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Nashville coalition aims to improve the health of the Hispanics |
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 Eight out of 10 Hispanic adults in the Nashville area do not have health insurance, and 6 out of 10 are overweight, according to the “Hispanic Health in Nashville 2007” survey. Top health concerns revealed by the survey include cancer, work accidents, diabetes, dental health, drug addiction and lack of health insurance.
Tennessee State University (TSU), Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and Progreso Community Center conducted the survey of 505 Hispanic adults.
“There is little information on the health needs of the Hispanic community in Nashville, since it is such a new population,” explains Dr. Pamela Hull, sociologist at TSU, who led the survey. “This is the first survey to give us concrete data on Hispanic health in our city.”
The survey is already being used by the Nashville Latino Health Coalition (NLHC) to launch new community-wide initiatives to improve the health of the Nashville Hispanic community.
“A unique aspect of this survey is that Hispanic community members participated with the researchers in every phase of the study, such as preparing the questionnaire and doing interviews,” says Juan Canedo, Director of Progreso Community Center and Chair of NLHC. “And now the perspectives of Hispanic community members are guiding the Coalition to plan activities that will have a positive impact on our community.”
NLHC brings together members of the Hispanic community and organizations that share the common goal of improving the health of the Nashville Hispanic community.
Coordinated by the Progreso Community Center, NLHC includes Tennessee State University, Meharry Medical College, Vanderbilt University, American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Metro Public Health Department, Metro Social Services, Tennessee Office of Minority Health, United Neighborhood Health Services (Cayce Clinic), Hope Clinic for Women, Nashville General Hospital, Nashville Cares, and Planned Parenthood.
Responding to needs identified in the survey, NLHC produced the Nashville Bilingual Health Guide. The easy-to-use Guide lists local clinics with bilingual capacity that serves people who have no health insurance. It also provides valuable health tips and information about organizations that address specific health areas, such as cancer and diabetes. (See sample health tips from the Guide.)
“The survey helps us to understand the needs of the community. Many people do not know where to go for help, and it is important to share that information,” observes Irma Lira, Co-Secretary of NLHC and member of Progreso Community Center. “Good health is indispensable. If we do not have good health, we cannot be productive at work.”
The Nashville Latino Health Coalition (NLHC) meets at Progreso Community Center on the third Tuesday of every month from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Progreso Community Center is located at 478 Allied Drive, off of Nolensville Road in south Nashville. Progreso, a non-profit organization, also offers English classes, computer classes, and other capacity-building programs for the Hispanic community.
Interested persons are invited to get involved in NLHC and Progreso Community Center. For more information, contact Progreso at (332-8704 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
) or visit www.hispanictn.org.
- Written by Nashville Latino Health Coalition
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