Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition (NEOBHC) is a social justice organization created to create equity in the African American community addressing the cumulative impact of racial, economic, environmental, and social justice inequities in education, employment, housing and health by working to educate, advocate for and empower the community. These communities have been disproportionately impacted by climate change and environmental abuse: pollution from municipal and agricultural discharge, historical contamination from industrial sources, and the highest levels of PM2.5 air pollution in the state. According to the Ohio Department of Health, asthma emergency department rates and inpatient hospital rates for black adults were both over four times higher than white rates, and asthma emergency department rates for black children were also four times higher than white rates. Founded in 2011, NEOBHC was the first organization in Ohio dedicated to addressing these disparities. Their goal is to eliminate health care inequities, build capacity, empower communities, and achieve social justice and parity.
NEOBHC out in their community
Black and women led, NEOBHC is dedicated to its communities, and through years of work on behalf of the underserved and overburdened, they’ve built strong, trusting bonds. Their wide-ranging educational initiatives include Urban Community CPR Training, Environmental Racism Awareness, and Lead Poisoning & African Americans Forums. They partner with Cleveland Lead Advocates for Safe Housing on improving child lead testing and addressing lead hazards. During the pandemic, they provided hundreds of meals, delivering 30 days’ worth of food and essentials for families facing food insecurity. As well, they led a drive to increase vaccinations in the Black community where only 1 in 6 was vaccinated. Currently, they lead a Regional Resilience Center designed to expand the capacity of underserved community groups engaging in climate resilience planning by mentoring and training, assisting them in applying for grants, and connecting them with scientific, legal, policy, technical and communications services.
