Resources on Health

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Data from the world's largest on-going telephone health survey system, tracking health conditions and risk behave iors in the United States yearly since 1984.

Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research (CMMHR)
Interdisciplinary center based at the Cambridge Health Alliance with a mission to generate research in mental health services that impacts policy, practice, and service delivery for multicultural populations.

Critical Disparities in Latino Mental Health: Transforming Research into Action
This report by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and the California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) Center for Latino Community Health, Evaluation, and Leadership Training finds that Latinos are at a disproportionately high risk for depression and other conditions associated with mental illness. Study also finds that Latinos are also much less likely to seek treatment or receive quality culturally- and linguistically-competent care.

Entre Parejas: An Exploration of Latino Perspectives Regarding Family Planning and Contraception
Summarizes the findings of a study by the National Council of La Raza's (NCLR), Institute for Hispanic Health (IHH), and Berlex, Inc It explores knowledge, attitudes, practices and beliefs among Latinos on family planning and contraceptive use.

Health Consequences of Mexican Migration to the United States (MexMaH)
The project utilizes the Health and Migration Survey (HMS) to examine child health outcomes and maternal reproductive behavior.

Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (HHANES)
Conducted between 1982-84, HHANES was a nationwide probability sample of approximately 16,000 persons, including Hispanics. The survey, however, did not include a sufficient number of Latinos to produce estimates on the health of Hispanics in general nor specific data for subgroups within the population.

Key Facts about Childhood Obesity in the Latino Community
NCLR overview on the risks and effects of high rates of obesity in the Latino community

Latino Research Program Project (LRPP)
National resource for research and policy development on mental health services for Latinos.

Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS)
MEPS is a set of large-scale surveys of families and individuals, their medical providers, and employers across the United States. MEPS is a source of data on the cost and use of health care and health insurance coverage

National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)
Compilation of statistical information related to health and healthcare, including the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD)
Serves as focal point for coordinating and focusing disparities in minority health research programs at the NIH into a national health research agenda

National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS)
National information on the similarities and differences in mental illness and use of mental health services by Latinos and Asian Americans. Compares both to non-Hispanic whites and African Americans.

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Dedicated exclusively to improving health and health care of all Americans, the foundation has conducted numerous studies on, among others, health disparities, childhood obesity, insurance coverage and public health.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Service – Office of Minority Health
Advises the Secretary and the Office of Public Health and Science (OPHS) on public health program activities affecting racial and ethnic minority populations.

Why Immigrants Lack Adequate Access to Health Care and Health Insurance
Explores the key issues and research concerning immigrants' access to private health insurance, public health insurance and health care in general.