UnidosUS and Affiliates meet with federal agencies on health disparities and workforce issues

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During the 2024 Changemakers Summit on March 6, 2024, UnidosUS Affiliate leaders and UnidosUS staff participated in meetings with the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor and the Department of Commerce to address critical issues within the Hispanic community.

Meeting with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Corn Masa Flour

Washington, DC—Day three of the Changemakers Summit, UnidosUS Affiliates along with UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía have meeting with Secretary Xavier Becerra regarding folic acid.
Washington, DC—Day three of the Changemakers Summit, UnidosUS Affiliates along with UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía have meeting with Secretary Xavier Becerra regarding folic acid.

Every year, the UnidosUS Changemakers Summit brings together hundreds of advocates representing our Affiliates from across the country to strategize, connect and learn from each other. On the third day of this event, many Affiliate leaders and young changemakers had the chance to put their skills into practice and conduct meetings with government agencies to directly advocate for the needs and priorities of their communities.  

UnidosUS, alongside our Affiliate Project Vida and our partners, convened with Secretary Xavier Becerra and his team at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to emphasize the critical role of fortifying corn masa flour in tackling health disparities within Latino communities.

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Neural tube defects (NTDs) like anencephaly and spina bifida are common but preventable birth issues that can lead to infant death or lifelong disability. They occur when the brain and spine don’t develop properly in early pregnancy due to low folic acid intake. Despite the proven benefits of folic acid, Hispanic women and infants face significantly higher rates of these severe NTDs compared to other groups, highlighting a major health disparity.

Corn masa flour serves as a dietary staple for more than half of Latina women. Despite the FDA’s voluntary fortification policy with folic acid in 2016—which we advocated for and supported—industry uptake has remained virtually nonexistent.

This highlights the urgency for proactive measures to ensure widespread availability and accessibility of fortified corn masa flour for Latino communities. Brianna Holcomb, representing our Affiliate Project Vida in El Paso, TX, stressed the importance of this issue for maternal health, emphasizing that women’s diets should support healthy pregnancies and babies.

Secretary Becerra echoed the importance of fortifying corn masa flour and corn masa products. The meeting concluded with his commitment to follow up on this critical matter, emphasizing collaboration with key stakeholders, including industry partners, public health experts, and community leaders. Together, we aim to develop and implement effective strategies for corn masa flour fortification.

 

Meeting with U.S. Department of Labor on workforce issues

UnidosUS staff and Affiliates met with the Department of Labor for a collaborative discussion aimed at paving the way for more inclusive and impactful workforce development policies and programs to uplift the Latino community and foster greater economic opportunity for all.

Key attendees included Ana Hageage, Chief of Staff, Employee + Training Administration; Wendy Chun-Hoon, Director of the Women’s Bureau; Katelyn Walker Mooney, Good Jobs Initiative Director; Tammi Fleming, Infrastructure Investment Equity Fellow; and Renato Rocha, Senior Policy Advisor, Employment + Training Administration, all from the Department of Labor. Additionally, representatives from nearly 20 UnidosUS Affiliate organizations and UnidosUS Staff were present.
Discussions delved into various crucial topics, such as workforce development initiatives and registered apprenticeships, the Good Jobs Initiative, place-based strategies, and issues concerning wage theft and child labor exploitation. 

 

Meeting with U.S. Department of Commerce

Washington, DC—Day three of the Changemakers Summit, UnidosUS Affiliates along with UnidosUS Economic Policy and Workforce Development staff meet with staff of the Department of Commerce.
Washington, DC—Day three of the Changemakers Summit, UnidosUS Affiliates along with UnidosUS Economic Policy and Workforce Development staff meet with staff of the Department of Commerce.

UnidosUS also engaged with the Department of Commerce to explore avenues for enhancing collaboration with the federal government in support of the Latino community’s advancement. Participants included Alejandra Y. Castillo, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development; Susie Feliz, Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs; and Sarah Morris, Principal Deputy of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Joined by over a dozen Affiliates and UnidosUS Staff, discussions centered on pertinent updates from the Department of Commerce. 

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