Conference to address social determinants of health, focus on Latino health in the Finger Lakes region
The African American and Latino Health Coalitions are pleased to announce the Speak Life! 2023 Health Equity Conference, which will take place both in person at the Strathallan Hotel and online from 8:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 27. The event, themed "¡Acción ahora! / Action now!" aims to unite, teach, reach, and motivate community members to take action toward healing and moving forward in hope. Registration is open now on the Speak Life! website.
The conference will focus on Latino health as a lens to look at health equity for all people of color in the Finger Lakes. It will explore how language is a barrier to health care and other social determinants of health, and how that impacts equitable health outcomes.
“Conversations about racial equity often ignore the Latino community, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed the inequitable access to health information, providers, and treatments." said Wade Norwood, chief executive officer of Common Ground Health and emcee for the conference, "Our community needs to provide those. We also must ensure that our data systems capture everyone’s experiences and that our communities and schools are supporting our Latino brothers’ and sisters’ health, and our coalitions are working to make that a reality with this year's Speak Life! conference."
Speak Life! 2023 brings together a powerhouse slate of speakers to discuss the urgent need for health equity. Among the featured guests are nationally-acclaimed community activist, poet, journalist, media personality, and politician Felipe Luciano, who will present the event’s keynote address. Dr. Adolfo Cuevas, an Assistant Professor at New York University's Center for Anti-racism, Social Justice, and Public Health, will also speak at the event, as will Wilma Alvarado-Little, the Associate Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health and Director of the Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities Prevention.
A special panel discussion will feature community leaders such as Dr. Paula Cupertino, Professor of Public Health Sciences and Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, Anthony Jimenez, Assistant Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Angelica Perez-Delgado, President/CEO of Ibero-American Action League, and Daisy Rivera Algarin, Director of Neighborhood Service Centers for the City of Rochester and Chair Emeritus of Latinas Unidas. John Rodriguez, an award-winning entrepreneur and change agent, will moderate the panel.
The conference promises to be an informative and inspiring event that will bring together community members, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to address health equity issues and work towards a healthier, more just community. The Speak Life! 2023 Health Equity Conference is made possible by the generous support of presenting sponsor Excellus Blue Cross Blue Shield and keynote sponsor Greater Rochester Health Foundation.
For more information or to register for the conference, visit the Speak Life! website.
