NCEMNA Position Statement on the Advancement of Health Equity

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Dr. Debra A. Toney

ncemna.executivedirector@gmail.com

The National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA) today released its official Position Statement on the Advancement of Health Equity, calling on healthcare professionals, policymakers, and communities nationwide to join in building a more just and equitable healthcare system.

Representing more than one million ethnic minority nurses across the United States, NCEMNA unites five national associations: the Asian American Pacific Islander Nurse Association (AAPINA), National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association (NANAINA), National Black Nurses Association (NBNA), and Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA). Together, the Coalition serves as a collective voice advocating for equity and justice in healthcare.

Advancing the Profession, Improving Outcomes

NCEMNA’s position statement emphasizes the critical role nurses play as the backbone of the U.S. healthcare system. Through care coordination, patient advocacy, cost reduction, and direct efforts to eliminate health disparities, nurses drive quality and safe patient outcomes.

To strengthen this impact, NCEMNA is committed to:

• Enhancing educational attainment, professional development, and leadership capacity for ethnic minority nurses

• Fostering leadership in health policy and ensuring diverse nursing perspectives shape the national healthcare agenda.

• Promoting culturally competent care that responds to the needs of underserved and marginalized populations

• Policy and Workforce Priorities

Guided by its core values of Equity, Advocacy, Relevance, and Diversity NCEMNA outlined three priorities to advance population health:

1. Expand access to high-quality, affordable care NCEMNA advocates for strengthened data collection, increased research investment, Medicaid expansion, and sustained funding for community health centers to eliminate structural barriers to care.

2. Build a culturally competent and diverse workforce The NCEMNA calls for increased funding for nursing education, research, mentorship, leadership development, and cultural competence training.

3. Support minority nurse leaders as change agents NCEMNA urges greater representation of minority nurse leaders in clinical practice, research, education, and policy arenas nationwide.

“Every person, regardless of race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or geography, deserves access to compassionate, high-quality care,” NCEMNA President Dr. Angie Millan stated. “We remain steadfast in advocating for the health of all people, especially marginalized populations. NCEMNA calls upon its members, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the communities they serve to collaborate on national and global initiatives that advance health equity and dismantle structural barriers in healthcare.

About NCEMNA

The National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA) is a coalition of five national ethnic minority nurse associations dedicated to promoting healthcare equity and advancing the nursing profession. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, NCEMNA works to address the health needs of diverse communities across the country.