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PRESS CONFERENCE September 15, 2008 The ILLINOIS STATEWIDE LATINO HIV NETWORK Press Conference to release the Needs Assessment of HIV/AIDS Services for Latinos Report was successfully held at the State of Illinois Thompson Center on September 15, 2008. The announcement of the report was conducted by Dr. Damon T. Arnold, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, who made emphasis in the need to strengthen the capacity of Health Departments to deliver timely testing and community education services to Latinos in
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Salud Latina's Programs Por Nuestra Salud
The Por Nuestra Salud program is working to develop an HIV prevention program targeting high-risk Latino Immigrants and recent immigrants who reside in rural and non-urban areas of Illinois. Platicas de Comadres Initially funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) this initiative leveraged on the prior identification of beauticians and barber shops as productive venues where health information was disseminated. In this model Latina beauticians are trained to have conversations with their customers and provide information about HIV and testing resources, as well as begin to identify emerging risk behaviors among the targeted population. Despite its success, the original health advisor model contributed very little in understanding the framework that supported the validity of this intervention. Platicas de Comadres takes the second step in the formulation of a theoretical framework that includes fundamentals of the AIDS Reduction model and the Trans-theoretical model. Through this new definition of the community advisor function it is possible to better understand the effective communication of HIV issues and how slowly individuals give consideration to change their risk behavior as they acquire new protective responses (such as learning refusal skills or condom negotiation). Following the engagement of fifteen Comadres and over 200 customers Platicas de Comadres has taken a rapid shift from being a community movement in the city of Elgin, where the Comadres beauticians began to bring their husbands and partners to their refresher meetings, which resulted in a two prong campaign to educate women and men about the risk behaviors that expose them to HIV/AIDS and STDs. Through its second year Comadres will expand the intervention to Aurora and Carpentersville where it expects to include interventions to deter new trends and risk behaviors that promote HIV testing among individuals at high risk of infection. Aire Puro Vida Sana Latino community participation in policy development historically has been limited specifically in small towns and suburban areas. The local approval of tobacco ordinances represent a unique opportunity to enhance the capability of still anonymous community leaders to become known and contribute to the welfare of their communities. Aire Puro/Vida Sana uses the slow but continued process of building testimony, hearings and participating in the implementation of Clean Air Tobacco Ordinances taking place in Lake, Kane and DuPage Counties. . SL/LH leveraged on a long standing relationship with Latino health Coalitions and social services providers in the targeted counties by conducting training and providing demonstration events enhancing leadership skills and integrating clean air in the agenda of Latino wellness. The project has engaged numerous providers who benefit from Spanish speaking materials, development of a SL/LH tobacco ordinance toolkit and community education materials. Join Our Mailing List Salud Latina is constantly collaborating with other organizations and developing free trainings and workshops. We also develop a quarterly newsletter with original articles and announcements. Join our mailing list to stay updated via e-mail.
Contact Us at: 53 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1257 143 South Lincoln Ave., Suite I
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Salud Latina's News
Para más información en español sobre la Swine Influencia visite http://www.unbuendoctor.com/detalle_articulos.asp?idenfermedad=1180&tipo=4 |
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PRESS RELEASE: SALUD LATINA/LATINO HEALTH City Officials Provide Update On Swine Flu
City Officials Provide Update On Swine Flu Preparedness No Cases Yet, But Everyone Should "Think Prevention" While at the moment there are not any known cases of swine flu in Chicago, now is the time for all Chicagoans to think prevention and preparedness," City officials said today. "We take influenza seriously, and we expect all Chicagoans to do the same, stated Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) Commissioner Terry Mason, M.D. "Every year in the city, we administer many thousands of flu shots---and we maintain an effective surveillance system with dozens of hospitals and a select number of outpatient clinics across the city." The swine flu update was held at the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) headquarters on the Near West Side. Joining Dr. Mason were OEMC Executive Director Raymond Orozco, as well as Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman, who gave an update on CPS preparedness efforts. CDPH officials joining Dr. Mason were Deputy Commissioner and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Susan Gerber and Immunization Program Medical Director Dr. Julie Morita. "Like with any situation in Chicago, OEMC has been coordinating across departments to ensure that we are as prepared as we can be," said OEMC Executive Director Raymond Orozco. "These are precautionary measures and residents should not be alarmed. We just want residents to be informed so they can better prepare themselves and their families." There are no known cases of swine flu at the moment----but Dr. Mason and other CDPH officials said they expect that to change, given the spread of swine flu elsewhere across the U.S. and internationally. CPS CEO Ron Huberman stated that Chicago Public Schools will be coordinating health and safety measures with the CDPH to monitor and report any unusual symptoms that may be linked to the new strain of swine flu. At this time, Chicago Public Schools has no confirmed reports of this illness, and we are in the process of launching our internal notifications to ensure that our principals and faculty take the necessary precautions and proactive action measures if any incidents are observed or reported, Huberman said. Just as we would respond to any unusual health situation, we urge parents to immediately notify their family physician if they observe any unusual patterns of illness with their children, followed by prompt notification to the school's principal and or infirmary. Huberman added that with more than 600 CPS schools and 400,000 students citywide, CPS must lean forward in our preparedness efforts, and will do so with care and caution....not panic." CDPH is in continuous contact with suburban health departments, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Health Department also is briefing other City departments and sister agencies---including the Chicago Public Schools---and partners in the private sector, Dr. Mason added. "I want everyone to keep in mind that it is very early, and the situation is fluid. This strain of swine flu is a new strain----and not a lot is known about it---like exactly how ill infected persons become, how easily it may be passed from person to person, and so forth," Dr. Mason said. The few cases that have been identified thus far in the U.S. have been relatively mild---and while City officials hope that trend continues, they said there is no guarantee that it will. "But even though we have not yet seen cases of this new swine flu in Chicago, now---right now---is the time for all Chicagoans to think prevention and think preparedness," Dr. Mason said. Specifically, CDPH calls upon all Chicagoans to:
The symptoms of swine flu in people are similar to the symptoms of regular human flu and include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people have reported diarrhea and vomiting associated with swine flu. In the past, severe illness (pneumonia and respiratory failure) and deaths have been reported with swine flu infection in people. Like seasonal flu, swine flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions. People who believe they have these symptoms should call their doctor or other regular health care provider, just as they would do if they suspected they had any type of flu. City officials said they would update the press and public in the days to come, as more events unfold and more relevant, helpful information becomes available. For a national perspective on swine flu, go online to www.cdc.gov/swineflu |
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About Salud Latina OUR MISSION is to enable local, regional and national organizations to promote and develop the growth of healthy Latino communities. Salud Latina/Latino Health (SLLH) is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization dedicated to supporting organizational development, training administrators, and disseminating culturally competent models of intervention and resource development. Salud Latina offers training and technical assistance to service providers and administrators, health departments, planning committees, community based organizations, and faith based organizations with the purpose of establishing appropriate intervention and prevention treatments and services that are culturally competent and in response to a variety of physical and social conditions that commonly affect Latinos in the United States. Salud Latina/Latino Health receives grants and funding from public offices like the Illinois Department of Public Health, the Office of Minority Health, and other private sectors. As a result of our funding, we are capable of providing our services free of charge to all organizations that meet the criteria clearly defined in our grants. Generally, we provide free services to any non-profit or charitable organization that is either located in a Latino neighborhood, or that has Latinos participating in the congregation membership. |
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