Greetings Potential Member: The 1985 Heckler Report supported the need for a State Office of Minority Health (SOMH) in each state that would focus efforts on the health and wellbeing of racial and ethnic minority communities. Today, a SOMH or similar entity has been established in each state, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands to advance Public Health’s Ten Essential Services (http://www.cdc.gov/nphpsp/essentialservices.html). While there has been progress in health disparities for populations of color since the 1985 Heckler Report, the necessity for SOMHs to continue focused efforts on eliminating these disparities is crucial. Now, more than ever, health equity is being integrated in national plans, strategies, and funding efforts to eliminate health disparities.
The need for an organization to coordinate efforts by the SOMHs became apparent as early as 1991. In April 2005 the National Association of State Offices of Minority Health (NASOMH) was incorporated in Ohio and it received its 501(c) 3 status in October 2006. NASOMH serves as an organization that represents and supports all State Offices of Minority Health. NASOMH’s vision is to provide leadership in transforming the health of racial/ethnic minority communities, tribal organizations and nations. NASOMH’s mission in achieving this vision is to promote and protect the health of racial/ethnic minority communities, tribal organizations and nations, by preventing disease and injury, and assuring optimal health and well-being.
SOMHs and Minority Health Entities (MHE) are the nationally recognized state level subject matter specialists in addressing the needs of your underserved and disenfranchised populations. SOMHs must continue their critical work of supporting of minority health through educating peers, decision makers and the general public on the importance of health equity, conducting programs that address health disparities and their root causes, and funding and implement activities that encourage the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in public health. NASOMH is here to support SOMHs in these efforts so that progress continues.
NASOMH wishes to strengthen our collective voices to better serve both our SOMHs and our valued partners nationwide who are working to improve the health of racial and ethnic minorities. We ask that you please consider becoming a new member of NASOMH or renew your membership commitment to NASOMH.
Finally, we encourage you to please consider getting actively involved in NASOMH and contribute to the continued growth and development of the organization. NASOMH looks forward to your support and participation as we move forward. Click here for the NASOMH Membership Application.
Sincerely,
NASOMH Membership Committee