Nuestra Salud, Nuestro Futuro
On October 13, 2021, representatives from across urban and rural regions of WA state shared data and stories about the pandemic’s impact on their respective Latinx/e communities, with a focus on what’s worked well and what challenges lie ahead. COVID-19 is still disproportionately affecting Latinx/e communities, and it is clear that we need grassroots, community-based efforts combined with top-down efforts to find solutions and continue strengthening Latinos’ health and well-being. Take a look at the symposium program and videos below to learn more.
Representatives participated in discussions that focused on issues impacting the Latinx/e communities and produced key policy recommendations that aim to inform COVID recovery resource allocation and policymaking necessary to promote health equity for Latino communities in Washington. We identified four areas of significance to our Latino communities in pandemic times:
- COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts
- Mental Health & Wellbeing
- Return-to-School
- Mutual Aid
Watch the Symposium
Grounding Remarks by WA Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah
Update on Current State of COVID-19 in WA by Dr. Santiago Neme
Panel 1B: Return-to-School
Update on Vaccination Rates among WA Latinos by Dr. Leo Morales
Panel 1A: Barriers and Facilitators to Ongoing Vaccination Efforts
Panel 2A: Mental Health & Wellbeing
Panel 2B: Successful Community Mutual Aid Efforts
All Panels: Moderator Report Out
Discussion led by CHA Executive Director Maria Sigüenza
Symposium Planning Committee
Nora Araujo
Community Outreach Specialist
Community Outreach Department
Consulate of Mexico in Seattle
Aida Hidalgo, PhD, MSc
Promotora de Salud
Ventanilla de Salud Program
Consulate of Mexico in Seattle
Carolina Lucero, MSW
Latino Center for Health Advisory Board member
Tomas Madrigal, PhD
Equity Coordinator
COVID-19 Response Community Engagement Taskforce
Washington State Department of Health
Nina Martinez
Board Chair
Latino Civic Alliance (LCA)
Milvia Berenice Pacheco Salvatierra
Artist and President
Movimiento Afrolatino Seattle (MÁS)
Maria Cristina Rojas, MD
Nephrology Specialist
Confluence Health–Wenatchee
Maria Sigüenza
Executive Director
WA State Commission on Hispanic Affairs (CHA)
Martin Valadez, MA
Regional Director, Heritage University Tri-Cities Campus & Interim Executive Director, Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Thank you to our Sponsors!
