Buena Salud Américas
Community-led health across the Americas.
The National Alliance for Hispanic Health and the Healthy Americas Foundation established the Buena Salud Américas Initiative to promote collaboration between governments and non-governmental organizations, supporting community-based efforts and civil society engagement in public health policies and systems for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases throughout the Americas.
Focus Area
Health needs of women
at different stages of life.
The Alliance and HAF provided community engagement grants to partner agencies in Bolivia, Costa Rica, and Guatemala to hold community discussions gathering information on women's health — including reproductive health, gynecologic diseases, menopause, and mental health.
Bolivia — CIES: Salud Sexual Salud Reproductiva
CIES assessed women's knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about their health across life stages, with a focus on reproductive health. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used across six geographical areas of Bolivia, covering the most populated cities and surrounding municipalities. About 65 women aged 15 to 60 took part in focus groups and about 777 women in the same age range responded to a survey. Younger women had the greatest difficulty planning the most appropriate time for a pregnancy, while older women faced problems limiting their fertility and unwanted pregnancies. The study concluded that a high percentage of women still have unmet needs for contraception and cannot achieve their reproductive ideals, and that family planning strategies and programs need strengthening so women can make free and informed decisions.
Costa Rica — Voces Vitales Costa Rica
Voces Vitales assessed how much information and understanding women of different backgrounds and ages have about their physical, sexual, and mental health, through focus groups with women aged 18 to 45 from rural and urban areas and varied income levels. Results showed unequal access to healthcare services for prevention and mental health support, and a need to learn not only about prevention but about a healthy relationship with one's own body and shared sexuality. Women identified a need for psychoeducation to address undiagnosed or untreated mental and emotional conditions, and for tools to help mothers give their children accurate information. The study concluded that care needs to be more holistic and more humane, at both individual and community levels.
Guatemala — ISDM/OSAR
ISDM gathered information on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of indigenous women of Chimaltenango regarding reproductive, mental, and oral health, and their needs for culturally relevant care. Focus groups were conducted in Spanish and Kaqchikel with indigenous and non-indigenous girls and women aged 10 to 60. Findings showed the COVID-19 pandemic affected the mental and physical health of young and adult women, that mental health programs need strengthening to help prevent violence against women and suicides, and that lack of access to services during the pandemic affected reproductive health. The study highlighted the importance of recognizing the role of ancestral knowledge and traditional medicine in disease prevention in indigenous communities.
Hablemos del cáncer y el VPH
Let's Talk About Cancer and HPV.
The Alliance and HAF provided community engagement grants to partner agencies in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Peru, and Puerto Rico to address cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination across the Americas. The program gave community-based organizations a platform to build local advocacy, raise awareness, share trusted information, and exchange successful practices — through vaccination policy work, training curricula, media campaigns, workshops for school staff and community health workers, and outreach at health fairs and community events.
Bolivia — CIES
Education and advocacy campaign: Your Right, Your Decision. Curriculum development and trainings: Your Health, Your Life.
Brazil — Oncoguia
Media and communication campaigns: Cervical Cancer, Joining Forces for Change; and HPV and Cervical Cancer without Myths.
Colombia — Profamilia
Curriculum development, education, and trainings: HPV Prevention Strategy in Cali — A Commitment Regardless of Sex or Gender.
Guatemala — ISDM/OSAR
Education, policy, and advocacy: Strengthening the Cervical Cancer Prevention Strategy, and advocacy for implementing prevention and treatment strategies.
Peru — Voces Ciudadanas
Curriculum development and trainings: promotion and community monitoring of HPV vaccination at schools and healthcare facilities serving children and adolescents.
Puerto Rico — VOCES
Education, policy, and media campaign: Know the Facts About HPV — Vaccination is Cancer Prevention.