Community News:
New NCLR Study Finds Hispanics in the South are Reluctant to Use Health Care System
Lack of Access, Information is a Public Health Concern
Atlanta, GA - A report released (this month) by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) finds that, contrary to conventional belief and despite the explosive growth of the population, Hispanics in the South are underutilizing public heath care services throughout the region. The report, The Health of Latino Communities in the South: Challenges and Opportunities, includes the perspectives of health care professionals and members of the community and notes that Hispanics are reluctant to use public health care programs and facilities due to barriers such as lack of information about available services; lack of insurance; insufficient numbers of bilingual, bicultural personnel in the healthcare arena; and disparate treatment.
"The fact that many Hispanics are intimidated enough by the health system that they are not seeking care should trouble anyone who is concerned about public health. These adults and their families are an important share of the workers and taxpayers of the South, and the region's economy depends on their well-being," stated Janet Murguia, NCLR Executive Director and COO.
NCLR conducted the study to gain new knowledge about the rapidly-growing, young, and increasingly significant Latino population in the South. "Ensuring the integration of Latinos into the social fabric of the South is critical to the region, and we can only do that if we understand the community and its needs," observed Murguia. With financial support from the Office of Minority Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, NCLR partnered with four highly-respected community-based organizations (CBOs) with experience in the health care field - El Pueblo, Inc. (Raleigh, NC); Latin American Association (Atlanta, GA); Latino Memphis (Memphis, TN); and Southeast Georgia Communities Project (Lyons, GA) - to gather information from community members and health care service providers.
NCLR's research and analysis suggest that a serious information gap prevents the Latino community from accessing available health services and hinders the ability of health care professionals to provide Latinos with adequate care. Specifically, the report's key findings show that:
There is a lack of knowledge about available health care service providers within the Hispanic community.
Health care facilities and professionals often do not have the adequate linguistic and cultural skills necessary to treat members of the Hispanic community.
Among Hispanics, there is a lack of trust of the medical system, which is sometimes amplified by immigration status.
Many Hispanics experience disparate treatment when they visit health care facilities, including longer waits and denial of service.
"The issues raised across the region were remarkably consistent, regardless of which state Latinos live in. Many without insurance are unable to get help due to the high cost of care. Struggling to learn English, others are daunted by the lack of information in Spanish and are unable to find anyone in the public health arena who understands or can communicate with them. People shouldn't have to resort to over-the-counter medicine or the botánica when they need medical attention," stated Andrea Bazán-Manson, NCLR Board Member and Executive Director of El Pueblo, Inc., one of the community-based partners in the study.
But the report also notes that strategies are within reach to improve information, access, and care available to Hispanics. "There are some rays of hope - partnerships between government, public health organizations, and CBOs can serve as models for other communities eager to address the challenges raised in the report," advised Murguia.
The report proposes detailed recommendations to educate the Latino community on available health care, and to prepare members of the medical profession to be responsive to the needs of this diverse population. Specifically:
The public and private sectors should collaborate on a comprehensive media-based campaign aimed at Latinos to increase awareness on public health issues.
Government agencies should establish mechanisms to ensure that appropriate language services, required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, are available when needed.
Regional nonprofit organizations should train other CBOs on community health education and outreach techniques.
Medical professionals, with help from regional CBOs, should create cultural competency and continuing education courses to help doctors increase their knowledge of culturally and linguistically diverse populations.
Latinos should play an active role in improving the health of their communities, through education, advocacy, and research.
"Hispanics need and want what many other Americans take for granted - that if they or their kids get sick, they will be able to find the means to get well. Given that Hispanics are an increasingly critical part of the region's economy, we urge public health officials in the South to partner with the Hispanic community to ensure that all residents of the South are able to access and receive health care services," concluded Murguia.
The full report, The Health of Latino Communities in the South: Challenges and Opportunities, can be accessed on the Internet at www.nclr.org.
SOURCE: NCLR
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Community News
PRdream/MediaNoche
FALL WORKSHOP SERIES
SCREENWRITING: THE BASICS
A workshop with Screenwriter/New School Professor
Frank Algarín
An introduction to the techniques, tools and vocabulary necessary for
turning an idea into a screenplay.
The goal is to develop an original idea into an outline for a feature
length screenplay and write the first scenes of the script.
The workshop will include lectures, discussions, viewings of films,
exercises, assignments, resources and handouts.
THURSDAYS, 6PM - 8:30PM
10 sessions: October 7 - December 16, 2004
Course Fee: $250
Registration Fee: $25
PRdream/MediaNoche
161 East 106th Street, First Floor
(Between Lexington and Third Avenue)
NYC
For more information and to register:
Call (212) 828-0401
Email: info@prdream.com
http://www.prdream.com
Empowering community through technology
PRdream/MediaNoche
FALL WORKSHOP SERIES
SCREENWRITING: THE BASICS
A workshop with Screenwriter/New School Professor
Frank Algarín
An introduction to the techniques, tools and vocabulary necessary for
turning an idea into a screenplay.
The goal is to develop an original idea into an outline for a feature
length screenplay and write the first scenes of the script.
The workshop will include lectures, discussions, viewings of films,
exercises, assignments, resources and handouts.
THURSDAYS, 6PM - 8:30PM
10 sessions: October 7 - December 16, 2004
Course Fee: $250
Registration Fee: $25
PRdream/MediaNoche
161 East 106th Street, First Floor
(Between Lexington and Third Avenue)
NYC
For more information and to register:
Call (212) 828-0401
Email: info@prdream.com
http://www.prdream.com
Empowering community through technology
Let there be light!
Mi gente, I have been off-line for nearly a week as a result of the blackout on Puerto Rico. I finally got electricity at home today, so I'm back to blog.
Go figure. The blackout was not even caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne!
The blackout and lack of water was actually worse than the storm! I got the water back over the weekend.
Some wise person decided to shutoff the power, and the Puerto Rican government is now fending off critics.
Whatever! I won't get into the politics of that foolish decision that left the island in chaos for days.
I'll leave that to the Puerto Rico radio reporters and commentators, who did a fantastic job of informing and letting people voice their opinions during the last week.
Mi gente, I have been off-line for nearly a week as a result of the blackout on Puerto Rico. I finally got electricity at home today, so I'm back to blog.
Go figure. The blackout was not even caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne!
The blackout and lack of water was actually worse than the storm! I got the water back over the weekend.
Some wise person decided to shutoff the power, and the Puerto Rican government is now fending off critics.
Whatever! I won't get into the politics of that foolish decision that left the island in chaos for days.
I'll leave that to the Puerto Rico radio reporters and commentators, who did a fantastic job of informing and letting people voice their opinions during the last week.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004
Community News
New Report Finds That D.C. Council Juvenile Justice Proposals From Past Year are Ineffective and Unfair
WASHINGTON, DC- A consortium of Latino organizations will join civil rights, community, and youth organizations tomorrow in releasing a report on Latino youth in the District's justice system and call on the D.C. Council to reject the harsh juvenile justice proposals they have considered in the past year when they take a final vote this month.
The report, District of Columbia Responses to Youth Violence: Impact on the Latino Community, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the proposals introduced by D.C. Council members and District Mayor Anthony Williams since the fall of 2003, finds that some of the policies being considered would be ineffective in protecting public safety and would have a negative impact on Latino families if adopted into law.
The consortium's report includes alternative policies that would more effectively reduce youth crime and assist families who are caught in the criminal justice system. These recommendations are similar to those of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Safety and Juvenile Justice Reform, which provide a sound blueprint for effective reform based on research and experience from around the country but have been largely ignored by District policy-makers.
The report's authors are the National Council of La Raza, the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and the law firms of Foley & Lardner LLP and Piper Rudnick LLP. These organizations will be joined at the briefing for the D.C. Council and the press by representatives from the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition, the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, the Latin American Youth Center, the Youth Law Center, the Justice 4 DC Youth Coalition, as well as Latino families who will speak to the personal impact of these policies. The briefing will be hosted by the D.C. Council's Subcommittee on Human Rights, Latino Affairs and Property Management, whose members include Jim Graham (Ward One), Adrian Fenty (Ward Four), and Phil Mendelson (at large).
The release of the new report on juvenile justice proposals that are ineffective and unfair to Latinos will be made at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Source: National Council of La Raza
New Report Finds That D.C. Council Juvenile Justice Proposals From Past Year are Ineffective and Unfair
WASHINGTON, DC- A consortium of Latino organizations will join civil rights, community, and youth organizations tomorrow in releasing a report on Latino youth in the District's justice system and call on the D.C. Council to reject the harsh juvenile justice proposals they have considered in the past year when they take a final vote this month.
The report, District of Columbia Responses to Youth Violence: Impact on the Latino Community, which offers a comprehensive analysis of the proposals introduced by D.C. Council members and District Mayor Anthony Williams since the fall of 2003, finds that some of the policies being considered would be ineffective in protecting public safety and would have a negative impact on Latino families if adopted into law.
The consortium's report includes alternative policies that would more effectively reduce youth crime and assist families who are caught in the criminal justice system. These recommendations are similar to those of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Youth Safety and Juvenile Justice Reform, which provide a sound blueprint for effective reform based on research and experience from around the country but have been largely ignored by District policy-makers.
The report's authors are the National Council of La Raza, the Washington Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and the law firms of Foley & Lardner LLP and Piper Rudnick LLP. These organizations will be joined at the briefing for the D.C. Council and the press by representatives from the Capital Area Immigrants' Rights Coalition, the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, the Latin American Youth Center, the Youth Law Center, the Justice 4 DC Youth Coalition, as well as Latino families who will speak to the personal impact of these policies. The briefing will be hosted by the D.C. Council's Subcommittee on Human Rights, Latino Affairs and Property Management, whose members include Jim Graham (Ward One), Adrian Fenty (Ward Four), and Phil Mendelson (at large).
The release of the new report on juvenile justice proposals that are ineffective and unfair to Latinos will be made at 10 a.m. tomorrow at the Wilson Building, 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.
Source: National Council of La Raza
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