Health Observances | CMS
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The CMS Office of Minority Health welcomes your participation in promoting observances throughout the year to raise awareness about health issues affecting people across our nation. Share our resources on prevention, health equity, and research about health disparities.
Spotlight
Recognizing National Poverty in America Awareness Month
During January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Office of Minority Health (CMS OMH) recognizes National Poverty in America Awareness Month. In 2022, the national poverty rate was 11.5%, remaining the same as 2021.
In 2023, an individual was considered to be living in poverty if their income was lower than $14,580, or $30,000 for a family of four. American Indian/Alaskan Native individuals were the most impacted (24.5%), followed by Black Americans (21.4%), Hispanic Americans (16.7%), Asian/Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (10%), and White Americans (9.5%).
Poverty levels in America also vary greatly by location. Between 2015 and 2019, Southern states had the highest rural and urban poverty rates (19.7% and 13.8%), while those in the Northeast had the lowest (12.9% and 12%). Additionally, rural poverty rates are consistently higher than urban rates, with Black Americans being the most likely to live in poverty in rural areas.
Poverty often occurs in concentrated areas and continues for long periods of time. People living in impoverished communities often have reduced access to resources that are needed to support a healthy lifestyle, such as stable housing, healthy foods, access to health care, education, and employment opportunities. Children make up the largest age group experiencing poverty, which often leads to developmental delay, toxic stress, chronic illness, and nutritional deficits.
CMS OMH recognizes the importance of advancing health equity for Americans in all areas during National Poverty in America Awareness Month. We encourage you to review and share the resources below throughout January and the rest of the year.
Resources
View the Coverage to Care (C2C) Roadmap to Better Care (PDF) to help patients better understand their health coverage and how to use it to access primary care and preventive services.
Explore the C2C Get Preventive Care webpage to learn more about preventive services available to adults, teens, children, and infants.
Review the CMS Framework for Health Equity 2022–2032 (PDF) to learn how we’re working to further advance health equity, expand coverage, and improve health outcomes for those supported by CMS programs, including those affected by persistent poverty.
Check out the Healthy People 2030 website to learn more about the impact of economic stability on health.
Visit the ASPE’s FAQs for information about poverty guidelines and general poverty.
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