National Coalition for Hispanic Health

National Coalition for Hispanic Health
Name	National Coalition for Hispanic Health
Formation	1970s
Headquarters	Washington, D.C.
Type	Nonprofit
Region served	United States
Focus	Hispanic and Latino health
Leader title	Executive Director

National Coalition for Hispanic Health is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving health outcomes for Hispanic and Latino communities through advocacy, research, and service programs. It engages with federal agencies, community organizations, and academic institutions to address disparities in health access and outcomes. The Coalition collaborates with a broad network of partners spanning civil rights groups, health systems, and policy think tanks.

History

The Coalition traces roots to grassroots organizing in the 1970s and 1980s alongside movements such as the Chicano Movement, building alliances with organizations like United Farm Workers, National Council of La Raza, and Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Early interactions included joint initiatives with Health Resources and Services Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local entities such as Coalition for the Homeless (New York City) and Community Health Network. During the 1990s the Coalition expanded policy work and partnered with institutions including Harvard School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and Kaiser Family Foundation. In the 2000s the Coalition participated in national dialogues involving U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Management and Budget, and programs linked to the Affordable Care Act rollout, coordinating with groups like Planned Parenthood Federation of America, American Public Health Association, and National Association of Community Health Centers. The Coalition’s history includes collaborations with philanthropic organizations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Mission and Programs

The Coalition’s mission centers on reducing health disparities among Hispanic and Latino populations through programs in maternal and child health, chronic disease prevention, and behavioral health, often developed with partners like March of Dimes, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Programmatic work aligns with federal initiatives by engaging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Office of Minority Health, and National Institutes of Health divisions such as the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Educational campaigns have tied to efforts by American Cancer Society, Susan G. Komen Foundation, and American Lung Association, while community outreach models have drawn on research from University of California, Los Angeles, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.

Organizational Structure

The Coalition’s governance typically includes a board of directors with leaders from partner organizations, academic centers, and community advocacy groups such as League of United Latin American Citizens, Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and National Hispanic Medical Association. Executive leadership has interfaced with federal advisory panels including members from U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and representatives from professional societies like the American Medical Association, American Nurses Association, and Association of American Medical Colleges. Operational units coordinate grant management, program delivery, evaluation, and communications, collaborating with institutions such as RAND Corporation, Pew Research Center, and Urban Institute for evaluation and policy analysis.

Advocacy and Policy Impact

The Coalition has engaged in advocacy on immigration-related health access, Medicaid expansion, and preventive services, partnering with civil rights and advocacy organizations like American Civil Liberties Union, Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum, and National Immigration Law Center. Policy impact efforts have included testimony or collaboration with legislative bodies such as United States Congress, committees like the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and federal initiatives led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. The Coalition has worked alongside national campaigns by groups such as Voices for America’s Children, Families USA, and Trust for America's Health to influence public health legislation and regulations.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding sources and partnerships have included federal grants from agencies like Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, as well as foundation support from organizations including Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, and Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Collaborative relationships span healthcare providers such as Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, and Community Health Centers, Inc., as well as academic partners like Yale School of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, and University of Michigan School of Public Health. The Coalition has participated in cross-sector partnerships with corporate social responsibility programs from companies that engage with Walmart Foundation, Cisco Foundation, and Johnson & Johnson.

Recognition and Awards

The Coalition and its leaders have received honors and recognition from organizations including National Hispanic Media Coalition, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and professional associations such as the American Public Health Association and Society for Public Health Education. Awards and listings have appeared in nonprofit rankings produced by Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and acknowledgments from academic partners like Harvard School of Public Health and Columbia University. Leaders have been invited as speakers or honorees at conferences hosted by Pan American Health Organization, World Health Organization, and civic forums including Smithsonian Institution events.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Washington, D.C.