Diversity, Equity, Inclusion

Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month at UI Health

At UI Health, we are proud to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, 2024. This period honors the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries and celebrates the rich history and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities in the United States.

National Hispanic Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1968 under President Johnson and was extended to a month by President Reagan in 1988. “Hispanic” and “Latino” describe U.S. residents with ties to Latin America or the Caribbean. “Latino” includes diverse heritages; inclusive of Black, Indigenous, and Asian ethnicities, while “Hispanic” indicates a connection to Spain or the Spanish language. The U.S. Latino population now exceeds 60 million, making up 18.9% of the total population and the largest racial or ethnic group. Despite this, Hispanic patients represent nearly two-thirds of those with Limited English Proficiency, facing significant healthcare barriers.

This month, UI Health is hosting a staff-only event, “Advancing Equity: Innovative Strategies for Language Access and Health Literacy in Latino Healthcare.” The panel will address barriers faced by Hispanic/Latino patients, particularly those with Limited English Proficiency, and discuss strategies to enhance language access and health literacy for Spanish-speaking patients. Panelists from UI Health and UIC will explore obstacles and ways to improve language access services.

Hispanic/Latino communities are crucial to our healthcare system's success. Key figures include Severo Ochoa de Albornoz, who won the 1959 Nobel Prize for his work on RNA synthesis, and Dr. Helen Rodriguez Trias, MD who spotlighted the HIV/AIDS epidemic among mothers and babies and established Puerto Rico's first newborn care center, halving infant mortality in three years. We are dedicated to honoring these contributions year-round, not just during National Hispanic Heritage Month.

At UI Health, celebrating cultural and heritage months is essential for deepening our understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures. These observances reflect our ICARE values of Inclusion and Respect, helping to foster a strong sense of belonging among all employees in the UI Health community.

For more information on National Hispanic Heritage Month initiatives or to learn about our diversity efforts, please contact the Office of Diversity and Community Health Equity at UIHDiversity@uic.edu.

Archives

Learn more about how UI Health is honoring the achievements and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx members of our community through Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Hispanic Heritage Month 2022
• Hispanic Heritage Month 2023