Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, is a time of year where we proudly celebrate the roots, traditions, and the valuable contributions that the Latinx and Hispanic communities have made to this country and the state of Florida. It is also a time to raise awareness for some of the challenges the Hispanic community faces today.
Nationally, Planned Parenthood health centers serve over 560,000 Hispanic patients each year, including some of the United States’ nine million Latinas of reproductive age. Here in Florida, Hispanic births represent 31.1 percent of all births in the state, which means there are at least 1,243,876 Spanish-speaking people of reproductive age in Florida. Source: March of Dimes
A safe and accessible space for the Hispanic community
We know that taking care of your health can be a little overwhelming, especially if your provider doesn’t speak your native language. Additionally, something very few people know is that Hispanics have some of the highest rates of forced sterilization in the country.
At Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, we want you to feel at home, which is why we offer our services in both English and Spanish.
Everyone deserves to receive health care in the language that makes them feel most comfortable and safe.
Services designed with the needs of the Hispanic community in mind.
It is our top priority that our healthcare providers understand and assess patients' needs to the best of their ability and ensure patients fully understand the care they are receiving when at our health centers. That’s why we’ve designed our services with our Hispanic patients in mind.
All our health care materials – from medical brochures to our website – are available in both English and Spanish. Not to mention, all our social media channels, from TikTok to Instagram, are bilingual.
With almost half of our staff being part of our local Hispanic communities, we know the importance of showing up loud and proud for our Hispanic patients – ready to serve them no matter their nationality, language, insurance or immigration status, and beyond.
You can browse some of our most popular Spanish service webpages below:
We work with all people – regardless of insurance or immigration status.
We understand the disparities the community faces – and we close them.
6.5 million Hispanics live in the 22+ states that have banned or severely restricted access to abortion. This is just one example of the numerous barriers to reproductive healthcare Hispanics face in the U.S. and here in Florida.
Fertility rates among the Hispanic community are rarely discussed, despite the birth rate for Hispanic women plummeting by 31% from 2007 to 2017—compared to 5% and 11% declines for White and Black women, respectively. And women of Hispanic heritage are more at risk to develop PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, as well as cervical cancer.
At Planned Parenthood of South, East and North Florida, we work tirelessly to expand efforts to improve our health services to the Hispanic community, provide comprehensive sex education, and continue to combat efforts to roll back their rights.
Care – no matter what
We’re inspired by all the leadership, innovative work, and commitment by the Hispanic community to create a world where access to health care doesn’t depend on who you are or where you live.
This Hispanic Heritage Month and beyond, Planned Parenthood is committed to expanding efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health among Hispanic communities, provide accurate sexual and reproductive health education, and combat efforts to roll back our rights.
Tags: Hispanic Heritage Month