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Health Equity

The National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC) is working to provide more effective, culturally competent, and preventive healthcare to Arab Americans, and other Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities, through programs designed to address immediate health concerns. We distribute translated materials to individuals with limited English-speaking ability, produce research on underserved and disadvantaged populations, and establish pathways for MENA individuals to enter the healthcare workforce.

Arab Americans face barriers to access high quality and culturally and linguistically appropriate healthcare services, equal representation in the healthcare workforce, and representation in federally conducted or supported health data. 

The Arab American and MENA communities have significant experience with prejudice and systemic bias, particularly since the events of 9/11, which led to an increase in negative depictions, biased rhetoric, and hate crimes. As a result of persistent discrimination, there has been an increase in risk factors for physical health, including high blood pressure, substance abuse, and anxiety, as well as in physical health outcomes, including hypertension and breast cancer.  

Last year, NNAAC worked with Congress to introduce legislation that would enable the Office of Minority Health within the Department of Health and Human Services to better eliminate health disparities and serve the unique health needs of MENA communities. Though the legislation was not passed, NNAAC was able to recruit 15 members of the House to co-sponsor it. Right now, NNAAC is advocating for Congress to reintroduce this legislation in the House and Senate.

Contact your representatives and ask them to cosponsor the Health Equity and MENA Community Inclusion Act.
For information, contact Adam Beddawi at [email protected].

Our Policy Recommendation

Federal 

  • Amend the Public Health Service Act to include MENA populations in programs designed for racial and ethnic minority groups. 
  • Assist HHS and the Census Bureau to conduct an enumeration of MENA individuals as part of a comprehensive health study of the health needs of MENA populations and subpopulations. 
  • Reauthorize the Family Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA) with committee report language that urges ACF to direct resources to organizations that provide support services to MENA individuals who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.  
  • Authorize the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Grant Program with committee report language that expresses the sense that Middle Easterners and North Africans have been excluded and ought to have authorized funds directed to them to a more significant extent. 
  • Direct more funds to address mental health concerns of Middle Eastern and North African populations.  

HEMCI Act One Pager
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HEMCI Act Advocacy Toolkit
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NNAAC, a national institution of ACCESS, is a national consortium of independent Arab American community organizations in the U.S. – and the only network of its kind.

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