Why NAEHD?
The National Alliance on Ending Health Disparities (NAEHD) is the first national movement to unite every stakeholder in health equity through a shared membership model.
We bring together patients, navigators, providers, researchers, educators, students, corporate partners, and community leaders. Our approach is collaborative by design, empowering each member with tools, training, and a shared mission to drive change across systems and communities.
How does The Alliance drive change?
We drive change through the following three core pillars that are part of our mission:
Research: We conduct deep research on health disparities across all five of our strategic priorities.
Education: We develop educational materials, programs, and resources for all members and stakeholders.
Advocacy: We advance equity-centered policies and legislation at the local, state, and national levels. We also equip our members to be powerful advocates in their own communities by providing tools, training, and support. Our approach amplifies lived experience and drives change through both grassroots action and systemic reform.
Why does it matter now?
Health disparities are rapidly accelerating. Equity initiatives are being cut, underfunded, and in some cases, terminated altogether.
In 2025 alone, many DEI programs across workforce sectors were eliminated. Nonprofit funding that supports vulnerable communities has been threatened. Federal agencies like the CDC, FDA, and HHS have faced widespread staffing cuts. Billions of dollars in NIH research grants have been canceled, halting progress on treatments for chronic diseases, infectious conditions, and emerging public health threats.
This isn’t theoretical. These cuts are already disrupting care, undermining trust, and stalling progress and innovation. NAEHD was built to respond with intention, urgency, and collaboration. We are creating infrastructure that lasts, grounded in lived experience and designed to move health equity forward.
NAEHD's Journey
The National Alliance on Ending Health Disparities (NAEHD) began with a clear mission and lived experience at its core. Since our launch in August, we’ve welcomed members across the Washington, DC metropolitan area, developed educational programming, and initiated outreach to mission-aligned organizations and community leaders.
We’re building momentum, and we’re just getting started.
View our full milestone timeline on our News & Initiatives page.
The Alliance's Strategic Priorities (2026-2028)
Strategic Priority #1: Identifying Barriers & Improving Access
How will NAEHD advance this priority?
Our aim is to dismantle barriers to health equity and expand access to high-quality care. We strive to ensure everyone receives the support needed to live a healthy life.
- Conducting research and landscape analyses to uncover disparities in treatment, diagnosis, and care navigation.
- Developing and providing educational tools and programs for patients, providers, and community health workers. We also partner with mission-aligned organizations to expand reach and impact.
- Advocating for funding, legislation, and institutional reforms that remove barriers to care at both the local and national levels.
Strategic Priority #2: Improving Maternal Health Outcomes
How will NAEHD advance this priority?
Black and Brown women face maternal mortality rates nearly three times higher than white counterparts. We aim to bridge this gap through targeted, equity-driven strategies and advocacy.
- Conducting research to uncover disparities in maternal care access, outcomes, and provider practices, generating insights that advance equity and drive meaningful change.
- Producing educational programs and materials that equip patients, providers, and community health workers to navigate maternal care, recognize early warning signs, and advocate for culturally responsive support throughout pregnancy and postpartum.
- Pushing for favorable legislation at local and national levels, and equipping members with self-advocacy resources to influence change in their own communities and improve maternal health outcomes.
Strategic Priority #3: Focusing on Chronic Disease, Rare Disease & Preventive Care
How will NAEHD advance this priority?
NAEHD aims to eliminate health disparities in chronic disease care by advancing research, expanding education, and increasing access to treatment.
- Uncovering disparities in chronic and rare disease care through targeted research initiatives that highlight gaps in access, treatment, and outcomes across marginalized communities.
- Developing educational programming that reflects key chronic and rare disease areas, supports patient care management, and keeps both patients and providers informed on emerging treatments and clinical developments
- Advocating for legislative and institutional reforms that improve access to chronic and rare disease care and preventive services, while equipping communities with tools to demand accountability and advance health equity.
Strategic Priority #4:
Expanding Access to Counseling & Mental Health Services
How will NAEHD advance this priority?
NAEHD aims to expand access to mental health services while reducing stigmas and providing free resources to impacted communities.
- Advancing research that uncovers disparities in mental health access, provider representation, and service delivery, with insights that challenge stigma and shape systemic change.
- Launching educational resources and programs that normalize mental health care, support early intervention, and equip patients and providers to recognize and respond to mental health needs through culturally responsive approaches.
- Advocating for policies that expand funding, coverage, and infrastructure for mental health services, while partnering with mission-aligned organizations to amplify urgency, reduce stigma, and influence lasting change in how mental health is prioritized and supported.
Strategic Priority #5: Assisting the Under & Uninsured
How will NAEHD advance this priority?
NAEHD vows to support the underinsured and uninsured by helping individuals access affordable care, coverage options, and essential health services in their communities.
- Driving research initiatives that identify gaps in coverage, care access, and service utilization among underinsured and uninsured populations, generating insights that inform policy and funding priorities.
- Designing educational resources that help individuals understand coverage options, navigate enrollment processes, and access low-cost or free health services with confidence.
- Campaigning for bold reforms that expand coverage, eliminate enrollment barriers, and prioritize the needs of uninsured and underinsured communities in every policy conversation.
The Alliance's Full Strategic Plan
NAEHD’s full strategic plan outlines our long-term vision, measurable goals, and implementation roadmap across all five priorities. It reflects our commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustained impact.
Coming soon: Our full strategic plan will be available for download and review.
Individual Membership: Join the Movement
NAEHD welcomes individuals including patients, providers, students, educators, and advocates who are ready to turn commitment into action. Our membership model is built for collaboration. We offer tools, training, and community to help you make an impact in your own space.
Whether you are navigating care, shaping policy, or educating others, there is a place for you here in the Alliance.
Corporate Membership: Aligning with the Movement
NAEHD partners with mission-driven companies ready to move beyond statements and into action. Our corporate membership model invites organizations to stand alongside patients, providers, and advocates in building infrastructure that lasts. Together, we drive systemic change through shared values, strategic collaboration, and measurable impact.
Explore how your organization can become part of the first national movement to end health disparities.
Advancing health equity can't wait.
NAEHD is building the necessary infrastructure that lasts and changes the game.
We’re inviting you to be part of it.
