Health

The Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA) may do more to decrease disparities in access to health care than anything since the Civil Rights Act of 1964. By David R. Morse – President and CEO / New American Dimensions, LLC

During the XIX International AIDS Conference, the Latino Commission on AIDS, in collaboration with Merck (known as MSD outside of the U.S. and Canada), launched Sharing Stories, Creating Hope, an innovative multimedia HIV educational campaign. The bilingual campaign connects the stories of health-care providers and Latinos/Hispanics living with HIV to demonstrate culturally-relevant HIV care strategies. This public health tool inspires a shared hope that reinforces how individuals and communities can come together to reduce HIV-related healthcare disparities.

The Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University unveiled a major update of AIDSVu, including new interactive online maps that, for the first time, show the latest HIV prevalence data for 13 U.S. cities by ZIP code or census tract.

A new national survey commissioned by Cultúr Health shows healthcare marketers should target insured Hispanic women ages 25-35. These young Latinas, representing a rapidly growing Hispanic demographic, are key healthcare gatekeepers – managing their own health needs and frequently those of their families, parents, grandparents and other relatives as well.

The Partnership at Drugfree.org and MetLife Foundation found that past-month marijuana use – particularly heavy use – has increased significantly among U.S. high school students since 2008.

UnitedHealthcare’s Latino Health Solutions launched a bilingual mobile website that provides health and wellness information tailored to Hispanics’ specific cultural and language needs.

The Clorox Company, in partnership with the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), announced the launch of the Hispanic Nurses Network, a new healthcare resource for Hispanic families.

The use of retail medical clinics located in pharmacies and other retail settings increased 10-fold between 2007 and 2009 according to a 2011 RAND study. The determining factors in choosing a retail medical clinic over a physician’s office were age, health status, income and proximity to the clinic.

Univision Communications, Inc. revealed the results of its new Hispanic Patient Journey research, which sheds light on the cultural nuances that influence Hispanic patients from awareness and information seeking, to diagnosis and adherence. The study was conducted among respondents who reported symptoms or diagnosis of a chronic condition. The results show that gaps exist along the patient journey due to factors including cultural traditions, language barriers and lack of targeted messaging.

World AIDS Day is celebrated on December 1 each year around the world. It has become one of the most recognized international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services.