Hispanics are the fastest growing minority group in the nation and many are living in or near urban areas, which makes them disproportionately impacted by air pollution, a national report released Tuesday states.

In New Jersey, several counties, including Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson counties, home to a growing number of Hispanics, do not meet federal ozone standards, according to information from the Environmental Protection Agency.

“We already have higher rates of asthma than others in our country because Latinos live in poor communities where there are lots of air pollutants but especially we are looking at smog and ozone,” said Elena Rios, president and CEO of National Hispanic Medical Association, one of the organizations to release the report on Tuesday during a telephone news conference.

The forum "Health Care Reform Implementation" will address the new health care reform law, the most powerful legislation in decades for reducing health insurance costs and improving the health of Americans. According to Dr. Elena Rios, President of NHMA, "The Affordable Care Act will transform how health care is delivered to our Hispanic communities in ways not seen since Medicare became law to support health care for the elderly and Medicaid for the poor." She added, "One of the most important changes will be an emphasis on more disease prevention education directed to Latinos on how to transform themselves and their communities to live a healthier lifestyle."

New health care reform programs will include millions of federal monies that will be disbursed as prevention grants for worksite wellness, school clinics, and community health programs such as immunizations, education about diabetes, obesity, especially childhood obesity. The programs will bring quality health care with cultural competence training and language services to safety net medical practices, hospitals and clinics.

The NHHF Brings Together New York Area Health Industry to Celebrate Service to the Community Health professionals are critically needed, especially, those who are committed to serving the health needs of the growing Hispanic communities in the U.S. The National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) established a unique scholarship program targeted to leadership and service to underserved populations with our major partners, United Health Foundation, AstraZeneca, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, Maximus, Pfizer, Novo Nordisk, Emblem Health, Johnson & Johnson, Latino Commission on Aids, Einstein College of Medicine, Together Rx Access and UNIVISION.

In addition, the Foundation honors outstanding role models who have transformed their government agencies, medical schools, research, community agencies, and media to advance health care to underserved communities. Assemblyman Felix Ortiz, chairman, NY State Assembly Puerto Rican Task Force will serve as keynote speaker at the Scholarship Gala to be held at the NY Marriott Marquis on Dec. 1st with reception beginning at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is partnering with Hispanic-serving organizations to promote the Agency's Spanish-language resources and to encourage consumers to become more active partners in their health care. AHRQ's easy-to-read resources help consumers understand the benefits and risks of treatment options and encourage shared decision-making between patients and their health care teams.

To date, 10 organizations have signed a pledge of commitment to promote AHRQ's Spanish-language, evidence-based resources, including the National Hispanic Medical Association, Latino Student Medical Association, National Association of Hispanic Elderly, District of Columbia Office on Latino Affairs, National Latina Health Network, Telemundo, and the National Center for Farmworker Health.

To assist in this effort, AHRQ is launching the "Toma las riendas" ("Take the reins") campaign, a nationwide effort to encourage Hispanics to take control of their health and explore treatment options. The campaign launches November 13 at the Telemundo-sponsored Feria de la Familia (Family Fair) event from 12 noon to 6:00 p.m. ET at the D.C. Armory in Washington, D.C.

The National Hispanic Medical Association held its Fall Congressional briefing to increase awareness of Prevention of Disease among Hispanic Communities to Decrease Cost of Care

Congresswoman Lucille Roybal Allard opened the annual Fall Hispanic health briefing on Capitol Hill calling attention to the fact that the U.S. now spends $2 Trillion for health care expenditures and 75% of these costs are for diseases that could be preventable. Under the Affordable Care Act, signed by President Obama in March 2010, a new Public Health and Prevention Fund is a turning point to provide needed support for programs in communities, at medical and nursing schools, as well as for doctors' offices, clinics and hospitals for prevention of diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and cancer. The purpose of the briefing was to discuss how to decrease costs of health care among Hispanic communities with policies to address diabetes, obesity and physical exercise.

According to Dr. Elena Rios, president of the NHMA, "Prevention practices can be aligned with Hispanic families who care for each other's well-being - especially the children or chronically ill elder in the home, and decrease the high costs of health care if we focus on changing where we live." The NHMA is a partner with the First Lady's Let's Move Campaign and the Kellogg Foundation on child obesity and most recently was on stage with the CDC Director and the National Immunization Foundation for this year's flu season.

National Hispanic Medical Association Takes Lead on Health Care Reform Implementation for Hispanic Populations During Their 15th Annual National Conference

A CALL TO ACTION For Federal, State, and Private Sector Leaders to Share Expertise To Improve Prevention and Health Care Delivery

WASHINGTON, March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Hispanics are now 50 million persons or 18 per cent of the U.S. population, the largest ethnic group in the United States. Over 30 per cent of Hispanics are uninsured which means the Hispanic population will gain the most from the U.S. Health Care Reform implementation.

The National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) will hold its 15th Annual National Conference, "Health Care Reform Implementation for the Hispanic Community," beginning Thursday, March 17th through Sunday, March 20, 2011 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington D.C. This year's conference brings together health care professionals and experts from across the country to work with NHMA and the Obama Administration on new Health Care Reform.

NHMA Teams with CDC to Disseminate Information about the 2010-2011 Immunization Campaign

NHMA supports The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s efforts to spread information about the flu vaccine.

Below are links to a series of ready–to–use influenza articles for placement in local newspapers, magazines, or other publications.

Vaccine Safety: Getting a flu vaccine is a safe way to prevent serious illness.

Pregnant Women & Parents of Young Children: Pregnant Women and Infants – Targets for the Flu.

Parents: The flu vaccine—Protection from the flu. Peace of mind for you.

Older Americans (65+): FLU SEASON IS HERE – Don’t delay. Get the flu shot right away.

People w/ Underlying Health Conditions: Asthma, Diabetes, and Other Health Conditions Bring Greater Flu Risks.

Submitted by Elena Rios MD on Tue, 08/24/2010 - 10:27