Hyattsville, MD- June 8th, 2018- On Wednesday, April 25th, La Clínica del Pueblo hosted a Convening, “Partnering for Health Equity,” bringing together elected officials, partner organizations, health experts, and community stakeholders at the City of Hyattsville Town Hall to discuss strategies for creating greater health equity in Prince George’s County, MD.

“One third of Latinos/Hispanics in the state of Maryland don’t have health insurance, a majority reside in Prince George’s County… We, as elected officials and representatives, need to do a better job of pushing people toward the organizations that are doing the work,” Maryland State Delegate (DDistrict 47B) Carlo Sanchez. Accessing health care is a significant challenge for Latinos living in Prince George’s County, due to language, immigration status, income, and other social determinants of health (factors that affect one’s health outcomes). A staggering 28.7% of Latinos are uninsured and 43.4% of noncitizen immigrants are uninsured, according to 2016 census data. Prince George’s County currently spends roughly 1% of their annual budget on Health and Human Services. “It is time as we move forward as a county, as we see revenues increasing as a county, that we deepen our investment in health and human services,” Chair, County Council, Dannielle Glaros. This new report (attached) puts forth detailed recommendations for expanding healthcare access in Prince George’s County by identifying the issues and proposing collaborative solutions between the public and private sector. These recommendations can play a part in shaping more just and equitable legislature and supports so that all county residents are healthy and cared for. Founded in 1983, La Clínica del Pueblo has been providing health services to the Latino community for 35 years and has continuously advocated for a more just, equitable, and inclusive healthcare system by leveraging advocacy efforts, public health initiatives, and expansion to new areas. Since 2015, La Clínica has deepened our commitment to creating health equity in Prince George’s County by opening three new sites, including a second clinic in Hyattsville. To date, La Clínica serves nearly 4,000 children, youth, and families through medical services, and provides over 20,000 health services each year across the Washington Metropolitan area.