Office of Minority Health National Black History Month -
February A Proclamation by the President of the United States of
America. February is recognized as Black History Month and has
been celebrated since 1926. It first began as Negro History Week
during the second week of February when Dr. Carter G. Woodson
wanted to bring to light the omission of accomplishments by
blacks in history books. He chose that week because it coincided
with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
And although black people have continued to make strides and
shape the United States, health rates on average for chronic
diseases, infections and death have taken a toll on the
population. Some health problems are caused by your genes, but
most of the top "killers" are behavior related. The everyday
decisions that are made about food consumption and physical
activity affect your health. And health affects productivity.
The time for New Year's resolutions may have come and gone, but
February can be the month to renew th