Demographics

Of the ten most populous cities in the U.S, Houston ranks fourth after New York, Los Angeles and Chicago and third in largest population of Hispanics. Texas’ Hispanic population has grown by more than 2 million since 2010, according to new population estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau, and the state’s demographer now predicts that Hispanics will be the state’s largest population group by mid-2021.

The Houston area is growing and experienced a 9% increase in population between 2010 and 2018.

No racial/ethnic group constitutes a majority of the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land Metropolitan Statistical Area (Houston MSA). Metro Houston’s Hispanic/Latino population grew larger than the White population for the first time in ’17.

(Source: https://www.houston.org/houston-data/demographics-raceethnicity)

The Houston MSA is home to the nation’s fourth-largest Hispanic/Latino population at more than 2.6 million.

Between ’10 and ’18, the greater Houston area population increased by 17.1 percent. The non-White population drove the bulk of this growth—the Asian population increased by 39.8 percent and the Hispanic/Latino population by 24.3 percent.

Access to Health

Texas is the largest state in the nation that refused to expand health insurance for low-income residents under the Affordable Care Act, and it is home to a rapidly growing Latino population. Nearly a third of adults under 65 in Texas lack health insurance, the worst uninsured rate in the country, and more than 60% of those without health insurance in the state are Hispanic.

In fact, while Hispanic Texans make up about 40% of the state’s population, 48% of the state’s 5,952 confirmed COVID-19 deaths, according to Department of State Health Services data. Additional data released by the Harris County health department showed a disproportionate share of those requiring hospital care — as high as 65% of newly hospitalized patients during some weeks in June — were Hispanic, despite the fact they are 44% of the population.

Strategic Plan

This strategic plan describes the goals and objectives of the Chapter in 2020-2030 which help increase the representation of the Latino, Latina and multicultural groups in leadership roles. The goals and metrics ensure the participation of individuals and organizations that foster culturally inclusive professional opportunities in the healthcare industry and promotes the education and acknowledgement of health care disparities within our community.

Mission

The primary mission of the Chapter is to connect, serve and support Latino, Latina and multicultural healthcare leaders across the Greater Houston region. To educate, advocate and promote diversity, inclusion, and health equities to better serve the Greater Houston region.

Vision

To be the acknowledged local and regional organization for Latino, Latina and multicultural healthcare leaders and professionals, early careerists, students, local industry experts, community stakeholders, partners, sponsors, and individuals with aligned interests, goals, and values.

Needs Statement

According to the Houston State of Health Website (source: http://www.houstontx.gov/health/chs/documents/Health-Disparities-Data-Report-I-2019-Root-Causes.pdf), the Harris County Hispanic population faces more difficulty in finding the funds to see a doctor, compared to other groups. Among Hispanics adults, 30.4% reported that they had not been able to see a doctor when they needed to, due to cost. Additionally, the Hispanic population has the lowest percentage of persons (59.0%) who are insured. To that end, NALHE Texas Greater Houston can help bring positive change to health equity within the Houston area by educating the community and policy makers about health inequities in our community, the cost of these inequities to our most vulnerable and to the community as a whole, and steps to take toward solutions

The NALHE Texas Greater Houston Chapter’s purpose, goals, and metrics to measure for success are the following:

Goals & Metrics

1

Strengthen our Foundation: Goal to achieve long term success by raising the National minimum of $3,000 to $5,000 in our first year of operation.

2

Leadership Incubator: Goal to reach out to MHA and similar program, and create a student membership level for the Greater Houston region. Metric would be to host at least one case competition by end of first year.

3

Strategic Partnerships: Goal to reach out and establish partnerships with community stakeholders to include universities (e.g., TSU, TWU, NAHN, NAHSE, etc.)

4

Care Transformation: Goal to partner with local media or another community stakeholder to participate in at least one advocacy event regarding the disparity in health among the Latino population.