Health experts from the University of Washington, Sea Mar Community Health Centers and Public Health Seattle & King County participated in a December 16 Spanish-language panel discussion to explore the impact of Covid-19 on Latino communities and examine the science behind the vaccine’s development.
The webinar was sponsored by the UW Latino Center for Health and the Washington State Department of Health. The Latino Center, based at the School of Social Work, collaborates across the six UW health sciences schools.
The Spanish-language format enabled the relay of accurate information and helpful resources directly to Spanish-speaking populations in Washington state where Latinos are 4.2 times more likely to die from Covid-19 than whites. While Latinos account for 35% of Covid-19 cases in the state, they make up only 13% of the population.
“We need to ensure the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine which means prioritizing communities that have been disproportionately impacted,” said Leo Morales, co-director of the Latino Center for Health and assistant dean at the UW School of Medicine. “This webinar is a first step in that direction.”
In addition to Morales, other panel participants were: Santiago Neme, medical director of the UW Medical Center and an infectious disease specialist; Julián Pérez, a physician from Sea Mar Community Health Centers; and Dr. Matías Valenzuela, equity director, Public Health Seattle & King County. Pablo Gaviria, a Univision Seattle reporter, moderated the discussion.
View the webinar here.