HHI prioritizes a community-centered model that redefines the community’s role from passive recipients to proactive leaders in healthcare. Our participatory approach trains local individuals to become Community Health Workers (CHWs), thereby fostering ownership and ensuring the sustainability of healthcare initiatives. By involving community members in decision-making processes, we ensure that healthcare interventions are culturally resonant and tailored to the community’s specific needs. This strategy addresses immediate health concerns while also tackling broader social determinants of health, such as access to clean water, sustainable housing, and economic resilience.

HHI stands out for its focus on managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, particularly in rural and underserved regions. Unlike programs that emphasize acute care or single diseases, HHI integrates chronic disease management with preventive health education. We conduct workshops, advocate for healthy lifestyles, and facilitate community support groups to enhance long-term health outcomes. This approach fills the gap left by traditional healthcare models that might otherwise overlook the importance of education and prevention. Our designation as a Center of Excellence for Diabetes Care highlights our specialized focus and commitment to chronic care management.

HHI reimagines healthcare delivery by integrating education, prevention, and support services into a cohesive model. We tackle obstacles such as transportation challenges, language barriers, and limited access to basic necessities like clean water. Through home visits, mobile clinics, and community health education led by trained health promoters, HHI ensures that healthcare is accessible, particularly in hard-to-reach rural areas. This integrated model not only manages existing chronic conditions but also actively works to prevent new cases through lifestyle changes and community involvement, making healthcare a collaborative effort rather than a top-down service.

HHI amplifies its impact through robust partnerships with local and national health systems, including collaborations with the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of Public Health and the National Health Service. By training local healthcare providers, supporting primary care units, and enhancing health system administration, HHI’s initiatives are fully integrated into the national health strategy, which paves the way for scalable and sustainable interventions. This systemic approach broadens the reach of healthcare services and lays the foundation for lasting improvements in public health infrastructure.

HHI’s resilience and adaptability shine in times of crisis, as evidenced by our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. While many organizations struggled to maintain operations, HHI swiftly adapted by delivering care directly to patients’ homes and relieving pressure on the strained public health system. As the only community-based organization maintaining primary care services for vulnerable rural populations during the pandemic, HHI’s steadfast commitment underscores our capacity to sustain essential services even in the face of significant challenges.