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^[1] and culturally proficient programs. It has been named one of the best nonprofit organizations to work for.

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.^[2]

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. Dr. Delgado is the author of The Latina Guide to Health (Newmarket Press, 2010).

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.^[3]

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, on the coordinating committee of the Task Force that prepared the DHHS report, related to the Washington Post, "Data collection drives national policy in this country, and we don't have good data on Hispanics."^[4]

The organization's research work has 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,^[5] research on Hispanic youth demographics which reported that Hispanics for the first time were the nation’s largest racial/ethnic group of children,^[6] and publication of findings from the first survey of Hispanic communities and emergency preparedness issues^[7].

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,^[8] lead health information technology policy efforts,^[9] has been active in regulatory oversight of the Medicare Modernization Act,^[10] 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.^[11] In 2007, NAHH partnered with Research!America to field the first national public opinion survey of Hispanics on health and research issues.^[12] 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.^[13]

The 1998 Surgeon General Report on Tobacco Use recognized the Alliance for having "refused the support of the tobacco industry" and alcohol industry^[14] and "adopted a formal policy not to accept money from tobacco companies or their subsidiaries."^[15]

In April 2010, the NAHH was named to The NonProfit Times' "Best NonProfit Organizations to Work for in 2010".^[16]

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 ^[17] for Mexican American, Puerto Ricans, Cuban American, Central American and Latin American populations.^[18] Among its key programs are bilingual health resources hotlines^[19], 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."^[20]

NAHH sponsors the Health Environment Action Network (HEAN), equipping volunteers with Eco-Pacs to monitor pollution levels in Hispanic majority areas^[11]. 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. ^[21] 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^[22], including a Medicare Part D hotline.^[23]

The Alliance/Merck Ciencia Hispanic Scholars Program is a major five-year $4 million scholarship effort established in 2008 by the Alliance and the Merck Company Foundation.^[24] For students in three cities, the Alliance will award 50 scholarships for up to $42,500 each for students pursuing science, technology, engineering and math (STEM fields) college degrees.^[25] An additional 125 Hispanic college students in STEM degrees nationwide will earn $2,000 scholarships.^[26]

NAHH partners with Health Foundation for America's Vote For Your Health program^[27] and with Univision^[28] to broadcast half-hour specials related to the Alliance's national family physical fitness program.^[29] "Entérate…¡Vive Tu Vida!", also in cooperation with the United States Tennis Association.

See also

• Dr. Jane L. Delgado

References

1. ^ Miceli, PhD, Penny J. (July/August 2004). "Validating a Patient Satisfaction Survey Translated into Spanish". Journal for Healthcare Quality. http://www.nahq.org/journal/ce/article.html?article_id=210. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
2. ^ "National Alliance for Hispanic Health Joins PBS Series As National Partner; Helping Consumers Understand Their Role in Health Care" (Press release). U.S. Newswire. 2006-09-18. http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/661250/national_alliance_for_hispanic_health_joins_pbs_series_as_national/index.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
3. ^ "Quality Health Services for Hispanics: The Cultural Competency Component". U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. unknown. http://www.hrsa.gov/culturalcompetence/qualityhealthservices/forward.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
4. ^ Colburn, Don; Melillo, Wendy (1987-06-16). "Hispanics: A Forgotten Health Population". Washington Post. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1328128.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
5. ^ "The National Coalition of Hispanic health and Human Services Organizations (COSSMHO)". UCLA. 2006-12-18. http://clnet.ucla.edu/community/cossmho.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
6. ^ ""Advancing the Understanding of the Health of Racial and Ethnic Populations and Subpopulations"". National Center for Health Statistics. 2007-01-11. http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/otheract/grants/projects/progdir/delgado.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
7. ^ Baezconde-Garbanati, Lourdes; Jennifer Unger, Cecilia Portugal, Jane L. Delgado, Adolph Falcon, Marcela Gaitan (2007-05-15). "Maximizing Participation of Hispanic Community-Based/Non-Governmental Organizations in Emergency Preparedness". CQ.com. http://www.homeland.cq.com/hs/flatfiles/temporaryItems/20070515-15fema-report.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
8. ^ Bender, Deborah; Harlan, Christina (2005). "Increasing Latino Access to Quality Health Care". Journal of Public Health Management and Practice 11 (1): 46–49. PMID 15692292. 2008-09-22. http://www.jphmp.com/pt/re/jphmp/abstract.00124784-200501000-00008.htm;jsessionid=LRsQD1v7d15v5HdTWvQn7Zx4XYNq71vDSxwQfNL2bPt7cTMGjPhY!1589587030!181195629!8091!-1 
9. ^ Farris, Nancy (2006-12-18). "Round Two for e-health Records Banks Bills". Government HealthIT. http://www.govhealthit.com/online/news/97139-1.html. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
10. ^ "Medicare Supplementary Medical Insurance Program Panel". Federal Register. 2005-01-28. http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2005/pdf/05-1505.pdf. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
11. ^ ^{a b} Potter, Ned (2007-05-10). "Activist Group Measures Pollution When Government Doesn't". ABC News. http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/Story?id=3160478&page=1. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
12. ^ "First National Survey of Hispanic Opinions on Health Research: More Opporunities Needed for Hispanic Youth". Research!America. 2007-12-13. http://www.researchamerica.org/release_07dec13_hispanichealth. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
13. ^ Eliott, Philip (2008-02-04). "Organization plans to increase Hispanic voter through cell phones". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/2008-02-03-1031437509_x.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
14. ^ Metzger, Raphael; Jane L. Delgado, and Robert Herrell (September 1995). "Environmental Health and Hispanic Children". Environmental Health Perspectives Supplements Volume 103, Number S6. National Institutes of Health. http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/NN/B/B/G/C/_/nnbbgc.ocr. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
15. ^ Satcher, David (1998). "Tobacco Use Among U.S. Racial/Ethnic Minority Groups". National Institutes of Health. http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/NN/B/B/G/C/_/nnbbgc.ocr. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
16. ^ "2010 "Best NonProfit Organizations to Work for"". The NonProfit Times. 2010-04-01. http://www.bestnonprofitstoworkfor.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=55. Retrieved 2010-04-18. 
17. ^ "NEHEP Partnership Member Directory". National Eye Institute. 2008-08. http://www.nei.nih.gov/nehep/partdetail.asp?partid=400. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
18. ^ "National Alliance for Hispanic Health (NAHH)". Center for Disease Control. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/HEC/natorg/nahh.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16. ^{[dead link]}
19. ^ "National Diabetes Education Program Spotlight On Partner Activities". National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. 2007-11-09. http://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndep/spotalliance.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-16. ^{[dead link]}
20. ^ Asencio, Marysol (2002). Sex and Sexuality Among New York's Puerto Rican Youth: Gender and Sexuality Among Puerto Rican Youth. Lynne Rienner Publishers. ISBN 1588260739. http://books.google.com/?id=8AlJw95JhewC&pg=PA29&lpg=PA29&dq=%22State+of+Hispanic+girls%22+NAHH. 
21. ^ "Teens to Test Air Quality in NYC Neighborhoods". Associated Press. 2007-05-30. http://wcbstv.com/topstories/residents.brooklyn.sunset.2.244805.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16. ^{[dead link]}
22. ^ Graham, Judith (2008-07-07). "Health hotlines help Latino families". Chicago Tribune. http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/triage/2008/07/two-health-hotl.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
23. ^ Graca, Jeanne (2006-05-25). "National Alliance for Hispanic Health". http://www.michiganlegalaid.org/Organizations/organization.2006-05-25.5840662706/view. Retrieved 2008-09-16. ^{[dead link]}
24. ^ "New scholarships for science and math". Los Angeles Times. 2008-05-22. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/thehomeroom/2008/05/new-scholarship.html. Retrieved 2008-12-16. 
25. ^ "NAHH, Merck announce Ciencia scholarships". Brownsville Herald. 2008-05-22. http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/news/careers_87116___article.html/merck_science.html?orderby=TimeStampAscending&oncommentsPage=1&showRecommendedOnly=0. Retrieved 2008-12-16. 
26. ^ "Scholarships". Minot Daily News. 2008-11-25. http://www.minotdailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/521438.html?nav=5005. Retrieved 2008-12-16. 
27. ^ "Vote For Your Health 2008". Health Foundation for America. 2008-02-21. http://www.healthyamericas.org/vote/. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
28. ^ "Univision Presents "Entérate…¡Vive Tu Vida!" March 24th". Univision. 2007-03-21. http://www.univision.net/corp/en/pr/Miami_21032007-1.html. Retrieved 2008-09-16. 
29. ^ "Event for families will focus on health". San Diego Union Tribune. 2008-06-14. http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080614/news_lz1sz14brief.html. Retrieved 2008-09-17. 

External links

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