Date: October 14, 2008
Theme: "Eliminating Health Disparities Among Latinos"
Speakers: Mauricio Palacios, M.S.H.Ed. Director, Office of Health Disparities
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Lorenzo Olivas is the Minority Health Consultant for Region VIII, Office of Minority Health, US Public Health Service, Department of Health and Human Services.
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Q. What are health disparities?
A. The Office of Health Disparities defines health disparities as persistent difference in health outcomes, across disease and disabilities. For instance, there are health differences for HIV outcomes. Health disparities are also described as disparities in health status. In addition, there are disparities in the health care people receive.
Q. Who is mostly affected by the issue of health disparities?
A. That is controversial. We at the office focus on racial and ethnic disparities because communities of color share the brunt of disparities. There are also disparities in terms of geographic locations, disparities because of gender and sexual orientation, and so on. We do most of our work on ethnic diversities. In the US, Latinos experience health disparities in terms of obesity, diabetes, cervical cancer. We all bare the brunt of health disparities whether it’s from the business community perspective, from the health care. If we don’t take a pro-active approach to addressing the health needs and well being of our community, we are paying for the lack of health through poor quality of life.
Q. What are the opportunities to develop programs to decrease the number of HIV infections?
A. I want to start with a very basic thing. It’s the power of community and the power of individuals. We all have a huge role as individuals on how impact health disparities in general, especially HIV disparities. That is, what we can do to education our families and co-workers. There’s still a lot of confusion on how HIV can be transmitted. There was a lot of noise when there was appropriate and effective treatment for HIV. Now there is a sense of complacency out there where people say “If I get infected, I’ll go to the doctor and get treatment.” I’m also talking in terms of activism, in 1991-1992, there were activist demanding services for the community. We need to work as a community that forms leaders who will fight for the needs of the Latino/Hispanic communities in terms of HIV/AIDS services. Also, to let the young people know that this is not a fashionable disease to have. I see the opportunity for activism, collaborations, for building partnerships. Health disparities impact the whole individual, the whole community. I see great opportunity to partner up with agencies we normally don’t think about. With agencies that impact determinants of health. We can share our messages and resources and together have more meaningful programs. If you want to partner up with environmental agencies, they will have programs about gardening and eating fresh vegetables. You can be out there showing your presence and building trust and relationships and also talking about HIV awareness in a less threatening way than just promoting your HIV intervention for the community.
In the public health community we tend to generalized about our population. In the Latino population we know the stigma attached to HIV disease is great. We need to look at a more comprehensive approach, a more holistic view. Messages that we create do not reach the communities that most need to hear those messages. As CBOs, you can take a leadership role ensuring that those messages are appropriate and far reaching. There are cultural differences. Community folks know their community. The opportunity for leadership is critical. The community provides guidance. Another great opportunity is advocacy. Advocacy is about educating your policy maker. Policy makers tend to listen to the community.
Q. What services exist to reduce health disparities in HIV disease?
A. At the OMH, we are working on a Latino Leadership Institute. It’s something that is coming soon. There are no details yet, because it’s still in the works. Stay tune.
Communities working together can make a difference. As an example, the Minority Aids Initiative began with Black leaders coming together before the CDC and informed them about the rates of HIV infections in their community based on epidemiological data. MAI was a result of advocacy and leadership. Within the OMH, there is the Department of Technical Assistance. National Latino Awareness Day (NLAD), they provide communities with opportunities to encourage HIV educations, testing, and treatment. Partnerships are key. There are OMH across the nation that can provide assistance and resources.
Q. Are there specific goals that have been set to reduce the HIV rates in the nation?
A. Each of the states have their epidemiological profile. The data is there that can help guide you as to what needs to be done. Through community planning each state has developed a plan. The Ryan White also has developed a plan. At a federal level, HRSA administers the Ryan White program. We also have Health People 20210 with objectives for HIV disease. We can look at what the blue print is through HP 2010. Also, through the OMH, the Department of Health and Human Services has the National Partnership for Action (NPA) that identifies panel and people to participate to develop blue prints for their region to address health disparities.
Q. What are some strategies to reduce health disparities?
A. Work force diversity is key strategies to address health disparities regardless of disease. It is important to have culturally congruent services in prevention and care. We should start motivating our young Latino, beginning with middle school about the health professions. They can be a great prevention and health educations, nurses, doctors, physician assistants. They can also be involved in policy making.
Q. Do you think the high rate of pregnancy among Latinas is a cultural issue or a health disparity issue?
A. I think it’s a health disparity issue. Why is this happening? Are Latinas getting the same education messages that everyone else is getting regarding birth control and decision making? We can flip the issue and focus on the family. We can use the assets among the Latino community. We can take care of our families.
Contact Info
Mauricio Palacios, M.S.H.Ed.
Director
Office of Health Disparities
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Ph: (303) 692-2329
Fax: (303) 691-7746
Lorenzo Olivas, MPH
US Public Health Service, Region VIII
1961 Stout Street, Room 498
Denver, Colorado 80294
303.844.7858
303.844.2019 (fax)