Native Health Initiative: A partnership to address inequities in health through loving service
As most of us in the Medical Care Section of APHA know, it will take much more than health care reform to address the vast inequities in health in this country; American Indian and other populations live sicker and die younger largely because of school systems, employment structures and other social determinants of health that are inadequate.
The Native Health Initiative grew out of a community-led effort, hoping to develop a different model for improving health injustices, one funded by compassion and a collective desire for improving health in Indian country. This summer, future health professionals served in tribes in North Carolina and New Mexico; along with community leaders, project mentors, and partner organizations, 6,000 volunteer hours were dedicated to the work. And monetary funding to make this all happen? $1,500.
“It is a beautiful thing to see everyone giving back to their communities, which then inspires outsiders to join in and get involved,” says Raphael Lope, NHI-NM Coordinator.
NHI’s use of loving service (the term it uses to describe the currency of Indigenous communities, where one’s relations with others are paramount to degrees held or monetary wealth) to mobilize resources to address injustices serves as a reminder that the process of our work is as important as the work itself; If programs’ process are not empowering communities, amplifying strengths, and building health from the inside out, they are unlikely to have lasting benefits, even if they show short-term results. In addition, as the oasis of funding for public health programs has dried up in the last year, we see the downside of relying strictly on monetary funding for health programming.
As NHI continues to forge new ground, including its dream to help create a new definition of global health, one that includes the United States and its marginalized populations, we look to continue to work with, learn from, and contribute to the MC Section of APHA.
If you are interested in getting involved with the Native Health Initiative, please contact Anthony (afleg@salud.unm.edu) or visit our Web site, www.lovingservice.us. And for those headed to APHA’s Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, NHI plans to hold an informal meeting on Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 10, place TBD.