At APHA (American Public Health Association) 2024, Dr. Julia López, assistant professor of medicine, delivered an oral presentation addressing the critical issue of mental health stigma in the Latinx/e community.
She explored how deeply rooted cultural beliefs and social isolation have historically impacted access to care, emphasizing the importance of cultural humility among practitioners. Dr. López highlighted evidence-based strategies, such as community-based participatory research (CBPR) and culturally tailored psychoeducation programs, which have shown promise in reducing stigma and improving service utilization. Her presentation showcased successful interventions, including the use of bilingual staff, family-based therapy models, and flexible service options, demonstrating how these approaches have bridged care gaps and advanced mental health equity in Latinx/e populations.
APHA 2024 Annual Meeting & Expo was held in Minneapolis, Oct. 27-30. This year’s meeting attracted 13,000 public health officials.