National Alliance for Hispanic Health
Encyclopedia
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. 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.
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).
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."
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, 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 alcohol industry and "adopted a formal policy not to accept money from tobacco companies or their subsidiaries."
In April 2010, the NAHH was named to The NonProfit Times' "Best NonProfit Organizations to Work for in 2010".
, 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 Ricans
, Cuban American
, Central American and Latin America
n 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."
NAHH sponsors 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, including a Medicare
Part D
hotline.
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. 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. An additional 125 Hispanic college students in STEM degrees nationwide will earn $2,000 scholarships.
NAHH partners with Health Foundation for America's Vote For Your Health program and 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
.
Hispanic and Latino Americans
Hispanic or Latino Americans are Americans with origins in the Hispanic countries of Latin America or in Spain, and in general all persons in the United States who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino.1990 Census of Population and Housing: A self-designated classification for people whose origins...
by providing health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
information, emphasizing cultural competence
Cultural competence
Cultural competence refers to an ability to interact effectively with people of different cultures, particularly in the context of human resources, non-profit organizations, and government agencies whose employees work with persons from different cultural/ethnic backgrounds.Cultural competence...
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.
NAHH is governed by a vounteer board of directors and managed by its president and chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
, Dr. Jane L. Delgado
Jane Delgado
Jane L. Delgado is a Cuban-American clinical psychologist, health care advocate, non-profit executive and author. She is president and CEO of the National Alliance for Hispanic Health...
, 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.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
United States Department of Health and Human Services
The United States Department of Health and Human Services is a Cabinet department of the United States government with the goal of protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services. Its motto is "Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America"...
' report on "Black and Minority Health" which had found more complete health and demographic data on American Indians
Indigenous peoples of the Americas
The indigenous peoples of the Americas are the pre-Columbian inhabitants of North and South America, their descendants and other ethnic groups who are identified with those peoples. Indigenous peoples are known in Canada as Aboriginal peoples, and in the United States as Native Americans...
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."
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, 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
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act
The Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act is a federal law of the United States, enacted in 2003. It produced the largest overhaul of Medicare in the public health program's 38-year history.The MMA was signed by President George W...
, 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
Surgeon General of the United States
The Surgeon General of the United States is the operational head of the Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and thus the leading spokesperson on matters of public health in the federal government...
Report on Tobacco Use recognized the Alliance for having "refused the support of the tobacco industry" and alcohol industry and "adopted a formal policy not to accept money from tobacco companies or their subsidiaries."
In April 2010, the NAHH was named to The NonProfit Times' "Best NonProfit Organizations to Work for in 2010".
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 healthMental health
Mental health describes either a level of cognitive or emotional well-being or an absence of a mental disorder. From perspectives of the discipline of positive psychology or holism mental health may include an individual's ability to enjoy life and procure a balance between life activities and...
, fitness, physical activity, healthy eating, Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
, Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system...
, 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
Mexican American
Mexican Americans are Americans of Mexican descent. As of July 2009, Mexican Americans make up 10.3% of the United States' population with over 31,689,000 Americans listed as of Mexican ancestry. Mexican Americans comprise 66% of all Hispanics and Latinos in the United States...
, Puerto Ricans
Puerto Ricans in the United States
Stateside Puerto Ricans are American citizens of Puerto Rican origin, including those who migrated from Puerto Rico to the United States and those who were born outside of Puerto Rico in the United States...
, Cuban American
Cuban American
A Cuban American is a United States citizen who traces his or her "national origin" to Cuba. Cuban Americans are also considered native born Americans with Cuban parents or Cuban-born persons who were raised and educated in US...
, Central American and Latin America
Latin America
Latin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
n populations.
Among its key programs are bilingual health resources hotlines, co-sponsored with the Centers for Disease Control
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are a United States federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services headquartered in Druid Hills, unincorporated DeKalb County, Georgia, in Greater Atlanta...
. 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."
NAHH sponsors 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
Nitrogen dioxide
Nitrogen dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula it is one of several nitrogen oxides. is an intermediate in the industrial synthesis of nitric acid, millions of tons of which are produced each year. This reddish-brown toxic gas has a characteristic sharp, biting odor and is a prominent...
, sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide
Sulfur dioxide is the chemical compound with the formula . It is released by volcanoes and in various industrial processes. Since coal and petroleum often contain sulfur compounds, their combustion generates sulfur dioxide unless the sulfur compounds are removed before burning the fuel...
, carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
, 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
Mashup (digital)
A digital mashup usually is in reference to:1. Digital media content containing any or all of text, graphics, audio, video and animation drawn from pre-existing sources, to create a new derivative work...
with Google Maps
Google Maps
Google Maps is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free , that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API...
on the HEAN website.
Among its national programs are hotlines
Helpline
A helpline was originally a telephone service which offers help to those who call. Many helpline services now offer more than telephone support - offering access to information, advice or customer service via telephone, email, web or SMS....
offering free and confidential health information in Spanish and English, including a Medicare
Medicare (United States)
Medicare is a social insurance program administered by the United States government, providing health insurance coverage to people who are aged 65 and over; to those who are under 65 and are permanently physically disabled or who have a congenital physical disability; or to those who meet other...
Part D
Medicare Part D
Medicare Part D is a federal program to subsidize the costs of prescription drugs for Medicare beneficiaries in the United States. It was enacted as part of the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 and went into effect on January 1, 2006.- Eligibility and...
hotline.
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. 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
STEM fields
STEM fields is a US Government acronym for the fields of study in the categories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The acronym is in use regarding access to work visas for immigrants who are skilled in these fields. Maintaining a citizenry that is well versed in the STEM fields...
) college degrees. An additional 125 Hispanic college students in STEM degrees nationwide will earn $2,000 scholarships.
NAHH partners with Health Foundation for America's Vote For Your Health program and with Univision
Univision
Univision is a Spanish-language television network in the United States. It has the largest audience of Spanish language television viewers according to Nielsen ratings. Randy Falco, COO, has been in charge of the company since the departure of Univision Communications president and CEO Joe Uva...
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
United States Tennis Association
The United States Tennis Association is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States. A not-for-profit organization with more than 700,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds to promote and develop the growth of tennis, from the grass-roots to the professional levels...
.
External links
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health official website
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health Guidestar.org profile
- Health and Environment Action Network official website