former site should update those links to ensure continued access to the correct information.

The Department appreciates the continued support of its partners and the public as we work to enhance the online experience and access to information about public health services for all Tennesseans.

Want to share news about your organization in our next newsletter? Contact the Office of Minority Health at Minority.Health@tn.gov.

Tennessee Department of Health | Division of Health Disparities | Office of Minority Health

710 James Robertson Parkway

Nashville, TN 37243

Minority.Health@tn.gov