Haitians are traditionally grouped with African-Americans, but the rapidly growing Haitian immigrant population exhibits a distinctly different set of linguistic, cultural, educational, and socio-economic barriers to the delivery of health and social services. Many are intimidated by the technologically sophisticated and impersonal culture of the health care system and tend to avoid health and social services.

For over ten years, the Intercultural Family Health Education Center has worked to overcome the barriers for the Haitian community through culturally competent health education programs that motivate community members to improve their own health outcomes and bridge their access to existing health and social services. I.F.H.E.C.’s programs are culturally excellent, which involves more than simply providing services in Creole. I.F.H.E.C.’s staff is knowledgeable, professional, and personable- sympathetic to the needs of each client. This approach is the key to I.F.H.E.C.’s success.

I.F.H.E.C. firmly believes that better disease prevention and management improves our sense of well-being and lessens the growing costs of health care we shoulder as a society. It is to the benefit of our entire multi-ethnic community to work together, sharing our skills and resources to make our vision for healthy living into a reality.

Yanick M. Abellard, M.P.H.
Executive Director

Master of Public Health, New York University, 1991.
International Health Education: Program Planning and Evaluation.

License ès Sciences in Anthropology and Sociology,
Université d’Etat, Haiti, 1980.