The "Latinos in Massachusetts: Focus on Springfield" report was released by the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy.
View full sizeThe Mauricio Gaston Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy, based at the University of Massachusetts in Boston, released the report "Latinos in Massachusetts: Focus on Springfield" at the Springfield Sheraton Hotel. From left are speakers Sarah Rustan, research associate and data analyst, Phil Granberry, research associate, and María Idalí Torres, director of the Gastón Institute.SPRINGFIELD – Better results are needed from those working on problems faced by the Hispanic community such as high HIV rates, said a speaker during a Thursday presentation of the report “Latinos in Massachusetts: Focus on Springfield.”
The report was released by the Mauricio Gastón Institute for Latino Community Development and Public Policy, based at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
The information presented to the community at Springfield Sheraton Hotel included data on education, health disparities, and other conditions and challenges faced by the Latino community, which constitutes 38.8 percent of the Springfield population.
While most of the data presented is well-known in the city, the institute stated it is important to evaluate existing organizations that address main issues such as teen pregnancy rates and high school dropout rates and eliminate duplications.
“There is a need for local and state agencies to be held accountable,” said Dr. María Idalí Torres director, of the Gastón Institute.
The main speakers of the forum were Torres, Sarah Rustan, research associate and data analyst, and Phil Granberry, research associate.
“What we are saying is that we need to have better outcomes. We might have the money but where are the results?,” said Torres.
This forum was the first in a series of briefings that the institute will host throughout the state to raise awareness about the issues faced by the state’s Latino population.
Health wise, Torres addressed HIV as one of the main concerns. Statewide, Hispanics lead statistics for existing cases of HIV in children and young adults. Within the age range of HIV carriers less than 12 years old, Hispanics constitute 83 percent, according to data collected by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health in the year 2008. Of the HIV cases in people 20 to 24, Hispanics constitute 71 percent, and within the ages of 25 to 29, 68 percent.
Springfield City Councilor Zaida Luna was among the 160 people who attended the forum and said that some of the findings were surprising, while others are not new to her community. The question becomes what can be done to address these disparities.
“Some of the percentages were not a surprise but we have to refocus our strategies. I think the question now becomes how do we unite and collaborate to address the needs,” said Luna.