 t is a fact that Latinos face a higher risk of heart disease and stroke than non-Hispanics. To address the growing need for healthcare within the Hispanic population in Nassau County, Winthrop-University Hospital celebrated 'Diga Si en 2003,' its 2nd Annual Hispanic Health Fair, on May 8, 2003.
105 enthusiastic Winthrop volunteers, from almost every department of the Hospital, welcomed over 600 members of the Hispanic community-many of whom face financial challenges, language barriers, or would otherwise be restricted from basic health care services. The event included free health screenings, hospital tours, health insurance information, free food, music and family photos.
Winthrop's Diga Si A La Buena Salud initiative ("Say Yes to Good Health") was officially launched at last year's Health Fair, and is an on-going commitment. The first year of the initiative included a number of community-based programs with a focus on women and children's health. The program goals for 2003 continue to expand the outreach to offsite screenings and health fairs, educational lectures at community churches and Hispanic organizations, and to identify available, affordable health care. And now, Winthrop's Diga Si initiative has turned its focus internally, instituting a series of Spanish language classes for healthcare providers to enhance communication with Spanish-speaking patients.
Bi-lingual patient navigators have also been added in the Welcome Center to act as patient advocates, answering their questions, helping them with access to health services and following-up with them to make sure their needs are met.
For more information on the initiative, call 1-866-WINTHROP.
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