Partnership to Reduce Disparities in
Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools

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Overview of Event

The Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools made its public announcement on Friday November 12, at the Little Village Academy, which is one of the partnering schools for this project.

The intent of the public announcement was to publicize the partnership, create awareness of disparities in asthma and obesity in Latino communities, discuss in brief the intent of the project and announce the participating schools and respective communities.

In summary, the media covered the story with four main messages:

1. There is a health disparity in asthma and obesity in Latino communities;
2. Through this partnership the impacted Latino communities will create models for improving and duplicating their efforts;
3. Local community groups will be involved in seeking solutions to impact this health crisis; and
4. The project was federally/ NIEHS funded.

Rochelle Davis and Guillermo Gomez with the Healthy Schools Campaign framed the project. Ami Shah, Project Director with the Sinai Health System, presented the findings of their recent survey documenting asthma and obesity rates in Latino communities. Sharon Telleen-UIC Midwest Latino Health Research Policy Center, described Community Based Participatory Research. Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO) and West Town Leadership United (WLTU) provided community testimonials and put a face on the issue, and Dr. Myrtis Sullivan, UIC School of Public Health talked about the health related issues impacting the local communities.

The Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools includes the following members: West Town Leadership United, the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization, the Midwest Latino Health Research, Training and Policy Center (of the University of Illinois at Chicago), the Cook County Bureau of Health Services, the American Lung Association of Metropolitan Chicago, the UIC School of Public Health, and the Healthy Schools Campaign.

Additionally, Elizabeth Najara, Assistant Principal for Little Village Academy was on hand to welcome the partnership and lend school support for the project. Also, the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization and the West Town Leadership United both invited constituents who have expressed interest and support for this project.

In conclusion, the partners huddled and interacted with each other after the press conference, with community partners, academics, and health providers exchanging impressions and information about who they were and how they plan to work together. It was a mood filled with energy and a newly developed bond and commitment towards successfully completing this project.

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Radio Coverage

Both WBEZ (Chicago Public Radio) and  WGN Radio covered the event in their hourly news broadcasts on November 12th and 13th. Unfortunately, neither of these radio stations archive their general news broadcasts.

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News Print Media

Nuevo Siglo Newspaper - November 12, 2004:

Hoy Newspaper - November 12, 2004

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Agenda, Speakers, & Credits