On behalf of the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) AIDS Institute, Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention (OMHHDP), the United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS), Region II, and other partners, thank you for your interest and participation in the statewide Symposium focused on health disparities that impact the Latino/Hispanic population in New York State and a discussion on strategies to achieve health equity.

Purpose
The 2013-2014 Latino/Hispanic Health Equity Initiative Statewide Symposium: Achieving Health Equity Through Education, Collaboration and Action is part of the NYSDOH's continued response to address racial and ethnic health disparities while exploring community efforts to curtail the disproportionate effect on Latino/Hispanic communities throughout New York State.  

Goals
* Increase participant understanding of social, economic, and political    factors that cause health inequities.
* Provide information on major disease prevention and health             promotion challenges facing Latinos/Hispanics and potential solutions   to those challenges.
* Learn about core competencies necessary for culturally and     linguistically appropriate prevention, education and how to develop       models of care.
* Review specific tools that can aid in addressing health inequities in     New York State.
* Further the development of collaborative partnerships among             Symposium participants to maximize regional stakeholder participation in the implementation of Community Action Plans.  

Agenda

Overview of Statewide Symposium

Speakers 

Regional Stakeholder Exchange
The Regional Stakeholder Exchange featured poster presentations and an informative discussion from seven regions of New York State on proposed and implemented community action plans to achieve health equity.

Plenary and Workshop Presentations

To access all available presentations select the name of the underlined presenter(s).

Morning Plenary
Marilyn Aguirre-Molina, Ed.D., M.S., CUNY School of Public Health Angelica Ramirez, M.P.A., USDHHS, Region II                                 Elena V. Rios, M.D., M.P.H., National Hispanic Medical Association Yvonne Graham, R.N., M.P.H., NYSDOH, OMHHDP

Nuts and Bolts for Community Change
Joan Edwards, Mayra Valdez  & Claire Simon, NYSDOH AIDS Institute
Sady Fischer, Trillium Health

Latino/Hispanic Cultures 101
Blanca Ramos, Ph.D., University at Albany, School of Social Welfare
Jose Luis Morin, J.D., John Jay College of Criminal Justice
 Alexander Cardiel, M.D., Saratoga Hospital

Developing Effective Health Messages 
Jennifer Manganello, Ph.D., M.P.H., University at Albany, SPH
Wilma Alvarado-Little, M.A., M.S.W. 
Leandro Rodriguez, Latino Commission on AIDS
MeriTerese Racanelli, M.S., Goya Foods Inc. 

Health Disparities within the Latino/Hispanic LGBT Community
Carmen Vasquez, NYSDOH AIDS Institute                                     Gabby Santos, In Our Own Voices

Afternoon Workshops:

Latinos/Hispanics in Higher Education: Increasing the Workforce Capacity in Health Care
Tania Ramirez, M.S.W., LaGuardia Community College
Alvaro Carrascal, M.D., M.P.H., American Cancer Society
Nikki Georges-Clapp, M.U.P., Upwardly Global

Innovative Approaches to Engage Underserved Populations
Paul Ruchames, L.C.S.W., Backstretch Employee Service Program
Helen Ballestas, Ph.D., R.N., Adelphi University
Arlene Wilson, M.P.A., American Diabetes Association 

 Nuts and Bolts for Community Mobilization
Bethsy Morales-Reid, Hispanic Federation
Lorelei Salas, J.D., Make The Road New York

STD Prevention: What Can We Do Together?  
Alison Muse, M.P.H., NYSDOH Bureau of STD Prevention and Epidemiology                                                                                      
Paul Reyes, New York State STD/HIV Prevention Training Center   Ben Wise, M.S., CHES, NYSDOH Bureau of STD Prevention and Epidemiology  

 Resources

An America Built to Last: President Obama's Agenda and the Hispanic Community

CDC Health Disparities and Inequities Report- U.S. 2013

Health Disparities Impacting Latinos in New York State

HHS Action Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

What Can Public Health Programs Do to Improve Health Equity?