Community Outreach & Access Task Force
NEHA is Committed to Inclusion & Equitable Access to Care
Recognizing that discrimination and limited access to health care result in poor health outcomes, NEHA is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in policies, practices and programs.
To highlight our commitment to this goal as an organization, creating a more inclusive and diverse community was listed as one of eight strategic priorities and goals in NEHA’s Strategic Plan.
Community Outreach & Access (COA) Task Force
To support this goal, the NEHA Board of Directors launched the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Task Force in the fall of 2020. To better align with our evolving goals, in 2026, this transitioned into our Community Outreach & Access (COA) Task Force.
The COA TF has two key goals:
- Identify, engage and ultimately connect historically underrepresented and underserved individuals with inherited bleeding disorders and those in their networks to NEHA’s education, advocacy and support programming across New England.
- Ensure that NEHA leadership reflects the diversity of the inherited bleeding disorders community in all six New England states.
Since 2020, the Task Force has accomplished:
- The task force has helped ensure that programming at our Consumer Medical Symposium and FallFest has included a wide range of topics geared to the interests of various members of the bleeding disorders community.
- Programming for our Spanish-speaking community has increased–with both in-person and virtual programming throughout the year.
- Groups for males and females as well as younger members of the community have had their own specific events.
- Leadership on NEHA’s Board of Directors now represents all of the New England states and staffing has expanded to be more inclusive as well.
Statement on Community Access & Inclusion
The COA TF’s created the following statement on community access and inclusion to help guide our organization and community on these principles.
“NEHA denounces all forms of discrimination and intolerance. We are on a path of exploration and community engagement to ensure that NEHA policies, practices, and programs are inclusive of all individuals with bleeding disorders as well as their families and caregivers. We believe this is the best way to serve everyone in the inherited bleeding disorders community throughout New England. We strive to be an organization that seeks equal access to health care and works to improve the health outcomes of all people regardless of bleeding disorder diagnosis, health status, disability status, age, race, ethnicity, color, country of origin, immigration status, primary language, religious or spiritual belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic status, veteran status, or place of residence.”
Ongoing Project: Reaching Underserved Patients
As the COA TF continues working to create a more inclusive and diverse community, they will expand their efforts to engage in productive collaborations by working with regional hemophilia treatment centers (HTC), non-HTC hematologists and national bleeding disorders organizations to identify underserved patients throughout all six New England states. As these patients begin to be identified and engaged with, the COA TF will work to ensure that NEHA’s education, advocacy and support approaches are representative and inclusive of all patients and families that NEHA serves.
Share An Idea or Get Involved
The COA TF is always looking for feedback and ideas to help us grow and improve our work. Please contact [email protected] to share your thoughts.
If you are interested in bringing your perspective to the COA TF by serving as a member, fill out our volunteer form, by clicking the button below.