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NCEMNA is made up of the five national ethnic nurse associations: the Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association (AAPINA), the National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association, Inc. (NANAINA), the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), the National Black Nurses Association, Inc., (NBNA), and the Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc., (PNAA).

Incorporated in 1998, NCEMNA is a tax-Exempt, 501 (c) (3) non-profit professional organization that advocates for the equity and justice in nursing and health care for ethnic minorities. The Coalition gives voice to over to three hundred thousand ethnic minority nurses and to the actual health experiences of a constituent population that is marginalized from the mainstream health delivery systems

Health indicators among various ethnic groups demonstrate the detrimental consequences of continuing health disparities. Racial and ethnic minorities are less likely to get regular checkups, receive immunizations and be routinely tested for cancer. Hispanic women are the least likely to use preventative services such as the Pap smear test, mammography, and clinical breast exam. Coronary heart disease mortality is higher for African Americans. Asian Americans have the highest incidence of tuberculosis in the US at 40.6%. 75% OF HIV/AIDS cases reported among women and children occur among ethnically diverse groups.

The National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA) has received a five-year, $2.4 million grant from the National Institute for General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop a cadre of ethnic minority nurse scientists reflecting the nation’s diversity.

This cadre of nurse-scientist researchers will help significantly in addressing the gaps in the health statuses of minority populations by conducting research in and around their own population groups. Often times, culturally competent research is best conducted by individuals who are members of group being studied. Nurses, who are most often the first point of contact in the health-care system, are uniquely positioned to facilitate this type of research. Yet, the number of ethnic minority nurse researchers conducting this needed research is disproportionately low.