National Alliance for Hispanic Health

National Alliance for Hispanic Health (NAHH) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improve the health and well being of American Hispanics by providing health care information, emphasizing cultural competence and culturally proficient programs.

NAHH conducts research, demonstration programs and provides information services through its member organizations, which include community-based groups, univiersities, government agencies, foundations and corporations. According to PBS's "Remaking American Medicine" series, it is the oldest and largest network of Hispanic health and human services providers, delivering services to more than 14 million people each year.

NAHH is governed by a vounteer board of directors and managed by its president and chief executive officer, Dr. Jane L. Delgado, who has served in that capacity since 1985.

History

NAHH, also referred to as the Alliance, was founded in 1973 as the Coalition of Spanish Speaking Mental Health Organizations (COSSMHO) and has also been known as the National Coalition for Hispanic Health and Human Services Organizations.

In 1987, NAHH was one of several Hispanic and Latino groups which persuaded the federal government to improve its health data research for Hispanic populations in the United States. The initiative was prompted in part by publication of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' report on "Black and Minority Health" which had found more complete health and demographic data on American Indians and Asian Americans than Hispanics. Delgado, who had been a researcher on the HHS report, related to the Washington Post, "Data collection drives national policy in this country, and we don't have good data on Hispanics."

The organization's research work hase included the Hispanic Health Research Consortium whose work on the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES) was published as the first collected mainstream health journal issue to focus on Hispanic health, research on Hispanic youth demographics which reported that Hispanics for the first time were the nation’s largest racial/ethnic group of children, and publication of findings from the first survey of Hispanic communities and emergency preparedness issues.

Among its policy efforts, NAHH played a leading role in the landmark Disadvantaged Minority Health Improvement Act of 1990, has been active in protection of patient rights under Executive Order 13166 to improve health access for limited English proficient (LEP) persons, lead health information technology policy efforts, has been active in regulatory oversight of the Medicare Modernization Act, is an advocate for expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, is a vocal advocate on tobacco control policy in Hispanic communities, and advocates for clean air and water in Hispanic communities. In 2007, NAHH partnered with Research!America to field the first national public opinion survey of Hispanics on health and research issues. Most recently, as a compliment to its online action network, the organization established the Vote for Your Health effort that delivers election day text message reminders to vote to members.

The 1998 Surgeon General Report on Tobacco Use recognized the Alliance for having "refused the support of the tobacco industry" and "adopted a formal policy not to accept money from tobacco companies or their subsidiaries."

Programs

NAHH serves Hispanic communities nationwide through its member frontline health providers and organizations. Its areas of health research and information services include diabetes, heart health, high blood pressure, mental health, fitness, physical activity, healthy eating, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, environmental health and health insurance, among others.

NAHH focuses on four program goals: building a base of knowledge, increasing public awareness, sponsoring collaborative networks and strengthening community infrastructure for Mexican American, Puerto Rican, Cuban American, Central American and Latin American populations. Among its key programs are bilingual health resources hotlines, co-sponsored with the Centers for Disease Control. In 1999 the NAHH published The State of Hispanic Girls, publishing research showing that "greater acculturation among Hispanic girls is tied to poorer health and educational outcomes."

In 2007, NAHH sponsored the Health Environment Action Network (HEAN), equipping volunteers with Eco-Pacs to monitor pollution levels in Hispanic majority areas. Eco-Pacs consist of video cameras, GPS locators and detectors measuring for pollutants including nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and particle mass (a measurement of how many particles are in the air). The project seeks to determine the level of pollution in urban areas, involving mostly young people in New York City, Detroit, central California and southern Texas. The findings are incorporated into a mashup with Google Maps on the HEAN website.

Among its national programs are hotlines offering free and confidential health information in Spanish and English NAHH partners with Health Foundation for America's Vote For Your Health program and other collaborations have been undertaken to create the Office of National Drug Control Policy's Hispanic Outreach Initiative and the Medicare Part D hotline. NAHH also sponsors the biennial National Conference on Hispanic Health and Human Services.

NAHH has also partnered with Univision to broadcast half-hour specials related to the Alliance's national family physical fitness program. "Entérate…¡Vive Tu Vida!", also in cooperation with the United States Tennis Association.

See also

• Dr. Jane L. Delgado

External links

• National Alliance for Hispanic Health official website
• National Alliance for Hispanic Health Guidestar.org profile
• Health and Environment Action Network official website