Health trends in Ga. Latino community to be discussed

ATLANTA - The Latino population in Georgia has changed considerably over the past few years and so has its healthcare needs.

New research on key health trends of the state's Latinos and its impact on future healthcare will be revealed at the 2012 June 7-8 Latino Health Summit, presented by the Hispanic Health Coalition of Georgia (HHCGA) and Emory University's Rollins School for Public Health.

The research is part of a comprehensive study undertaken for the HHCGA by the Rollins School for Public Health. The Summit will focus on four key health areas of the study - 1) Cancer; 2) Maternal Child Health; 3) Cardiovascular, Obesity and Diabetes; and 4) Behavioral Health. Speakers of national note will address each area and panels of experts will discuss the results and implications at the Summit. Organizers say that through the study and the Summit, the goal of HHCGA and the Rollins School of Public Health is to contribute to the "elimination of the health disparities" faced by Georgia's underserved communities.

They add health disparities at the national level for Latinos are well documented, and in 2007 a study on the health status of Latinos in Georgia revealed findings consistent with national levels.

However, since the completion of the 2007 report, two major environmental changes have affected how Georgia's Latinos access and utilize healthcare: the economic recession and Georgia's a strict immigration law, both of which are believed by many Hispanic advocates and others to have had negative health consequences for the state's Latino population. A goal of the study is to provide health practitioners and other service providers with critically needed information on the current health issues facing Latinos throughout the state.

"We are at a critical juncture locally and nationally in determining how healthcare needs can be met," said Heidy Guzman M.A., HHCGA's Executive Director. "The findings from this major study will enable healthcare professionals and others to better serve Georgia's Latino population."

The Summit will be held at Emory University. The study and Summit are funded by a grant from the Healthcare Georgia Foundation. Sponsors for the event include: American Cancer Society, AstraZeneca, CETPA, Kaiser Permanente, Mundo Hispanico, Padres & Hijos, Salud, United Healthcare and Univision 34Atlanta.