Reaffirming Our Commitment to


Improving Health Services for Hispanics


By Clay E. Simpson, Jr., MSPH, PhD


Closing the Gap, Hispanic Agenda for Action • October 1998


Demographers tell us to expect dramatic changes in the composition of the U.S. population. By the year 2009, we should expect Hispanics to become the largest minority 

group in the country. This projection poses many challenges to our 

nation’s health policymakers. 

I have been personally touched by efforts to secure the well being 

of the Latino population. For instance, last summer, a Hispanic senior 

medical school student showed up at my office and reminded me that 

when he was a high school junior, he participated in the Hispanic 

Youth Initiative in Health, Biomedical Research, and Policy Development Summer program, coordinated by the InterAmerican College of 

Physicians and Surgeons. What’s so amazing about his visit is that he 

still remembered the presentation I made many years ago as part of the 

Youth Initiative, and thanked me for my words of encouragement. 

The Youth Initiative is one of several efforts supported by the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that has proven to 

be effective in stimulating Hispanics to pursue careers in fields where 

they are still under represented—the health and biomedical sciences. 

HHS has made progress in addressing the needs of the Hispanic 

population, particularly since the launching of the Hispanic Agenda 

for Action (HAA) in 1996. Nevertheless, the 1997 HAA Progress 

Report reflects the need to improve several areas in order for us to 

reach the traditionally underserved Hispanic community. 

We reaffirm our commitment to improving services to Hispanics, 

and recognize that without action we won’t be able to accomplish our 

goals. In order to solve the manifold obstacles in the delivery of 

quality health care to Hispanics, HHS agencies are following what I 

call an A.C.T.I.O.N. plan responsive to the needs and expectations of 

Hispanics. A.C.T.I.O.N. stands for: Addressing health issues, Challenging gaps,Transforming attitudes, Involving Hispanics in the decision-making process, Optimizing information resources, and Networking with community-based organizations. 

We’re addressing health issues that touch the lives of millions of 

Hispanic Americans. For example, in 1997 the Health Care Financing Administration conducted a series of seminars on Medicare and 

Medicaid issues that affect Hispanics. We’re also challenging gaps in 

the provision of health care and services to Hispanics. In order to 

further the departmental goal of eliminating health disparities that 

affect the Hispanic population, the Substance Abuse and Mental 

Health Services Administration will award grants to the U.S./Mexico 

border states to provide prevention and early intervention activities 

on substance abuse to Latino youth and families. 

Furthermore, we’re transforming the attitudes of health care 

policymakers toward the special needs of the Hispanic community. 

By helping managers and staff reach an increased awareness of Hispanic health issues, our Department will be able to make wise decisions that will benefit the Latino community. 

We’re aware of the severe underrepresentation of Hispanics in the 

HHS workforce and recognize that further efforts are imperative to 

diversify our work environment. Many agencies are striving to recruit 

and involve more Hispanics in the decision-making process because of 

their special knowledge of the health needs of the Latino community. 

We have, however, been successful in capitalizing on our information resources to disseminate culturally and linguistically appropriate materials to Latinos via the Internet, toll-free numbers, and mail. 

HHS also provides valuable health information through television, 

radio, and newspapers. 

Finally, HHS, by means of cooperative agreements and contracts, 

is consistently networking with community-based organizations. 

Hispanic organizations, both local and national, tend to have a deeper 

insight into the health issues that affect the communities they serve 

and represent. 

HHS’ strong commitment to A.C.T.I.O.N. is helping us make 

significant strides in furthering the goals highlighted in the Hispanic 

Agenda for Action. Nevertheless, each and every one of us must 

continue channeling our efforts to improve services to Hispanic customers. But awareness of health disparities that affect Hispanics is not 

enough. Only A.C.T.I.O.N. can respond to the health needs of our 

rapidly growing Hispanic population and bring us closer to equality 

in the delivery of health care. 

Dr. Clay E. Simpson, Jr. is Deputy Assistant Secretary for Minority 

Health, Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and 

Human Services.

Office of Minority Health Resource Center U.S. Department of Health and Human Services