Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Street roots. (Portland, OR) 1998-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 31, 2012)
Street roots Aug. 31, 2012 in Oregon and southwest Washington, the fastest way to do that is to make direct impacts in the communities that have some of the poorest health outcomes. NW Health Foundation’s new executive talks health care, fluoride and social justice BY A M A N D A WALDROUPE STAFF W RITER s the new executive director of the Northwest Health Foundation, A and 6 7 .1 liked the possibility of being an advocate for everyone in Oregon and southwest Washington, for all communities, arid to be a voice for poor children and people in poverty, not just Native Americans. I don’t think I’ll ever stop being an advocate, but it might look a little different. Nichole Maher is both a fresh face and an old soul. At only 33, she comes to the organization already with 10 years experience as the head of NAYA, the Native American Youth A.W.: Do you think you bring a different and Family Center. It was a decade of perspective to your job, given that you are a working within one of the nation’s largest part o f a younger generation? Native American populations in the country, combating the challenges of racism and N .M .: I have a greater sense of urgency. I poverty with advocacy and education. think I have higher expectations sometimes The Northwest Health Foundation takes because of my age. I have always been very on those same challenges in its approach to proud to be a native woman, and my culture promoting better health for youths and and upbringing has had a big part in shaping adults across Oregon and southwest me. It’s a culture and community that is Washington. The organization was founded pretty direct and consistent in being in 1997 from the assets of the former thoughtful about fairness and equity. In Physicians Association of Clackamas County, Oregon, and in Portland, where people are believed to be the nation’s first pre-paid famous for being very polite all the time, I health plan in the nation. NW HF has tend to be one of the more direct people in distributed tens of millions of dollars in the room. grants to hundreds of organizations working to improve the health of people struggling A.W.: What priorities do you think the with economic disadvantages, especially low- Northwest Health Foundation should have in income, minority and immigrant groups that the coming years? don’t have access to health care. The foundation has had a marked impact N .M .: It’s pretty at the state clear that we are government level — excited about health its program officers we want to Improwe care transformation. have worked closely The other really high h e a lth la O re g o a a a d with legislators and priority is ensuring s o u t h w e s t W a s h la g to s s ^ t h e lo b b y is ts o n b ills fluoridation happens. fastest way t® i® that is to such as menu We have felt for a long labeling, connecting m a te direct im pacts Ixi the time that the folks local farms to school cootm iiiiities that have same who pay the biggest lunch programs, price for not having el the poorest health tobacco taxes, and fluoridation in our outcomes/* the landmark water is poor children legislation passed in and people of color. 2011 and 2012 that We’ll continue our reformed the Oregon commitment around preventing and Health Plan. addressing obesity, and improving overall Maher says she was attracted to the nutrition. We’re always interested in organization’s commitment to social justice workforce issues and making sure that there and its “honesty” around the inequities that are great and adequate people in the exist. “I loved that they had been willing to different professions. We are very take some risks, and talking about things committed to social justice and public traditional foundations would not do,” Maher health. says. A.W.: The Northwest Health Foundation Am anda Waldroupe: Such as? gives grants to various organizations, but it also is a vocal advocate for the issues it helps Nichole Maher: Talking about racial fund. How does that dynamic play out? inequalities. They have taken stances on issues like tobacco taxes, fluoride, endorsed N.M .: I think that we see ourselves on political issues that other foundations would not be comfortable with, like Measures 66 "It A.W.: What role does health play in addressing social justice issues? Nichole Maher both sides. For example, we fund a lot of advocacy groups. We’re very intentional about trying to advocate for specific policies that improve health. That has historically been a big part of our work. We also provide our grantees with technical assistance — not just giving them money, but support. We always like to view ourselves as providing that policy advice and advocacy, but we also like to really support community organizations that would otherwise not have a voice at the table. A.W.: As the executive director o f NAYA, you were part of the Coalition of Communities o f Color and a vocal advocate for minority groups and increasing equity in Portland - some may even say a radical or extreme advocate. Do you think that reputation will affect your work? N .M .: I’ve always been a really vocal advocate. But with a lot of those groups on the receiving end our advocacy, we built strong relationships with those folks at the same time. That is a skill set that the (Northwest Health Foundation) board was really interested in as an asset. The other piece that I’m really excited about is helping other foundations continue the conversation about improving equity in our philanthropic work. A.W.: What do foundations need to do differently? N .M .: Hiring people that reflect the community is a great step, and having boards that reflect the community. We have a tendency to talk about data but never really look at the data. Having conversations that if 52 percent of kids in Multnomah County are children of color and immigrant communities, and if a significant percentage are living in poverty, why is it that our funding, as foundations, doesn’t reflect that? I think we have to be really honest with ourselves and have a lot of those conversations. If we want to improve health N .M .: Look at the fluoridation issue. The number one reason kids miss school in Multnomah County is because of a dental issue. If you can improve dental and oral health, you can significantly improve educational attainment. There is quite a bit of evidence that demonstrates that poor communities or communities of color experience significant over burden of health issues. The number one reason people file for bankruptcy is when they have a health issue and they don’t have health insurance. These are not disconnected things. A.W.: The campaign for fluoridation has received some high-profile support this time around. Why is this happening now? N .M .: There’s been a real movement. We are among the states with the worst oral health in the country — we’re 48th out of 50. For quite some time, the foundation has been an advocate for fluoridation. This is about healthy teeth for our children. The folks who pay the biggest price for not having fluoride are poor communities. This is about class and privilege. The folks who are anti-flouride have dental insurance. Their perspective is, well, parents just need to take better care of their children’s teeth. A.W.: Do you agree with some characterizations that the campaign has been secretive? N .M .: I don’t agree with that. I think that Upstream Public Health did an amazing job of bringing together all these partners, and really wanting the group to have consensus, and be thoughtful about what they were doing before they got out there and started talking about it. You want to be thoughtful and you want to be strategic. There was no secret. A.W.: Do you think the campaign will be successful? N .M .: I think we will be. The movement is much larger and there are a lot more voices at the table. A lot of the messages that are anti-flouride are not based on quality science. In the past, the very small group that has been anti-flouride has been able to really scare people or put myths out there. I think that people have gotten more sophisticated. The fact that it’s not just the dentists or public health people saying it, the fact that it’s leaders from the African American, Latino, Native American, Southeast Uplift, Kaiser, all coming together and saying that we as a community (support fluoridating water). That’s what makes it really different. S isters Of The Rood c r e a t in g c o m m u n ity , c r e a tin g c h a n g e ,t o g e t h e r SISTERS OFTHE ROAD XX X . We ore— } } } } Hospitality & friendship Community change through the Dorothy Day Community School Working together for nonviolence & justice And don’t forget: fun! All Of? WdiOine ~ Monday-Friday, 10am - D O pm I B NW 6th Ave. in Portland 503-222-5094 w w w .s is t e r s o f t h e r o a d .o r g »
