Coalition History
Over the past 15 years there has been exponential growth in the number of Hispanics/Latinos living in South Carolina. In 2000 Governor Jim Hodges, through the Commission of Minority Affairs invited Dr. Deborah Parra-Medina to chair the Governor’s Task Force on Hispanic Issues in order to help identify the needs of this population. Dr. Parra-Medina then asked Dr. DeAnne Messias to serve as the leader for the task force’s Hispanic health subcommittee to, more specifically, identify health care needs for Hispanics/Latinos living in South Carolina.
Fifty representatives of the Hispanic population including Hispanic-serving organizations, healthcare providers, and other interested parties from across the state came together and discussed the main issues that needed to be addressed to better this population’s health. The group identified topics such as healthcare access, cultural competency, cost, immigration issues and structural issues. After the task force met and identified these concerns, many of the members wanted to continue advocating for Hispanic health. This group formed an official organization, and in 2002 the South Carolina Hispanic/Latino Health Coalition was born.
Past Chairs |
|
DeAnne Messias Myriam Torres Edena Meetze Deborah Parra-Medina |
2006-2008 2004-2006 2002-2004 2001-2002 |
Calendar of Events
Mar
15
Four students, who are on a four month, 1500 mile walk from Miami to Washington DC to protest the lack of legislation granting legal status to illegal immigrants are making a stop here on campus at USC. They will be on campus on Monday, March 15, at the Russell House Theater to answer questions about their journey and about immigrant rights.
Mar
16
Outreach and Advocacy Meeting
The next Outreach and Advocacy Committee meeting will take place on March 16 at 3:00 pm at the 730 Devine Street conference room.
Mar
23
Virtual March
Register to participate for the Virtual March for Correct Health Information for SC schools at noon on March 23 in a virtual march for medically accurate reproductive health education in South Carolina schools. The link for the march is http://tellthemsc.org/virtualmarch/.
Apr
1
Dine and Discuss
This meeting will take place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at the 730 Devine Street conference room. The topic is “Substance Use and Latinos: Prevalence, Programs and Outreach”.