Formerly known as the Somali Health Advisory Committee (SHAC), the Community Health Advisory Collaborative (CHAC) was founded in 2013 with a strong commitment to community participation. From the start, CHAC has focused on addressing critical health disparities, including viral hepatitis and liver cancer. Our membership brings together community leaders, healthcare professionals, and individuals with lived experience of chronic disease—all united in their dedication to improving the health and well-being of the Somali community.

At SHAC, we are dedicated to advancing health equity through research, education, and community partnerships. We organize annual health and career fairs, lead health education seminars, and play a key role in community health assessments. Over the years, we’ve built strong collaborations with the Mayo Clinic, the Minnesota Department of Health, and local community leaders to ensure our work has a lasting impact.

Some of our current efforts focus on eliminating health disparities related to viral hepatitis and liver cancer. By partnering with faith centers, schools, and grassroots organizations, we make sure vital health information and resources reach the people who need them most.

The Community Health Advisory Collaborative (CHAC) is a community-led organization based in Minnesota. Guided by Somali-American leadership, CHAC focuses on health education, research, and addressing health disparities. We work closely with community-based organizations, faith centers, schools, and academic institutions—including Mayo Clinic and Olmsted Medical Center—to design initiatives that truly serve and uplift our community.