October 5, 2015

Florida department of health in seminole county celebrates hispanic Heritage

Contact: Tiffani McDaniel, Public Information Officer
Media Desk: 407-665-3374 and 321-200-7805

Sanford, Fla. – In observance of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County’s (DOH-Seminole) Office of Minority Health will host its Second Annual Hispanic Heritage Culture event.  The free event will celebrate Hispanic heritage and recognize individuals who advocate for public health initiatives within the Hispanic community in Seminole County.

The Second Annual Hispanic Heritage Culture event will take place on Thursday, October 8, 2015 from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in DOH-Seminole’s Auditorium, located at 400 West Airport Boulevard, Sanford, Florida. Refreshments and live entertainment will be provided. To register, contact Selenita Delgado at 407-665-3233.

“The theme for this year’s event is Our Family, Our Children, Our Community,” said Gloria Rivadeneyra, School Health Manager for DOH-Seminole. “This theme was chosen because it highlights the value the Hispanic community places on family.” 

In September 1968, National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15) was established to celebrate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are fifty-four million Hispanics living in the United States. Hispanics represent approximately seventeen percent of the U.S. total population, which makes them the nation’s largest ethnic or race minority. In Seminole County, nineteen percent of the population is Hispanic.

DOH-Seminole established the Office of Minority Health in 2013 to improve health of racial and ethnic minority populations in Seminole County. The Office of Minority Health coordinates four health events each year for minority populations adversely affected by chronic disease.

“Minorities continue to lag behind other populations in many health outcomes,” said Dr. Swannie Jett, Health Officer for DOH-Seminole. “Health disparities among minorities are often linked to social, economic or environmental disadvantages. These conditions are known as the social determinants of health.”

Visit seminolecohealth.com for more information. The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

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