Office of Health Equity and Human Rights Councils and Boards

This page includes information about the advisory boards and councils (in alphabetical order) assigned to the Office of Health Equity and Human Rights (OHEHR).

AIDS Advisory Council

The New York State AIDS Advisory Council was created in 1983 by Public Health Law, Article 27-E, Section 2278. The AIDS Institute oversees the New York State AIDS Advisory Council that consists of members ofthe public, educational and medical communities, local health departments, and nonprofit organizations.

Health Equity Council

The Health Equity Council (formerly known as the Minority Health Council) serves as liaison to the Commissioner of Health on minority health and health equity matters.

Under Public Health Law § 243, the Health Equity Council works in three main areas:

1. Raising awareness about the health of racial, ethnic and other underserved populations,
2. Increasing the engagement of local grassroots communities in public health advocacy and research, and
3. Increasing the number of racial, ethnic and other underrepresented individuals that work in public health.

The Health Equity Council is legislatively required to respond to the health disparities experienced by the sickle cell community in New York State. The Health Equity Council is charged with issuing recommendations to the Commissioner of Health that:

• Promote the screening and detection of sickle cell disease, especially among underserved populations;
• Educate the public regarding sickle cell disease and the benefits of early detection; and provide counseling and referral services.

Health Equity Council meetings are livestreamed through the New York State Webcast. Public comment is welcome at all Health Equity Council meetings; public comment sessions is held at the end of meetings. If you would like to be added to the invitation list for Health Equity Council meetings, please contact ohehr@health.ny.gov.

• Health Equity Council Membership List

Upcoming Meetings

2026 Health Equity Council Meetings

• February 20, 2026 – Agenda (PDF)
• May 1, 2026
• September 18, 2026
• December 18, 2026

Past Meetings

HIV Advisory Board

The New York State HIV Advisory Board was created in response to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration recommendation that each State implement a comprehensive HIV prevention, care, and treatment plan. The New York State HIV Advisory Body currently has two standing committees: HIV Through the Lens of Prevention and HIV Through the Lens of Treatment.

Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS

The New York State Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS is dedicated to the prevention of HIV and care of persons with HIV/AIDS in New York. The New York State Interagency Task Force on HIV/AIDS was created in 1983 to coordinate AIDS-related policies and activities across the state; currently it aims to increase cross-agency collaboration projects to enhance and create new HIV-related services.

Racial Equity Working Group

The Racial Equity Working Group, established under NYS Senate Bill S2987A, studies issues related to racism as a public health crisis, and develop recommendations for legislative or other actions that can be undertaken to reduce or eliminate racial and ethnic disparities.

Human Trafficking

The Office of Health Equity and Human Rights participates in two inter-agency task forces dedicated to addressing human trafficking in New York State. The Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking focuses on preventive policies, using data-driven public health approaches to examine the social and economic determinants of health and well-being to identify those with increased vulnerability and implement targeted prevention strategies. The New York State Taskforce on Missing Women and Girls that are Black, Indigenous and People of Color focuses on policy and strategy to address the underreporting, misclassification and disproportionally high rates of missing black, indigenous and women and girls of color.