FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:
July 10, 2014 Kathy Mimberg
(202) 776-1714
kmimberg@nclr.org
Press Office (July 18-22 only)
(213) 743-6462
Experts examine challenges and best practices in Latino community to improve insurance levels and outcomes for chronic disease, obesity, hunger, cervical cancer and more
LOS ANGELES—Medical caregivers, health educators, nutritionists, government officials and others dedicated to providing Latinos with information and resources to live healthy lives will be among the community leaders and activists who gather at the Los Angeles Convention Center for the 2014 NCLR Annual Conference. Health-related workshops will focus on activities and best practices to reach the Hispanic community with bicultural, bilingual information to help them access medical care, eat well and exercise to maintain a healthy weight, get life-saving preventative screenings, and manage chronic diseases effectively.
In addition to the workshops, the 2014 National Latino Family Expo will offer free screenings for vision, lung health, diabetes risk, blood pressure and more. The Conference and Expo will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center July 19–22. Also, NCLR’s Health Summit will host a town hall on Tuesday, July 22, “After Health Care Reform: The Remaining Uninsured,” which will focus on lessons learned during the implementation of health insurance marketplaces through the Affordable Care Act and pathways to expand coverage to those who remain uninsured (details below).
Hispanics suffer from health disparities including high rates of obesity (nearly 40 percent) and diabetes; 50 percent of Hispanics are more likely to die from diabetes than non-Hispanic Whites. They are the least insured group in the nation, with nearly one in three lacking coverage. As the Latino community grows to represent one-third of the U.S. population by 2050, so will the prevalence of chronic conditions that Hispanics face, such as diabetes, heart disease, asthma, obesity and their complications. NCLR is committed to expanding outreach and improving health outcomes in the Latino community, which is why health is a priority issue for this year’s Conference.
Listed below are selected health highlights at the 2014 NCLR Annual Conference. To learn more about Conference health activities, please review the events schedule or contact Kathy Mimberg at (202) 776-1714 or kmimberg@nclr.org. Reporters with current press credentials can register to attend for free: http://nclr.emsreg.com/NCLR14/public/splash.aspx.
HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS
Free Health Screenings – 2014 NCLR National Latino Family Expo:
Saturday, July 19, 2013, 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 20, 2013, 10:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
Monday, July 21, 2013, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Health Town Hall – Tuesday, July 22 (3:00–4:30 p.m.)
After Health Care Reform: The Remaining Uninsured
Millions of Latinos qualify for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act and many obtained coverage during the first enrollment period. This town hall will focus on pathways to expand coverage to the remaining uninsured and the lessons learned during the implementation of the health insurance marketplaces and how they will affect efforts to expand coverage. Panelists include Dr. Robert K. Ross, President and Chief Executive Officer, The California Endowment; Florida State Senator Rene Garcia; Lori A. Baptista, Director of Policy, Tiburcio Vasquez Health Center; Mayra E. Alvarez, MHA, Director, State Exchange Group, Center for Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; and Juan H. Flores, MUP, Consultant and Adviser, La Fe Policy Research and Education Center.
HEALTH WORKSHOPS
Saturday, July 19 (9:00–10:30 a.m.)
¡Conéctate! Reaching Your Audience Through Social Media
With more than 80 percent of Latinos using social media, this technology can be a useful tool for discussing health issues that affect our community. Join us to learn how NCLR has shared important messages about cervical cancer prevention with Latinas using social media.
Integrating Health and Wellness into School Communities
Using an integrated service model, school staff and partnering agencies can deliver health and wellness initiatives through these community hubs to support a family’s complex needs. Experts in mental and public health, along with families who have received services, will share lessons learned from these partnerships that bridge the education and health sectors.
Sunday, July 20
Promotores de Salud: Bridging the Health Care Landscape for Latino Communities
(9:00–10:30 a.m.)
Promotores de salud, or community health workers, have played an integral role in enrolling thousands of Latinos in health insurance, assisting with health care system navigation, and providing patients with support to manage chronic diseases. salud program. Presenters include Maria Theresa Vargas, Mujeres Latinas en Acción; Cliff Clark, Migrant Health Promotion; and Juana Ballesteros, Illinois Department of Public Health.
Mobilizing for Health: Results of Outreach to the Latino Community around the Affordable Care Act
(Presented by Planned Parenthood Federation of America; 1:30–3:00 p.m.)
This workshop will present the national effort led by grasstops and grassroots leaders and organizations to inform, enroll and engage the Latino community in the Affordable Care Act. Panelists include representatives from Planned Parenthood and Enroll America.
Monday, July 21 (9:00-10:30 a.m.)
Comprando Rico y Sano: Promoting Nutrition Education and SNAP Enrollment for Latinos
NCLR’s Comprando Rico y Sano program uses the promotores de salud (community health workers) model to educate Latinos about healthy eating, meal preparation, smart shopping and physical activity, and to help eligible Latinos enroll in the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Panelists include Crystal Requejo, Mexican American Unity Council; Mariela Estrada, Brighton Park Neighborhood Council; Lucienne Brutus, Hispanic Unity of Florida; and Claudia Barajas, Latino Community Development Agency.
Impact of Reform on Health and Equity in Latino Communities
This workshop will explore the impact of the Affordable Care Act on health and equity in Latino communities: affordable health care, healthier neighborhoods, and better jobs. Presenters include George R. Flores, MD, MPH, Program Manager, Prevention, The California Endowment; Richard Figueroa, MBA, Director, Health and Human Services, The California Endowment; and Carmela Castellano-Garcia, President and CEO, California Primary Care Association.
NCLR—the largest national Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States—works to improve opportunities for Hispanic Americans. For more information on NCLR, please visit www.nclr.org or follow along on Facebook and Twitter.
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