In a nation that prides itself on its medical progress, a silent crisis has been affecting millions of people, especially Latino communities. The health of our families, our youth, and our mothers is at risk, and the statistics don’t lie.
Maternal mortality among Latinas continues to rise, chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension affect us disproportionately, and our youth have less access to prevention and mental health programs.
And as if these challenges weren’t enough, the outlook has become even bleaker.
According to an analysis of federal data by The New York Times, by mid-June, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) had canceled at least 616 projects focused on closing the health gap between Americans of diverse racial and ethnic groups, rich and poor.
The NIH had allocated about $407 million to the projects, nearly 45% of the $913 million in total grants canceled by the Trump administration before court rulings ordered the reinstatement of some, according to the Times.
In July, a federal judge called the cancellations acts of discrimination and ordered the NIH to resume funding numerous grants.
According to The Times’ analysis, by mid-August, 267 of the grants canceled for disparities had been reinstated. However, the Trump administration has filed an emergency appeal with the Supreme Court.
But in this vacuum, bold leadership has emerged from the heart of the community. On Tuesday, August 26, a historic movement was launched in Washington, D.C.: the National Hispanic Health Research Institute (NHHRI).
It is the first Latino-led national institute with a clear mission: to protect, amplify, and give visibility to our realities in medical research.
The organizations lamented that, with a stroke of the pen, the Trump administration has left millions of Latinos, Afro-Latinos, Native Americans, and other marginalized communities without data, without research, and, essentially, without representation in the future of medicine.
The launch of the NHHRI marks a turning point for several reasons. First, it will create the first national database on health disparities that truly represents us.
For decades, we have been nearly invisible in medical research, and now, finally, there will be a source of detailed information that corrects this historical underrepresentation.
Second, the institute will focus its research on the areas where it is most needed: maternal mortality, chronic diseases, and youth health.
The launch of the NHHRI is not just a response to a crisis; it is an assertion of power and leadership. For the first time, Latinos are not asking for a seat at the table; we are building our own table.
It’s a reminder that, despite the challenges and cancellations, the solutions lie within our own communities.
