VCU to host Latino Health Summit

By Malorie Burkett and Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Center on Health Disparities and the School of World Studies will present the Latino Health Summit on cultures and beliefs in health care.

The event will take place at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 N. 3rd St.
It will begin at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, and will continue at 8 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17.

The summit is designed to equip health care providers, community leaders and individuals involved in the provision of health services with information, knowledge and resources to better serve the growing Latino population in Central Virginia.  

The event also will bring nationally known leaders and researchers together to share their knowledge and experience with regard to demographic trends, key health issues, current best practices in health care and key provider and patient resources for achieving better health outcomes for Latinos. 

Conference topics will include the demographics and trends of Latinos in Virginia; health issues facing the Latino population in Virginia; cultural and linguistic barriers to health care encountered by Latinos; effective strategies and best practices for overcoming the cultural and linguistic barriers to health care encountered by Latinos; and identifying key provider and patient resources.

U.S. Census Bureau statistics from 2000 indicate that Latinos are the nation’s fastest growing minority population.  According to the Greater Richmond Area Immigrant Health Needs Assessment, more than 20,000 people immigrated into the Greater Richmond area between 1990 and 2000. Latin Americans represent one of the largest population groups immigrating to the area, with a growth rate of five times the overall population.