RALEIGH     The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services will host a live Spanish-language Cafecito and tele-town hall on Tuesday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. to discuss common health needs and how to find support. As the event takes place during Hispanic Heritage Month, NCDHHS and participants will honor Hispanic and Latino communities across the state and share health-related information and resources.

    Event participants include:

• Yazmin Garcia Rico, MSW, Director of Latinx and Hispanic Policy and Strategy, NCDHHS
• Viviana Martinez-Bianchi, M.D., FAAFP, Associate Professor and Director for Health Equity, Duke University’s Department of Family Medicine and Community Health
• Amanda Huber Lopera, MSW, LCSW, Founder and Counselor, Sunrise-Amanecer Inc.

    The Hispanic community is disproportionately impacted by many chronic health conditions. In North Carolina, heart disease is the second largest cause of death within the Hispanic community and Hispanic and Latino people across the country are significantly more likely to die from diabetes compared to non-Hispanic white people. Many people also navigate mental health needs, including substance use disorders, and suicide is the third leading cause of death among Hispanic and Latino people in the U.S. between ages 10 to 24. The risks of COVID-19-related complications are also higher among people with chronic conditions, especially as COVID-19, the flu and other respiratory viruses circulate during the fall and winter.

    Routine health visits are necessary to support physical and mental health. Unfortunately, Hispanic adults are less likely than all other adults in the U.S. to have seen a health care provider in the past year.

    Cafecito and tele-town hall panelists will discuss the following:

• Importance of regular check-ups
• Mental health resources and support
• How to find culturally sensitive care and providers
• Resources for Hispanic/Latin communities in NC


   

    Access to health care professionals who speak or make information available in Spanish is essential for Spanish-speaking patients to make the best health decisions. Health care providers who understand patients and their cultures are also important. Resources are available to connect Hispanic/Latino communities in North Carolina with health care, information, education and support.

    The Cafecito will stream live from the NCDHHS Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts, where viewers can submit questions. The event also includes a tele-town hall, which invites people by phone to listen in and submit questions. People can also dial into the event by calling 855-756-7520 Ext. 95263#.

    NCDHHS’ Cafecito’s and tele-town halls are part of the state’s ongoing public efforts to ensure equitable access to timely health information, resources and vaccines, and eliminate health disparities.

• NC Department of Health and Human Services
• 2001 Mail Service Center
• Raleigh, NC 27699-2001
• Ph: (919) 855-4840
• news@dhhs.nc.gov