|
September
16, 2008
Contact:
Tatiana Guerra
202-434-8070
NHCSL RECONVENED HISPANIC
STATE LEGISLATORS AT THEIR SIXTH ANNUAL HEALTH
DISPARITIES CONFERENCE
Members of the National Hispanic Caucus of State
Legislators addressed Cardiovascular Disease,
Atherosclerosis and Mental Health in the Latino
Community
Washington, DC/Wilmington, DE – The
National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL)
reconvened in Wilmington, Delaware on September
11-13 at the Hilton Wilmington/Christiana for
NHCSL’s Sixth Annual Health Disparities
Conference. The conference gave the legislators
an opportunity to share their progress and
efforts being made to reduce the health care gap
in the Hispanic community. This year NHCSL
members focused on the impact of cardiovascular
disease and atherosclerosis in our community and
a panel of experts on mental health addressed
prevention, education, cultural competence and
best practices during engaging and informative
discussions.
The 2008 Health Disparities Conference kicked-off
with remarks from Representative Joseph E. Miró
(DE), President of the NHCSL, who welcomed
attendees to his home state “NHCSL Health
Disparities Conferences are extremely important
for NHCSL as is here where we generate new
policy solutions and we set standards of health
care excellence for our community, by
establishing better comprehensive health
policies and launching nationwide initiatives,
we can eradicate racial and ethnic disparities
from our health system” stated Representative
Miró.
During the conference the legislators also
received a historical overview on health topics
discussed at previous NHCSL’s Health Disparities
conferences and had the opportunity to report on
the benefits and knowledge gained. In addition,
AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals hosted the members
of NHCSL at their headquarters in Wilmington for
an overview of AstraZeneca Hispanic Networking
Employee Group and a tour of their Research &
Development facilities.
The Annual Health Disparities Leadership Awards
were presented on Friday, September 12th to
Representative Rene Garcia (FL), Representative
Minnie Gonzalez (CT) and Senator Roberto Arango
(PR) for their exceptional commitment to
addressing health disparities in their local
communities. The awards were presented by
Representative Joseph E. Miró who commended the
recipients for being examples of exceptional
leadership and collaboration “it is imperative
that all Hispanic legislators work together to
address inequalities in health care in order to
successfully impact legislation, as leaders we
must work toward health care equality for our
communities and through collaboration we will be
able to close the gap on health disparities”
said Representative Miró. Among the high ranking
officials, NHCSL was honored with the
participation of Dr. Joxel Garcia, Assistant
Secretary for Health at the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services who provided the
keynote address at the Awards dinner.
This conference was made possible by AstraZeneca
# # #
The NHCSL is the premier national
association of Hispanic state legislators
working to design and implement policies and
procedures that will improve the quality of life
for Hispanics throughout the country. NHCSL was
founded in 1989 as a nonpartisan, nonprofit
501(c)3 with the mission to be the most
effective voice for the more than 300 Hispanic
legislators. For more information visit
www.nhcsl.org. |
