What We Do
The New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization supporting and advocating for New Mexico’s 43 health councils and their community partners. The Alliance offers training, coordination, convening, opportunities for collaboration and advocacy in support of health councils’ role in promoting community health. Health Councils and supporters of health councils are eligible to be members of the Alliance and to participate in all our events. Currently there is no fee for membership, however sponsorships and donations are greatly appreciated. Contact info@nmhealthcouncils.org for information.
County & Tribal health councils, established in 1991 by the New Mexico legislature, help communities organize to identify and address local health priorities. The functions of health councils were reaffirmed in 2019 by the County and Tribal Health Care Act (HB 137). Health councils are mandated to identify community needs, resources, and priorities; evaluate the community’s system of care with an equity lens; and support education, programming and advocacy efforts to improve community health.
Land Acknowledgement
New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils humbly recognizes and acknowledges we are on unceded territory and ancestral lands of the original peoples of New Mexico’s Pueblos, Apache Nations, and the Navajo Nation. Together, we acknowledge the history of genocide, dispossession, colonization and ongoing systemic inequities, while strengthening and respecting relationships with Indigenous peoples.
We give thanks to the past, present and future stewards of this land and respect all tribal nation's sovereignty. In offering this Land Acknowledgment, we affirm Indigenous resiliency, self -determination, and self-governance of New Mexico’s tribes and nations who are still here today.
NMAHC is in the process of updating our land acknowledgement and developing a guide on creating actionable land acknowledgements for health councils and organizations around the state. For more information about this process, contact Valeria Alarcon, (valeria@nmhealthcouncils.org).
Our Mission. The mission of the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils, as chartered in NM law and policy by HB 137, is:
“to improve the health of all New Mexicans by supporting and strengthening county and tribal health councils, advocating for health equity, and by providing a strong voice for community and public health.”
This is accomplished through planning, leading community collaboration among agencies, public policy work, and sustainable system development.
Our Values.
Collaboration: We commit to collaboration among health councils and key public health stakeholders.
Equity and Inclusion: We value equity and inclusion within our organization and in our work to better the health of New Mexicans, recognizing that diversity, equity and inclusion makes us stronger.
Respect: We practice a culture of respect and cultural humility, acknowledging all perspectives and recognizing that words and actions matter.
Collective Voice: We are committed to cultivating a collective voice on issues that benefit all health councils.
For more information about how we work to make our values actionable, see our evolving Strategic Plan (updated October 2021).
Download a factsheet that highlights our mission, focus areas, programs and more.
Read more about our history. Do you have a story to share, send it to info@nmhealthcouncils.org.
NMAHC Factsheet
Updated 12/14/21
History of New Mexico’s Health Councils
Updated 2/4/2022