Binational Policy Forum on Migration and Health, Guanajuato, Mexico, 3-5 October 2010

[Guest guest]

FYI….

June 30, 2010

Dear

Friends,

It is with great pleasure that I extend a cordial invitation

for you to participate in the celebration of the Tenth Binational Health

Week and Binational Policy Forum on Migration and Health that will take

place October 3 - 5, 2010. This year’s inaugural event will take

place in Guanajuato, Mexico, in the midst of the festivities

commemorating the bicentennial of Mexican Independence and the centennial of

the Mexican Revolution.

The Policy Forum is the launching event for Binational

Health Week (BHW), which has become one of the largest mobilization efforts to

improve the health and well-being of the underserved Latino population living

in the United States.

This event is co-sponsored by Mexico’s Secretariats of

Health and Foreign Affairs as well as the National Population Council; the

Secretariats of Foreign Affairs of Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Colombia,

Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru; the New Mexico Department of Health; the Council of

Mexican Federations in North America; and the Health Initiative of the

Americas, a program of the University of California at Berkeley.

The migrant

community in the United States faces numerous challenges, such as limited

access to health services and health insurance coverage. Moreover, they are

overrepresented in health conditions such as obesity, diabetes and in

work-related accidents making them a vulnerable population. The Forum’s

objective is to convene stakeholders and policymaker to discuss

immigrants’ health challenges and explore collaborative strategies to

enhance the health condition of this community.

Every year BHW continues to grow, last year an estimated

5,082 health related activities were implemented, benefiting over 765,901

people, involving the participation of 10,895 agencies and 17,133 volunteers

led by 141 consulates that worked in conjunction with 174 planning committees.

Additionally, millions of people received health education messages through the

media.

We look forward to have your participation and collaboration

in this event as we work to improve the way of life of underserved populations.

For more information or to register click on the link:

Sincerely,

Xochitl

Castañeda

Health

Initiative of the Americas, Director

University of

California, Berkeley