History
The Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition was established in June 1991 as a multi- disciplinary membership organization to address the need for health promotion and disease prevention among Chicago’s Hispanic community. It was established as a pilot demonstration project with funding from the U.S. Department on Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health. For the past 20 years, CHHC has been affiliated with the National Alliance for Hispanic Health.
Mission
The Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition’s mission is to promote healthy behavior and prevent chronic disease and health disparities in the Hispanic communities of metropolitan Chicago. CHHC improves health in Hispanic communities by sponsoring culturally appropriate, evidence-based health education classes, and by providing a forum for policy development.
Membership
Coalition members are drawn from local health and social service agencies, community based organizations, universities, churches, and regional offices of national health organizations. There are currently more than 600 participating organizations. Active members gather do design and execute policy initiatives.
The Director
CHHC Director, Esther Sciammarella is the Community Liaison at Mercy Health Center at Lower West where she looks to improve the health status of undocumented and/or uninsured Hispanics.
Networking
Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition’s history, dating from 1991, has given it the expertise, networking ability with CHHC’s 600 members who represent providers, and resources to continue this track record on policy issues of providing prevention-oriented education by training health promoters on heart disease and stroke to educate Spanish-speakers. Formats include multi-session classes, one-time educational events, forums and workshops for health care providers and social service providers, media campaigns, and expert consultation.