4th Annual Latino Health Summit Promotes Community Wellness in Bethlehem

The 4th Annual Latino Health Summit was held at the Wind Creek Event Center in Bethlehem on April 19-20, 2024. The two-day event featured insightful discussions, innovative panels, workshops, and collaborative initiatives aimed at promoting wellness and health within the Latino community.

Organized by the Latino Connection, the summit covered a wide range of topics including malnutrition, health and housing, domestic and sexual violence, and hospice and palliative care. A key focus was on healthcare policy, with the UnidosUS Action Fund announcing its National Health Care Latino Agenda for 2024. This agenda includes protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act and Inflation Reduction Act, addressing food insecurity, and expanding insulin caps to people of all ages.

Allentown Council President Cynthia Mota, who spoke at a press conference during the summit, emphasized that "healthcare access is a universal human right that transcends borders." She called for making healthcare services more accessible, including through improved language translation and navigation of the healthcare system. Mota was joined by State Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Rafael Collazo, and State Rep Danilo Burgos at the event.

Why this matters: The Latino Health Summit highlights the ongoing challenges and disparities in healthcare access faced by the Latino community. By bringing together community leaders, healthcare professionals, and policymakers, the summit aims to drive meaningful change and improve health outcomes for Latinos in the region and beyond.

The 4th Annual Latino Health Summit served as a platform for addressing critical health issues and promoting collaborative solutions. With a focus on healthcare policy, accessibility, and community engagement, the event underscored the importance of ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all. As Allentown Council President Cynthia Mota stated, "healthcare access is a universal human right that transcends borders," emphasizing the need for continued efforts to improve the health and well-being of the Latino community.

Key Takeaways

• 4th Annual Latino Health Summit held in Bethlehem, PA on April 19-20, 2024.
• Summit covered topics like malnutrition, housing, violence, and palliative care.
• UnidosUS Action Fund announced its National Health Care Latino Agenda for 2024.
• Allentown Council President emphasized healthcare access as a universal human right.
• Summit aimed to drive change and improve healthcare outcomes for Latinos.