What is the Coalition?
Since 2014, the Healthy Here Coalition has been a leader in advancing health equity in Bernalillo County. This community-driven initiative was formed through a partnership with the Bernalillo County Health Equity Council and Presbyterian Healthcare Services, supported by the CDC Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant. The Coalition aims to tackle health disparities and bring lasting, systemic change to underserved communities.
The Coalition thrives on collaboration, bringing together a dynamic network of organizations, community health leaders, and grassroots initiatives. This network spans local coalitions, community-focused groups, and advocates, including those working in areas like education, agriculture, and food access, all united to promote health equity and well-being.
OUR IMPACT
Over the past decade, the Coalition has played a pivotal role in fostering sustainable change in community health, creating a foundation for long-term well-being through:
Advancing Healthy Food Access
By implementing initiatives like FreshRX and culturally relevant food service guidelines, the Coalition has expanded access to fresh, nutritious foods, addressing systemic barriers to healthy eating.
Promoting Active Living
Through transformative events such as CiQlovia! and improvements to neighborhood infrastructure, the Coalition has cultivated safer, more active communities that prioritize physical well-being.
Driving Community-Centered Solutions
Ongoing listening sessions and focus groups have ensured that initiatives remain deeply rooted in the needs and priorities of the communities they serve.
Championing Vaccine Equity
Leveraging the Pandemic response, the Coalition’s efforts to enhance vaccine confidence and access have reduced health disparities, particularly among underserved and historically excluded populations, focusing on critical preventable diseases such as COVID-19 and influenza.
This decade of impact underscores the Coalition’s commitment to health equity, resilience, and community-driven progress.
Our Coalition is excited to build on this decade to implement the newest strategy:
Empowering Families Through Healthy Weight Programs
Evidence-based strategies like the Family Healthy Weight Program (FHWP) have supported families in adopting healthier lifestyles, contributing to a significant reduction in childhood obesity.
OUR HISTORY
The Healthy Here Coalition was established in 2014 as a response to the growing need for equity in health outcomes across Bernalillo County, New Mexico. The Coalition was born out of a groundbreaking partnership between the Bernalillo County Health Equity Council and Presbyterian Healthcare Services Community Health, supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) grant.
From its inception, the Coalition set out to address deep-seated health disparities disproportionately affecting historically excluded communities, particularly in areas with limited access to nutritious food, safe physical activity spaces, and culturally competent healthcare. Its creation represented a pivotal moment in New Mexico’s health equity movement, aligning diverse stakeholders under a shared vision of community-driven health transformation.
The Early Years (2014-2016): Building a Foundation
Focused on establishing trust and relationships within the community by forming partnerships with grassroots organizations, schools, healthcare providers, and local leaders.
Early programs prioritized access to fresh produce, launching initiatives like FreshRX, where healthcare providers prescribed fruits and vegetables to patients.
Community engagement efforts included listening sessions and focus groups to understand the unique needs of underserved populations.
Growth and Impact (2016-2020): Expanding Reach
Expanded its programming to address systemic inequities through infrastructure projects, such as creating safer walking and biking paths and promoting events like CiQlovia! to encourage active living.
Continue to work with community growers and organizations like the Agricultura Network and the New Mexico Farmers Market Association to improve access to culturally relevant, affordable food options.
COVID-19 Pandemic Response (2020-2022): Rising to the Challenge
The pandemic underscored existing disparities and highlighted the Coalition’s role as a trusted community partner.
Launched a vaccine equity mission to increase vaccine confidence and uptake among historically excluded and uninsured populations.
Collaborated with healthcare providers and local organizations to combat misinformation and provide accessible vaccination clinics.
Who Are Our Partners?
The Healthy Here Coalition collaborates with a broad network of partners:
Anthropopulus Design + Planning
CABQ Department of Municipal Development
IDHCC
(International District
Healthy Communities Coalition)
Indian Health Service, Albuquerque
MRMPO
(Mid-Region Metropolitan Planning Organization)
NACA
(Native American Community Academy)
First Nations Community HealthSource
NM Community Health Workers Association
NMDOH Diabetes Prevention Program
NM Association of School-Based Health Centers
Prevention Research Center (UNM PRC)
UNM Design and Planning Assistance Center (UNM DPAC)
UNM School of Medicine
Pediatrics/Adolescent Medicine
UNM College of Education/Nutrition Program
Our Strategies
CDC Guiding Objective > Healthy Here Coalition Objective > How we Implement it/Activities to achieve
The Coalition employs data-driven, community-centered strategies to create healthier environments. These include: https://www.cdc.gov/reach/php/reach-2023-2028/index.html
- Policy and Systems Change: Addressing root causes of health disparities through sustainable policies.
- Community Engagement: Partnering with local voices to ensure solutions meet real needs.
- Collaborative Programming: Leveraging partnerships to deliver impactful initiatives.
Spotlight: Vaccine Equity
Our vaccine equity initiative aims to increase vaccine confidence and access in New Mexico’s underserved communities. Learn more about how we’re making a difference: